Swimwear market seen topping $36 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the global swimwear market is on track to exceed $36 billion by 2030, driven by water sports, beach tourism, sustainability demand and premium performance features. North America is expected to stay the largest region, while women’s swimwear remains the biggest segment.

Why it matters: - The swimwear market is moving from seasonal apparel into a broader performance, lifestyle and sustainability category. - The report points to steady demand growth through 2030, with more room for premium products, inclusive sizing and eco-friendly materials. - The market remains fragmented, which creates openings for smaller brands, direct-to-consumer players and niche specialists.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released Swimwear Global Market Report 2026 – Market Size, Trends, And Forecast 2026-2035. - The report projects the swimwear market will surpass $36 billion by 2030. - The market is forecast to grow at a 7% CAGR through 2030. - Swimwear is expected to account for about 4% of the global apparel market value by 2030. - North America is projected to remain the largest swimwear market by 2030 at $11 billion. - The USA is expected to be the top country by 2030 at $9 billion.

The details: - North America is forecast to rise from $8 billion in 2025 to $11 billion in 2030, a 6% CAGR. - The USA is projected to grow from $7 billion in 2025 to $9 billion in 2030, a 5% CAGR. - Women’s swimwear is expected to be the dominant segment in 2030, with 64% market share and about $23 billion in value. - The report also breaks the market into men’s swimwear and accessories such as goggles and swim caps. - Fabric segments include nylon, polyester, spandex and others. - Distribution is split between online and offline stores. - End users are categorized as men, women and children. - The report says water sports, recreational swimming and aquatic fitness are major demand drivers. - Beach tourism and higher disposable incomes are also supporting growth. - The report highlights rising demand for swimwear that combines fashion, sustainability and performance. - Adidas AG ranked as the top swimwear brand globally in 2025 with a 2% share. - PVH Corp. also held a 2% share in 2025. - Gap Inc., Pentland Group Holdings Limited and Calzedonia S.p.A. each held 1%. - Wacoal Holdings Corp. held 0.5%. - Arena S.p.A., Perry Ellis International, Inc., TYR Sport, Inc. and Swimwear Anywhere, Inc. each held 0.02%. - The top 10 companies together captured just 7% of revenue in 2025. - The report says the market is highly fragmented. - Key players include Adidas AG, PVH Corp., Gap Inc., Pentland Group Holdings Limited, Calzedonia S.p.A., Wacoal Holdings Corp., Arena S.p.A., Perry Ellis International, Inc., TYR Sport, Inc. and Swimwear Anywhere, Inc. - Other named companies include Seafolly Pty Ltd., Gottex Swimwear Brands Ltd., Dolfin Swimwear, Inc., Shanghai Zoke Sportswear Co., Ltd., Hosa Industrial Co., Ltd., Diana Co., Ltd., Seaspray Swimwear Ltd., PARA S.p.A., NOZONE Clothing Limited, LIVIN' Swimwear Pty Ltd. and Moeva London Ltd. - Raw material suppliers listed in the report include Hyosung Corporation, The LYCRA Company, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Fulgar S.p.A., NILIT Ltd., Aquafil S.p.A., Toray Industries Inc. and Unifi Inc. - Wholesalers and distributors named include Swimwear Anywhere Inc., A. K. Wholesale, Tasha Apparel, OrangeShine, FashionGo and Faire. - End users listed include Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Accor SA, Club Med, Carnival Corporation & plc, Royal Caribbean Group and YMCA. - The report says women’s swimwear, men’s swimwear, and goggles and swim caps together are expected to add more than $11 billion in value by 2030. - The expected contribution by 2030 is $7 billion from women’s swimwear, $3 billion from men’s swimwear and $1 billion from goggles and swim caps.

Between the lines: - The report frames swimwear as a category shaped by both functionality and fashion, not just summer demand. - Fragmentation suggests brand loyalty is still developing, which can favor companies with strong design, distribution and digital marketing. - Sustainability is no longer a niche theme; it is positioned as a core driver of product development and buying decisions. - Vitamin A’s January 2024 ReLux collection shows how recycled inputs are becoming a commercial differentiator, with fabric made from 80% recycled ghost fishing nets and 20% recycled spandex.

What's next: - Brands are likely to keep investing in recycled fabrics, UV protection, quick-drying materials and chlorine-resistant products. - Inclusive sizing, adaptive swimwear and sport-specific designs should remain areas of competition. - Omnichannel retail and direct-to-consumer sales are expected to keep reshaping how swimwear reaches shoppers. - The report’s forecast through 2030 suggests the biggest gains will come from premium, performance-led and eco-conscious offerings.

The bottom line: - Swimwear is on track for steady mid-single-digit expansion, but the winners will be the brands that combine performance, sustainability and clear differentiation.