As you know, “ugly” trends have all but taken over the fashion world, but the fashion item that’s pretty much avoided the ugly treatment is swimwear. In fact, many of the swimsuits on the market are quite the opposite—as in best described as pretty. Honestly, nothing gets a quicker compliment during the summer months than a pretty swimsuit, whether it be bikini or one-piece.
But since one can’t buy every pretty swimsuit out there, we did our due diligence and selected what we think are the prettiest swimsuits on the internet. Among the chosen ones you’ll find compliment-bait details like pastels, florals, sparkles, and ruffles, as well as a few other more unexpectedly “pretty” styles. So before you start planning that next beach trip (or at least pool day), scroll on to shop 23 ridiculously pretty swimsuits to wear all summer (along with some pretty swimwear inspiration via your favorite Instagrammers).
This stretchy bikini is as comfortable as it looks.These are what we call fashion bows, and they’re wonderful.It doesn’t get prettier than tie-dye.The swimsuit makes us happy, HBU?This colorful print is so unique.This really does subtly resemble a butterfly.+ Mandalay Bikini Bottoms ($68). This sweet floral print is timeless.As you can see, this is both pretty and extra. + Cheekini Bottoms ($70). You’ll wear this tropical bikini on repeat.Rixo makes swimwear now, and it’s good. + Mason Rose Bikini Bottom ($165). This is almost too pretty to get wet.Just imagine how pretty this will look in the sunlight.There are so many pretty Solid and Striped swimsuits to choose from, but this one couldn’t not make the cut.+ Bouloux II Bottom ($116). Now this is a cool bikini.Imagine how chic this would look with this Jacquemus It bag.Bravo to the crystal straps, Zara.You’ll definitely stand out in this exotic number.They weren’t kidding about the drama.This pretty tie-dye print feels decidedly modern.Lisa Marie Fernandez is the queen of pretty swimwear, as you can see.The underwire swimsuit trend is already reigning supreme in 2019.A painterly floral print is such a fresh choice.+ Bella Bottom ($110). Okay, we officially want a crystal-strap swimsuit.
Always look smart when you travel; you never know who you’ll meet—a piece of advice my mom would always give me before I jetted off on a trip. Of course, I wouldn’t always listen to this advice (my early 20s were unquestionably my more sloppy traveling phase), but nonetheless, the phrase still swirls around in my head before every voyage.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to travel pretty extensively, and while I’ve certainly worn my fair share of leggings on many a trip, I’ve come to a point where I’m craving more stylish travel pant alternatives, which brings me swiftly to our subject today: What are the most comfortable and chic pants to travel in if you don’t want to wear leggings? In short, a pair of pants that don’t make you look like you’re in a yoga class, but are still soft, stretchy, non-restrictive, and most importantly smart and stylish. (I want to be considered for that upgrade, after all.) This most often takes the form of cashmere, cotton and lightweight fabrics with a drawstring or elasticated waists.
As market editor, I’ve done my best sartorial digging to bring you the pants that are seasonless, elegant, soft, and comfortable for your next flight. Scroll below for 17 chic options and get inspired by the leggings alternatives fashion girls are wearing right now.
These (pictured above on Monikh) are made from soft Peruvian cotton-terry and for a pair of sweatpant, they exude a seriously smart silhouette.Lightweight and smooth to the touch, the olive hue is super versatile for traveling. There’s also a sneaky back pocket for your cell phone.I always turn to Vince when I want to invest in a timeless basic. The front pleats and tie belt on these pants add a hint of polish to the easygoing silhouette made from a lightweight stretch knit.Classic and cool, these ûber-soft Supima cotton-terry pants feature a drawstring waist and elasticated cuffs.I’ve always loved AG Jeans for their superior stretch denim fabric. If you’re a jeans girl, these are perfect for traveling.L.A.-based brand, Lunya have the softest and most comfortable lounge pants around. These are made from airy and breathable Pima cotton.These look seriously smart—great for commuting, work, and travel. The Luna fabric they’re made from is smooth and structured with surprising stretch.I’ve worn these khaki chinos on several trips already and I love the softness, stretch, and versatility.These could totally pass for smart work pants if you’re going on a business trip.These are made from a warm knit with elements of merino wool and cashmere, and we love the belted waist for a more sophisticated look.Athleta’s travel pant game is strong. These aren’t the only ones I’m featuring in this edit. They’re made from a featherweight stretch fabric and feel silky sleek and light as air.New York Times Fashion Director Vanesa Friedman recommends this brand for travel basics. These ribbed pants are made from thin, silky-soft summer cashmere.Skinny jeans in a super-stretch denim are a welcome legging alternative. The cute ruffle hem adds a charming touch to these soft and stretchy hacci fabric lounge pants.Ribbed knit will keep you cozy, chic, and comfortable. We love the cropped silhouette and handy drawstring waist.There’s a reason this is called the Jet Set trouser. It’s made for comfort on that red-eye flight and is perfect for that 9 a.m. meeting after you land. It’s wrinkle-resistant, sharp, and super comfortable with a no-pinch waistband. These will take you from the plane to your next activity in utmost style.Pair with sporty white Teva sandals for a cool-girl airport outfit.Not your average track pants. These comfy and roomy pants feature a high-waisted drawstring elastic waistband and a cropped wide leg. They look great with Birkenstocks or sneakers.
Welcome to your one-stop shop for all things swimwear this year. We couldn’t have you shopping for your summer suit without doing some research first, so we rounded up everything you need to know about what’s in—and why—and packaged it all together for you in today’s admittedly beautiful and easy-to-digest swim report. While our own intuition rarely fails us, we took things one step further and reached out to three sources to give us the hard data on what’s worth paying attention to in the world of swim right now.
First, our Instagram-savvy friends at Dash Hudson told us which photos are overperforming in terms of engagement (meaning which get the most action in terms of likes, comments, reach, and more). Next, our data team chimed in with the swim-related terms people in the U.S. are searching most on Google, showing us the various trends’ impact on a larger scale. Lastly, our sales team corroborated this all by checking what swimsuit types our very own readers are actually buying the most of at the moment. Read on to see how this came together in the form of five major trends, see them in action, and shop our top picks for each one.
It’s no surprise that the swimwear sector has recently caught up with the fashion world’s overarching obsession with the animal-print revival. With nearly every brand investing in some version of the trend, it’s among the easiest to find both in stores and online. Currently, animal print outperforms other swimwear content on Instagram by 108% and holds top-seller status among Who What Wear readers. This includes leopard, zebra, and cheetah in a range of styles and colors.
Given the photogenic nature of the trend, it’s also no surprise that It girls are quick to fill their grids with various animal-print swimsuits, too. From my perspective, however, the best thing about the trend is how accessible it is. No matter your budget or preferred style of suit, there’s an option for you. This is most easily evidenced by the $19 Amazon bikini our entire office is ordering.
Shop the matching Leopard Bikini Bottom ($40).
Floral is the approachable print that never fails. While it’s classic in nature, it definitely has its cyclical peaks and valleys in different categories, finding popularity in various It items season after season. We’ve seen floral dresses blow up and then simmer down, flower-embroidered denim have its moment, and for the season ahead, it’s all about swimwear. Floral swimsuits are not only top sellers on Who What Wear but also outperform other swimwear content on Instagram by 11.4%.
Lucky for all of us, the trend also comes in many iterations. Whether you’re partial to a microprint in neutral colors or big, bold flowers in bright hues, you can find a suit that feels very on trend for 2019 from brands that are both under the radar and highly established. In other words, your only problem will be narrowing down all your favorites.
Shop the matching Lidya HIgh Waist Bottoms ($145).
Shop the matching Elena Floral-Print Bikini Bottom ($130).
Getting to my personal favorite swimwear trend, we have high-waisted bottoms, which, as Dash Hudson pointed out, date back to the ’50s, giving the look a lot of leverage. With over 90,000 average monthly Google searches in the U.S. and an over-engagement rate of 60% on Instagram, high-waisted bikinis are still gaining popularity into 2019. This is also clear when shopping, as the vintage-inspired separates are becoming as common an option as regular-rise styles.
As with any trending silhouette, from lace-up to button details, both classic and emerging brands continue to find fresh ways to put a spin on high-waisted swimsuits. Of course, if simple is more your speed, you’re covered there too with a range of minimalist options in seemingly every print and color.
Shop the matching Exclusive Printed High-Waisted Bikini Briefs ($195).
Shop the matching Riviera Eyelet Bottom ($110).
Shop the matching Meg Ribbed High-Waisted Bikini Bottom ($45).
Shop the matching Seamless High-Waisted Bikini Bottom in Mixed Gingham ($56).
Once considered the “boring” or “outdated” choice, one-piece suits have had quite the comeback among the fashion set in recent months. With the highest monthly search volume at 126,000, one-piece swimsuits have undoubtedly solidified their place alongside bikinis, and Who What Wear readers’ purchase patterns prove it.
From prints to solids, asymmetric styles to classic silhouettes, there’s no limit to what brands are doing with one-pieces this season, and shoppers are reaping the benefits. If you love to get more bang for your buck, you can also style one-pieces beyond the beach, like your typical bodysuit, elevated. Try wearing your suit with long shorts and strappy sandals or high-waisted pants and slingbacks.
High-cut swimsuits (which, to clarify, refers to the types of suits that sit higher on the waist in order to show more of one’s upper thighs) have gone beyond niche status and now join the ranks of top swimwear trends. High-cut swimwear is a top seller with our audience and outperforms other swimwear content by an engagement rate of 30% on Instagram, in both bikini and one-piece iterations.
My senses tell me that while at first many people simply considered the ’90s-inspired silhouette a bolder choice of cut, it’s now recognized by the mainstream for its leg-lengthening and thus flattering abilities, just as it was back then. Also, depending on how high you want it to sit, this look can often be achieved with bikinis you already own by merely pulling them up at the sides. If you’re looking for a more dramatic look, however, there are countless high-cut bikinis and one-pieces you can shop.
Shop the matching Ribbed High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom ($30).
For some, shoes are an accessory: a stylish embellishment to elevate the rest of your look. For others, they’re more of a tool: a practical necessity to allow you to travel from point A to point B. The best shoes are a little bit of both.
Regardless of style or comfort, almost all of us have at least one pair of shoes that holds emotional meaning much greater than any other pair. Because our shoes quite literally carry us throughout life, sometimes we find ourselves with a pair that holds a special place in our journey—a pair that we can’t stand to part with no matter how broken or out of style it might be.
These are exactly the stories told in the brand-new book Our Shoes, Our Selves by model, actress, and activist Bridget Moynahan (aka Natasha on Sex and the City). This chic and inspiring coffee table book compiles photos and essays from 40 famous women (including Katie Couric, Cecile Richards, Rupi Kaur, Padma Lakshmi, and more) about the one pair of shoes in their closet that means the most to them.
Preview some of the stories in the book below, as well as a few shared by us Who What Wear editors. Then feel free to DM us the story of your most meaningful pair of shoes on IG @whowhatwear.
“They are Punjabi Juttia—boldly colored leather-crafted shoes that easily become the highlight of any festive function. Since the old days, they’ve become a staple of my outfits, in rural Punjab, basement bedrooms, college dorms, and eventually houses. I wear them on tour, at parties and weddings, on casual strolls at home, or on my travels. I’ve even begun to see them refashioned and reshaped for Western wear by those brands that always take the most culturally relevant elements of a people and re-create them for Western wallets.”. — Rupi Kaur, poet and artist“We first got to know Nike at a women’s event back in Los Angeles when I was sixteen and Halle was fourteen. We had just signed with Beyoncé, but we hadn’t announced it to the world. “Then Nike asked us to do a half marathon. We trained for about three months, and I remember being scared out of my mind. … It’s the only half marathon I’ve done, but every time I go running, I use this shoe. I have so many other Nikes, but I always end up with these because they remind me of that time of my life. “I got to customize my Nike Flyknit Lunars myself—I picked all the colors on the app, and they even have ‘1998’ on them, for my birth year. … I feel that life is more fun when you’re uncomfortable and when you feel nervous about something. That’s when you know you’re doing it right, because if you always feel safe, you don’t really grow.”. — Chloe Bailey, R&B artist“I was a single mom living in L.A. The year before, I had gone through a very public breakup with my boyfriend of three years, who happened to be a well-known professional athlete. His new girlfriend was a very successful model. As a result, between the three of us, the gossip mags were having a field day. “From the moment I announced I was pregnant to well after my son was born, the paparazzi relentlessly scrutinized me, documenting every pound gained, every trip to the doctor. … Having a baby should have been the most joyous time of my life, but instead I felt assaulted. It’s unnerving to be followed and stalked like that, especially during such an emotionally vulnerable time. … I became reclusive for a bit, and I barely left my house. I became wildly private. I shared little and only with a select few. “It was late summer/early fall, which tends to be the best time to shop for a New England girl living in L.A. I was on a mission for the little man and had no intention of buying something for myself. I was off to the Grove to pick something up at the Baby Gap. I must have been naive to think that I could actually get there without a tail. Maybe I did, and I was just unfortunate to run into one of the many paparazzi that hang out at the mall to capture celebrities minding their own business. Who knows, but I saw him and I tried to lose myself in the crowd. I went down one of the mall alleyways and found myself in a Barneys Co-op. I hid in there to kill some time before I abandoned my Baby Gap mission and could get back to my car. Being followed made me want to go back to the safety of my home immediately!”“I love these Aquazzura heels because they were my first adult designer purchase (a Coach mini bag I got in high school doesn’t count!). I got them on major sale, but they were still more than I usually spend. To this day, I own very few items I’ve spent more than $300 on. They’re not everyday per se, but I actually think they’re super practical because the busy embroidered print doesn’t show dirt or scuffs.” — Erin Fitzpatrick, fashion editor. Shop a similar style:“I know this isn’t the most original answer, but the I hold most dearly are definitely the ones I got married in last year. They’re gold glitter Manolo Blahnik slingbacks that I partly decided upon because I knew I could wear them again. (They don’t really scream wedding ) In spite of that, it’s been over a year, and I haven’t worn them again. I’m hoping I get over wanting to keep them pristine because I’ve worn countless outfits since then that they’d complement perfectly. I honestly haven’t even gotten the box down and almost worn them. They just sit on my closet shelf when I could be wearing them regularly and thinking happy thoughts every time I look at them. Actually, I just convinced myself to start wearing them. (Thanks, Amanda!) At the very least, I will get the box down from the shelf so that they taunt me for awhile.” — Allyson Payer, fashion editor. Shop a similar style:“I bought these vintage navy-blue Doc Martens on a trip to Paris when I was 20. I was there for a program through NYU writing poetry all summer. Probably the most romantic summer of my life. I picked these up in a secondhand store on my first week there and wore them to the bone until they were quite literally falling apart. I remember trying to communicate ‘shoe glue’ to an employee at a French hardware store one day when the sole completely fell apart on a walk through Père Lachaise Cemetery. Though these shoes remain utterly dilapidated and unwearable (a shame since Docs are back), I still have them buried in my closet, unable to part with them. “Vintage docs from Paris are unbelievably cool to have, but these shoes mean more to me than that: They represent the first summer of my life when I felt like a confident, independent adult. I was away from my family for the longest time ever in my life until that point, in this incredibly beautiful place, with all these interesting people, studying what I wanted and dressing how I wanted. These shoes were a glimmer of what the rest of my 20s would be—sometimes a total mess and falling apart but so much cooler and weirder and more exciting than adolescence was for me.”. — Amanda Montell, features and beauty editor. Shop a similar style: Next up: 9 Reasons This 2000s Shoe Trend Is Back From the Dead
Terry Collins discusses Noah Syndergaard’s historic performance. Syndergaard struck out 10 and had the game-winning home run in the Mets 1-0 over the Reds.
