Swimsuits & Cover-Ups: Bikini Bottoms: Side Tie Are the Vacation Upgrade Fashion People Are Actually Packing

If Spring 2026 has a swimwear mood, it’s less “wellness retreat” and more “last-minute flight to somewhere with a beach club.” After years of sporty swim sets and ultra-clean minimalism, fashion is embracing pieces that feel a little more carefree. You can see it in the return of low-slung silhouettes, vintage-inspired prints, and the kind of beach dressing that looks better slightly undone. Enter the side-tie bikini bottom. The appeal is simple. A side-tie bottom feels personal. You adjust it your way. It moves with you. It doesn’t have the rigid, engineered feeling that dominated swimwear for the better part of the decade. Right now, that’s exactly why it feels fresh. I’d wear one with an oversized striped poplin shirt stolen from the menswear department, leather sandals, and sunglasses large enough to conceal a late night. Think lunch by the water that accidentally turns into sunset cocktails. That’s the fantasy these bottoms sell, and honestly, I’m buying it. I’ve had my eye on the Mackenzie Bikini Bottom from Frankies Bikinis. The ribbed black fabric makes it feel timeless, but the self-tie sides keep it playful. For anyone leaning into fashion’s ongoing obsession with statement animal prints, the Tia Reversible Satin Bikini Bottom in Vintage Cheetah feels like the swimwear equivalent of a great vintage find. L*Space understands the assignment too. The X Salty Blonde Banning Bikini Bottom in Citron Cream has that effortless California-cool energy that never goes out of style. Meanwhile, the Tutti Frutti version feels made for a colorful resort wardrobe and a camera roll full of golden-hour photos. I also can’t stop thinking about the Beau Bottom from Lovers and Friends. The yellow-and-brown bandana print taps into the Western-inspired details that have quietly filtered from ready-to-wear into swim. It’s distinctive without screaming for attention. And if your vacation wardrobe needs a little chaos—in the best possible way—superdown is delivering. The Kalia Bikini Bottom mixes pink florals and leopard print with complete confidence. The striped Minca Bikini Bottom channels retro Riviera style, while the Shakya Bikini Bottom brings the bright, carefree energy that makes every beach destination feel a little more fun. That’s the thing about side-tie bikini bottoms. They’re not revolutionary. They don’t need to be. They’re simply bringing personality back to swimwear at exactly the moment fashion seems ready for it.