Swimsuits & Cover-Ups: Bikini Bottoms: Side Tie Are Having a Quiet Power Move

You can feel the shift. After seasons of swimwear trying way too hard—cutouts, straps, hardware doing the absolute most—Spring 2026 pulled it back. Clean lines. Lower rises. Pieces you actually touch and adjust. The side-tie bikini bottom is right at the center of that reset. I kept seeing them pop up post-Miami Swim Week—not styled to death, just worn. Looser, more instinctive. It’s less about showing skin and more about how you control it. You tie it higher, lower, tighter, asymmetrical. It’s yours. Here’s how I’d approach it. Start with texture because it instantly makes the look feel considered. The Soleil Bikini Bottom from Beach Riot in that Sea Breeze crochet? It already does the work for you. I’d throw on an oversized white shirt, unbuttoned just enough, and let the ties sit a little loose. It should feel like you didn’t overthink it—even if you did. If you’re in a cleaner mood, L*Space is hitting that minimal, low-rise energy perfectly. The Lurex Pucker Levy Bottom in white is barely there, but sharp. I’m picturing slick hair, a black triangle top, maybe oversized sunglasses—done. And if you want something that reads a little more intentional, the Lucia Bottom adds just enough tension with that ribbed texture and hardware. That’s your “I’m not going home yet” piece. Toss a sheer skirt over it and keep moving. Then there’s Frankies Bikinis, which basically built this vibe. The Mackenzie Satin Bottom in Honey Bug feels like a last-minute Tulum decision that somehow turns into your best look. Slightly retro, a little playful. Or lean softer with the Divine Satin Bikini Bottom—the floral, the light binding, it almost disappears on the body in the best way. And don’t overlook baobab. The Roma Bikini Bottom has that ribbed structure and higher cut that shifts everything slightly more refined. Same side ties, different energy. That’s the thing. Side-tie bikini bottoms right now aren’t loud. They don’t need to be. You adjust them, you style them your way, and suddenly it looks like you understand exactly what’s going on. Which, honestly, is the whole point.