The string bikini is the most classic two-piece there is: two triangle cups, a small bottom and a set of thin ties that hold it all together. It is also the bikini people have the most questions about. How tight should the ties be? Why do the cups keep sliding? And can a string bikini actually feel supportive, or is it always a few flimsy pieces of fabric?
This guide covers what a string bikini is, how to tie the top and bottoms so they stay put, how to get the fit right for your bust and body shape, and how to style and care for it.
Quick answer: A string bikini is a two-piece swimsuit held on by thin ties instead of fixed straps or clasps, usually with triangle cups and tie-side bottoms. To wear one well, tie the neck strings snug but not tight, let the back tie carry most of the support, slide the cups until they sit centered over your bust, and tie the bottoms at your hip bones with a double knot. Choose a string bikini with light or removable padding if you want more shape and less sliding.
What is a string bikini?
A string bikini is defined by how it fastens, not by how much it covers. Instead of fixed straps, hooks or elastic, it uses thin strings that you tie yourself:
- The top is usually two triangle cups on a string that runs under the bust and ties at the back, with two more strings that tie behind the neck (a halter).
- The bottoms are held on by strings at each hip that you tie into a bow or knot.
Because every piece ties, a string bikini is one of the most adjustable swimsuits you can buy. You can move the cups closer together or further apart, set the back tie tighter or looser, and choose how high or low the bottoms sit on your hips.
String bikini vs triangle bikini vs micro bikini
- Triangle bikini describes the shape of the cups. Most string bikinis have triangle tops, but a triangle top can also have fixed straps.
- String bikini describes the ties. It can come with full, moderate or cheeky coverage.
- Micro bikini means the fabric panels themselves are very small. It is a coverage level, not a type of fastening.
How to tie a string bikini top
- Start with the back tie. Hold the top in front of you with the cups facing out, wrap the under-bust string around your ribs and tie it at the back. This band carries most of the support, so make it snug enough that it does not ride up when you lift your arms.
- Center the cups. Slide each triangle along the band until it sits directly over your bust. Closer together gives more lift and a deeper V; further apart gives more side coverage.
- Tie the neck. Bring the halter strings up and tie them behind your neck with a flat double knot. Snug is enough: the neck should hold the cups in place, not hold up your bust.
- Check in the mirror. Raise your arms, bend forward and twist. If the cups move or the band rides up, tighten the back tie a little before you touch the neck strings.
Avoid a sore neck
If your neck aches after a day at the beach, the halter is doing work the back tie should be doing. Loosen the neck strings slightly, tighten the back, and use a flat knot instead of a thick bow so nothing presses into the back of your neck. Some halter tops can also be tied crisscross behind the back instead of around the neck, which takes the pressure off completely.
Three ways to tie the top
- Classic halter: neck strings tied behind the neck, band tied at the back. The everyday option.
- Crisscross back: cross the neck strings behind your back and tie them to the band. Good for sunbathing and for a sore neck.
- Wrap-around: some string bikinis have extra-long ties that wrap around the waist or ribs before you knot them, for a strappy look and a more secure feel.
How to tie string bikini bottoms
- Step in and pull the bottoms up so the front panel sits flat and centered.
- Find your hip bones. Tying at the hip bones is the most flattering and the most secure for most people. Tie higher for a longer-looking leg, lower for a more relaxed look.
- Tie a double knot, then a bow. A single bow can slip loose in the water; a knot under the bow stays put.
- Even out both sides so the back sits straight and the leg openings match.
If the strings dig into your hips
Bottoms that cut into the hips are one of the most common complaints about bikinis. With a string bottom you can fix it yourself: tie the strings a little looser and spread the knot, so the string sits flat instead of rolling into a thin cord. Moving the ties slightly higher, to where your waist starts to curve in, also helps. If you are between sizes, choose the larger size: the ties let you take in the extra, but a bottom that is too small will always pinch.
How to get the right fit
A string bikini fits well when you can move without adjusting it. Look for these signs:
| What you notice | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cups slide toward the middle or the sides | The band is too loose | Tighten the back tie first, then re-center the cups |
| Fabric gapes at the top of the cups | Cups are larger than your bust | Slide cups closer together and add or keep the pads in |
| Bust spills out at the sides | Cups are too small or too far apart | Move cups outward, or size up the top |
| Neck or shoulders ache | The halter is carrying the weight | Loosen the neck, tighten the back, use a flat knot |
| Bottom strings dig into the hips | Ties are too tight or rolled | Retie looser and flat, or size up the bottoms |
| Bottoms slip down in the water | Single bow or ties too loose | Double knot under the bow, tie at the hip bones |
Stop padded cups from sliding
Removable pads give a string top more shape, but they can shift inside the cup. Before you put the top on, smooth each pad flat into the pocket with the curved edge facing out. If a pad keeps folding, it is usually because the cups sit too far apart: move them closer to the center so the fabric stays taut over the pad.
Choosing a string bikini for your bust
Small bust
String bikinis are one of the most flattering choices for a small bust, because you can pull the cups in until they lie flat with no gaping. Look for light or removable padding, a scrunched or ruched cup, or a busy print that adds visual volume. Our guide to the best bikini for a small chest covers more styles that add shape.
Fuller bust
A string top can work on a fuller bust, but choose it carefully. Look for wider triangles that fully cover the bust, padded cups that hold their shape, and a sturdier back tie. Tie the band snug, because that is where the support comes from. If you want real lift and support for a large cup size, a bralette, underwire or wide-strap top will usually feel more secure than a classic string top.
Curvy hips and bottoms
Tie-side bottoms adapt to curves better than fixed sizes because you choose the tension on each side. Pick moderate or full coverage at the back if you want to feel covered, and tie the strings at or just above the hip bone. A matching skirt or sarong is an easy cover-up for the walk from the beach.
Wide shoulders and a smaller bust
A classic halter can make shoulders look broader, because the neck strings draw a V that points out toward the shoulders. Try tying the top crisscross at the back instead, or pick a triangle with the cups set closer together and a print or texture at the bust to balance the frame. A slightly higher-cut bottom also helps by lengthening the legs.
Choosing coverage: moderate, cheeky or high-cut
Tie-side bottoms come in different back and leg cuts, and the right one depends on how covered you want to feel:
- Moderate coverage covers most of the bottom. If full-coverage styles look bulky on you, choose a moderate cut with a slightly higher leg: it covers the back while the higher leg keeps the shape sleek instead of boxy.
- Cheeky shows a little of the lower bottom and gives a more lifted look. It is a middle ground between moderate and thong styles.
- High-cut describes the leg opening, not the back. A high-cut leg with a moderate or cheeky back lengthens the legs without being a g-string.
Because string bottoms tie at the sides, you can also change the look yourself: tie them higher on the hip for a high-cut line, or lower for a more relaxed, covered fit.
Which string bikini style is right for you?
| Style | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Padded triangle with halter ties | Most bust sizes, everyday wear | Removable pads let you choose the shape |
| Unpadded string triangle | Tanning, a natural look | Least structure; best for smaller busts |
| Wrap-around waist ties | A strappy, styled look | Extra-long ties can be wrapped or tied simply |
| Tie-side cheeky bottoms | Showing a little more, fewer tan lines | Tie at the hip bones so they stay in place |
| Tie-side moderate bottoms | More coverage, active days | Size up if you are between sizes |
How to style a string bikini
- Add a sarong. A sarong tied at the hip turns a string bikini into a beach outfit in seconds. See how to tie a sarong in eight easy ways.
- Try a skirt. A mini wrap or tiered skirt over string bottoms gives more coverage for lunch. Our bikini skirt guide explains the options.
- Play with the ties. Wrap long ties around your waist, tie the bottoms in bows at the front of the hip, or crisscross the top straps for a different look each day.
- Mix prints and solids. A printed top with solid bottoms in one of the print’s colors looks put together without a matching set.
Our string bikinis
All of our string bikinis have removable pads, no underwire and ties you can adjust at the neck, back and hips.
- Ribbed String Bikini with Wrap-Around Waist Ties: a halter triangle top in ribbed fabric with extra-long ties, in five colors.
- Solid Halter Triangle Bikini: the classic string shape in four solid colors.
- Navy Leopard Print String Bikini: a triangle halter top with tie sides in a navy leopard print.
- Denim Print String Bikini: a triangle halter in a soft denim-look print.
Every product page has its own size guide with a suggested weight range for each size. Browse all of our halter bikinis or the latest new arrivals.
How to care for a string bikini
Rinse your bikini in cool, fresh water after every swim to wash out chlorine, salt and sunscreen. Untie all the strings before washing so they do not knot or stretch, hand wash gently, press out the water instead of wringing, and lay it flat to dry in the shade. Take the pads out to dry separately so they keep their shape.
How we put this guide together: this guide is based on how the string bikinis in our store are made and sized, the size guides on our product pages, and the fit questions shoppers ask most often in online swimwear communities, such as sliding cups, strings that dig in and tops that feel too flimsy.
FAQ
What is a string bikini?
A string bikini is a two-piece swimsuit held on by thin ties instead of fixed straps or clasps. It usually has triangle cups that tie at the neck and back, and bottoms that tie at each hip.
How tight should a string bikini be?
The back tie should be snug enough that it does not ride up when you raise your arms. The neck ties and side ties only need to be firm enough to keep everything in place, not tight enough to leave marks.
How do I keep my string bikini cups from sliding?
Tighten the back tie first, then slide the cups so they sit centered over your bust. If your top has pads, smooth them flat inside the cups and keep the cups close enough that the fabric stays taut.
Are string bikinis good for a big bust?
They can be if you choose wide, padded triangles and tie the back band snug. For a large cup size that needs real lift, a bralette, underwire or wide-strap top usually gives more support.
Do string bikinis stay on in the water?
Yes, if they are tied properly. Use a double knot under each bow and tie the bottoms at your hip bones, so the ties cannot slip loose when you swim or dive.
What size string bikini should I buy?
Check the size guide on each product page. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one: you can always tie the strings tighter, but a piece that is too small will pinch.
What is the difference between a string bikini and a triangle bikini?
Triangle describes the shape of the cups, while string describes the ties. Most string bikinis have triangle tops, but a triangle top can also come with fixed straps.
Can a string bikini have full coverage?
Yes. The string only describes how the bikini ties. Choose moderate or full-coverage tie-side bottoms and wider triangle cups if you want more coverage.
