This "Tacky" Bathing Suit Trend Is Actually Summer's Best

While to be honest, I’ve never quite understood how animal print got such a bad rap (as personally, I’m a big fan of the timeless pattern), I think we can all agree that we’ve heard it used in the same sentence as the word tacky from time to time—and even more so when combined with swimwear. Could it be because not as many brands were designing options that felt up to par until now? Because if what’s out there this season is wrong, I don’t want to be right—and I think you’ll soon side with me on this. From models to influencers and even our own editors, it seems like there’s no one on Instagram not showing off their spotted suits, and it’s enough to make anyone want to hop on board.

Continue on for some photos that are changing the way people think of animal-print swimwear (especially in the form of leopard), as well as to shop both the ones you see and some other favorites along the way.

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(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

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(Image credit: @lpa)

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(Image credit: @galagonzalez)

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(Image credit: @maria_bernad)

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(Image credit: @patriciamanfield)

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

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(Image credit: @moderosaofficial)

Pictured: Monday Swimwear Bahamas One Piece ($169)

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(Image credit: @bettinalooney)

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(Image credit: @mscanga)

Pictured: Diane von Furstenberg Belted One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit ($248).

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(Image credit: @camilacoelho)

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(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Pictured: Monday Swimwear Bahamas One Piece ($169)

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Up next? The other swimwear trend I’m loving right now.

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Editor-at-Large

Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.