Item of the week: the metallic bikini

What it is:

While Christmas may have just been and gone, the fashion cycle never stops
and with that we must look ahead to what is to come for the seasons moving
quickly upon us. And there is nothing quite like ringing in the new year
with a metallic bikini… At all the variations of swim week across the
globe, metallic materials and shiny fabrics stood out among all
collections, giving us a glimpse into what we can expect from trendsetters’
beach attire in the months to come. The choice of material brings a
futuristic flair to swimwear, making the ability to shine entirely
waterproof.

Why you’ll want it:

Metallic swimwear arguably appeals to the partygoers among us, with many of
the designs that utilise such material only further affirming this point.
As brands and retailers begin to suss out their collections for the
festival season, it is imperative that attendees to such events have the
option to “go all out”, with this style of bikini providing just that. The
garment can also appeal to those that are simply looking for a
fashion-forward beach style, however, with many iterations of the look also
coming in more comfortable silhouettes that provide both functionality and
style.

Where we’ve seen it:

Metallic bikinis were all over the place at various swim weeks
internationally, largely favoured by swimwear brands that tend to
party-esque styles. OMG Swimwear, for example, offered up a shiny,
strapless two-piece with gathered hemlines and a beaded waistline. Axil
Swim and Luli Fama, on the other hand, incorporated a fish scale-like
pattern into their iridescent hues, leaning heavily into the mermaid trend
that has risen up for the season. Internet-breaking Namilia also presented
bedazzled bikinis for its own line, one of which drew on the iconic Birkin
to inform on the shape of both the bra and pants.

How to style it:

Despite bikinis being typically used in settings where they most often have
to stand alone, it is still possible to style them up until the point where
water becomes involved. Netted or silky sarongs are a go-to here, providing
wearers with easy-to-remove and store items for any kind of pool or beach
day. To jazz the look up a bit, you could also take cues from some of the
surprising trends seen on the runway. Many of those involved integrating
“cowgirl” pieces into the outfit, seeing Western-style boots and hats
paired with bikinis to offer an alternative to typical beach attire.

The metallic bikini may seem like a daring choice to add to the beach tote,
but it offers a fun way to continue making a fashion statement into
environments outside of your daily routine.