What is Scandinavian swimwear?
Scandinavian swimwear refers to bikinis and women’s bathing suits designed and produced by brands based in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. These northern European nations share similar minimalistic design aesthetics characterized by clean lines, muted color palettes, and focus on high quality materials and construction.
Key traits that define the Scandinavian swimwear style include:
- Simplistic silhouettes and cuts devoid of embellishments
- Neutral, muted, or dark color tones like black, gray, navy, tan, and white
- High-end fabrics like Italian jersey and structured technical knits
- Athleisure-inspired sporty shapes and coverage
- Sophisticated sensuality through strategic cutouts and open backs
- Timeless, understated elegance suited for any age or occasion
By blending minimalism with high-performance athleticism and discreet sensuality, Scandinavian swimwear achieves a refined, luxurious aesthetic. The pared-down styling flatters a wide range of figures while offering versatility from beach to streetwear.
Popular Scandinavian Swimwear Brands
Many reputable swimwear labels hail from the chic Scandinavian countries. Some noteworthy and influential brands include:
Sweden
- H&M – Mass retailer offering a range of affordable, trendy swimstyles.
- Acne Studios – Luxe Swedish label with edgy, conceptual swimwear.
- Hope – Upscale swim brand focused on minimalist Scandinavian design.
- House of Dagmar – Sophisticated swimwear with feminine silhouettes.
- Sweden Unlimited – Handmade bikinis using sustainable Italian materials.
Denmark
- Bruuns Bazaar – High-end Copenhagen brand with modern, graphic swimwear.
- Wood Wood – Youthful contemporary label offering colorful printed bikinis.
- Baum Und Pferdgarten – Romantic feminine styles with luxe details.
Norway
- Holzweiler – Oslo-based brand focused on smart, innovative swimwear design.
- Moods of Norway – Whimsical prints and bold colorways define their bikinis.
Finland
- Marimekko – Iconic Finnish label beloved for their vibrant artful prints.
- Arela – Contemporary sensual styles crafted from premium Italian fabric.
These leading Scandinavian swim brands exemplify northern European aesthetic values of simplicity, minimalism, functionality, and enduring quality. While ranging in price points and design details, they commonly utilize luxe carefully chosen fabrics and clean construction suited for active lifestyles.
Characteristics of Scandinavian Bikini Style
Scandinavian bikini designs display hallmark minimalist features that create a chic, understated beauty. Common traits include:
Monochrome Color Palettes
Scandinavian bikinis favor tonal, neutral, or dark colorways like black, white, gray, tan, navy, maroon, forest green, and slate blue. These muted palettes align with the pared-back minimalist aesthetic. Crisp solid colors keep focus on clean lines and shapes. Bold graphic prints appear occasionally for artistic flair.
Athletic Sporty Silhouettes
Many Scandinavian bikini styles utilize athletic-inspired shapes reflecting Nordic appreciation of active outdoor lifestyles. This includes square neck sport tops, racerback straps, and boyshort or hipster bottoms. Performance features like quick-drying fabrics and UPF protection suit water sports and leisure activities.
High-End Fabrics
Scandi bikinis favor luxurious natural fabrics like ultra-soft modal or structured technical knits. Italian jersey offers a sensuous drape. Wool blends provide temperature regulation. These textiles mirror Scandinavian values of quality craftsmanship and conscientious materials.
Strategic Cutouts
Small geometric cutouts add subtle sensual allure to otherwise modest Scandinavian bikini silhouettes. Strategic holes, crisscrossed straps, open backs balance minimalist coverage in the front and inventive reveals on the sides or back.
Timeless Over Trendy
Scandi swimwear focuses on versatile, enduring essentials that transcend seasonal trends. The investment pieces feature flattering cuts optimized for longevity, not extremes. Classic shapes and hues maintain relevance year after year.
What Are The Common Scandinavian Bikini Styles
Scandinavian bikini brands produce an array of styles tailored to minimalist northern aesthetics. Popular silhouettes include:
Sporty Crop Top Bikinis
Sporty crop top bikinis with straight across necklines and midriff-baring lengths exude a casual athletic vibe. Thick shoulder straps provide active support and coverage. They pair well with high-waisted or boyshort bottoms.
Halter Bikini Tops
Halter bikini tops secured by a knotted strap around the neck deliver a minimalist look from all angles. The strapless side profile highlights shoulders while the front remains securely fastened. Subtle hardware details add hints of sophistication.
Bandeau Bikini Tops
Streamlined bandeau bikini tops align with Scandinavian minimalism with their clean, seamless structure. The straight cut flatters modest busts. Some include detachable straps for versatile styling options.
One-Shoulder Bikini Tops
One-shoulder bikini tops make an asymmetric statement with one side strapless. The asymmetrical look oozes sleek modern edge. One-shoulders come in ruched, draped, or bow-accented variations.
High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms
On the bottom, high-waisted bikini bottoms sit high on the waist to elongate legs and smooth hips and waist. A vintage pin-up vibe contrasts the athletic tops. The retro wide waistbands accentuate curves.
Boyshort Bikini Bottoms
Boyshort bikini bottoms offer fuller coverage in a modest mid-thigh length. The sporty cut suits athletic activities while the lower waist flatters hips. The shorts are often patterned or color-blocked.
Thong/G-string Bikini Bottoms
Scandinavian minimalism shines through with thong and g-string bikini bottoms. These radically simple silhouettes strip down to the bare minimum fabric. Tiny triangle tops or bandeaus balance the backside exposure.
Scandinavian Swimwear Designers to Know
Leading designers from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland create sought-after swimwear encapsulating Scandinavian style. Notable names include:
Sweden
- Lars Wallin – Avant-garde cuts and inventive asymmetry define his runway pieces.
- Dagmar – Duo Sofia Wallenstam and Karin Söderlindsson launched swimwear before expanding to ready-to-wear.
- Emelie Janrell – Feminine sultry silhouettes withChain details and hardware.
- Camilla Thulin – Creative patterns and textures balanced with minimalist forms.
- Sanna Lindberg – Architectural shapes and avant-garde detailing create modernist swimwear.
Denmark
- Bitte Kai Rand – Luxe swimwear focused on flattering lines using Italian jersey.
- Freya Dalsjø – Dramatic prints and bold color-blocking define her youthful styles.
- Astrid Andersen – Athletic streetwear influences shape her bikini designs.
Norway
- Ada Kokosar – Intricate bustier tops and waist-accentuating suits shine.
- Veronika Heilbrunner – Chic modernist styles for her eponymous label.
- Cathrine Hammel – Tailored fits using sustainable eco-friendly textiles.
Finland
- Samuji – Purist organic shapes define the naturalistic aesthetic.
- Minna Parikka – Whimsical crochet and knit bikinis with playful accents.
- Tiia Vanhatapio – Ethereal designs drawing inspiration from dance costumes.
These leading designers encapsulate both classic and cutting-edge aspects of Scandi style through their creative interpretations of clean lines, minimal forms, and refined details.
Scandinavian Swimwear Trends
Scandinavian swimwear continuously evolves each season while retaining signature minimalist DNA. Some current trends include:
Sustainable Materials
Eco-friendly fabrics like recycled nylon, ECONYL yarn, and regenerated ocean plastics appear in earth-conscious swimwear. Natural renewable textiles like organic cotton, linen, and bamboo also grow in popularity.
Retro Inspiration
Vintage-inspired high-rise bottoms, sweetheart tops, and modest coverage suit the return to traditional glamour and classic silhouettes.
Tactile Textures
Unique fabric manipulations like ribbed seersucker, woven rope materials, and 3D sculptural pucker knits provide tactile interest and added depth.
Elevated Sporty
Athleisure continues influencing swimwear but elevates through luxe technical fabrics, unexpected cutouts, and asymmetric styling.
Artistic Prints
Abstract patterns, expressive brushstrokes, and collage-like prints inspired by nature and architecture enliven solid Scandinavian color palettes.
Where to Buy Scandinavian Swimwear
Scandinavian bikini brands are stocked globally at premium retailers and e-commerce sites. Top places to shop include:
Direct Brand Websites
Many swimwear labels like Hope, Holzweiler, and Dagmar sell directly through their own webstores. This offers the full collection and first access to new product launches.
Online Retailers
Popular e-commerce sites carrying Scandinavian swimwear include:
- Net-a-Porter
- Farfetch
- Luisaviaroma
- SSENSE
- Shopbop
- Revolve
Department Stores
Upscale department stores stocking Scandinavian swim labels:
- Nordstrom
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Neiman Marcus
- Harvey Nichols
- Selfridges
Boutiques
Independent designer boutiques worldwide carry curated selections of Scandi swimwear, especially European stores.
Scandinavian Swimwear Fabrics
Scandinavian bikinis utilize premium high-tech fabrics that balance minimalist aesthetics with performance functionality. Common textiles include:
Italian Jersey
Fluid lightweight jersey from Italy molds beautifully to the body while offering opaque coverage. The soft handfeel exudes luxury.
Technical Knits
Structured technical knits woven from recycled nylon or polyamide provide both compression and flexibility for athletic activities.
ECONYL
Sustainable ECONYL nylon made of regenerated fishing nets and other nylon waste delivers a glossy finish.
Wool Blends
Merino wool and other wool blends naturally wick moisture and insulate body temperature during outdoor wear.
Organic Cotton
Gentle organic cotton with reduced environmental impact provides soft, breathable comfort.
How to Style Scandinavian Swimwear
Scandi-chic swimwear transitions seamlessly from beach to street. Style tips include:
Minimalist Accessories
Opt for subtle gold jewelry, leather sandals, oversized sunglasses, and straw bags to complement the pared-back swimwear.
Beach Cover-ups
Lightweight solid-colored kaftans, towels, and swim skirts continue the muted color story from water to boardwalk.
Jean Shorts
Boyshort bikini bottoms or one-pieces pair perfectly with high-waisted denim cutoffs.
Summer Knits
Throw on an oversized sweater or linen button-down over a bikini for effortless apres-surf style.
Athleisure Layers
Leggings, joggers, hoodies, and windbreakers complement sporty cropped bikini tops.
Minimalist Dresses
Crisp white shirtdresses, trapeze sundresses, and bodycon midi dresses overlay a swimsuit for easy coverage.
Sarongs
Tie a patterned sarong around hips over swim bottoms for a versatile skirt option.
Wedges or Sneakers
Complete the Scandi look with leather wedge sandals, slip-on sneakers, or minimalist flats.
Scandinavian Swimwear for Specific Body Types
Scandinavian bikini brands design for a wide range of bodies. Flattering styles include:
Athletic Body Type
- Sporty halterneck or racerback bikini tops
- Boyshort or hipster bikini bottoms
- Crisp structured fabrics like technical knits
- Medium to full seat coverage
Hourglass Body Type
- Sweetheart, bandeau, or underwire bikini tops
- Retro high-waist bottoms
- Bold color-blocking to accentuate curves
- Moderate seat coverage balanced by strappy/knotted tops
Apple Body Type
- Detailed halter tops to draw eyes up
- Lower-rise bottoms with diagonal seaming
- Dark solid colors or graphical prints
- Moderate seat coverage
Pear Body Type
- Detailed one-shoulder or twist-front tops
- Higher waist bottoms
- Clean lines and color-blocking
- Full seat coverage
Petite Frame
- Narrow halter straps
- Bandeau and cropped length tops
- Low- or mid-rise bottoms
- Small prints
- Boyshorts with moderate seat coverage
