The 7 Biggest Trends We Saw at Miami Swim Week

Miami Beach just spent the better part of a week doing what it does best: turning every pool deck, hotel lobby and patch of sand into a runway. Paraiso Miami Swim Week wrapped its 22nd edition with more than 100 brands activating across South Beach — from heavy hitters like Monday Swimwear, Oséree, Luli Fama and Oh Polly; to It-girl Australian label Fae, which made its Swim Week debut.

The week opened with the second annual Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame (SIHOF) Honors Night, hosted by Camille Kostek and co-chaired by Monday Swimwear’s Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman. It honored photographer Ellen von Unwerth, model and entrepreneur Leomie Anderson, Chromat founder Bex McCharen and designer Melissa Odabash.

From there, it was a blur. The newly reimagined Delano Miami Beach anchored a chunk of the programming (a von Unwerth photography exhibit and Sinesia Karol’s runway show included). Plus, emerging brands got their close-up on a runway built directly over the pool at the art deco Kimpton Surfcomber via Paraiso’s new RISE platform. The whole thing closed out with a Von Dutch party at Mary Lou’s, where Megan Thee Stallion came back for round two, this time stretching Hot Girl Summer into menswear and, well, petwear.

Now for the fun part — the swimwear. Here are the seven biggest trends we saw at the Paraiso runways and the brands that did them best.

Oversized Everything

The move this summer is to go big, and Monday Swimwear made its case with accessories. The brand stacked its runway with supersized extras: jumbo raffia totes, oversized clutches, jumbo-brim hats and wide hair pieces, including a headscarf that doubles as a headband. None of it is subtle, and that’s the point. Pack a bigger suitcase.

A Ruffles Revival

Ruffles are back, and Shan didn’t keep them confined to the swimsuits. Frills turned up everywhere you looked with dramatic tops, frothy accents on otherwise simple one-pieces. 3D skirts moved with every step, and statement mesh jackets looked like they were created for a post-pool entrance.

Animal Instincts

Leopard is always in, and apparently so is zebra, snake and anything else that lives out in the wild. Prints prowled across the runways this season: Fae kept things fun with bold hues and mixed textures; Oséree took a sexier route with high-cut bottoms and cut-outs; and Kulani Kinis, Luli Fama and Oceanus went full safari-by-the-pool.

All That Glitters

There wasn’t a dull moment in Miami with so many runway looks made to catch the light. Metallics and high-shine finishes were everywhere. Oséree leaned all the way into its Studio 54 fantasy; Monday Swimwear gave its resort pieces a glossy sheen; and even minimalist-leaning Fae worked in a little glimmer.

Jewels for the Pool

This was the season swimwear started moonlighting as fine jewelry. Beaded fringe, oversized studs, sculptural connectors and metal hardware held everything together (sometimes literally) at Oh Polly and Oséree, where the suit itself doubles as the accessory.

Hitting the Tropics

Somewhere, a palm tree is collecting royalties. Tropical prints came in hot this season. Luli Fama brought its signature riot of color and Kulani Kinis its breezy beach motifs, while Oceanus and Sigal piled on patterns loud enough to hear from the next cabana.

Under the Sea

Mermaidcore refuses to dry off. Oceanus went deep with its “Sol del Trópico” collection, featuring hand-beading, embroidery and high-gloss finishes, plus eyewear made from recycled ocean plastic by way of its SOJOS team-up. Sigal added its own shimmer-from-the-depths moment.

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