With summer holiday szn finally in full swing, what better time to start bikini shopping than now? Buying swimwear can feel a tad overwhelming after all, so we like to give ourselves plenty of time to find the right beach attire for us.
We’re talking something that’s equal parts stylish and supportive, will flatter our body shape whether we’ve got big boobs or small boobs, and will make us feel hella confident in the process. A big ask? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
With so many different designs and fits out there, we’ve rounded up all of the various styles of bikini bottoms available to shop RN. Because step one in finding your perfect bikini set, is working out what style of bottoms you like best. From high-leg to full-coverage briefs, micro thong styles (AKA the celebrity bikini of choice), and everything in between, we weren’t kidding when we said *every* style. Yep, consider this your ultimate bikini bottom shopping guide.
Whether you’re heading off on holiday in the coming weeks, or are just looking for something to sunbathe on your balcony in, a pair of cool, comfortable bikini bottoms (and maybe a matching top, too, while you’re at it) are a summer necessity. So let’s get to it...
Before we dive in, a heads up that there’s a lot of crossover within bikini bottom designs. For example, a high-leg cheeky style or low-rise swim shorts that combine multiple categories in one style. We’ve tried to keep things as simple as possible, so consider these helpful tips, not necessarily hard n’ fast rules. Ready?
Tie-Side
This favourite bikini bottom style is instantly recognisable from the strips of fabric used to tie your ‘kini together on each side of your body and keep it in place. While some feature teeny tiny string ties, others feature thicker and more sustainable ties that tend to sit medium-to-low on your hip. Coverage of your behind also ranges from medium to very little with the bottoms most commonly paired with matching tie-up triangle tops.
& Other Stories Bow-Detailed Briefs
M&S Tie Side Scallop Bottoms
Peony Ruched Channel String Bikini Bottoms
Classic Brief
The so-called ‘classic briefs’ are a classic for a reason. When you picture a pair of bikini bottoms, this is probably what you’re imagining – i.e. the same design as your trusty M&S knicker briefs. Falling somewhere between a cheeky cut and boy shorts (though scroll down to shop both those styles), the classic bikini brief will sit comfortably across the middle of your hips and provide good coverage over your bum.
Cos Ribbed Briefs
& Other Stories Printed Briefs
Arket Mid-Waist Bottom
Calzedonia High-Waist Bottoms
High Waist
With a retro ‘50s feel, high-waisted bikini bottoms sit, well, high up on your waist. Go figure! And when we say high, we’re talking belly button height – AKA in line with your natural waist. You’re guaranteed plenty of booty coverage and can take your pick of the bunch from low to contemporary high-cut leg styles depending on your preference.
Farm Rio High-Waisted Bottoms
New Look Palm Tree Bottoms
Matteau Striped Briefs
High Leg
You can thank the Kardashian-Jenners for bringing this OG ‘80s Baywatch style back into the mainstream. Giving the illusion of endlessly long legs, look for bikini bottoms with side straps that are super high-rise, sitting above the hip bone but dipping down into a U or V shape at the front to nail the trend. You’ll flash a little more of your cheeks as a result, but you don’t have to commit to a full thong style if you don’t want to.
Calzedonia V-Cut Bikini Bottoms
Hollister Cheeky Bottoms
Cheeky
This is the ultimate bikini bottom for those who want to get their cheeks as tanned as their tummies. While there’s variation in booty cuts from Brazilian to full thong styles, this style is also sometimes referred to as ‘tanga’ bottoms. Either way, we’re talking minimum coverage, full exposure. Yep, these cheeky bottoms do what they say on the tin.
Frankies Bikinis Micro Bottoms
Away That Day Fiji Bottom
Low-Rise / Hipster
We;re getting into the nitty gritty now. We said this was the definitive guide to every bikini bottom style and we meant it. But admittedly, there’s not a huge difference between low-rise and hipster bottoms, so we’ve grouped them together.
As you can probably tell by now, each style name is fairly self-explanatory. And you guessed it, low waist sit low on the waist – that’s on, or below, the hip bone. As for hipsters? They tend to straddle the line between medium-to-low-rise but the key identifier is that they hug the hips with a thick-ish band. Plus, they offer slightly less than full coverage on the bum. It’s all in the details.
FP x Toast Frill Bikini Bottoms
Jets Lien Hipster Bottoms
New Look Low-Rise Bottoms
Swim shorts & skirts
If you’re after full-coverage bottoms that cater to not just your rear but around your bikini line too, your best bet is to opt for a pair of swim shorts or a swimming skirt. Not just for athletic activities – though they would look great atop a surfboard – bikini shorts are designed to stay in place so you can enjoy being in the water with max comfort. For a less sporty feel, swim skirts double up as swimwear and a beach cover-up in one. Win win!
Reiss Swim Shorts
Inner Relm Confidence Shorts
Alexandria Dale is Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan & Women's Health UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
Maddy Alford is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan UK and Women's Health UK, covering fashion content online and in print. Maddy specialises in shopping galleries and first-person reviews of the best fashion buys, from jeans and jewellery to wedding dresses, gymwear, and winter coats. She also writes op-eds on on pop culture, viral fashion moments, travel journalism, fitness, and the LGBTQ+ community's relationship with style. Maddy is also a fashion stylist who has worked on over 100 photoshoots at Hearst, including those starring Raye, Niall Horan, and Lena Dunham. Previously, she has worked in fashion PR and e-commerce, including stints at ELLE US and UK, Net-a-Porter, InStyle, and Time Out New York. Maddy has ten years of experience in the fashion industry in both London and New York City, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She is passionate about second-hand shopping, inclusive fashion, running on Regent's Canal, and finding London's cosiest pubs.
Jess Edwards is the Editor of Cosmopolitan.com/UK, overseeing all things digital.
