Swimsuits & Cover-Ups: Bikini Bottoms: High Waist Is the Swim Trend I’m Packing First This Spring

Somewhere between the polished glamour of recent resort runways and the endless stream of European beach photos filling Instagram, the high-waisted bikini bottom stopped feeling nostalgic and started feeling undeniably cool again. The new mood isn’t retro for the sake of it. It’s cleaner. More sculptural. More confident. Instead of chasing the tiniest silhouette possible, Spring 2026 is embracing swimwear that creates shape, moves with you, and actually feels intentional. The way I’d wear it? Think less vintage pin-up and more Amalfi after 4 p.m. Throw a crisp oversized white shirt over your bikini, add woven slides, gold hoops, and a raffia tote that’s seen a few vacations. You should be able to walk straight from the beach to a seaside lunch without changing your entire personality. I’ve had my eye on AFRM‘s Rio Bikini Bottom – Cherry Dots because it gets the balance exactly right. The high-rise V-cut lengthens the leg, while the playful cherry print keeps the look from taking itself too seriously. It’s the kind of piece that photographs as well as it swims. If minimalism is more your speed, Mikoh Swimwear continues to prove that simple doesn’t have to mean forgettable. The Waikui 2 Bottom delivers that ultra-high rise everyone’s gravitating toward right now, while the Lami Bottom feels like the timeless black bikini you’ll still reach for years from now. And if your beach days involve more movement than lounging, the checkered Norah Bottom was practically designed for surf mornings and spontaneous paddleboard sessions. Meanwhile, Beach Riot is leaning into texture in the best possible way. The crochet Kirby Bottom Black Crochet feels handcrafted instead of precious, and the ruby and tan versions bring enough personality that you barely need accessories. That’s exactly the energy I want on vacation. And because the best swim wardrobes don’t end at the shoreline, I’d pack 437 Activewear‘s The Bare Onesie / Black-Cherry alongside these bikini bottoms. It’s the piece you slip into after an afternoon in the water when dinner plans appear out of nowhere. High-waisted bikini bottoms aren’t making a comeback because they’re practical. They’re back because they make every beach outfit feel considered. That’s a much better reason.