Not since Karl Lagerfeld presented his first collection of swimwear for Chanel during the ‘90s have bikinis been so widely discussed. Be it the fact that this year is the first time in a while that England has delivered consistently warm days without rain in a while, or our collective lust for the parasole-lined water’s edge of the Mediterranean—Mallorca, Maiori, Mykonos, oh my!—but every conversation of late is hooked on one central topic: the biggest bikini trends of 2025.
In group chats, runs to Gail’s with your girlfriends to grab an iced latte, and within the Who What Wear UK office, especially, it seems all we can discuss is what two-piece we’ll be wearing the next time the sun’s out. Will you follow Laura Harrier’s lead and slip into something similar to the sultry leopard print bikini she wore while in Greece? Or, lean into the print du jour and replicate Lila Moss’s polka-dot bikini from her recent trip to Ibiza?
Perhaps even eschew the seaside altogether and channel the styling of Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2025 collection. Presented in Paris, the luxuriate paired bold neoprene cutout bodysuits were rendered to look like a monokini with grey pleated skirts, navy polos and crisp white cotton poplin skirts. Who said you couldn’t have the city and the coast at once?
Yes, when it comes to swimwear, the world is truly your oyster. Speaking of the latter, another specific trend that’s emerging this year is the rise of fish-core. Consider it method dressing for the seaside. Aquatic fever is reaching well, fever pitch, with maritime motifs like gilded shell clasps and sardine illustrations cropping up across independent swimwear labels, including nounou swim and Fruity Booty. These are styles that will not only incite a sense of languidness, purely because of their association with the beach, but help transport you to balmy shorelines when you may just be paddling about in your local lido.
What Bikinis Are Trending In 2025?
But like Lagerfeld and Prada have showcased, bikinis aren’t mutually exclusive with a body of water. Sure, tranquil waves are made to be splashed in wearing one of Hunza G’s crinkled cossies or Peony’s floral tie-up shapes, but as many brands are proving nowadays, swimsuits are more versatile than you may initially think. “Swimwear is being styled like ready-to-wear now,” explains Bianca Bennetts, the co-founder and CEO of Australian swimwear brand FAE. Of course, if we’re talking about transitional pieces that suit both the street and the sand, it would be remiss of us not to mention the most in-demand bikinis of the season: Rèalisation Par’s collaboration with Frankie’s Bikinis.
Indeed, from Malibu to Mayfair, the results of this synergetic collaboration can be seen peaking out from the brand’s cheeky cover-ups or sensually blissful dresses; an itty bitty polka-dot balconette bikini, crochet cherries hanging from underneath a python print slip dress or daring stripes that whisk you away to iconic holiday locales like the Caribbean cabaret bar, Le Ti St Barth.
“Holiday dressing is something we’ve always felt confident in—it’s where Réal really comes to life,” explains Realisation Par’s co-founders Teale Talbolt and Alexander Spencer. Speaking to Who What Wear exclusively about the collection, Talbot, CEO and design director, and Spencer, creative director, added, “swimwear was the natural next step. It made perfect sense to add another element to the way a Dreamgirl could pack for summer. Now, it’s not just the dress you throw on after the beach—it’s the bikini you wear to it.”
When I asked about what it is about the brand that suits so many different cities and tastes as an Australian brand with Los Angeles roots and a large following in London, they had this to say: “Each design pieces that tap into a universal desire, which is to look and feel like the best version of yourself. There’s an effortlessness to our dresses that fits seamlessly into city life, summer holidays, and everything in between. We also consciously design with a wide range of women in mind—across ages, body types, and style preferences. We want everyone to feel like there’s a Réal piece for them. That inclusivity has helped us resonate with women in different cities and cultures. We’re a small, female-led team, and our internal lens naturally reflects our customer: international, diverse, and confident in their own style.”
And there lies the real bikini trend of 2025. This season isn’t about following someone else's lead, but paving your own. Like leaving behind footsteps in wet sand, these main styles are about pieces you can create memories in and can become imbued with a sense of wistful longing for bygone summers. This is something that Helena Ammitzboell, founder and creative director of Asta Resort, echoes, too.
“My head is always buried in old books and fashion, art, and architectural archives. This is where I dig for dial-up, vintage-inspired femininity that turns heads,” she explains. “Looking to today, I have noticed that women, especially when going out, want to feel a freedom of movement and expect their silhouettes to look gilded over their skin,” she adds.
“I remember wearing a '50s-esque bikini that I wore every summer as a kid. It was so well-loved that it eventually started to sag. [These memories remind me that] I have always been drawn to vintage dressing and feel as though each piece I design carries some sort of nostalgia.”
Ready to take the plunge? Dive into the styles of note and shop the pieces we’ll be wearing on repeat, ahead.
The 7 Top Bikini Trends of 2025 to Slip Into This Summer
1. Polka Dots
Style Notes: Once synonymous with old Hollywood glamour as seen on 1950s pin-up film starlets like Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe, polka-dot bikinis have shedded their “archival” connotations and become a youthful print that signals classic style. Talbot and Spencer acknowledge this current mode of twisting timeless styles in their designs, explaining that rendering these elements through a modern prism is “such a fresh take on classic swim—chic and unexpected”.
Shop the Bikini Trend:
This halter top with ruched detail feels so mid-century modern.
The gorgeous balconette bikini top features chic darting through the middle to create a more sculpted and lifted effect and is rendered in the brand's sweet ladybug-esque print.
This summery colour combination reminds me of the blue and white striped umbrellas you'll find in Nice.
2. Textured Fabrics
Style Notes: Another way that designers are playing with classic styles is through texture. “Think: Seek silhouettes with textured fabrics, and a bit of nostalgia,” Bennetts says. From terry towelling to ruched fabrics and sequin embroidery, adding dimension to your look through tactile elements is one of the most subtle ways you can embrace leading bikini trends. Of course, iconic bikini brand Hunza G will always be the pioneer of this trend through their distinct one-size-fits-all stretch fabric. Still, there's more ways than one to embrace this look. “Texture is definitely one of the biggest bikini trends of 2025,” says With Jéan co-founders and designers Sami Lorking-Tanner and Evangeline Titilas. “Playing with fabrics and materials, is something we’ve been seeing so much already. Swimwear is definitely turning away from the norm and becoming more of a statement.”
Shop the Bikini Trend:
This glass slipper blue hue is so striking.
Planning a holiday to Ibiza or Saint Tropez? This style demands to be packed in your carry-on.
This sequin style is a set you won't get enough off.
3. Charming Add-Ons
Style Notes: There’s a reason why classics endure, and it’s because the elements are so ageless that they’re unable to be dated to a specific time period. Opting for a timeless piece will save you from future bikini-related regret, but don’t for a second think that these eternal cuts and colours are boring when compared to ritzy prints or novel shapes. This season, swimwear designers are introducing charming add-ons to lasting trends like the black triangle bikini (a design that is arguably the LBD of the swim world). This movement of adding unexpected hardware detail or sleek embellishments can be attributed to the Australian king of skin, Christopher Esber, who first introduced this look through the addition of stones and crystal to his cut-out designs. For 2025, this is coming to the forefront with the inclusion of ornaments that hang from your bikini strap like a beach-approved bag charm. “I have always loved collecting trinkets,” explains Ammitzboell. “These little hidden treasures or knick-knacks inspired our charms on our swimwear.”
Shop the Bikini Trend:
See what we mean? The addition of this orbit stud does so much to elevate a simple cut-out style, but upon closer inspection, is actually quite a tongue-in-cheek reference to the bikini styles we wore in the early 2000s when all we cared about was showing off our belly piercing.
These extras don't have to be that cerebral, though. They can also be cute and playful, like this stunning strapless style with darling multi-coloured bows from Faithfull The Brand. Speaking to the Faithfull's co-founder and creative director, Helle Them-Enger, the designer said of the biggest bikini trends of 2025 that this season will be about embracing the unexpected. "We are excited to embrace more colour this summer, playing with bright new shades and bold new prints – from unique floral motifs to more nostalgic ginghams and multi-coloured stripes."
Look no further for an expensive-looking high-street alternative.
4. Studs
Style Notes: From Valentino’s rivet-flecked Nellcote embellished suede tote to Gimaguas’s pierced flip-flop collaboration with Havaianas, one of the major trends for this season is studded accessories. As it is with fashion, it was only a matter of time before this motif was applied to a new style, so it should come as no surprise to see metallic grommets and eyelets appear on chic bikinis. The tension between the softness of the neoprene fabric and structured hardware makes this trend the most edgy and industrial on the market right now. Kylie Jenner has already co-signed the movement—wearing Y2K-esque hotpants, no less—but I’d contend it’s the perfect trend for the release of Lorde’s hotly anticipated fourth album. It’s something you’d wear when blasting the record’s singles while dancing unabashedly through the city. Let’s hear it for the trend of the year…
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The best affordable alternative to the Gimaguas style that started it all.
Time to relive Brat summer for another season. This time, in the shade of the moment: powder pink.
A little Burgundy never hurt nobody...
5. Tankini Cuts
Style Notes: If the rise of Pucci, Burberry, Gucci and Missoma prints is any indication, it's that the early 2000s are surely back. Thankfully, we've left the gaudy kaftans and gladiator sandals in the past. Instead, flirtier styles like tankini cuts have been given a renaissance. Offering fuller coverage thanks to their longer silhouette, tankini styles bridge sun safety with style while providing a bit more modesty compared to other shapes. I'm the proud owner of a tankini myself and love that it gives me the ability to just slip on some bottoms and head to a post-swim catch-up with ease, given it doubles as a chic top once dry.
Shop the Bikini Trend:
As this is the exact style I have, it comes highly recommended. The built-in corsetry and waist-grazing hem ensures it easily disguises as a sleek tank when not being worn to the ocean.
Nearly every London-based It girl I know owns this Damson Madder style. Note the lower cut means you might have to wear another bikini underneath (as seen here) to avoid any slip-ups.
This is the exact piece Bella Hadid wears, if you want to imitate her rodeo-fused aesthetic.
6. Metallic Shades
Style Notes: Gold, silver, bronze and copper tones might have peaked last year in line with the Paris Olympics, but like any fashion trend that emerges from the French capital, it was bound to stick around. This season, these glistening metallic shades pack a punch with more vibrancy, saturation and glimmer than ever. Stylish and head-turning? Yes. But on a more practical front, they help draw attention to you in the waves thanks to the reflective quality. How’s that for catching the attention of the cute lifeguard lingering around the beach club? As Bennetts says: “It’s all about refined sensuality”.
Shop the Bikini Trend:
This set combines two of this year's biggest bikini trends, metallics and aquatic add-ons, and is currently on sale.
Live out our inner Addison Rae "Aquamarine" fantasy in this set.
So Mugler coded, but at a Mango price point.
7. Leopard Print
Style Notes: French-Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa might’ve pioneered the rise of leopard print bikinis in the mid-’90s, but it's the next generation of the celebrity style set that’s helped them return to fashion darling status. Thanks to fictional icons like The Nanny’s Fran Fine and The Sopranos’ Adriana La Cerva and early A-lister adopters including Sofia Richie Grainge and Sabrina Carpenter, animal patterns are a trend you can invest in without feeling like it will easily age. It’s this reason that Réalisation Par and Frankie’s Bikinis chose to feature it in their exclusive capsule. “These prints are part of our DNA. They have become iconic for us—they’re playful and timeless,” explain Talbot and Spencer. “We wanted the swim collection to feel instantly recognisable, and these prints translated seamlessly into that world. They’re quintessential Réal.”
Shop the Bikini Trend:
As for styling these covetable bikins? Talbot and Spencer recommend, "adding glowy skin, salty hair, gold hoops and some great sandals—[these pieces] feels quite sexy."
Roberto Cavalli and Skims also just teamed up to deliver a line of leopard print bikinis, so I love how this Mango style is ahead of the curve.
For those with bigger bust, RAQ swimwear is a label you need to know.
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At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
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