How popular is the “Barbie traffic”? It has also brought Barbie swimsuits to popularity!

The Barbie movie has grossed $1 billion at the global box office since its release in July, and has helped boost sales of Barbie-branded toys, video games and now swimwear styles, driven by the marketing giant.

Fashion experts at clothing store Boohoo reported that swimwear search trends were influenced by the 11.5-inch fashion doll, with Google searches for "pink bikini" up 55% worldwide.

Pink sandals were also popular, with searches for these sandals up 49%. Major retailers including Walmart and Amazon also launched a range of Barbie-branded swimwear to capitalize on the pink traffic.

Retro is back

Boohoo also reported that shoppers are seeking out the iconic black and white striped Barbie swimsuit worn by the first Barbie doll when it was launched in 1959. Searches for 'striped swimsuit' have increased 118% in the past 12 months.

Retailers have responded and are now selling the retro swimsuit. Even the Halloween costume market is jumping on the trend, with black and white costumes (now with optional straps) being sold on clothing websites.

Linen is also back in fashion, with searches for “white linen skirt” up 76%. Paired with pink and black and white swimsuits, a white linen skirt is a versatile piece for swim season.

Most popular styles

In addition to the Barbie-inspired styles, retailers are also selling other styles. Boohoo's survey reported a 100% increase in searches for "one-shoulder swimsuit" worldwide, while searches for "white swimsuit" increased by 67%.

Prints are also popular, with paisley topping the list and the term "paisley bikini" increasing by 156%. Tie-dye and floral bikinis also have their fans.

Mordor Intelligence predicts that women's swimwear sales will reach $8.94 billion in 2023 and will increase to $10.3 billion by 2028.

Not all women are willing to show too much skin, and retailers are also offering more modest swimsuits. These swimsuits usually cover the arms like a rash guard and also include a head cover, a longer skirt, leggings or capri bottoms. The swimsuits cater to a variety of personal and religious needs.

Plus Size Swimsuits

Prices are more competitive, too. Plus-size shoppers aren't paying as much as they used to for suits. In the past, women paid 50 percent more for plus-size swimsuits than standard-size ones.

As awareness of sun exposure and skin cancer grows, shoppers are also seeking out sun-protective accessories, including floppy hats. Global searches for these hats grew 45%, with searches for the term "cat-eye sunglasses" up 72%.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends that sun-lovers apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It also recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat for added sun protection. Consumers also searched for "crocheted tops" and "crocheted skirts," and the search term "crocheted bag" increased by 57%.

It is learned that consumers have a variety of styles and sizes to choose from when buying swimsuits, whether they are influenced by Barbie or not. By shopping online, customers can also more easily find swimsuits they like and are within their budget.

Editor ✎Estella/

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