Nudity Is 2017’s Biggest Swimwear Trend, Data Shows

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

From figuring out your size to coming to terms with your (lack of a) tan, swimsuit shopping is no picnic. But how many times have you stepped into an ill-lit fitting room, arms laden with bikinis, monikinis, and other various ‘kinis, and thought, “You know, I wish I could somehow show more skin at the beach this summer?”

Zero? Same here. But apparently, we’re in the minority, because according to new data from shopping platform Polyvore, the top trending swim style so far this year is — wait for it — “nude” swimsuits. The site reports that searches for flesh-toned beachwear have soared 145 percent since this time last year, bringing a whole new meaning to the term “birthday suit.”

But why? The sisters Kardashian-Jenner are the most obvious culprits here; Kim, Khloe, and Kylie have all championed the look on Instagram, sometimes even together. Kanye West is guilty, too, thanks to his glorified Spanx Yeezy collection.

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 4

This very famous family — and their nearly-as-famous stylist, Monica Rose — has already started dozens of trends. Since they’re all about skintight, skin-toned garments right now, it’s only natural their fans would want to follow, er, suit.

But influencing fans to wear chokers, bomber jackets, and duster coats are one thing; asking shoppers to basically hit the beach in the buff is quite another.

There’s also the fact that “nude” trends have proven problematic in the past; thankfully, more and more brands are now offering options for women of all shades. Suffice it to say if you’re itching to add a skin-toned suit or two to your wardrobe this season, labels ranging from Marysia to Missguided have you covered — without looking like you’re actually covered.