6 Bikini Trends I Can Only Really Describe as Shocking

When summer arrives, the uniform many of us will wear involves bikinis, denim shorts, sandals, and little else. Typically, there's only one objective during these summer weekends, and that's to get as much sun as possible, wearing one of the barely there bikinis that are designed to maximize sun exposure and minimize tan lines. But if you thought settling for a plain triangle bikini was good enough, you thought wrong. Instead, we've noticed a new crop of barely there bikini trends on the rise—and these styles are so minimal they're shocking.

Like most controversial swimsuit trends, celebrities and fashion people are leading the pack here. We've spotted them in bikinis that are redefining what "barely there" even means and some that are straight-up optical illusions. I might be slightly shook at the thought of wearing any of these styles, but I can't deny how fire the following 'grams are. Prepare yourself for the summer by seeing these six new daring bikini trends and how the fashion set is wearing them, simply keep scrolling.

Floss Straps

Exactly as the name suggests, "floss" bikinis feature super-thin straps for a barely there look that's also great if you're trying to minimize your tan lines, but be warned: These are definitely on the minimal side when it comes to coverage.

Loincloth-esque

Next up, we have the loincloth bikini trend. Featuring ruched or scrunched-up material, this skin-baring trend seems to be really taking off for the summer. Color me a little shocked to see dozens of trendsetters sporting the look and even more surprised at myself for wanting to try it.

Ultra-High-Cut

With a healthy dose of nostalgia, we're seeing the return of ultra-high-cut swimsuits that give a nod to retro style. Cool as they may be, I'd be lying if I said that I'm used to baring that much skin above my hips. Maybe it's just me, though!

Cutout Bandeau

Another inventive way to wear the barely there swim trend right now is via cutout bandeau tops. Whether cut out in the middle or underneath to highlight a little underboob action, this trend is quickly gaining steam.

Micro-Thong Bottoms

Thong bikinis have been on the rise since last summer, and now they're a full-blown trend—as in, they're no longer only popular among a select group of fashion people. They're everywhere. 

This story was published at an earlier date and has since then been updated.