As Miami Swim Week comes to an end, the buzz is all about a dreamy week filled with designers featuring their latest swimwear.  More than 70 international brands showed of the new, next, and most innovative designs fashionistas have seen in years.  And it wasn’t all about the swimwear either, as some of the most exciting looks included cover-ups too.

Diversity on the Runway

It wasn’t only the designs that were refreshing this year, but also the level of diversity on the runway. For years, there has been a call to see more in terms of size, race, and ethnicity.  There’s also inclusion of people with disabilities including bionic model and singer Marsha Elle. And on a side note, if you missed the Runway of Dreams adaptive fashion show in Los Angeles a few months back, don’t miss the New York show which will take place on September 12th at The Glasshouse in New York City, which will be hosted by Peloton’s first adaptive instructor, Logan Aldridge. 

The Micro Trend

While not everyone might be a fan, the loincloth or micro-bikini certainly made some waves. Perhaps it was to be shocking or just pushing the boundaries of Miami, a city known for a bit of being outrageous, this two-piece set for swim includes bottoms that look much like the ancient style of clothing. Brands show off this hot trend hailed from Australia to Italy and in between.

Covering It Up

Even those with the tiniest of bikinis might want to cover up and they will want to do it with a splash.  One of the hottest trends was seen by Donna Leah Designs with the launch of her new Sizzle Series.  These are a new collection of cover-ups that that work like a charm from moonlight dancing at your favorite beach club to lounging by the pool or at beach.  Models were seen styling the sizzle series up and down with metallic sneakers or heels.  Lexicon of Style, the NYC + TX based Latina creator, was seen sporting a few sizzling looks with the Sizzle Series.

Lingerie Inspired Looks

Dora Lau, founder and president of Dora L International, a global sourcing and design company, says that shopping for swimwear is a lot like shopping for lingerie, a trend during the week.  Just as innerwear has been worn as outerwear, swimwear is blurring the lines with streetwear. 

She shares that just like with intimate apparel, it’s important to understand your body type and how fabrics can offer support and shape. Many swimwear brands are offering bra sized swimsuits with bottoms that can be purchased separately. In terms of fabric innovations which are a constant in lingerie, some of the biggest for swim include four-way stretch, which is fabric that stretches and recovers both width and lengthwise. People love it because it offers maximum comfort. She also shares that people are buying up swimwear, as with lingerie, made with sustainable fabrics such as Econyl® is made entirely from ocean and landfill waste.