A Complete Guide for Spring Shopping

Shopping for bikini bottoms and underwear is a similar experience. If you don’t find the right cut for your body shape, it makes for a very uncomfortable day of nonstop adjusting (we’ve all been there). But, finding the best overall fit that fits the current swimwear trends and satisfies all your preferences and needs can be easier said than done with all the different designs that are available.

While most cuts, from full-coverage to thong, can be relatively self-explanatory, there is often a crossover between styles. We’re talking high-waisted thongs, low-rise briefs, and even cheeky skirted bottoms. This makes it even more important to understand the general features of all bikini bottoms to decide which cuts you’re drawn to and are already comfortable wearing in other garments.

To help you get beach (or vacation) ready, we tapped two swimwear experts to break down every bikini bottom style out there, from luxury brands to more affordable options. Below, find the details on each design and see a few products you can shop to achieve the swimwear look.

Meet the expert

• Hayley Segar is the founder of the swimwear brand, onewith.
  
• Sophia Lima is the founder of the swimwear brand, Heart of Sun.

Side-Tie

It doesn’t get more classic than a side-tie bikini bottom. “Side-tie bikini bottom styles are great for people looking for a more ‘adjustable’ fit,” explains the founder of swimwear brand onewith, Hayley Segar. “You can tie these as tight (or as relaxed) as you please.” She recommends pairing side-tie bottoms with a string tie top to balance out the look, but if you want to minimize your tan lines, you can also wear them with a bandeau top, says the founder of Heart of Sun, Sophia Lima. While Lima notes that side-tie bottoms offer moderate coverage and are extremely versatile, Segar adds that they aren’t “always the most secure,” so just make sure to knot your ties to prevent them from coming undone.

String

For those “seeking minimal tan lines” during their beach outings, Lima recommends a string bikini, which features thin side straps. This style offers minimal coverage and can be adjustable for a better fit. In terms of styling, Segar suggests a string bikini top “to avoid a mismatched look.” But if you’re looking for something a bit more eye-catching, Lima says these bottoms also pair well with halter or triangle tops. Even though these bottoms can help you achieve the perfect tan, they don’t provide a lot of support and can be difficult to match with a variety of bikini tops, shares Lima and Segar.

Cheeky 

One of the more popular bikini styles, cheeky bottoms have an overall moderate coverage and highlight your bum’s natural curves. Segar explains a cheeky cut is “not as revealing as a thong, but not as modest as a full-coverage bottom. The cheeky bikini bottom is the sweet spot for most wearers.” She and Lima note that this style is also versatile enough to pair with nearly any bikini top, including triangle tops, halters, and bandeaus. So, it’s the perfect addition to your swimsuit collection if you like to mix and match your bikini tops and bottoms. Despite their versatility, Segar says that “cheeky bottoms will lay differently on different wearers based on your proportions, so you may find the coverage of a certain style to be too much or too little for your liking.”

Hipster

According to Segar, if you’re a fan of hipster underwear, then a hipster-cut bikini bottom will likely be your go-to for swimwear. Hipster bottoms sit on your hips and provide moderate coverage, which Lima notes also makes this style a great option for “comfort seekers” and “active beachgoers.” They recommend completing your set with a sport-style bikini top, like a bralette or one with a square neckline, for extra comfort and support. Hipster bottoms are functional and comfortable but can vary in design from low-rise to high-rise. Segar notes that this “may mean they aren't as flattering as you'd anticipate, depending on your preferences.”

High-Waisted

High-waisted bikini bottoms give off “vintage vibes” and provide more stomach coverage than other cuts, shares Lima. This style typically extends past the navel, but the coverage in the back can vary from moderate to minimal, so there is an option for all preferences. High-waisted bottoms also go with everything. Segar shares that they pair well with a sporty top but “can also balance out a more revealing top by adding a bit more coverage to your overall look.” However, she and Lima note that due to the high stomach coverage, high-waisted bottoms have the potential for undesirable tan lines.

Thong

Thong bikini bottoms were made for the “bold and confident beachgoers,” says Lima. This cut has the most exposure with very minimal coverage and a thong-style back that bares your entire bum. While this style will help you avoid unwanted tan lines, Segar notes, “If you want fabric on your bum, whether it's due to preference or to feel comfortable at family-friendly events, thong bottoms are not for you.” If thong bikini bottoms are right up your alley, then Lima and Segar suggest pairing them with equally as flirty tops like a strapless or triangle bikini design.

Briefs

Similar to hipster bottoms, the brief style is best for those who prefer the cut and coverage of classic brief underwear. According to Lima, they are a more conservative style and provide full coverage for a timeless beach look. She also notes that brief bottoms are very versatile and pair well with most bikini tops, especially tankinis. The only tops to potentially avoid are those with an ultra-sexy design that is drastically different than these full-coverage bottoms, explains Segar. Versatile and comfortable, brief bikini bottoms can suit all types of beach activities, from tanning to water sports, but may not suit all preferences. “If you don't love the feeling or cut of classic brief underwear, the bikini bottom version will feel unflattering to you,” says Segar. 

Boyshorts

Whether you love riding waves or playing beach volleyball, Lima and Segar explain that boyshorts will give you moderate to full coverage and are functional for all active beach days. Though you don’t have to play water sports to wear these bottoms, this style offers more security for those activities. They also recommend pairing boyshorts with more sporty tops, like racerback and tankini-style tops. While boyshorts are one of the more functional bikini bottoms that hardly ever need to be adjusted, Segar notes they can provide “more coverage than some people want, and they don't always layer well under some beach coverups.”

High-Leg

A high-leg or Brazilian bikini bottom is meant to show off those stems. “High-cut leg bikini bottoms are awesome for people looking to highlight their legs,” says Segar. “They tend to hit at a really flattering point on the body, so though they're more revealing, they can be very becoming on the figure.” These bottoms have high-cut leg openings with minimal to moderate coverage, and Lima recommends pairing this trendy style with halter or bandeau tops for a dramatic beach look. Depending on the coverage, high-leg bottoms can be “a great balance between a sexy cut and a bit of coverage,” explains Segar, but aren’t the best option if you don’t want to emphasize your legs and hips.

Full Coverage

Ranging from low-rise to high-rise, full-coverage bikini bottoms will provide maximum coverage for your hips and bum. This modest style is most appealing to those who are “specifically seeking out coverage as the main variable in their swimsuit,” says Segar. She and Lima suggest pairing full-coverage bottoms with tankinis and other supportive styles for a functional beach look that is suitable for various activities. Segar also explains that full-coverage “means different things to different people and brands,” which can make finding a true full-coverage bottom difficult, so choose the option that feels best suited to your preferences.

Skirted

“If the idea of wearing a traditional bikini bottom is not your thing, many people opt for a skirted bottom,” shares Segar. “This is exactly as it sounds, a silhouette that blends the look of a skirt with a swim bottom.” These bottoms always include a skirt overlay, but the coverage can vary, says Lima. If you’re looking for additional coverage, opt for a skirted bottom that reaches mid-thigh, or choose one with an overlay that lays along the waistline for a slightly more revealing appearance. According to Lima and Segar, this cut looks great with longline tops like a tankini but can be paired with any top you prefer. While most skirted bottoms provide ample coverage and are considered modest, they can also be fashion-forward when they include a bold pattern or ruching.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which bikini bottom is the most flattering?

  When it comes to bikini bottoms, Segar and Lima explain that the style considered to be the most flattering is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. Some wearers will feel they look best in brief bikini bottoms, while others swear by a cheeky cut. Segar recommends you “let gut feeling guide you to your best style” and evaluate the silhouettes you’ve worn in the past to discover the bikini bottom styles you feel most confident in. However, if you’re looking for a universally flattering bikini bottom, Lima suggests “high-waisted bottoms, which accentuate the waist, and classic bottoms, offering full coverage while maintaining a timeless appeal.”

• How do you choose the right bikini bottom for your body type?

  In a similar vein, choosing the right bikini bottom for your body type depends on your preferences and what styles feel right for you. “When figuring out which swimsuit bottom is best for your body type, it's important to identify what area you want to conceal a bit more of (if anything!) and what feature you want to highlight,” says Segar. For example, if you desire more coverage, Lima explains that you may gravitate towards high-waisted or full-coverage bottoms. On the other hand, if you’re looking to accentuate your legs, high-cut styles would be the best option. “Experimenting with different styles is key, but always prioritize comfort and confidence in your choice,” says Lima.

• How should bikini bottoms fit?

  Bikini bottoms are meant to be skin-tight, but that doesn’t mean they should be compressing your body. “Ideally, bikini bottoms should fit comfortably on the hips or waist without digging in,” says Lima. “The fabric should provide adequate coverage without excessive sagging or tightness. A good fit ensures confidence and allows for ease of movement.” Essentially, the main criteria for a ‘good fit’ is that your bottoms feel secure. “Swimwear that is too loose can lead the swimwear to stretch out in the water, and swimwear that is too tight will be downright uncomfortable and lead you to not feel your best,” explains Segar. 

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