You’ve seen the photos. Usually, they drop right when everyone’s feeling the January blues or during a mid-tour break in July. Olivia Rodrigo, clutching a tropical drink or grinning next to her best friend Iris Apatow, wearing something that looks like it was pulled straight from a 1990s Delia’s catalog.
But here’s the thing about the olivia rodrigo bathing suit obsession: it’s not actually about the swimwear.
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Sure, fans track down the exact SKU numbers within minutes. But if you look closer, the "Vampire" singer is doing something much smarter than just wearing a bikini. She’s curated a very specific, high-low vintage aesthetic that mixes $150 designer sets with $10 thrift store finds. It’s chaotic, it’s nostalgic, and honestly, it’s why she’s currently the blueprint for Gen Z summer style.
The Red Bikini That Broke the Internet (Twice)
If we’re talking about the definitive olivia rodrigo bathing suit, we have to talk about the red ones. Plural.
In early 2025, Olivia posted a series of vacation photos that basically served as a mood board for the entire year. One standout was a crimson string bikini from Frankies Bikinis. It wasn’t just a standard two-piece, though. She paired it with a matching micro-swim skirt—a polarizing trend from the '40s and '90s that most people are terrified to try.
It worked because it didn’t look "perfect." Her hair was up in a messy bun, she had silver hoops in, and she was wearing black oval sunglasses.
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Then there was the 22nd birthday look. For her big day in February 2025, she pivoted to a "Baywatch" inspired red one-piece. Specifically, it was the So Chic one-piece from Gooseberry Intimates. While most celebrities go for ultra-glamorous, jewel-encrusted yacht wear, Olivia went for something that felt like a character costume. It was playful.
Why the Gingham and Roses Look Still Matters
Remember the Europe tour dump? While she was traveling across the continent for the GUTS world tour, she shared a photo from a boat that sent the "Livies" into a literal tailspin.
She was wearing a blue gingham string bikini covered in tiny pink roses. It was part of a limited collaboration between Frankies Bikinis and Guizio. It sold out immediately, but the impact lasted way longer than the stock.
This specific olivia rodrigo bathing suit moment matters because it bridged the gap between her "Sour" era (heavy on the purple and butterflies) and her "GUTS" era (more rock-and-roll, but still feminine).
The Anatomy of an Olivia Rodrigo Beach Look
- Prints: She leans heavily into 2000s kitsch. Think faded florals, cherries, or abstract swirls.
- Silhouettes: Rarely will you see her in a sporty racerback. She loves triangle tops with "whisper-thin" strings that look like they might come undone if a strong breeze hits.
- Accessories: This is the secret sauce. She never just wears the suit. It’s always paired with a rattan bucket hat, a vintage Blumarine slip dress as a cover-up, or even black Reebok sneakers while hiking in Hawaii.
The "Ugly-Cool" Aesthetic
Honestly, some of Olivia's choices are meant to be a little "ugly." Fashion critics sometimes call it "rebellious confidence."
For instance, during a trip to Maui, she was spotted in a simple white bikini top paired with—get this—black biker shorts and a contrast-stitch crop tee. It’s a bit messy. It looks like something a college student threw together at 2:00 AM for a night swim.
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But that’s exactly why people love it. It feels attainable. When you search for an olivia rodrigo bathing suit, you aren't just looking for a piece of spandex; you're looking for permission to look a little bit unpolished.
Where to Actually Find Her Style
If you're trying to replicate the look, don't just search for "Olivia Rodrigo merch." Her official store is great for hoodies, but it doesn't do swimwear.
Instead, you have to look at the brands she actually wears. Frankies Bikinis is her go-to. She’s been spotted in their stuff for years, ranging from the floral Guizio collab to the solid red sets.
For the "cottagecore" vibe she's been leaning into lately, brands like Ciao Lucia and My Mum Made It are where she gets her sundresses and cover-ups.
- Check the archives: Look for vintage 90s pieces on Depop or Vinted. Olivia wears a lot of vintage Versace and Betsey Johnson, but you can find the same "vibe" for way less if you look for 90s-era labels like XOXO or Rampage.
- Focus on the skirt: The swim skirt is back. If you want the 2026 Olivia look, find a matching micro-mini skirt for your bikini.
- The Hair: Braided pigtails or a claw clip are non-negotiable.
The Misconception About "Celebrity Style"
The biggest mistake people make is thinking Olivia's beach style is about being expensive.
She wore a $1,000 Nili Lotan coat in New York, but she also wears $56 baby tees from Cou Cou Intimates. Her swimwear follows the same rule. It’s about the silhouette—high-cut legs, low-rise bottoms, and tiny tops.
She’s not trying to look like a "Model off Duty." She’s trying to look like a girl who’s having the best summer of her life and just happened to capture it on a Polaroid.
Whether it's the red bikini with the snorkel gear or the white top she wore while eating chicken tenders in Hawaii, the olivia rodrigo bathing suit aesthetic is defined by its lack of pretension.
To get the look, stop trying so hard. Buy a string bikini in a weird print. Wear it with your favorite beat-up sneakers. Add some silver hoops. That's the real Olivia Rodrigo formula.
Next Steps for Your Summer Wardrobe:
Start by looking for a classic red triangle bikini top—it’s the most versatile piece in her rotation. From there, skip the traditional sarong and look for a vintage silk slip dress or a micro-mini "swim skirt" to use as a cover-up. Finally, invest in a pair of chunky silver hoops and some dark, oval sunglasses to ground the look in that signature 90s-meets-modern aesthetic.