Not Tankinis—French Women Only Care About These 6 Classic Swim Trends in 2026

Not to be dramatic, nor state the obvious, but it’s worth saying: It’s really hot outside! With record-breaking high temperatures hitting New York, London, and even Paris, residents of major cities have had to grapple with unrelenting heat, leading many to resort to lying by some sort of body of water as a coping mechanism. From dealing with unprecedented weather, there’s been another unintentional consequence, or rather, one of the only bright sides from this brutal weather: new swim trends. Over the last few weeks, there’s been no shortage of swimwear styling inspiration, but none, in my humble opinion, is as refreshing as what we’re seeing among the French style set. Call that assertion biased, but as someone who’s called Paris home for the last couple of months, I can safely say that locals here make dressing for hot weather look, well, cool.

Although some might boil down locals’ ability to dress well to their French identity, or even a fabulous little bikini, I’d argue there’s more to the story. Ultimately, what gives this particular subset of fashion people that je ne sais quoi is that their wardrobes aren’t necessarily informed by runway trends but by their own taste. That’s no more apparent than in the classic swimsuit trends that have emerged over the last couple of weeks, which have prioritized beachwear that is fashionable for the long haul and functional for egregious heat over everything else. But if you’re wondering what exact types of swimsuits the style set has been gravitating toward during this unseasonably hot summer, keep reading. From the canals of Saint-Martin to Saint-Tropez, these six classic swimwear trends are what the French are wearing to keep cool (in every sense of the word) this summer.

1. Low-Back One-Pieces

Frankly, no other swimwear is the visual embodiment of the term “classic” quite like the one-piece swimsuit! It’s no wonder, then, that this timeless beachwear remains a beloved staple with the French style set. But don’t be fooled; you won’t find them in any ole boring one-piece swimsuit, as there’s always going to be a risqué twist. The best example of this phenomenon is the low-back one-piece swimsuit trend, which has surged in popularity as quickly as temperatures have risen (for a good reason). The sultrier update on this otherwise classic suit has made it the go-to staple for those looking for a suit that can stand out in the sea of basic swimwear.

2. Retro Balconette

Okay, I’ll admit that the one-piece swimsuit isn’t groundbreaking, but that’s the whole point! When it’s too hot outside, there comes a point when you can’t be trying to deal with figuring out how to style an overly complicated swimsuit—that’s when you return to what’s tried, true, and tested. At least, that’s what the French style set has been doing, as I’ve spotted countless retro balconettes making a comeback. For those who prefer a two-piece bikini to a one-piece suit but still want something flattering, this swimsuit trend is ideal. Whether you opt for a version with built-in wire or one with a retro print, you can be assured that this style will make dressing for a hot day fuss-free.

3. Asymmetrical Necklines

If you want to prove that looking elegant during the summer doesn’t require maximum effort, you’ll want to look to one particular swim trend that’s become popular over the past couple of weeks: asymmetrical necklines. Although it’s not necessarily a “new” trend, swimwear silhouettes with single-shoulder straps have slowly become a must-have staple for the French style set this summer. The appeal of this swimsuit trend is that it has a similar impact to low-back one-pieces or retro-balconettes: What was once “simple” is transformed into something sophisticated, sans effort. The little black one-piece feels infinitely cooler with an asymmetrical strap, or a slinky white bikini becomes a statement piece with one strap; simply put, swimwear becomes so much more avant-garde.

4. Pastel Hues

Although one could argue that most “classic” swimsuits lean minimal, that doesn’t necessarily mean the French style crowd is adhering to a sparse color palette. Spoiler: They’re definitely not. Whether you take a trip to a beach in the South of France or simply scroll on Instagram, it’s impossible to ignore that French people simply can’t get enough of pastel-hued swim pieces at the moment. Whether in ballet pink, baby blue, or butter yellow, we’ve seen barely there pastel shades slowly surface as trending swimwear shades among locals. These anti-neutrals might not seem timeless, but the French style set has proven that pastel swimwear can be classic, so long as you opt for versions in more classic silhouettes (think slinky bikinis or low-back one-pieces).

5. Animal Prints

Beyond the color wheel, there’s another bold swimwear trend that’s become an unexpected “classic” in the minds of the French style crowd: [insert dramatic pause] animal prints. It may come as a surprise that such a “wild” print trend would manage to become so popular within the city limits of Paris, but then again, that’s sort of the appeal. The beauty of an animal-print bikini is that it can make you feel like you’re somewhere far away, even if you’re not, and it also leans into the sort of risqué elements that feel so essential to the French aesthetic. However, if you’re worried this swimwear trend is a bit too trend-forward, consider taking cues from the French style crowd by opting for classic swim silhouettes in neutral-hued leopard, zebra, and snakeskin prints.

6. Two-Tone Suits

While animal prints are considered a neutral in this household—and many across France—they’re not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. Luckily, there’s a more “subdued” swimwear trend that’s a great alternative if you want to channel your inner French girl this summer but can’t imagine going wild: color-blocking. The two-tone swimsuit has become a timeless staple over the last few years, not just because it combines two of the most beloved neutrals , but also because it’s one of the few trends that have captured the French style set’s fascination. The appeal of this swimwear trend can be boiled down to the fact that it checks all the boxes: flattering in every silhouette, functional for warm weather, flexible in styling, and oozing “I own a home in the South of France” energy. Even if you’re not French, throwing on a two-tone slinky bikini or a cutout one-piece is a surefire way to look the part.