8 Styles You’ll Love This Summer

In case you’re not tuned into TikTok’s fashion discourse, tankinis (yep, the very same ones that reigned supreme in the early aughts) are making their big return to many a swimwear wardrobe. As with nearly everything Y2K-adjacent, the Sharpay Evans-approved style is gaining traction as a vacation-ready middle ground between a one-piece and a minimal bikini. The new-gen tankini breaks from stereotypes of practicality and modesty, coming in plunging necklines, playful cutouts, and retro-inspired prints that feel anything but dated. 

A quick scroll through your FYP shows that tankinis have a place in your daily wardrobe, too. TikTokers are styling them with other trending summer staples—like baggy jorts, low-rise mini skirts, and breezy sarongs—for après-swim moments, highlighting that the look is versatile enough to enjoy on dry land. Ahead, we dive into the tankini trend, from the motifs driving the revival to styling inspo galore.

The History of Tankinis

If you lived through the early 2000s, you likely remember the golden age of the tankini. Ever since it debuted on the scene, this swimsuit category has provided a poolside pitstop between a modest one-piece and a tiny bikini, making it popular among those who want a two-piece option with a bit more coverage. Though the general history of swimwear goes back centuries, this particular style is quite young, invented in 1977 by American swimwear designer Anne Cole, who created the design as a more modest alternative to two-pieces at the time. 

In its first two decades, the design didn’t catch much traction, but once the brand reconfigured the design in 1998 and began selling two-piece swimsuit designs separately rather than in sets, shoppers began mixing and matching tankini tops with contrasting styles, patterns, and colors of bottoms for a cheeky style on the beach. It swiftly grew to become one of the pinnacle swimwear pieces of the early 2000s, and was especially prevalent in the beach bum crowd (anyone else remember the grip they had on every mermaid in H2O: Just Add Water?).

The Tankini Trend in 2025

Nostalgia for the ’90s and early 2000s has had a major hold on fashion in recent seasons, which has been a key factor for the tankini’s successful second wind. While the style fell to the wayside in favor of high-rise bikinis in the 2010s, it began making a comeback in summer 2024.

While the tankini renaissance began budding during Brat summer, this swimsuit made its way back to full-on trend status this past spring. Bella Hadid helped bring the style back to the spotlight when she included it in her western-inspired collaboration with Frankies Bikinis. The collection’s tankini features a plaid pattern with a scarf top-inspired silhouette and lower neckline, subverting any assumptions that this category is juvenile or only for those who prefer modest swimwear.

From there, a slew of flirty tankini tops with similar scarf motifs, babydoll-inspired accents, and faux-vintage floral designs have been showing up in place of the usual halter and bustier bikini tops. It’s only the latest in coverage-forward poolside trends, as swim skirts and swim shorts have both made a return to the forefront at Miami Swim Week and elsewhere.

Together, the styles are highlighting the demand for more swimwear options with a bit of extra coverage. The new iterations tap into some of summer’s most playful aesthetics and put fashion and innovation at the forefront, proving that these sometimes-overlooked silhouettes are anything but one-note.

How to Style

When it comes to styling a tankini, grab your favorite tankini top, find a matching bottom (or, if you’re adventurous, a contrasting style), and the poolside outfit basically styles itself. For nostalgia’s sake, you can pair it with your favorite butterfly clips hairstyle and jelly shoes—but if you don’t want to lean too campy with your look, we get it.

There are also tons of ways to wear a tankini with a modern feel. The beauty of a tankini is that it’s a water-resistant take on a tank top, so you can wear it on all your summer adventures. Try it with jorts and Crocs (preferably a pair decked out with charms) for post-pool moments, a sarong or maxi skirt and a pair of sandals for boardwalk strolls, or skinny jeans for a night out: The casual ensembles are practically endless.

Standout Modern Tankinis to Shop

Need a break from bikinis? Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite tankini tops and sets that channel early 2000s beach vibes—updated with bold fringe, kitschy patterns, and trend-forward fits.