Style Spotlight: Minimalist Swimwear

With quicker-than-ever trend cycles, it can be difficult to find a chic investment-worthy swimsuit that will last you multiple seasons and vacations. The minimalist swimwear aesthetic provides an elegant alternative to short-lived trends and gives you a timeless style option that you can reach for trip after trip.

Here at MySwimLook, we love the minimalist trend for its alignment with sustainability.

Trying out trends is exciting but it’s important to find pieces that you will love for more than one wear! The minimalist aesthetic can help to cut down on landfill waste as its timeless style won’t be outdated the minute a hashtag stops trending.

Mastering minimalism is easy. There are many versatile options to choose from, from the tried-and-true triangle bikini with barely-there straps (a favorite of quiet-luxury style icons like Nicole Ritchie and Bella Hadid) to flattering one-piece swimsuits in subdued shades (Hello, Blake Lively!).

To get a sense of the minimalist swimwear trend, we’ve carefully combed through top swimwear designs from across the globe to curate a list of must-have swimwear pieces for aspiring minimalists. Read below to see our picks for the best minimalist swimwear that is sure to make a splash on your next vacation or day at the pool!

Sexiest Minimalist One-Piece Swimsuit

No swimwear brand does ‘sexy’ better than Agent Provocateur. This British heritage brand constantly creates runway-worthy lingerie and swimwear styles that tantalize and tease with exquisite taste. With their body-hugging Misty Swimsuit, you can zip or unzip as much as you like. This sleek and sporty swimsuit is a must-have for those looking for minimalist swimsuits to bring out your inner siren!

Indulge in Textured Swimwear

When discussing minimalist swimwear, it’s mainly in reference to the silhouette of the piece, not the choice of fabric. Textured swimwear is an exciting way to inject a little bit of current trends into your classic suit. The textured trend has its origins in the retro fabrics of the 1970s and it adds a fuse-free bit of bohemian style to your classic swim piece. Bond-Eye of Australia’s Sasha Crop Eco bikini top and Sign Brief Eco bikini bottom are by far our favorite blending of the minimalist aesthetic with the textured fabric trend.

A Minimalist Bikini for Your Beach Vacation

Created by two California sisters, Mikoh is a luxury swimwear brand that creates feminine pieces for the modern woman. We love their Palau Top from their 2024 Resort collection for its flattering and supportive construction and for its variety of print and color options. If you’re looking for minimalist swimwear that goes beyond black, you can select from shades like Dive, Kombu, and their Aquatic Print when you shop from Mikoh. In addition to these nature-inspired shades, they also offer a beautiful ecru color option for those looking for honeymoon swimwear. We recommend pairing this bikini top with their Cruz Bay 2 Bottom which features wider sides and fuller and higher cut bum, making it perfect for those seeking minimalist swimwear but not minimal coverage.

Stylish Swimwear with Underwire

Created in sunny California, Seea has made a name for itself in the apparel industry for its flattering, comfortable, and ethically made swimwear. Their vintage-inspired style, the Ginger, features a supportive underwire inside the suit and a feminine and romantic neckline. This sleek swimsuit also features a higher leg cut and adjustable wider straps. Perfect for those who love retro swimwear with a modern twist.

Modest Swimwear Meets Minimalist Style

Modest swimwear for women can often seem outdated but there are so many chic options now that allow you to try the minimalist trend without sacrificing comfort. The classic Maika One-Piece in black from Bondi Born is both on-trend and thoughtfully made. This popular modest swimsuit features unique Sculpteur® fabric that helps to smooth, support, and perfect your silhouette. Available in a variety of bra cup-size options, this luxurious square neck one-piece comes with invisible under-bust support and removable bra cups to accommodate full-busted and plus-size customers.

Celebrity-Approved Styles

Norma Kamali is a legend in the fashion world and her designs are often worn by A-listers on the red carpet and beyond. The Marissa one-piece in dazzling gold foil is no exception, having been worn by Miley Cyrus in a viral Instagram post. With low-cut sides, a deep scoop neck, and super high-cut thigh style, this suit is not for the faint of heart. Its gold color subtly reflects the sun, making the wearer appear like a gorgeous goddess. Don’t be surprised if your photos in this minimalist one-piece also go viral and make you an accidental swimwear influencer.

Bridal Bikini

You can’t go wrong with a classic triangle bikini top and matching bottoms. While the Kasia Halter Top and Alze Tie Bottom from ALT come in a variety of colors, we love this minimalist bikini set in white. The bright white shade of this bikini will pop against your suntanned skin as you celebrate your honeymoon on the beach or poolside. Featuring butter-soft fabric and double lining to prevent any accidental transparencies, this classic set is a gorgeous addition to your swimwear collection.

Affordable Minimalist Swimwear

Made with two-way stretch and featuring an affordable price tag, the Vicious: The Dos Gardenias Signature Suit from Dos Gardenias is perfect for the swimwear shopper who lives a more active lifestyle. This best-selling swimsuit features a plunging neckline, crisscross straps, and a retro-inspired thigh-high cut. With UPF 50+ and chlorine-resistant swim fabric, this minimalist swimsuit is perfect for hours spent in the pool or on a surfboard. Available in natural shades, like, hunt, earth, and a camouflage-inspired print, mirage, this easy-to-accessorize swimsuit is a go-to for those planning a stylish surf trip.

Minimalism Meets Sporty

Dos Gardenias makes a second appearance on our minimalist swimwear guide with their high neckline swimsuit style, the Uzi. Available in three different shades, this fully lined one-piece swimsuit is made with ECONYL regenerated nylon, making it a sustainable style option you can feel good about. Like the Vicious one-piece, the Uzi swimsuit features a two-way stretch, a UPF 50+ rating, and is chlorine-resistant. Our favorite Uzi colorway is the red ‘Fuego’ shade. It gives this streamlined swimsuit an eye-catching pop of color and invokes style icon Pamela Anderson’s famous Baywatch swimsuit.

Make a Statement With an Asymmetrical Swimsuit

Looking to go beyond the bikini and classic one-piece? Slip on this asymmetrical swimsuit from Talia Collins. Available in a range of colors, this sophisticated one-shoulder swimsuit is popular with customers year-round. This classic swim piece also offers more coverage for the leg and bum with its lower leg opening. Wear it to the beach or in place of a bodysuit during your travels!

The Case for Luxury Swimwear

All of the minimalist swim styles in our guide are from top-tier designers using only the best swim fabrics and construction practices. While it may be tempting to purchase cheap swimwear, it often falls apart and ends up in a landfill in just a few wears, hurting the planet.

In addition to how unstainable fast-fashion swim pieces are, they are usually terribly constructed. If you’re looking for plus-size swimwear, maternity swimwear, or figure-flattering swimwear, it’s important to look for better swim fabrics and thoughtful construction, such as the inclusion of an underwire or adjustable straps.

These better fabrics often include the benefit of Ultraviolet Protection (UBF) making them safer on days spent out in the sun. When it comes to luxury swimwear, you get what you pay for, so be sure to invest in a swimsuit worthy of you!

Why Buy Minimalist Swimwear?

As a woman, shopping for swimwear can a be bit daunting. Unless you’re blessed with the body of a supermodel or have been cured of the unfair body expectations of society, it can be very triggering trying on a bunch of swimsuits in the unforgiving dressing room mirror.

Swimsuit shopping has undergone massive change in the past decade with more plus-size-friendly designers, diverse style options, and the accessibility of online shopping. Now you can order gorgeous swimsuits from across the world and try them on in the comfort of your home! As fans of swimwear, it’s an exciting time to cover and experience this side of the fashion industry.  Swimsuits are such an incredible outlet for self-expression and making the purchasing of swim apparel accessible and positive will help to change the perception of buying swimwear from being challenging to being a delightful way to spend a few hours.

While not everyone has the time or money to keep up with the latest trends in swim, minimalist swimwear is a classic aesthetic that allows women to experience incredible design in flattering fits. If you’re looking for swim options that are sustainable and worth investing in, minimalist swimsuits are most certainly worth considering as they’ll never have you looking outdated. It’s the perfect secret-style weapon that you can confidently wear on your 2024 spring vacation or years from now. If you’re in need of a swimsuit that will always get you compliments, minimalist swimwear is for you!