Sydney Sweeney’s thongkini to the Topless Troupe… racy bikini tribes as celebs show sun-starved Brits what we’re missing
And we reveal the A-lister who 'embarrasses' her daughter by sunbathing topless
THEY say if you’ve got it, flaunt it – and Sydney Sweeney is certainly doing just that.
Earlier this week, the Hollywood star was snapped showing off her jaw-dropping curves in a floral thong bikini while enjoying an action-packed day at the beach.
The 26-year-old actress was seen doing a spot of jet-skiing, before being pulled along with a friend on the back of a giant yellow inflatable close to her new £10.6million mansion in Key West, in Florida.
While the weather might be a bit of a washout here in the UK, celebs have definitely got their summer wardrobes sorted.
And when it comes to picking swimwear, there are definitely distinct tribes in the showbiz world.
Thongkini Club
Followers: Sydney Sweeney, Kady McDermott, Abbey Clancy
As well as White Lotus star Sydney, former Love Islander Kady McDermott has been showing off her peachy bum in a thongkini.
Kady, 38, who shot to fame on the second series of the hit ITV2 reality show, recently shared a sexy bikini selfie on a sun-soaked getaway – but one fan was quick to point out that they thought she had used photoshop to enhance her bum.
They wrote: “People actually photoshop their bums to look like this!”
And others accused the star of getting a Brazilian bum lift.
Model Abbey Clancy, 38, is also a fan of the “less is more” bikini look, with the star wearing a stunning two-piece while enjoying a recent holiday in Sicily with husband Peter Crouch, 43, as the loved-up pair celebrated 13 years of marriage.
Mum-of-four Abbey captioned her photos: “The best few days!” but her fans were obsessed with her bum. Lisa Snowdon replied: “The bum!” as another fan said: “Cute bum.”
How Low Can You Go Crew
Followers: Ashley Graham, Nicole Scherzinger, Halle Berry
If you are in the market for new beachwear this summer, there is a style every celebrity seems to be wearing – a plunging one-piece.
And celebs appear to be in competition to see who can be the one to have the most low-cut swimming costume.
American model Ashley Graham, 36, is a fan of the look, recently showing off her incredible cleavage in a lime green patterned swimsuit while on a recent holiday to France.
Hollywood star Halle Berry, 57, also shared a selfie in a striking low-cut black swimsuit showing off her age-defying figure as she enjoyed a sunshine break in Cabo, in Mexico.
And former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger put on a jaw-dropping display in a plunging cut-out swimsuit as she shared sizzling snaps of her lazing by the pool from her Malibu home earlier this month.
The 45-year-old left little to the imagination while writhing about on the floor to American singer Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song, Espresso, as her fiancé Thom Evans, 39, was seen in the background carrying a sunbed.
Gingham Girls
Followers: Reese Witherspoon, Brooke Shields
Gingham is one of the biggest trends of the summer so it’s little wonder celebs have been picking the print for their swimwear.
Hollywood stars Reese Witherspoon, 48, and Brooke Shields, 59, have scored a checkmate in gingham swimsuits, wearing brightly coloured and black and white versions, respectively.
Bold & Beautiful
Followers: Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner
Neon swimwear might have been big in the 2010s, but this decade it’s about bold colours and less like you look like you’re wearing a bikini version of a high-vis vest.
Models Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski are all fans of the trend, rocking all colours of the rainbow.
Hailey, 27, flaunted her figure in a tiny red bikini and sunglasses in a matching shade during an exotic holiday to an unknown location in March.
Fashion editor reveals the 90s trends that should stay in the past
NINETIES and noughties trends especially have become a hit with Gen Z - most likely because they didn’t wear them the first time round. Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale gives the rundown of some of the trends that have made a comeback that we wish did not.
Disc belts
“A hit with celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively, the belt itself did nothing that a belt should actually do – it was a mere fashion statement, not a piece to actually hold anything up.
“And it seems it’s not just me who is enraged by its return, with many taking to TikTok to give their views, saying: ‘Oh no not the disc belt! I don’t think I have the energy for it a 2nd time around’ – I feel you.”
Jelly shoes
“After not being seen on shelves for decades, they’ve made a reappearance and this time they’re not just for kids.
“Coming in a range of colourful patterns, you can get them all over the high street in either flat or heeled versions.
“Not only will you look very childish wearing such shoes, but people will also need to learn that they aren’t the comfiest – blister plasters will come in handy.”
Pedal pushers
“The cropped knee-grazing trouser were all the rage in the 1990s and 2000s, but this time the model fash pack are all over them – with both Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski wearing them out recently.
“The original IT girls, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot helped make the trousers – also called Capri pants – look effortlessly cool and glam.
“Somehow this time round they don’t seem to be having that same effect.”
Sharing her stunning snaps with her 52.4mllion Instagram followers, she wrote: “I’ll be here if ya need me.”
And earlier this year, Kendall, 28, sent temperatures rising when she posed in a red crochet micro bikini that left very little to the imagination.
Emily, 33, showed off her cleavage in a bright blue bikini with red hearts printed all over it as she relaxed on a sun lounger. She also donned a similarly colourful print for a daring shoot in Brooklyn, New York.
LBB (Little Black Bikini) Brigade
Followers: Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Molly Mae-Hague, Liz Hurley
The little black dress has been a fashion staple for decades and now it’s the turn of the little black bikini (LBB).
Russian model Irina Shayk, 38, took to her Instagram last week to share snaps of her in a tiny black bikini next to a lake.
She was celebrating a weekend away with her seven-year-old daughter Lea De Seine, seven, whom she shares with her ex, Hollywood star Bradley Cooper, 49.
During a break from the Cannes Film Festival last month, supermodel Bella Hadid, 27, was snapped jumping off a yacht in her skimpy version while skilfully managing to keep her dignity intact.
Influencer and former Love Island star Molly Mae-Hague chose to wear a little black bikini as she soaked up the sun on her sister’s hen do last month.
Sharing the pictures online, she wrote: “I found the best black strappy bikini! I will have this on all summer.”
String Bikini Squad
Followers: Lila Moss, Maya Jama, Amanda Holden
The itsy bitsy bikini look leaves very little to the imagination but a slew of celebs have dared to bare with this trend.
Kate Moss’ model daughter Lila Moss, 21, showed off her incredible figure in a burgundy bikini as she enjoyed a boat trip during a holiday in Ibiza with pals last week.
I would have birthday parties at the house, or I would have friends over, like my boyfriend over, and she tans topless by the pool.
Leni, Heidi Klum's daughter
Meanwhile Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, 53, sent fans wild as she stripped down to a skimpy black bikini while aboard a yacht last month.
Love Island presenter Maya Jama, 29, took a break from her jam-packed schedule to slip into a cherry print string bikini on a wellness retreat in St Tropez last month, sharing the sexy pics with her 3.1 million followers.
The Self-Promoters
Followers: Sofia Vergara, Myleene Klass, Tess Daly
It doesn’t matter if they’re on holiday, some celebs are always on the clock, never missing an opportunity to promote their side hustles.
After sending fans into a frenzy during now infamous clips of her having a shower in a white bikini on I’m A Celebrity back in 2006, former Hear’Say singer Myleene Klass has had a number of successful swimwear ranges.
The TV and radio star, 46, recently modelled her latest collection for high street chain Next, including wearing a black and white leaf print halterneck top and skimpy matching bottoms.
Strictly host Tess Daly, 55, launched her luxury Naia Beach brand in 2021 with friend Gayle Lawton.
Last month she shared a snap of herself in a white bikini from her own line while on holiday on her Instagram. Co-star Claudia Winkleman,52, gave her seal of approval by sending three red love heart emojis.
Hollywood actress Sofia Vergara,51, also has her own range for American shopping giant Walmart, which she launched earlier this year.
Sharing pictures of her modelling a green one-piece to Instagram, she wrote: “After months of testing samples and styles, I could not be happier to share my new swim collection at @walmart is officially live!”
Topless Troupe
Followers: Ellie Goulding, Heidi Klum
The most risque tribe of all are those celebs who like to forgo swimwear completely.
Followers include singer Ellie Goulding, who has been snapped sunbathing topless, not once but twice recently.
In March, the 37-year-old pop star ditched her top as she laid on a towel beside the pool in Costa Rica after looking loved up on the beach with surfing instructor Armando Perez – just days after confirming her split from husband, art dealer Caspar Jopling, 32.
Then, earlier this week she shared snaps of herself sunbathing with her casting director friend Olivia Grant, while protecting her modesty with her hands during a pal’s hen do.
Why the latest fashion trends are a disaster for real women’s bodies
Fabulous‘ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend explains why she, as a size 10, is struggling to add this season’s latest trends to her wardrobe.
“If if I was to wear the season’s styles, I’d look stupid.
My job as Fashion Editor is to know what’s hot and what’s not, what’s in shops and what people are wearing. But this season, stores seem flooded with looks I find unwearable — and I’m sure many more ‘normal’ people do, too.
For example, I wouldn’t be caught dead in the love handles-baring low-rise jeans that are dominating the High Street.
And I recently saw a picture of the stunning Sydney Sweeney in a pair — with boyish-looking boxers poking out the top, and matching bandeau crop top. Despite her beauty, I thought the White Lotus star looked daft.
And I had to ask myself: ‘What reinforcements has she got holding up her boobs?’
The other thing irritating me about fashion is, if it’s not open at the back, it’s open at the front.
While I’m all for body confidence and wearing what you want, there’s no way I’m standing on a packed train, or visiting the office, with my stomach, bra and boobs on show. I’d hate to put anyone off their corn flakes.
Right now, Zara is the worst offender. When its models aren’t crouching awkwardly on top of kitchen stoves they are wearing crocheted flared trousers and spaghetti-strapped sequin crop tops.
I’m a 33-year-old M&S woman. From underwear to outerwear, I love them and look to them every week to see what’s trending.
They’re really nailing waistcoats at the moment. Simple and stylish, they’ve got them in cotton, linen and a rainbow of colours.”
Supermodel Heidi Klum is another fan of baring all. Earlier this month, she posed topless while sunbathing by the pool in a video she shared on her Instagram while celebrating her 51st birthday.
Heidi’s daughter Leni, 19, also a model, admitted earlier this year she used to get “embarrassed” about her mum going topless.
She said: “I would have birthday parties at the house, or I would have friends over, like my boyfriend over, and she tans topless by the pool.
“And I remember having my girlfriends over, and I’d be so embarrassed and like scared because usually in my friend’s families, I never see their moms tanning naked by the pool, but I thought it was normal.
“And my friends would always be like, hmmm, like kind of standoffish, but it was just so normal in our family.”