5 Epic Ways It Girls Are Styling Bikinis This Summer

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On the fashion spectrum, bikinis are probably the closest socially acceptable alternative to being naked. Truthfully a bikini contains the most minuscule pieces of fabric, yet ironically, it presents one of the best opportunities to flex your sartorial muscles. After all, in the age of social media, snapping the perfect beachside pic is an event in itself, and that's where the right accessories come in. 

As proven by fashion It girls, a bikini is only the base layer. It's the jewelry, shirts, hats, and sunglasses you add to it that truly count. Among the gambit of beloved bikini pairings, colorful crochet bucket hats rank high on the list. Shimmering belly chains are another go-to styling hack for making the most out of bikinis this season. I've counted a few more styling tricks It girls are currently employing to level up their swimwear, and they're all down below. Keep scrolling to read the full list.

1. Complete Coordination

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(Image credit: @frankiesbikinis)

I'm not just talking about matching sarongs here (Although, that's perfectly acceptable and very much on-trend.) I'm talking about matching down to the T, including pants, shirts, and headscarves. Complete swimwear coordination feels cheeky, fun, and impactful, so basically, there's no con to trying it out. 

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2. Layered Up

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(Image credit: @sheamarie)

It's not an optical illusion—layered bikinis are quickly becoming a thing, and I'm 100% here for it. While some brands like Same and Christopher Esber already do the layering for you in one suit, it's possible to double up two string bikinis for a similar effect.

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3. Body Jewelry

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(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

The concept of body jewelry is not new by any means, but it definitely has remained a go-to styling hack among the fashion set. The beauty is you can go the delicate, dainty route for some mild shimmer or go extra with a chunky belly chain. Either way, it's a winner.

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4. Crochet Bucket Hats

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(Image credit: @sandrashehab)

I'll admit it: I've been influenced to buy all the rainbow bucket hats, and now, I can't get them out of my head. People who don't want to fuss with body jewelry or ornate styling tricks will love this one, as it's as easy as throwing on a hat. It's a relatively simple hack that's oh so cool.

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5. Big, Bold Button-Downs

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

If you ever needed more proof that the big, colorful button-down is the best thing since sliced bread, let me show you yet another way to style them. I've noticed that a lot of the fashion folks on my feed style them with a simple bikini and strappy sandals, and the result is supremely chic.

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Next up: Minimalists Are Clutching Their Pearls Over This Summer Trend, But I'm Loving It

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.