By Camila Rua - Translated by Lorena Gómez 

Summer and Latin American fashion seem inseparable. One example is Colombiamoda’s presence at Swim Week 2025. This year, trends like island girl and tropical aesthetic provide an opportunity for Latin American resort wear, the swimwear or the beachwear to shine.. But is summer clothing the only kind produced in Latin America, and the only one where it can stand out?  

Although often grouped together, resort wear, the beachwear and swimwear are not the same.All fall under the umbrella of clothing worn during summer or beach vacations, but with important distinctions. resort wear is the most formal and elegant of the three, designed to meet the dress codes of hotels resort. On second place, beachwear as the name implies, is clothing meant for the beach prioritizing practicality and comfort. swimwear refers to garments worn in the water and often includes athletic or sportswear features.  

According to Persistence Market Research, the global market for beach and swimwear is expected to reach $28 billion by 2025. Institutions like Inexmoda are aware of this growth and have responded accordingly by bringing Colombiamoda to Swim Week 2025, held in Miami. There, 20 Colombian brands were showcased, all aligned with the aesthetics of resort wear, the beachwear and swimwear.  

This sector’s growth also aligns with consumers’ rising interest in the sustainability of their garments. In fact, by 2030, Persistence Market forecasts that 70% of swimwear brands will offer sustainable collections. In other words, beachwear represents an excellent space for the expansion of Latin American fashion, as it has been for the past 10 years. The issue, however, is that by being the main global reference point for Latin American fashion, it perpetuates colonial stereotypes of what this region is supposed to be. This framing excludes other types of fashion and garments that also have deep historical roots and craftsmanship such as the poncho, a simple outer garment characteristic of South America, traditionally worn by various Indigenous communities.  

The image of Latin America as a tropical paradise with beautiful vacation beaches is the dominant narrative that has been sold, and one that the world has been eager to buy, despite the region’s wide range of ecosystems and climates. Even so, the visual representations of Latin American fashion remain centered on floral prints, palm trees, bright colors, and dresses. This aesthetic can be traced back to Carmen Miranda, the Portuguese actress and singer around whom exoticized portrayals of Brazil and Latin America were constructed.  

This exotic narrative is also evident in Brazil’s leading role in the activewear and swimwear markets. According to Statista, Brazil dominates the sector with its vibrant and elegant designs, which are seen as capturing the essence of beach culture.  

This exotic narrative is also evident in Brazil’s leading role in the activewear and swimwear markets. According to Statista, Brazil dominates the sector with its vibrant and elegant designs, which are seen as capturing the essence of beach culture.That’s why it’s essential to support other fashion brands that present Latin America’s diversity more sustainably and with different narratives. Three such examples are Romanus, FK Textil, and Xzae.Romanus, from Argentina, works with recycled denim and employs upcycling techniques.FK Textil, based in Uruguay, produces handmade garments using merino wool. 

Xzae, a Colombian brand, transforms recycled materials and works with fibers like alpaca. Through their capes, loose silhouettes, and pants, Xzae tells the story of a different Latin America: one that doesn’t fit neatly into resort, beach, or swimwear. resort wear, the beachwear or the swimwear.  

Latin America still has many areas to grow within the fashion market. According to Statista, the regional fashion sector is expected to grow and reach $1.7 billion by 2028. While beach and swimwear have played a key role in Latin American fashion history, they are far from the only areas where the region can stand out.