Triangle, bandeau, bralette, cheeky, high-waisted: bikini names can sound like a language of their own. Each name describes a specific cut, and knowing what they mean makes it much easier to find a bikini that fits, stays in place and covers as much or as little as you want.
This guide explains the main types of bikini tops and bottoms, who each style suits, and how to mix them into a set that works for your body and your beach day.
Quick answer: The main types of bikini tops are triangle, halter, bandeau, bralette, twist-front, underwire, push-up and tank or tankini tops. The main types of bikini bottoms are classic (moderate), tie-side, cheeky, Brazilian, thong, high-leg, high-waisted and boyshort. Triangle and bandeau tops suit smaller busts, underwire, bralette and wide-strap tops give the most support, high-waisted bottoms cover the tummy, and high-leg or cheeky bottoms make legs look longer.
Bikini names: style vs coverage
Bikini names describe two different things, which is why they can be confusing:
- Style names describe the shape of the piece: triangle, bandeau, bralette, halter, high-waisted.
- Coverage names describe how much of the bottom is covered: full, moderate, cheeky, Brazilian, thong.
So a “high-waisted cheeky bottom” is a real thing: a high waistband with a cheeky back. You will also see names built with “-kini”: a tankini is a tank top with bikini bottoms, a monokini is a one-piece with large cutouts, a skirtini is a bikini top with a swim skirt, and a microkini is a very small string bikini.
Types of bikini tops
1. Triangle top
Two triangle-shaped cups on a band, usually with strings that tie behind the neck and back. It is the most classic bikini shape and the most adjustable, because you can slide the cups along the band. Triangle tops suit small to medium busts best. When the ties are the main feature, it is called a string bikini.
2. Halter top
Any top with straps that go up and around the back of the neck. Halter straps lift the bust slightly and stay put well, which makes them popular for active beach days. Halters come in triangle, bralette and bandeau shapes. Browse our halter bikinis.
3. Bandeau top
A strapless band of fabric that wraps straight across the bust. Bandeaus avoid strap tan lines and suit smaller busts and broad shoulders, since the straight line balances the shoulders. Many come with removable straps for extra hold when you swim. See our bandeau bikinis.
4. Bralette top
Shaped like a soft bra, with wider straps and a fuller cup than a triangle. Bralettes give more coverage and support without underwire, so they work well for medium and fuller busts and for anyone who wants a top that stays in place.
5. Twist-front top
The fabric is twisted or knotted at the center of the bust. The twist draws the eye to the middle and adds visual volume, which makes it a good choice for smaller busts that want more shape.
6. Underwire top
Built like a bra, with a wire under each cup. Underwire tops give the most lift and separation, and are the best option for larger busts that need real support.
7. Push-up top
Padded cups, often with underwire, that lift the bust and push it toward the center. A push-up top adds the most volume of any style.
8. Tank top and tankini
A tank-style bikini top looks like a cropped tank with wider straps and more coverage. A tankini top is longer and covers the stomach. Both are good for sporty days and for anyone who wants more coverage while keeping a two-piece. See our tank bikinis.
Other top styles you may see
- High-neck: fabric goes up to the collarbone, for full coverage and a sporty look.
- One-shoulder: an asymmetric strap over one shoulder.
- Plunge: a deep V neckline between the cups.
- Crop top: a short, sporty top that covers the full bust.
- Balconette: a structured top with wide-set straps and a straight upper edge, usually with underwire, that lifts the bust.
- Longline: a top with a deeper band under the bust that anchors it in place and gives more support.
Types of bikini bottoms
1. Classic or moderate bottoms
A mid-rise bottom that covers most of the bottom. This is the everyday cut and suits almost every body type.
2. Tie-side bottoms
Strings at each hip that you tie yourself. Tie-side bottoms adjust to your hips and are easy to fit between sizes.
3. Cheeky bottoms
A cut that shows a little of the lower bottom. Cheeky bottoms give a lifted look and sit between moderate and Brazilian coverage.
4. Brazilian bottoms
Less coverage than cheeky, with a narrower back and a V shape. Brazilian bottoms minimize tan lines and lengthen the look of the legs.
5. Thong bottoms
The least coverage at the back, with a narrow strip of fabric. Popular for tanning.
6. High-leg (high-cut) bottoms
The leg openings are cut high on the hip. “High-cut” describes the leg, not the back, so you can have a high-leg bottom with moderate coverage. It is one of the easiest ways to make the legs look longer.
7. High-waisted bottoms
The waistband sits at or just below the belly button. High-waisted bottoms cover the lower stomach, define the waist and give a retro look. A mid-rise or “mid-high” cut sits a little lower for a more modern line. Shop high-waisted bikinis.
8. Boyshort and swim shorts
Short-style bottoms that cover the bottom and the top of the thighs. They are the most covered and the most practical for swimming, surfing and water sports.
Other bottom styles you may see
- Hipster: a low-rise bottom with a wider band across the hips.
- Fold-over: a waistband you can fold down or up to change the rise.
- V-cut: the front waistband dips into a V, which creates a curvier line.
- Swim skirt: a bottom with a skirt attached, or a skirt worn over the bikini. See our bikini skirt guide.
Bikini bottom coverage, from least to most
If you only remember one thing about bikini bottoms, make it this scale:
- Thong: a narrow strip at the back.
- Brazilian: a small V-shaped back.
- Cheeky: shows the lower part of the bottom.
- Moderate or classic: covers most of the bottom.
- Full coverage: covers the whole bottom.
- Boyshort and high-waisted: the most covered, at the back and at the waist or thighs.
Tip for a longer bottom: cheeky and Brazilian cuts can sit lower on the bottom than you expect if your seat is long. A moderate back with a high-cut leg, or a high-waisted bottom, gives a lifted look with more coverage.
Bikini types at a glance
Use this table to compare coverage, support and the type of body each style suits best.
| Style | Coverage | Support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle | Low to medium | Low | Small to medium bust, tanning |
| Halter | Medium | Medium | Active days, a little lift |
| Bandeau | Medium | Low (higher with straps) | Small bust, broad shoulders, no tan lines |
| Bralette | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to fuller bust, swimming |
| Twist-front | Medium | Low to medium | Adding shape to a small bust |
| Underwire | Medium to high | High | Larger bust |
| Tank / tankini | High | Medium to high | More coverage, sports |
| Classic bottom | Medium to high | – | Every body type |
| Cheeky / Brazilian | Low to medium | – | A lifted look, fewer tan lines |
| High-leg | Medium | – | Making legs look longer |
| High-waisted | High | – | Covering the tummy, defining the waist |
| Boyshort | Highest | – | Swimming, water sports, modest coverage |
How to choose the right bikini type
Start with what you want the bikini to do, then pick the top and bottom separately.
- Cover the tummy: high-waisted bottoms, a tankini top, or a one-piece. A high-waisted bottom that sits just above the belly button smooths the lower stomach without feeling bulky.
- Look longer: high-leg or cheeky bottoms, especially if you are petite. Lower-rise bottoms show more of the torso.
- Add volume to a small bust: twist-front, padded triangle, ruffle or bandeau tops, and bold prints at the bust. Our guide to the best bikini for a small chest has more ideas.
- Support a fuller bust: underwire, bralette or wide-strap tops. Avoid thin string triangles if you need lift.
- Balance wide hips (pear shape): draw the eye up with a bright or detailed top, and choose moderate or high-waisted bottoms in a darker or solid color.
- More coverage without looking dated: a high-waisted or boyshort bottom with a modern bralette or tank top in a fresh color or print.
Bikini types for common body-shape combinations
| Your shape | Tops to try | Bottoms to try |
|---|---|---|
| Small chest and wider hips | Twist-front, ruffle, padded triangle or bandeau in a bright color or print | Moderate or high-waisted in a solid, darker color |
| Narrow torso and a fuller bottom | Halter or bralette with detail at the bust | High-waisted or moderate with a high-cut leg |
| Fuller bust and narrow hips | Underwire, bralette or wide-strap halter in a solid color | Tie-side, cheeky or ruffled bottoms |
| Soft tummy | Tankini, longline or bralette top | High-waisted bottom that reaches the belly button |
| Petite frame | Triangle or bandeau with small prints | High-leg or cheeky to lengthen the legs |
| Long torso | Longline or tankini top | High-waisted bottom to balance the torso |
Which bikini types stay on when you actually swim?
If you plan to swim laps, jump off a boat or play in the waves, choose styles that cannot slide or ride up:
- Tops: halter, bralette, tank and crossover-back tops stay in place best. Strapless bandeaus and small triangles move the most.
- Bottoms: classic, high-waisted and boyshort bottoms stay put. If you wear tie-sides, use a double knot.
- Fix cups that slide: tighten the back tie or band first, then re-center the cups. Our string bikini guide explains this step by step.
- Fix a top that rides up: a top that lifts and flashes when you raise your arms is usually too big in the cup or too loose in the band. Tighten the back tie or band, size down the top, or switch to a bralette or tank style that sits lower on the ribs.
Can you mix and match bikini types?
Yes, and it is one of the easiest ways to get a perfect fit. Many people wear different sizes on top and bottom, and buying separates lets you choose the right size and style for each. To make a mismatched bikini look intentional:
- Pick a top and bottom that share one color, for example a printed top with a solid bottom in one of the print’s colors.
- Pair a busy print with a solid, not two busy prints.
- Keep the details consistent: ribbed with ribbed, or ties with ties.
Bikini types in our store
Here are a few of the styles we carry, all with removable pads:
- Triangle: Purple Ribbed Triangle Bikini and the Solid Halter Triangle Bikini.
- Bralette: Pink Floral Scoop Bralette Bikini.
- Twist-front: Zebra Print Twist Front Bikini.
- High-waisted with tank top: Blue Floral High Waisted Bikini.
- Halter with fringe: Fringe Halter Bikini: a deep V-neck halter top with long fringe and removable pads.
- Halter with O-ring: O-Ring Halter Bikini: a padded halter top with an O-ring at the center and a high-cut thong bottom.
- Mid-rise: Tropical Leaf Print Bikini.
Prefer one piece? Browse our one-piece swimsuits, or see everything new in new arrivals.
How we put this guide together: this guide is based on the bikini styles we carry, the fit details on our product pages, and the questions shoppers ask most often in online swimwear communities, such as tops that ride up while swimming, high-waisted bottoms for the tummy and styles for pear shapes.
FAQ
What are the main types of bikinis?
The main bikini tops are triangle, halter, bandeau, bralette, twist-front, underwire, push-up and tank or tankini. The main bottoms are classic, tie-side, cheeky, Brazilian, thong, high-leg, high-waisted and boyshort.
What type of bikini is most flattering?
It depends on what you want to highlight. High-waisted bottoms define the waist, high-leg bottoms lengthen the legs, and bralette or underwire tops shape a fuller bust. The most flattering bikini is one that fits well and stays in place.
What type of bikini is best for a small bust?
Triangle, bandeau, twist-front and padded tops suit a small bust. Ruffles and prints at the bust add visual volume.
Are high-waisted bikinis good for a belly pouch?
Yes. A high-waisted bottom that sits at or just above the belly button covers the lower stomach and smooths the line, while still letting you wear a two-piece.
Why does my bikini top ride up?
Usually because the cups are too big or the band is too loose. Tighten the band or back tie, try a smaller top size, or choose a bralette or tank top that sits lower on the ribs.
What bikini bottoms make your legs look longer?
High-leg, cheeky and Brazilian bottoms show more of the hip, which makes the legs look longer. A high-waisted bottom with a high-cut leg also works.
Can I wear a mismatched bikini?
Yes. Choose a top and bottom that share a color, pair a print with a solid, and keep similar details such as ties or ribbed fabric so the set looks intentional.
What is the difference between a cheeky and a Brazilian bikini?
Cheeky bottoms show a little of the lower bottom, while Brazilian bottoms have a narrower back and show more. Both have more coverage than a thong.
What bikini suits a small chest and bigger hips?
Draw attention up with a twist-front, ruffle or padded top in a bright color, and choose moderate or high-waisted bottoms in a solid, darker shade to balance the hips.
What bikini bottom is best for a long bottom?
A moderate back with a high-cut leg, or a high-waisted bottom, gives more coverage and a lifted look. Cheeky and Brazilian cuts can sit lower than expected on a long seat.
What is a tankini, monokini and skirtini?
A tankini is a tank-style top with bikini bottoms, a monokini is a one-piece with large cutouts, and a skirtini is a bikini top worn with a swim skirt.
