The Official Swim Report from the Leading Authorities in the Industry

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      The Summer 2026 Swim Report Featuring Natasha Oakley and Lauren Chan - YouTube

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      The official 2026 Swim Report has arrived, and we've consulted some of the industry's top experts for insights on all things swimwear. Our guests include Natasha Oakley, CEO and co-founder of Monday Swim and Monday Body; Lauren Chan, a Sports Illustrated swim model, former founder of plus-size womenswear brand Henning, and ex-Glamour editor; along with Sierra Mayhew, our fashion editor who oversees the annual Swim Report. These women have established themselves as innovators and authoritative voices in swim and resortwear over the years. In the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, they discuss their favorite summer pieces, tips for achieving the perfect beach look, and the psychology behind the resurgence of certain trends for summer 2026. To see highlights from their discussion, scroll down.

      People are excited about the 2000s revival, yet it seems everyone is seeking ways to put a fresh spin on it. Natasha, could you offer your design perspective on this trend? What inspired you to incorporate it into some of the Monday styles?

      Natasha Oakley: There’s a noticeable interest in matching sets. Anytime you can wear something that coordinates perfectly with your suit or other outfit pieces, it’s appealing. The shorts we’ve designed are both practical and cute, available in every color and collection we’ve launched. They might be taking the place of denim cutoff shorts, creating a new trend where little shorts are worn with oversized shirts. At Monday, we aim for a balance; if you're in short shorts and a revealing bikini, pairing them with a more oversized or long-sleeve top creates harmony. Our customers are really enjoying these matching sets, and there's definitely a resurgence of ‘90s and 2000s energy.

      Shell jewelry continues to be quite trendy this summer. Sierra, are there any new developments regarding the 2026 trend in shell designs?

      Sierra Mayhew: Yes, this season’s shell jewelry looks more natural, as if it’s just been sourced from the ocean. Previously, they all appeared very perfect, but I’ve been enjoying the more authentic and organic styles.

      Lauren, upon making your Sports Illustrated debut as a rookie in 2023, you became the first queer plus-size model for the brand and also founded a luxury plus-size womenswear line in 2019. Having experience on both sides of the camera, what is your perspective on size inclusivity and swimwear in 2026?

      Lauren Chan: Overall, we’re experiencing a dip in size inclusivity, having seen more progress around 2018 and 2019. I think the inclusion trend resembles the stock market—it has its ups and downs, but over the long run, it has been on an upward trajectory. Right now, however, we’re in a low period and brands are scaling back. It’s essential for consumers to keep this conversation alive, and for me to continue representing. On the brand side, I really like Knix, which offers sizes up to 4XL+ in some suits. They also provide my favorite triangle bikini, as it offers more coverage in the front.

      This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.