Swimsuits & Cover-Ups: Bikini Bottoms: Side Tie Is the Swimwear Detail Worth Paying Attention To

Every summer has a swimwear silhouette that quietly takes over. Not the flashy trend everyone predicts six months in advance—the one you suddenly notice on the coolest people at the beach, at hotel pools, and across every vacation photo you save for outfit inspiration. For Spring 2026, that’s the side-tie bikini bottom. The timing makes sense. Fashion is having a full-blown love affair with personalization again. We’re seeing charms on bags, beaded jewelry layered over everything, and resort collections that feel less polished and more lived-in. Side ties fit right into that story. They’re adjustable. A little playful. Slightly nostalgic. And far more interesting than a basic fixed-waist bikini bottom. The way I’d wear them? Think less influencer content shoot, more “I accidentally looked amazing on vacation.” A white linen shirt worn open. Oversized sunglasses. Saltwater hair. Maybe a woven tote carrying a paperback you’ve been pretending to finish. The beauty of a side-tie silhouette is that you can pull it higher on the hips for a longer leg line or wear it lower when you want a more relaxed feel. I’ve had my eye on AFRM‘s swim collection because it understands that swimwear should have a personality. The Cali Tie Bikini Bottom – Green Snake feels especially current. Animal prints are creeping back into fashion, but they’re arriving with a cleaner, more sophisticated attitude than the versions we saw a decade ago. This one delivers exactly the right amount of drama. For something brighter, the Cali Tie Bikini Bottom – Sun Micro Dot taps into the optimistic yellow tones that dominated recent resort collections. It’s playful without feeling precious. I’d pair it with a crisp white button-down and barely-there leather sandals for a beach club lunch that turns into sunset drinks. AFRM also nailed the balance between coverage and style with the Sadie Tie Bikini Bottom – Sun Micro Dot. The double-looped ties make it feel more considered than your average bikini bottom, while the retro-inspired dot print gives it a touch of old-Hollywood Riviera charm. The Green Snake version brings the same silhouette into bolder territory. And then there’s the Cali Beaded Bikini Bottom – Sunlight Tile, which feels tailor-made for the current obsession with handcrafted details. The beaded side ties are exactly the kind of small styling element that turns a good swim look into a memorable one. For those who prefer a quieter approach, Mikoh Swimwear continues to be one of fashion’s insider favorites. It’s the label people discover on vacation and spend the rest of the summer trying to track down. My take? Skip the overly complicated swim trends. Side-tie bikini bottoms have survived every swimwear cycle for a reason. They’re flattering, adaptable, and they make even the simplest beach outfit feel intentional. Right now, that’s exactly what good swimwear should do.