Scroll through your Explore page for five minutes and you'll spot the same silhouettes popping up again and again: dramatic cut-out swimsuits, waistbands cinched high like something off a '70s Riviera postcard, one shoulder strap doing all the work. These are the pieces editors are spotting on street style stars and runway front rows this season, not just algorithm-fed noise. Before you add another suit to your cart on a whim, let's talk about what's genuinely earning its spot poolside in 2024. We tracked seven trends—from electric neon swimwear to hand-crocheted textures and the string bikini's confident comeback—and broke down exactly who each style flatters and where to wear it. Call this your cheat sheet for looking effortlessly current, no overthinking required.For brands planning seasonal collections, working with a custom activewear manufacturer helps turn trend insights into wearable products faster.
Cut-Out Bikinis
Nothing says “I know what’s happening in fashion right now” quite like a strategically placed cutout. This is the trend editors keep circling back to, and for good reason. It’s evolved way past the simple side-slash bikinis of a few seasons ago. Runways this year leaned hard into asymmetrical cut-outs, uneven straps, and negative-space designs that feel more sculptural than skin-baring for shock value.
Where the cutouts land matters most. The most flattering iteration places the opening right at your natural waist, which instantly creates an hourglass effect, no styling tricks required. If you’re drawn to definition without committing to a string bikini, this is your entry point.
For more coverage with the same visual punch, monokini-style cut-out swimsuits are having a real moment. Think one-piece silhouettes with dramatic waist or back openings, deep V-cuts, or even a diamond keyhole at the décolletage. These are being positioned as the “bikini-level impact, one-piece confidence” option, perfect if you love the aesthetic but want a little more structure holding things together.
Structured versions are also trending, underwire cut-out tops that pair architectural detailing with actual support. You get the sexy negative-space look without sacrificing function, which matters if you’re spending real time in the water rather than just posing poolside.
This trend works for anyone who wants a swimsuit that photographs as intentional, not accidental. Many fitness brands also explore custom fitness clothing OEM services to create matching training sets with similar design details.Pair a waist-cutout one-piece with gold hardware or a statement belt for a beach club moment, or keep an asymmetrical bikini simple for a pool day that still reads editorial.
High-Waisted Retro Bikinis
Fifties glamour is back, and this time it does not scream costume party. That distinction matters here: high-waisted bikinis have dropped the literal pin-up act and become a wardrobe staple with old-Hollywood polish.
The formula is simple. Pair a high-waisted bottom with a structured top. The bottom sits anywhere from 2-3 inches above your natural waist for a modern cut, or higher if you want full retro. The top can be a sweetheart neckline, balconette cup, square neck, or longline bandeau. The silhouette gives you an instant hourglass with built-in midsection coverage, and it takes zero effort.
Prints matter too. Polka dots, nautical stripes, grown-up gingham, and vintage florals keep showing up, alongside a color palette of caramel, navy, black, and deep green. Look for ruched side panels, belt details, or contrast trim if you want that Marilyn-at-the-beach effect without feeling like you raided a costume shop.
A few sub-styles worth knowing before you shop. Retro Pin-Up for playful vintage cues. Modern High-Rise for clean architectural lines. And a Brazilian high-cut hybrid—high waist with a higher leg opening—that is driving a lot of this year's trends.
Who it's for: anyone who wants waist definition, tummy coverage, or a flattering shape that still feels current. Fit tip: your waistband should hold its place when you sit, no digging, no rolling.A reliable training clothing supplier can adjust waistband structures and fabric blends for different body types.
How to style it: cat-eye sunglasses, a slicked-back bun, and a polka-dot set. That is the whole bombshell equation, and it photographs beautifully.
Sculptural One-Piece Swimsuits
The one-piece has quietly become the smartest suit in your closet. This year's sculptural styles are engineered pieces, built with compression panels, strategic seaming, and body-holding fabric that smooths without ever feeling restrictive.
What's under the surface matters most. Look for high-stretch, recovery-focused blends—ideally 85–92% nylon with a touch of elastane. Anything under 80% nylon tends to lose its shape fast. The best versions also come with power mesh lining, quick-dry performance, chlorine and salt resistance, and UPF 50+ protection built right in.
Compression itself ranges from light to medium, secure without squeezing. Some premium styles, like STYLEST's DreamSculpt™ One Shoulder One-Piece, claim up to 4x more compression than a standard suit, paired with a 360 shelf bra and medium leg rise. Spanx sticks to gentler, 360-degree support with the same UPF 50+ backing. J.Crew and Quince both lean into tummy-control panels and true-to-size, close-to-body fits.
Design-wise, one-shoulder, halterneck, and racer-back cuts dominate, often finished with ruching and a higher back exposure for a shape that feels sculpted rather than swallowed.
Fit check: straps should sit without digging, leg openings should stay clean against your hip, and if you can pinch more than an inch of fabric at the side seam, size down.
This is the suit for anyone who wants definition and support without sacrificing the pool day.Brands comparing production options often check custom wholesale price for gym clothing before launching new collections.
Neon Swimwear
Neon swimwear has exploded, with search interest jumping 80% over the past year and sales of bright, patterned suits climbing 30% right alongside it. This is a full-on color rebellion against every "quiet luxury" beige suit you saw last summer.
Neon yellow is the shade to know, the standout hue of the season. Electric yellow, hot pink, and lime green round out the core palette, with a supporting cast of neon, apple, and emerald green for anyone who wants vibrance with a little more edge.
The silhouettes lean athletic. Think sporty one-pieces and string bikini 2024 styles built with racer-back cuts and clean lines. Color-blocking, tropical botanical prints, and lurex-flecked textures all pair with these saturated tones, giving the look dimension and depth.
Who it's for: anyone craving a poolside moment that photographs like it's lit from within. Skip the neon-only wardrobe. Stylists treat neon as one high-impact lane, so let it anchor a single statement piece rather than every suit in your bag.
Crochet Swimwear
Boho crochet just got a serious upgrade. The loose festival-knit bikinis that felt more Coachella than coastline are gone. This year's versions are tighter, more structured, and finally built to swim in. Geometric openwork, clean architectural lines, and refined patterns read couture rather than craft-fair.
The coverage story is what makes this trend wearable beyond the beach chair. Designers use tighter-knit construction and crochet panels mixed with solid fabric for real support, so you won't be adjusting your top every five minutes in the water. Recycled cotton blends show up across collections too, checking the box for anyone hunting sustainable swimwear brands without sacrificing texture.
Color-wise, it splits two ways. Soft neutrals and earthy pastels on one end, saturated pinks, reds, and color-blocked combos on the other. Structured-cup crochet tops are replacing simple string styles, adding shape without losing that handmade feel.
Anyone craving texture and artisanal detail with actual function should pay attention. Akoia Swim's $185 crochet bikini is the benchmark piece editors keep referencing. Zimmermann, Antik Batik, Mango, and Pull & Bear prove this trend spans every price point.
String Bikinis 2024
Hailey Bieber didn't invent the string bikini. She's the reason it's back on every wishlist this summer. The Y2K minimalism she's been championing pulled the style out of the archives. Bella Hadid, Josephine Skriver, Kendall Jenner, and Emily Ratajkowski have all been photographed keeping the momentum going. What's different this time around is the construction. Gone are the bulky double side-ties from a decade ago. String bikini 2024 styles have cleaner lines, hiked-up bottoms, and high-cut legs that visually lengthen your frame without any extra fabric doing the work.
This season, color and detail matter most. Red is the standout shade, bold, confident, impossible to miss poolside. Solids dominate over prints, keeping the "less is more" philosophy intact. Metallic rings and hardware on the ties add a hardware-forward finish, while contrasting trim, beading, and embroidery show up on dressier versions. Wrap-around waist ties and asymmetrical, one-shoulder variations are the newest twist on a classic shape.
The data backs this up too. European swimwear collections saw thong-style bottoms jump from 12% to 21% of total offerings this year, while Brazilian cuts lost ground. Sommer Swim, Bamba Swim, Frankie's Bikinis, Montce, and Tropic of C are the names to shop if you want the look done right.
These suits are for anyone chasing minimal coverage and maximum confidence. Experienced ODM fitness apparel manufacturers can help develop color-focused collections while managing fabric sourcing and production.Finish the look with a metallic anklet.
Sustainable Eco Swimwear
The most stylish thing you can do at the pool this year is check the fabric tag. Sustainable swimwear has moved from a niche corner of beachwear into the mainstream, and the material science behind it matters before you hit buy.
ECONYL® regenerated nylon is the first name to know. It's made from discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet fluff, and industrial plastic waste, and it's become the benchmark for conscious swim lines. The numbers back it up: ECONYL® cuts global warming impact by up to 80% compared to oil-based nylon.
Repreve® , made from recycled plastic bottles, is the other big player. One swimsuit typically diverts 5 to 13 bottles from landfills, depending on the style, without losing the stretch and recovery a good suit needs.
Recycled nylon uses about 70% less energy than conventional production, which is why you're seeing it more in performance-driven suits. For a natural-fiber feel, organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL Lyocell, and SeaCell™ show up in smaller, lower-volume collections, though they're less common in anything meant for actual swimming.
Before you buy, check for:
- Disclosed recycled-content percentage
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification
- PFAS-free finishing
- Language that tells you "recycled" from just "eco-friendly"
You want a poolside look that holds up on Instagram and in the ingredient list.
Conclusion
2024's poolside scene isn't about picking one trend and calling it a day—it's about knowing which silhouette actually works for you. If you're chasing a street-style-worthy moment, a high-waisted bikini with cut-out details gives you coverage where you want it and drama where it counts. Feeling bold? Neon swimwear in that same structured cut will do the photo-op heavy lifting for you. More laid-back, festival-beach energy? Crochet swimwear and a well-cut string bikini, 2024 style, are your easiest wins.
The real flex this season is shopping smarter. Sustainable swimwear brands are proving eco-conscious doesn't mean sacrificing style. So skip the endless scrolling and decision fatigue. Pick the silhouette that matches your vibe, add it to cart, and let your poolside moment do the talking this summer.Working with a professional private label workout clothing supplier allows brands to scale new styles without building their own factory.
