For 2027–2028, swimwear divides into seven trends: White Sands, Untamed, Tropic Sun, After-Dark, Riviera, Beach Bar, and In the Surf. Two material threads run across them: matte-versus-shiny finish contrast as the differentiator, and recycled fibers as the new sustainability norm. Color of the evening — Midnight Blue stands out as the new neutral. Pine Crest Fabrics supplies materials that match these trends wholesale with OEKO-TEX, GRS, and bluesign certifications and partners with REPREVE, Creora, XLANCE, 37.5, and other fiber manufacturers.
Trends at a Glance
| # | Trend | Direction | Signature Colors | Recommended Fabrics |
| 1 | White Sands | Matte minimalism: drape, opacity, sculpted shapes | Ivory, Sundress, Nude, Pump Blush, Lily, Amber Haze, Cocoa Powder, Almond, Skin, Stone, Cameo, Cocoa Bean, Choco Chip, Desert Taupe, Carmine Rose | Recycled Kira Matte Tricot, Sirius Rec Shiny Tricot, Recycled Crepe Texture Knit, Recycled Braided Mesh, Palm Rec, Tide, Yumi |
| 2 | Untamed | Abstract animal print, “shell skin” textures | Amber haze, Serene Sienna, Musk, Antique Ivy, Clever CoraL | Zebra Jacquard, Fiji, Riyo Rec, Spectrum Stretch Mesh Fishtale |
| 3 | Tropic Sun | Dopamine brights, statement tropical prints | Heat Orange, Uplift Orange, Cantaloupe, Serene Sienna, Carmine Rose, Prom Pink, Pink Lollipop, Bold Pink, Game On, Mulberry, Tigerlily, Clever Coral, Coral Beach, Tango, High Risk Red, Salmon, Azalea, Magenta Haze, Diva, Bright Aqua, Waterfall, Glow, Electro Tobiko, Think Pink, Atomic Pink, Acid Green, Papayana, Amaranta, Raspberry. | Palm Rec 18, Lurex Texture Knit, Ogee Stripe Texture, Ripple Rib Texture, Recycled Ogee Jacquard Mesh Knit
|
| 4 | After-Dark | Fluid metallics, wet-look polish, deep midnight | Champagne, Cocoa Brown, Sapphire, Forever Blue, Delicate Blue, Merlot, Purple Wine, Belle Epoque, Fossil, Luminous Blue, Blue Aura, Caramel, Raspberry, Chocolate, Nightime Blue, True Navy, Abyss, Peacoat, Ocean Depths, Secret Lagoon, Sapphire, Luminous Blue, Blue Aura. | Orion Recycled Shiny Tricot, Super Shine Gold Foil, Luster Color-Shifting Stripe, Rainbow Fog Foil Stretch, 3D Honeycomb Texture |
| 5 | Riviera | Tiled geo, stripes, scarf-set dressing | Skipper Blue, Amber Haze, Olive Branch, Vichy neutrals | Recycled Wave Lurex Texture Knit, Puckered Geometric Texture, Gingham Grid Texture, Textured Stretch Gingham, Recycled Triangle Flat Textured Mesh |
| 6 | Beach Bar | Sheer layering, sculptural hardware, sea-relic | Mist, Geyser, Ice Lake, Peri Swim, Iceland, Universo, plus Delicate Blue and Pink Marble in shiny finishes, Corydalis Blue, Amber Haze, Cocoa Powder, Champagne, and Cocoa Brown in shiny finishes, Turquoise Blue, New Turquoise, Emerald and Sapphire in shiny finishes, Pearl / Ivory, Lilac in shiny finishes, Clever Coral | Recycled Heavy 3D Pique Knit, Recycled Wide Raised Rib Texture, Recycled Wavy Stripe Texture, Rib P03, EcoFit Grace, Mesh 65 |
| 7 | In the Surf | Swim-active crossover, technical surfaces | Black, True Navy, Acid Green, Bright Aqua | XLANCE® Endurance Recycled Interlock, Grid Texture, Recycled Grid Texture, Duck Dive Luxe, Atlantis DTY |
Miami Swim Week 2026 has set the stage for swimwear trends 2027-2028, dividing the market into two key themes. On one side: bold maximalism — animal prints, sculptural hardware, and after-dark color. On the other: pared-back ’90s Mediterranean minimalism — nude, white, and clean sculptural shapes. Resort fashion for 2027–2028 sits across both.
Across all seven directions, we notice two constants. First, finish carries the design story: how a surface plays matte against shiny is now as deliberate a choice as silhouette or print. Second, material sourcing is essential: with every major forecast tying 2027 desirability to certified recycled fibers, sustainability is becoming the responsible default rather than a premium feature.
In this trend report, we explore seven trends to watch in 2027–2028 swimwear and beachwear designs and identify the best materials and colors to help set your collections apart as outstanding and stylish.
Trend 1 — White Sands
This swimwear trend, featured at Miami Swim Week 2026, can be summed up in one phrase: “The most expensive-looking swim is the simplest.” The key focus is on drape, opacity, and matte finish, which is exactly where quality fabrics are essential.
White Sands features clean architectural lines, sculpted one-pieces, two-tone color blocking, and a controlled palette of creamy neutrals, espresso, and black.
SS27 silhouette forecasts shift the visual focus toward strap architecture and engineered tension points rather than prints.
Recommended fabrics: Recycled Kira Matte Tricot or Sirius Rec Shiny Tricot for a matte shell, Recycled Crepe Texture Knit and Recycled Braided Mesh for sculptural surface interest, Palm Rec 18 for a soft “second-skin” premium shell, and Tide recycled polyester or Yumi for the sustainability narrative.
Color palette:
Kira Matte Tricot: Ivory, Sundress, Nude, Pump Blush, Lily, Amber Haze, Cocoa Powder.
Recycled polyester: Almond, Skin, Stone, Cameo, Cocoa Bean, Choco Chip, Desert Taupe.
Subtle shiny accents: Ivory, Skin, Pink Marble, Carmine Rose
Trend 2 — Untamed
Animal print in 2027–2028 fashion is mutating from literal safari into more abstract, textural territory.
At Miami Swim Week 2026, animal print was the breakout pattern story, with zebra moving from statement to staple, and classic leopard, tiger, and snakeskin remaining key mainstays. On the runway, this appeared as “Jungle Fever” and “Untamed Prints,” pairing bold prints with warm orange, pink, and brown tones, plus beadwork.
Reputable trend-forecasting resources confirm the trajectory of evolving animal prints, including abstract zebra patterns fused with natural textures and oversized botanical and forest motifs. WGSN’s SS27 “Geo-Logic” direction forecasts “shell skins” — the organic markings of seashells as a conscious alternative to animal skins. The print story is not peaking; it is abstracting and will continue leading in 2027–2028 swim lines.
Recommended fabrics: Zebra Jacquard Knit; Printable Riyo Recycled Tricot for Gabriela Fuente’s animal-abstract prints; Fishtale and Fiji as recycled bases; and Spectrum Stretch Mesh for inserts.
Color palette:
Recycled Tricot: Cocoa Bean, Choco Chip, Desert Taupe, Cocoa Powder, Amber Haze, Bullfight, Musk, Beetle, Golden Haze.
Matte: Camo, Antique Ivy, Olive Branch, Explorer, Desert Camo, Sage Green, Serene Sienna.
Coral-zebra accents: Heat Orange, Tigerlily, Clever Coral.
Trend 3 — Tropic Sun
In contrast to luxury minimalism, this swimwear trend is about high-energy tropical fashion swim: dopamine colors, statement prints, and sexy resort silhouettes — the high-volume novelty lane.
At Miami Swim Week 2026, the brightest shows featured sunset oranges, reds, and retro stripes with gold hardware, as well as Hot Girl Summer’s swirl-shell monokini with cutouts. This is less quiet luxury and more “vacation main character.”
Calibrated “dopamine resort” is social-first swim and more ownable for younger DTC labels than generic island prints.
Recommended fabrics: Textures are the key material for this trend. Use Lurex Texture Knit for metallic statement pieces, Ogee Stripe Texture and Recycled Ogee Jacquard Mesh Knit for bold retro patterns, Ripple Rib Texture for sculptural dimension, and Palm Rec 18 as a soft, saturated recycled solid for color-blocking.
Color palette:
Pair bright solids with prints for the strongest effect.
Matte brights: Heat Orange, Uplift Orange, Cantaloupe, Serene Sienna, Carmine Rose, Prom Pink, Pink Lollipop, Bold Pink, Game On.
Recycled fibers: Mulberry, Tigerlily, Clever Coral, Coral Beach, Tango, High Risk Red, Salmon, Azalea, Magenta Haze, Diva, Bright Aqua, Waterfall, Glow.
Fluorescent accents: Electro Tobiko, Think Pink, Atomic Pink, Acid Green.
Shiny hero pops: Papayana, Amaranta, Raspberry.
Trend 4 — After-Dark
“From pool to after-party” is the slogan of this trend. After-dark swim and resort wear focus on fluid metallics, wet-look polish, and deep midnight color for poolside-to-evening glamour.
Two aligned signals came from Miami Swim Week 2026: high-shine color-blocked lurex and high-shine suits, and Midnight Blue as a new evening neutral. This shade was named a standout color, with several shows pushing into cocktail and after-dark territory. Midnight blue is the grown-up evening shade replacing 2025’s red and Barolo tones.
Recommended fabrics: Luster Color-Shifting Stripe and Super Shine Gold Foil for high-shine hero pieces, Rainbow Fog Foil Stretch Mesh for metallic overlays, 3D Honeycomb Texture for dimensional shine, and Orion Recycled Shiny Tricot as the after-dark body base.
Color palette:
Shiny: Champagne, Cocoa Brown, Sapphire, Forever Blue, Delicate Blue, Merlot, Purple Wine, Belle Epoque, Fossil, Luminous Blue, Blue Aura. Caramel, Raspberry, Chocolate
Matte midnight: Nightime Blue, True Navy, Abyss, Peacoat, Ocean Depths, Secret Lagoon, Sapphire, Luminous Blue, and Blue Aura exist in both finishes, allowing for matte/shiny color blocking within one shade.
Trend 5 — Riviera
This swimwear trend is about Mediterranean-inspired resort prints with artisanal polish: tiled geo prints, scarf placements, and coordinated swim-to-cover-up dressing. It is a print-led offering that spans tops, bottoms, sarongs, and accessories on a single printable base family, with added graphic two-tone and chevron energy.
At Miami Swim Week 2026, the “Tile Geo” theme made this explicit: geometric prints, woven knits, ring hardware, and sheer cover-ups merchandised as scarf-set dressing. “Stripes & Chevron” is also a core swimwear trend, with two-tone color blocking and high-waisted bottoms modernized through mesh.
For 2027–2028 swimwear design forecasts, EUROFINISS reimagines stripes and checks with a fresh graphic approach: vibrant colors, unexpected pairings, and scale mixing that breaks symmetry. POP Fashion also forecasts a “Nautical Vacation” direction, including retro stripes, refined maritime hardware, and a minimalist “Vichy Neutral” gingham story for SS27.
Recommended fabrics: Recycled Wave Lurex Texture Knit and Puckered Geometric Texture for tiled geo interest, Gingham Grid Texture and Textured Stretch Gingham Collection for Vichy and nautical checks, and Recycled Triangle Flat Textured Mesh for graphic paneling.
Color and print palette:
Ivory, Amber Haze, Serene Sienna, Skipper Blue, Corydalis Blue, Sevres Blue, Turkish Sea, Hapuna Blue, Plum Blush.
Olive-neutral boho: Olive Branch, Antique Ivy, Sage / Sage Green, Iguana, Gabriela Fuente’s print collection.
Chevron / two-tone brights: Heat Orange, Skipper Blue, Game On, Ladybug.
Trend 6 — Beach Bar
This trend treats the swimsuit as a styled object: sheer beach-to-bar layering, sculptural hardware, and sea-relic embellishment that turn a simple suit into a full look.
The most photographed details from Miami Swim Week 2026: sheer lightweight transparency, side-tie and micro silhouettes, hardware everywhere (gold O-rings, sculptural connectors, body chains), and mermaidcore styling through beadwork, scallops, and shell-inspired graphics.
The 2027 “beach-to-bar” macro shift demands complete vacation wardrobes in which the cover-up is as well designed as the suit, using high-recovery mesh and mechanical-stretch woven fabrics. EUROFINISS forecasts matte, shiny, and sheer layering, including laminated mesh and tulle, as well as precious metallic surfaces. Hardware moves from decorative to structural through “engineered proportion.”
Recommended fabrics: Recycled Heavy 3D Pique Knit and Recycled Wide Raised Rib Texture for sculptural body pieces, Recycled Wavy Stripe Texture and Rib P03 for tactile detailing, EcoFit Grace for high-recovery support, and Mesh 65 for sheer overlays and layering.
Color palette:
Sheer / soft pales: Mist, Geyser, Ice Lake, Peri Swim, Iceland, Universo, plus Delicate Blue and Pink Marble in shiny finishes, Corydalis Blue
Hardware warm-metallic body: Amber Haze, Cocoa Powder, Champagne, and Cocoa Brown in shiny finishes.
Sea-relic: Turquoise Blue, New Turquoise, Emerald and Sapphire in shiny finishes, Pearl / Ivory, Lilac in shiny finishes, Clever Coral.
Trend 7 — In the Surf
This trend can be summed up in one phrase: “swim that performs, activewear that gets wet.” In the Surf is the crossover lane where swimwear and activewear meet, made for the blurred line between the pool deck, the studio, and the street.
The look is sport-led: racerback and zip-front silhouettes, contrast piping and bold color blocking, rashguard and long-sleeve layering, compression paneling, and technical grid and mesh textures. Color does the talking, with deep performance grounds lit by a single high-energy accent.
At Miami Swim Week 2026, the active-swim crossover appeared in sporty cuts, racer backs, contrast binding, and rashguard layering styled for an athletic, sun-ready customer rather than the runway-only swimsuit. It reads as the practical counterpart to the week’s maximalist and minimalist extremes: swimwear engineered to move.
For 2027–2028, the convergence accelerates. Forward forecasts point to performance finishes (matte technical surfaces, laminated and grid textures, breathable power mesh) and to UPF and chlorine-resistant construction as baseline expectations rather than premium add-ons. Recycled performance fiber sits at the center of the story, which is exactly where a crossover swim-and-active program wins.
Recommended fabrics: XLANCE® Endurance Recycled Interlock as the swim-to-active hero, Grid Texture and Recycled Grid Texture for technical surface interest, Duck Dive Luxe for durable performance styles, and Atlantis DTY as a printable base.
Color palette:
Performance grounds, matte: Black, True Navy, Peacoat, Gun Barrel, Academia, Stone.
Energy accents (contrast piping and pops): Acid Green, Green Glow, Intense Citron, Heat Orange, Uplift Orange, Electro Tobiko, Think Pink, Neon Violet.
Aqua sport brights: Bright Aqua, Waterfall, Transfy Teal, Blue Racer, Skipper Blue, New Turquoise in shiny.
Technical texture neutrals (grid and check): Mauve Pink, Gun Barrel, Stone, Moon River, Fossil in shiny.
Find the Right Fabric for Your 2027–2028 Swimwear Collection
At Pine Crest Fabrics, we supply swimwear and activewear brands with high-quality, eco-friendly (OEKO-TEX®, GRS, and bluesign® certified) and trend-forward materials through partnerships with more than 20 of the world’s leading knitting mills and advanced fiber brands, including 37.5, XLANCE®, Creora®, REPREVE®, and more.
We also provide optimal logistics for your manufacturer, as well as fabric customization, print customization, and printing services.
Explore our fabric and print catalogs, and contact us to consult with a fabric expert, discuss your fabric needs, and request swatches.
Technical fabric specifications, mentioned in this blog post
Fabric | GSM | Composition | Recycled Content | Stretch | Finish | Certifications | Application | MOQ |
Kira Recycled Matte Tricot | 190 | 80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Matte | OEKO-TEX, GRS, Creora, Higg Index | Swim, beach | 15 yards/1 roll |
Fishtale Recycled Tricot | 200 | 80% MIPAN® regen Ocean Recycled Nylon, 17% | Yes | Four-way | Matte | OEKO-TEX, bluesign, GRS | Swim | 15 yards/1 roll |
Yumi | 175 | 80% Recycled Polyester 20% Elastane | Yes | Four-way | Matte | OEKO-TEX, REPREVE, GRS, Creora | Swim, active | 1 roll |
Lurex Texture Knit | 215 | 66% Nylon / 26% Metallic / 8% Spandex | No | Four-way | Soft metallic sheen | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Swim, beach, fashion | From 300 yards |
Grid Texture | 170 | 82% Recycled Polyester / 18% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Dimensional grid | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Active, swim, tennis | From 300 yards |
Gingham Grid Texture | 215 | 46% Polyester / 45% Nylon / 9% Spandex | No | Four-way | Vintage gingham grid | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Swim, sport bras, fashion | From 300 yards |
Recycled Heavy 3D Pique Knit | 360 | 89% Recycled Nylon / 11% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Heavy 3D pique | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Swim, activewear, athleisure | From 300 yards |
Recycled Wavy Stripe Texture | 110 | 92% Recycled Polyester / 8% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Vertical wavy stripe | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Tennis, active-resort | From 300 yards |
Recycled Wide Raised Rib Texture | 255 | 84% Recycled Nylon / 16% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Corrugated raised rib | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Swim, leggings, sport bras | From 300 yards |
Recycled Triangle Flat Textured Mesh | 110 | 92% Recycled Polyester / 8% Spandex | Yes | Four-way | Triangulated geo | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Swim, active, dance | From 300 yards |
Mesh 65 | 65 | 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex | — | Four-way | Open stretch mesh | OEKO-TEX, bluesign | Panels, overlays, swim | 2 rolls |
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is swimwear made of in 2027?
Swimwear in 2027 is made primarily from recycled nylon and recycled polyester, blended with spandex for four-way stretch. The range spans matte tricots, shiny metallic finishes, textured knits, and power mesh, with UPF and chlorine resistance treated as baseline construction. Recycled performance fibers such as REPREVE® and XLANCE® are at the center of the material story.
Where can I buy 2027 trend swimwear fabric wholesale?
Pine Crest Fabrics supplies trend-forward swimwear and activewear fabrics wholesale, with made-to-order production and U.S.- and overseas-stocked options. Most of our fabrics are certified to OEKO-TEX®, GRS, and bluesign®. We also support sourcing, customization, printing, and logistics. Contact a fabric expert to request swatches.
What are the swimwear trends for 2026–2027?
The dominant directions carrying into 2026–2027 are Mediterranean minimalism and tropical maximalism, with animal print abstracting into textural “shell skin” motifs and after-dark metallics rising. Matte-versus-shiny finish contrast is the key differentiator across every direction. Midnight Blue is the emerging evening neutral.
What is recycled swimwear fabric?
Recycled swimwear fabric is made from reclaimed inputs — most commonly recycled nylon and recycled polyester — re-spun into performance yarns that match virgin fiber in stretch, hand, and shape retention. At Pine Crest Fabrics, we supply both recycled nylon and recycled polyester fabrics. Most common swimwear styles: Kira Recycled Matte Tricot, Orion Recycled Shiny Tricot, Palm Rec 18, Tide, and Fishtale Recycled Tricot.
What is sheer mesh fabric used for in swimwear?
Sheer stretch mesh is used for ventilation panels, sheer overlays, layering, and beach-to-bar cover-ups, adding transparency and visual contrast without weight. Unlike perforated mesh — a denser, more opaque mesh used mostly in activewear — sheer mesh reads almost invisibly, making it ideal for support panels designed to look like bare skin from a distance. It is central to the 2027 Beach Bar trend.
Is REPREVE used in 2027 swimwear collections?
Yes. REPREVE® recycled polyester is widely used in 2027 swimwear, including swim-to-active crossover styles. Pine Crest Fabrics offers REPREVE®-based fabrics, including Riyo Rec Recycled Polyester, Atlantis Recycled DTY Tricot, Printable Phoenix Tricot, and more.
Sources: Refinery29, Mare di Moda, Who What Wear, FashionUnited, EUROFINISS Beachwear 2027, WGSN SS27, Fashion Week Online, POP Fashion.
