The Rise of Bikini Shorts in Australian Beach Culture
Australian women are making a significant style statement this summer by embracing bikini shorts, a swimwear trend that offers more coverage and practicality than traditional revealing options. This movement represents a notable departure from the dominance of high-cut legs and G-string bottoms that have characterised beach fashion for years.
From Sunbathing to Swimming: Rediscovering Beach Joy
For many Australian women, the beach experience is undergoing a transformation. Rosie Brunt, a 27-year-old from the Blue Mountains, describes how her relationship with coastal areas has evolved. "Wearing a swimming costume that's a little bit more practical gives you that kind of childlike fun and freedom again," she explains. Brunt has rediscovered activities like snorkelling, rock jumping, and even cricket at the beach thanks to the comfort and functionality of bikini shorts.
This sentiment is echoed by Harriette Beedle, a 23-year-old from Melbourne, who appreciates the reduced pressure of beach attire. "There's no problem with a bit of modesty ... it can be kind of cool," she observes, highlighting how this trend allows women to feel confident without conforming to minimal coverage expectations.
The Practical Appeal of Fuller Coverage Swimwear
Bikini shorts, also known as boyleg bottoms, provide enhanced coverage around the upper legs, buttocks, and sometimes the midriff. This design allows for greater freedom of movement and appeals to those seeking alternatives to traditional swimwear. The trend has gained substantial momentum over the past eighteen months, with Australian Google searches for "bikini shorts" steadily surpassing those for "thong bikini" since 2023, reaching a peak in December 2025.
Lauren Brodie, a 35-year-old Wellington resident, shares how this shift has positively impacted her beach experiences. Having struggled with body confidence at coastal locations, Brodie finds that the growing availability of fuller-coverage options has enabled her to enjoy swimming with her daughter without self-consciousness. "She never thinks, 'OK, what does Mum look like in the water or at the beach?' She only cares about how well we can dive together," Brodie notes.
Versatility and Style: Beyond the Beach
One of the key advantages of bikini shorts is their multifunctional nature. Unlike smaller bikini bottoms, these garments can be worn comfortably away from the water, transitioning seamlessly from beach to cafe. Brodie appreciates this practicality, especially in the current economic climate. "Purse strings are tighter so we're all more mindful of how we're investing," she remarks, highlighting the value of versatile clothing items.
Beedle purchased her first pair for a backpacking trip through South America, where they served dual purposes as both swimwear and casual shorts. This functionality combines with aesthetic appeal, as contemporary bikini shorts often feature design elements reminiscent of 1950s swimwear, including high waists. Popular patterns range from classic polka dots and gingham to Y2K-inspired prints like bright red hibiscus flowers or cheetah spots, with minimalist options available in various shades of brown, beige, and black.
Industry Response and Future Projections
The demand for bikini shorts has prompted most major Australian swimwear brands to incorporate these styles into their collections. Julia Utz, head of product and marketing at Seafolly, attributes part of this popularity to the influence of activewear, particularly the widespread adoption of bike shorts as wardrobe staples. This trend aligns with the "big shirt little pants" silhouette that has gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok.
Katherine Hampton, founder of Camp Cove Swim, reports that high-waisted bikini shorts have been their top-selling items for the past two years. Similarly, Snorkelbear Swimwear has seen bikini shorts account for 29% of total sales over the last four months. Raq Apparel experienced such strong demand for their new "boyshort" style that what began as a limited run is now destined for their core collection.
Utz believes this trend has longevity, predicting it will continue strongly into 2026 and 2027. "It's almost like a reaction to the Brazilian style and the thong that everyone's been overexposed to for the last couple of seasons," she suggests. This shift extends beyond bikini bottoms, with tankinis and other fuller-coverage swimwear options also gaining popularity.
Beedle enjoys the mix-and-match possibilities these styles offer. "You buy an extra pair of swimmers and you've suddenly got six different ways you can wear them ... that's awesome," she enthuses. Brunt agrees, emphasising that this trend represents style rather than compromise. "It's not like this frumpy dorky thing," she asserts, "It's very flattering and you look good."
This movement towards more modest, practical swimwear reflects broader changes in Australian beach culture, where comfort, functionality, and personal confidence are becoming increasingly valued alongside traditional aesthetic considerations.
