The Ruffle & Frill Swimwear Edit

There is a particular kind of swimwear that doesn't so much sit on the body as flutter against it. Ruffles, frills, flounces — call them what you like, but they are having a moment, and a thoroughly deserved one. Done badly, they tip into fancy dress. Done well, they are the most flattering, most romantic thing you can pack for a summer that demands a little drama. This is our edit of the trend worn tastefully: where it works, who it loves, and how to wear it without looking like a lampshade.

Why Ruffles Flatter

The clever thing about a ruffle is that it is, fundamentally, an optical trick dressed up as a romance. A frill at the bust adds the suggestion of curve where you might want it; a flounce at the hip draws a soft, forgiving line over exactly the spot most of us prefer to soften. Movement is the secret ingredient — a static cut shows everything, while a ruffle catches the breeze and the eye, drawing attention to texture rather than to whatever lies beneath. It is the swimwear equivalent of a well-placed compliment. See our notes on swimwear for an athletic frame for how this plays out on a leaner silhouette.

The Flounce Bikini Top

If you buy one piece of this trend, make it the flounce top. That single tier of frill across the bust is the great equaliser of swimwear — it gives the illusion of fullness to those who want it, and a featherlight softness to those who already have plenty. Frankies Bikinis built much of its name on exactly this silhouette, all sun-bleached prettiness and off-shoulder frills, while Acacia does a barely-there version in its signature dreamy hues. Shop Frankies Bikinis and Shop Acacia for the off-duty version.

Ruffled One-Pieces

The ruffled one-piece is where this trend earns its dinner-reservation credentials. A diagonal frill across a maillot, an asymmetric shoulder spilling into a single dramatic flounce — these are pieces that move seamlessly from sun lounger to a seafront aperitivo with nothing more than a pair of gold hoops. Zimmermann is the undisputed queen here, treating swimwear as if it were couture, while Tori Praver offers a softer, more Californian take on the same romance. Shop Zimmermann and Shop Tori Praver.

Broderie & Scalloped Edges

For those who find a full ruffle a touch much, there is its quieter cousin: the scalloped edge and the broderie anglaise trim. A scalloped neckline whispers where a flounce shouts, and a row of broderie eyelets along a hip adds texture without volume — perfect if you love the romance but loathe the fuss. L*Space does this beautifully, balancing texture with a clean, modern cut that never strays into twee. Shop L*Space for the grown-up version of the trend. For more on what is dominating the sand this year, see our swim trends for 2026.

Who It Suits & How to Balance

The honest answer is everyone, provided you respect the cardinal rule: choose one focal frill, not five. Ruffles add visual volume wherever they land, so the trick is deciding where you want it and keeping the rest of the piece clean. Smaller bust? A generous flounce up top is your best friend. Fuller figure? Keep frills to a single tier and let a sleek high-leg do the rest. Curvier through the middle? A diagonal ruffle across a one-piece draws a flattering line straight across the torso. The frill should feel like an accent, never the entire conversation.

Styling the Trend

Because a ruffle is doing so much romantic heavy lifting, everything else should step back. Pair a flounce bikini with a plain linen shirt, raffia slides and the kind of straw bag that suggests you summer somewhere very particular. Keep jewellery delicate — fine gold rather than statement — and let the swimwear be the texture in your look. A ruffled one-piece needs nothing more than a sarong knotted at the hip and bare feet. For colour, lean into the soft and the sun-faded; our swimwear colour guide has the full palette. Wear it like you mean it, and a little frill goes a very long, very flattering way.