The Year-Round Favourite: Why A Blue Bikini Never Goes Out of Style

Walk into any bikini store or scroll through any swimwear website and you’ll see a general running theme; blue bikinis are everywhere. While not all retailers are looking to purchase something without filling up their racks, there’s something to be said about blue being one of the most trusted bikini colors year after year, decade after decade, season after season – and the reasons to support this make sense.

What people don’t realize about bikinis is the same color does not dominate the market every year. Neon was a big thing, animal prints took over for a while, metallic had its moment in the sun (literally) and yet what always seems to pop up regardless of level of risk is blue. It never goes out of style, yet it somehow reinvents itself season after season without looking outdated or making you look like you’re trying too hard.

The Psychological Appeal

In terms of psychological appeal, blue is natural. It photographs well, blue makes a connection to the water, a connection to something greater. Blue reminds us of trust, the sky, peace. When wearing a blue bikini, whether it’s in a pool or at the beach, it just looks…right.

But on the other hand, blue also stands out. Once vacation pictures start coming in, natural light captures the radiance of blue without warping it the way brighter reds and pinks tend to wash out or how some greens translate differently in person than they do on camera. Whether it’s mid-afternoon or golden hour, there is no denying that blue maintains color better than other fabrics.

The Best Part? There’s Not Just One Shade of Blue

So why is there not just one trusted blue? Because there are many blues that fit different vibes and situations. Navy blue gives off a much classier feel; it’s dark enough for women who aren’t confident to show a lot of skin but light enough to maintain that bikini feel. It also translates as darker than expected in harsh daylight, similar to black; unfortunately (or fortunately) many women appreciate this.

Turquoise/aqua is your vacation girl; when at an exotic locale, turquoise works best with tan skin and bright white beaches/water to make for the ultimate picturesque scene in the Maldives or the Caribbean (for that cohesive Instagram aesthetic – there’s nothing wrong with that!) since bright blues look best in natural lighting.

Royal blue sits right in the middle—bold enough to make a statement but not so bright that it feels costume-like. It’s versatile, which is probably why it shows up in so many collections. If you’re looking for something that works whether you’re at a beach club in Ibiza or a local pool, a blue bikini + blue bikini set in a medium-to-deep shade gives you that flexibility without needing to pack multiple options.

Powder blue/baby blue have made their way back in recent seasons, giving off more of a vintage feel; this more retro vibe appeals to certain body types and those with lighter skin tones – something a little different compared with what’s proven but nothing that’s too far gone.

Practical Reasons Few Ever Mention

While most articles talking about the best and worst colors when it comes to bikinis won’t mention this detail – blue hides things better than most. White gets stained with chlorine and salt water; light pink gets uncomfortable when that powdery coat hardens; while this isn’t to say that blue is impervious to fading as well, there comes a natural understanding that it takes longer for wear and tear to happen with darker colors.

This does not mean that blue bikinis are indestructible and that people shouldn’t take care of their swimwear – but for those who wear their bathing suits regularly – as in more than once or twice over summertime – they’ll begin to find this practical problem has less impact than one would think.

When you wash whites with reds they bleed; when you wash with yellows, certain greens and some blues (darker ones), they tend to fade into their own category on their own with time which causes unnecessary risk. Blue and its dyes tend to stay put – whether for longevity or lax laundry protocols – this also helps maintain peace of mind.

Notable Aesthetics for Confidence

When it comes to women’s bodies and feeling beautiful – many women feel comfortable in blue for it’s a safe color; it’s not boring yet it’s not taking too much attention away from the body itself. It’s not saying “look at me” like neon and it’s not trying to hide or de-emphasize any part of the body like black has been known to do.

Simply put – blue helps women exist how they are without excess celebration which is quite lovely. Therefore, when women are enjoying time at the beach/pool without worrying about whether their color choice was a bad one because they stood out for all the wrong reasons. Who cares? Blue works – and psychology backs it.

Why Designers Keep It Consistent

Despite high and low sales tickets, generally swimwear designers will tell you that their best-sellers are always blue options. But it’s also because blue provides embellishments/new fabrics/textures for opportunity down the line. 

Ribbed and crochet fabrics can be mixed in with navy and darker blues to make it more beachy; mixes of denim/metallic can come across elevated but not gaudy; blue is strong enough that it can hold its own – or allow designers to showcase their work through prints/added fabrics.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, owning a bikini is an investment that’s cute but should practically serve its buyer over time. The risk of ruining past photos due to bright and recognizable colors that made sense in 2015 (think neon orange) or 2017 (millennial pink) aren’t worth it when they age like wine.

But when someone realizes their best option is a reliable blue every season for years on end – and still worth using years from now – that’s the boring decision people might not credit but ultimately appreciate when they’re standing by their closets instead of adding some excitement for what may – and may not – work out later.

So those are all reasons why wearing blue bikinis makes sense all year long!