String bikinis have been the unofficial uniform of every iconic beach moment — from Pamela Anderson running down the shore in 1990, to Sabrina Carpenter's current sun-soaked era, to every woman who's ever felt unstoppable in her swimwear. And yet, despite being one of the most searched swimsuit styles online (nearly 50,000 searches every month), most people still don't know how to tie one correctly, which style fits their body best, or how to style one beyond "drop it at the beach."
This is the guide that fixes that. Whether you're buying your first string bikini or upgrading to a set that actually fits and flatters, you'll leave this page knowing exactly what to buy, how to wear it, and how to own every second you're in it.
What Is a String Bikini? (And Why It's Not the Same as a Thong)
A string bikini is defined by its adjustable tie closures — thin strings at the sides of the bottoms and along the neck and back of the top. This makes it almost infinitely adjustable, which is exactly why it's been the dominant swimwear style for more than 60 years. You can wear it higher for more hip coverage, lower for a cheeky look, tighter for secure ocean swimming, or loosened for sunbathing. One suit, infinite configurations.
String bikinis differ from thong bikinis in coverage (though the two often overlap — most thong bikinis are string bikinis by construction). A standard string bottom has moderate rear coverage. A thong string bikini has minimal rear coverage for a tan-line-free look. If you're deciding between the two, check out our first-time thong bikini guide for an honest rundown of both styles.
The 4 Main Types of String Bikinis
Not all string bikinis are created equal. Here's what you need to know before you shop:
- Triangle String Bikini: The most classic style. Triangular cups with ties at the neck and back. Works for most bust sizes, fully adjustable coverage. The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Pink ($25) is a perfect example — adjustable triangle design in Luxe-Flex nylon with a bold contrast trim edge.
- Micro String Bikini: Minimal fabric, maximum adjustability. Same string construction as the triangle, but smaller cups. Designed for sunbathing and making a statement. See our 2025 micro bikini guide for everything on this style.
- Brazilian String Bikini: A hybrid — standard front coverage with cheekier rear cut. Great for those who want the adjustability of a string without going full thong. The Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms in Black ($30) hit this sweet spot perfectly.
- String Bikini Sets: Top and bottom sold as a coordinated pair. Smarter than mixing and matching — you get perfect color and fabric cohesion. The Audi Swim thong bikini collection is all sets, starting at $55 for the complete look.
How to Tie a String Bikini (Without Losing It in the Waves)
The number one fear with string bikinis? Losing the top in the surf. Here's the technique that prevents that:
For the top: Start with a double knot at the neck. This is your anchor — make it snug but not so tight it digs in. Then bring the back strings around and tie at the center of your back, also with a double knot. Tuck the loose string ends inside the ties if the strings are long. Test by doing a jumping jack. If anything shifts, go tighter on the back tie first.
For the bottoms: Tie the side strings first, positioning the knots at your natural hip (not too high, not too low). Start with a standard bow, then do a second knot on top of it. Tug on the fabric — it shouldn't slip. For thong-style bottoms, the fit at the waist is everything. Adjust until the back string sits flat, not twisted.
The Bow Babe Contrast Top in Black ($30) uses longer-than-average strings, which gives you more tying flexibility and ensures a secure knot regardless of body type. The contrast trim detail means those ties look intentional — like an accessory, not an afterthought.
String Bikini by Body Type: What Actually Flatters
The brilliance of string bikinis is that the adjustability does most of the work for you. But here are the small tweaks that make a big difference:
- Small bust: Tie the neck strings looser to create more natural drape in the cups. Avoid padding-heavy tops — a clean triangle accentuates what you have. The Bow Babe triangle top with no underwire creates a sexy, natural silhouette.
- Larger bust: Double-knot everything. Add an extra wrap on the back strap for added support. Look for tops with slightly wider triangles. Pair with the Sky Blue Bow Babe Top ($30) — the high-contrast trim edge creates a visual frame that adds structure without underwire.
- Short torso: Tie the bottoms higher on your hips to elongate the leg line. A high-tie string bottom is one of the most flattering cuts for this body type. Check our full bikini body shape guide for every body type breakdown.
- Long torso: Tie the bottoms lower for a hip-hugging look that balances proportions. Medium-rise string bottoms work better than high-waist for longer torsos.
- Athletic / straight figure: Side-tie strings add visual width at the hips. Colorful ties or contrasting strings (like the Bow Babe collection's contrast trim) create an hourglass illusion at the hip line.
For more depth on fit by body type, our honest bikini body shape guide covers every body type with specific product recommendations.
Complete the Look: String Bikini Outfits That Turn Heads
A string bikini is a foundation piece. Here's how to build three complete looks around it:
Complete the Look
- Top: Bow Babe Contrast Top – Sky Blue ($30)
- Bottom: Bow Babe Contrast Bottoms – Sky Blue ($30)
- Cover-up: Ocean Mist Maxi Dress ($30) — floats over the set for beach-to-bar transitions
- Accessory: Golden Hour Belly Chain ($15) — sits on top of the bikini bottom, draws the eye to the waist
Total: $105 — vs. $200–$300+ for a comparable designer string bikini set.
For festival-style string bikini looks (think Coachella, Ultra Miami), layer the Beach Muse Crochet Dress ($39.99) over your set — the open knit fabric shows off the string ties underneath. See how Sabrina Carpenter does this look on The Feed for real-world styling inspo.
Planning to wear your string bikini on a trip? Our 2026 spring break packing list has a full string bikini packing system including how many sets to bring, how to prevent ties from tangling, and the best way to pack them without wrinkling.
How to Make Your String Bikini Last
String bikinis are made from stretch fabrics (Luxe-Flex nylon-spandex at Audi Swim, ECONYL® recycled nylon for eco-conscious styles) that need specific care:
- Rinse immediately after ocean or pool use — saltwater and chlorine degrade spandex faster than anything
- Hand wash in cold water — machine washing on delicate is second choice; never hot
- Lay flat to dry — hanging string bikinis stretches the cups and distorts the shape
- Don't wring — press between a clean towel instead
- Store untied — keeping strings knotted for storage causes them to weaken at the knot point over time
With proper care, a quality string bikini like the Bow Babe collection should last 3–5 beach seasons. That's a much better cost-per-wear than fast fashion alternatives. Explore our full 2026 swimwear trends guide for more on fabric quality differences in modern bikinis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a string bikini?
A string bikini is a two-piece swimsuit where the top and bottom are secured with adjustable string ties rather than fixed elastic waistbands or clasps. The ties allow for a fully customizable fit — tighter for water sports, looser for sunbathing, higher or lower to adjust coverage. It's the most versatile bikini style ever made, and it's been the best-selling swimwear cut for decades because of that adjustability.
How do you keep a string bikini top from coming undone in the water?
Use double knots — always. The standard bow knot is decorative, not structural. To secure your top: tie a standard bow, then loop one of the bow ends through the knot a second time and pull snug. This creates a locking knot that won't slip under water pressure. Audi Swim's Bow Babe tops use extra-long strings specifically so you have enough length to do this securely for any body type.
What's the difference between a string bikini and a thong bikini?
The terms often overlap — most thong bikinis are also string bikinis by construction. The key difference is coverage: a string bikini bottom can range from moderate coverage to very cheeky, while a thong bikini has minimal rear coverage by design. String refers to how it's fastened; thong refers to how much it covers. You can have a string bikini that isn't a thong, and a thong that uses elastic rather than strings — though the string-tie thong is by far the most popular combination. Learn more in our first thong bikini guide.
Shop the Complete String Bikini Collection
The Audi Swim Bow Babe Collection is built around the string bikini principle — adjustable, bold, and made to fit real bodies. Three colorways:
- Pink Top ($25) + Pink Bottoms ($30) — the energetic, statement colorway
- Black Top ($30) + Black Bottoms ($30) — the forever classic
- Sky Blue Top ($30) + Sky Blue Bottoms ($30) — the vacation dream
Sets start at $55. Made from Luxe-Flex nylon-spandex (opaque, chlorine-resistant, holds shape through your whole trip). Free shipping on orders over $75. As seen on influencer Alice Rosenblum on The Feed. Follow us on Instagram @audi.swim for real customers wearing the real thing.
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