2024's Top Swimwear Trend Just So Happens to Be a Timeless European Favorite

Amy Julliette Lefévre wearing a patterned underwire bikini on a boat and Cortne Bonilla wearing an orange underwire bikini on the beach.
(Image credit: @cortnebonilla; @lefevrediary)

Summer hasn't even begun, and already, the swimsuit style of the season has shown its face. Just like every other trend in 2024, classic elegance is the name of the game when it comes to swimwear right now as we gear up for the warmer months ahead. I'll be the first person to profess my love for tiny triangle bikinis, but this year, a slightly more sophisticated silhouette is taking the number one spot in my heart and the hearts of everyone in fashion, specifically those who will be summering in Europe. Perhaps you've already guessed it, but I'm talking about balconette bikinis—the underwire-clad, bra-like swimsuit style that's been beloved for decades and will continue to be far into the future.

In summers past, colors, patterns, hardware, and textures were the talk of the swimsuit space, but this year, tastes are leaning a lot more minimal. Many are simply seeking out suits that fit well, are flattering, and can be easily stylized with fun, personality-driven accessories like retro headscarves, cuff bracelets, oversize earrings and sunglasses, and headbands. Balconette bikinis, then, check off every box, so it's really no wonder that they've taken off in such a major way. Leading the charge are brands like SIR, Adriana Degreas, Anemos, and Juillet, and more affordable options are coming out from Reformation, Mango, Good American, and J.Crew. Essentially, there's an option for everyone, no matter your price point. Scroll down to start shopping.

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Senior Fashion Editor

Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.