With heightened awareness on health and fitness worldwide, Indian attitude to swimwear has been swimming against the tide of a relatively nascent apparel segment. Many Indian fashion brands have now entered the swimwear market with innovative designs in the bikinis and one-piece cut-away swimsuits that are the most popular although other silhouettes like monokinis, swimming dresses and even burkinis are also part of the extended portfolio in India and other traditional countries. 

Growth in the swimwear retail market can be attributed to a thriving beach travel industry, influence of social media, rise of physical fitness and even destination weddings where swimwear is now a part of the bride’s trousseau. Experts say, that the segment makes a profit margin of around 40 per cent especially due to the New Age social media. 

Global swimwear segment to grow 2.16 per cent CAGR

Latest Statista report the leading global provider of market and consumer data- the revenue in the sports and swimwear global segment amounts to $817.70 million in 2023 with the market expected to grow annually at 2.16 per cent CAGR  from 2023-2027. In global comparison, most of this revenue is from the US with $12,600 million in 2023 and expected to show a volume growth of 2.4 per cent in 2024. 

In India too, many domestic brands have sprung up over the last decade, giving stiff competition to international brands as they have versatile designs more suited to the Indian woman’s shape and likings. As fashion comes of age in India, more homegrown labels are jumping into this bandwagon and more international niche swimwear labels are launching here.

Many international retailers such as Madewell are expanding their third-party brand mix to diversify their range and acquire new customers which currently stocks 14 external brands while M&S has extended its branded offering with stocking Sosandar and Fantasie.

Allied Market Research, a well-known consulting and advisory firm had valued the global swimwear market at $18,454 million in 2017 and new reports indicate that there has been a  healthy  growth rates in India and the market is currently pegged at Rs 150-200 crores while growing at the rate of 15-20 per cent year on year.

Bespoke and innovative swimwear making waves 

As per Ajay and Kalpana Rajpal of Mezzaluna who have a innovative portfolio of bespoke swimsuits, the swimwear segment is now vast, ranging from tiny bikinis to covers-more silhouettes like monokinis and even burkinis and it is now a category that caters to all cultures. With destination weddings on the rise, bikinis are not only part of the trousseau, but even entering traditional dressing as they can double up as sari blouses and maillots can be worn as bodysuits. 

Neha Gupta, Founder of  Exchange4Fashion, says international luxury labels in India are focusing on innovative styling on Indian women’s body shapes and working with overlay styles. As the market grows, entry-level prices of most brands are increasing while including  inclusive product descriptions with mentions of  slimming designing abilities having drastically decreased to inspire body confidence while retaining  shape and fit. Specialized niche design such as long-torso designs and special period and leak-proof swimsuits made from recycled fabrics with Modifier Swim Technology that is absorbent, stain and odor-resistant, is also making an all-new entry into the category.

 By Fashionating World
https://www.fashionatingworld.com/new1-2/swimwear-rides-the-health-and-wellness-global-tide