I Live in Italy, and These Are 5 Swimwear Trends I’m Seeing Everywhere

Oct 15, 2024

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Including a Kendall Jenner-worn brand.

Jenna Curcio is a freelance writer and content strategist with expertise in social media, digital, & experiential marketing. She has a background in both agency and editorial capacities with bylines in CR Fashion Book, Harper's Bazaar UK, Elle UK, Yahoo!, MSN, Who What Wear, InStyle, Coveteur, Byrdie, and Fashionista.

Mango / Aerie

Without a doubt, summer is my favorite time of the year in Italy. You can pretty much always find me at the beach, whether it be chilling under an umbrella with a gelato in hand or jumping off of rocks into crystal-clear water. Enjoying “un’estate italiana” (an Italian summer!) requires you to have a pretty decent arsenal of swimwear to make sure that you’re ready for a spontaneous weekend boat trip with friends, and prepped for the annual long summer vacation in August, of course.

I’ve noticed that Italian cool-girls specifically are experts in swimwear. When summer is basically a part of your DNA, it’s necessary to have a variety of reliable, comfortable, yet trendy swimsuits that will last you several seasons year after year. As I scroll through my Instagram feed and people-watch at the beach, I take notes on fit, color, patterns, styles, and other trendy elements that Italians have recently developed a particular affinity for.

Read on for the top five swimwear trends Italian-cool girls are wearing for summer 2024, including cheeky bottoms, glittery bikinis, and intricate embellished elements.

Amazon

There’s nothing quite as essential in your swimwear wardrobe as a string bikini. They are all but guaranteed to never go out of style, which is the perfect excuse to stock up on at least a few of them. Italians are obsessed with Calzedonia, which Kendall Jenner is the face of, thanks to its incredible string bikini options. Another brand that’s in the bikini drawers of all the Italian cool-girls? Reina Olga, and you can snag its cute bright pink set at Free People. (Or, if that’s out of budget, this $20 set from Amazon should do the trick.) My personal favorites include this classic triangle string bikini top from Becca and these cheeky Dippin Daisys bottoms that radiate major Italian vibes.

Amazon

If you want to feel like you’re in a sexy Italian perfume commercial, sparkly and shimmery swimsuits are the way to go. I love the way that these reflect in the sunlight and show up in photos. This green glittery set from Zimmerman will instantly transport you to the Amalfi Coast. You won’t have to worry about tan lines in this super fun bandeau set from Zaful. Don’t want too many sparkles? This reflective dark green bikini top from Mango offers an elevated take on the trend. Aerie has a number of glittery options as well starting at just $12 right now. And if you’re more of a one-piece girl, this backless option from Amazon will make you feel super luxe.

Nordstrom

One element of Italian beach culture that I love the most is the omnipresence of body positivity. You’ll see people of all shapes, sizes, and ages enjoying themselves on the beach and by the pool fully embracing their bodies and often wearing much more revealing swimsuits. Cheeky bottoms are a huge part of that. I really love this adjustable bottom from Reformation that comes in three solid colors and two patterns. This shiny option from Skims hits two trends with one stone (and is currently on sale). If you’re totally comfortable baring more skin, check out these options from Dippin Daisys and Relleciga on Amazon. Personally, I’m obsessed with the zebra pattern on this thong bottom from Zulu & Zephyr.

J.Crew

The main thing I love about a balconette top is that it’s naturally elegant. The added structure not only provides extra support, but automatically takes your swimwear to the next level. It also doubles pretty easily as a top that you can wear on its own when you’re headed to post-beach aperitivo. This underwire option from J. Crew is super cute and is giving major vacanza vibes—and it’s just $9 (!!) right now with the code SHOPSALE at checkout. I love the unique V-cut detail on this top from Amazon, as well as the shape of the cups on this chic balconette top from Bond-Eye. This stylish top from Belle The Label comes in eight different colorways, including a subtly sparkly option. I think this balconette top from Calzedonia really encompasses the essence of an Italian summer romance.

Amazon

I’m a huge fan of intricate details on swimwear that add a little extra something to an otherwise basic set. The pearl detail on this set from Amazon is perfectly and subtly ornate. These sets from LSpace and Zaful prove that hardware rings will always be in, while this affordable Amazon set featuring a gold chain link with a pearl embellishment is a fresh take on the trend. Beads are another uber-summer-y ornamentation, and I love how understated it is in this top from Mango.