May 29, 2017

I'll Be Ready: Baywatch's Red Swimsuit Trend Is Back

Photo: Getty Images

Baywatch is back, and you know what that means. Lots of David Hasselhoff on TV and a barrage of bright red spandex coming to a beach/pool/picnic near you. It just so happens that this sequel movie (appropriately called Baywatch and starring, er, Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron—what?) has aligned with fashion's current penchant for the scarlet bathing suit. Take a quick scan of the e-commerce landscape and you'll find there's a red suit to suit all—whether you're after a classic, high-cut, Pamela Anderson–worthy Baywatch-inspired swimsuit or in search of a more elegant, off-the-shoulder silhouette.

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Channeling my inner Pamela in California today, pretty excited for the new #Baywatch movie to come out on June 1! ♥️ P.S. our @mondayswimwear suit is pretty much a Baywatch suit! #ad

A post shared by Natasha Oakley (@tashoakley) on May 8, 2017 at 11:54am PDT

And it's not just that these are widely available and clearly referencing the cult show; the girls we follow on Instagram are feeling compelled—as soon as they put one on—to enact or emulate the insanely luscious lifeguards. Never before have we considered a life-float to be an essential accessory, but perhaps Tash Oakley of A Bikini a Day to Spanish influencer Gala González would argue otherwise. The swimsuit almost isn't complete without one…

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A post shared by Charlotte Groeneveld (@thefashionguitar) on Apr 11, 2017 at 5:38pm PDT

We've seen red swimsuit styles selling well in shops like & Other Stories and Uniqlo, but there are plenty of luxe versions from some of the most sought-after brands in the beachwear business: Mara Hoffman, Marysia, Lisa Marie Fernandez, Karla Colletto and Araks are just a handful of the high-fashion labels diving in. Lyst informed us that searches for "red swimsuit" have increased by 97% over the last six months, with shoppers looking for high-leg one-pieces every five minutes since the beginning of this year. In fact, so popular is this ultra-flattering shade that it's only second in search volume to black.

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