While most of us were wrapped in blankets this January and February, Kaia Gerber was doing what she does best: looking effortlessly stunning in a bikini somewhere tropical. The 24-year-old model and actress has had a standout start to 2026 with a string of beach moments that are setting the tone for the season — and honestly, we're not even mad about it.
The Vanity Fair Editorial That Started It All
In February 2026, behind-the-scenes photos from Kaia's Vanity Fair beach editorial started circulating online, and the internet collectively lost it. Shot by photographer Eli Russell Linnetz, the outtakes show Gerber on a sun-drenched beach in a delicate floral triangle bikini top — the kind of effortless beach girl look that only Kaia can pull off while also making it feel completely accessible. She layered the set with an oversized patchwork jacket and distressed denim cutoffs, but honestly, the tiny triangle top was the real star.
Photo via Reality Tea / Vanity Fair
The editorial feel of the shoot matched perfectly with Kaia's creative direction work at RE/DONE, where she's been pushing a minimalist-meets-resort aesthetic. The floral micro top? Peak spring energy. The kind of piece that makes you want to immediately book a trip somewhere warm.
Mexico Beach Getaway With Lewis Pullman
Before the Vanity Fair photos dropped, Kaia and her boyfriend Lewis Pullman — yes, the Marvel star from Thunderbolts* — had already kicked off 2026 with a low-key beach escape to Cabo San Lucas. Photos from the trip showed the two soaking up the sun at Gerber's family's Mexico home, with Kaia fully leaning into her signature thong bikini aesthetic. No fuss, no over-styling — just a clean string triangle set and good energy.
This is classic Kaia: the girl who has been on every major runway but still dresses like she's just vibing at the beach. Her swimwear choices have always been minimal and confident — triangle tops, thong bottoms, bold solids with the occasional print. It's a look that speaks directly to the kind of woman who wants to feel free and fierce at the beach, not overdressed.
Photo via Hola! US / Getty Images
Kaia Is Leading the Leopard Print Bikini Takeover
If there's one swimwear trend that has absolutely dominated early 2026, it's the leopard print triangle string bikini — and Kaia Gerber has been at the center of it. Alongside Dua Lipa and Lily James, Gerber has helped establish the bold animal print as the breakout bikini style of the season. Where most trends feel forced, this one makes complete sense: the leopard print string bikini is bold, feminine, and unapologetically confident — exactly the energy Kaia brings to everything she wears.
Photo via Who What Wear
The common thread across all of Kaia's 2026 beach moments? She keeps coming back to the triangle string silhouette — minimal coverage, adjustable ties, clean lines. Whether it's a floral editorial piece, a bold leopard print, or a classic solid thong set, the triangle top is her go-to. And she's right to keep reaching for it: it's the most flattering, versatile bikini silhouette going into spring 2026, and the one that looks equally good in photos and in real life.
Get Kaia's Look for Under $60
Here's the thing about Kaia's beach style: it's incredibly achievable. Triangle tops and thong bottoms are the whole formula. You don't need a luxury price tag to pull this off — you need the right silhouette and the confidence to wear it.
The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Sky Blue ($30) gives you that clean triangle string energy with a modern contrast trim detail — elevated without being over-designed. Pair it with the Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Sky Blue ($30) for the full set that's built for Kaia-level beach confidence.
Prefer Kaia's classic black-on-black beach energy? The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Black ($30) and Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Black ($30) create a sleek, minimal look that photographs beautifully — exactly the kind of set you'd want for a Mexico beach trip or a Vanity Fair editorial of your own.
The Bow Babe Contrast collection is made in Audi Swim's signature Luxe-Flex nylon-spandex — soft, supportive, and built to look as good on your third beach day as it did on your first. Full set comes in under $60, which means you've got plenty left over for a round of drinks in Cabo.
The Bigger Picture
What makes Kaia Gerber's 2026 beach run so inspiring isn't just the looks themselves — it's the attitude behind them. She's been modeling since she was a teenager, has walked every major runway, and could easily flex designer swimwear at every turn. Instead, she keeps it stripped back: simple cuts, confident silhouettes, and a vibe that says she's there for the beach, not the brand.
That's the energy going into spring 2026. Less overthinking, more beach. If you're still figuring out your swim style for the season, Kaia's already given you the blueprint: triangle top, thong bottom, sun, and salt water.
For more spring swimwear inspo, check out our roundup of celebrity bikini looks dominating March 2026 and our full Coachella 2026 festival style guide for where the Bow Babe set goes next.
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