Swimsuits & Cover-Ups: Bikini Bottoms: Side Tie Just Took Back the Beach

I knew this was coming the second the Spring 2026 runways started dialing things down. After years of hyper-constructed swim, the shift is obvious: less engineering, more instinct. The side-tie bikini bottom is leading that reset. You saw it trickle out of Miami Swim Week and land straight into real life—St. Barths, Tulum, even the low-key hotel pools where people actually know what they’re doing. It’s not about nostalgia for the early 2000s. It’s about control. You tie it how you want. High on the hip, barely there, asymmetrical if you feel like it. Nothing else right now feels that personal. Here’s how I’m wearing them—and how you should be thinking about them. Start textured. The Soleil Bikini Bottom from Beach Riot in that Sea Breeze crochet has this tactile, slightly undone energy. I’d throw it on with an oversized linen shirt, half open, and flat leather sandals. No effort, but it reads like you made a decision. If you want something cleaner, L*Space is quietly perfecting the formula. The Lurex Pucker Levy Bottom in white is sharp in that minimal, low-rise way—barely there, but intentional. Slick hair, black triangle top, gold hoops. Done. Or take it a step further with the Lucia Bottom—that ribbed texture and hardware detail give it just enough tension. That’s your beach-to-drinks piece. Add a sheer wrap skirt and don’t overthink it. Then there’s Frankies Bikinis, which basically lives for this moment. The Mackenzie Satin Bottom in Honey Bug feels like something you’d pack last minute for a Tulum trip—polka dots, contrast trim, a little chaotic in the best way. If you want softer, the Divine Satin Bikini Bottom leans delicate with that floral print. I’d wear it with a slouchy tank and let the ties sit loose. Not precious. Just right. And don’t ignore baobab. The Roma Bikini Bottom shifts the whole conversation—ribbed, high-cut, a little more structured. It’s still a side-tie, but it reads elevated without trying to be. That’s the point. Side-tie bikini bottoms right now aren’t screaming for attention. They just work. You adjust, you style, you move on. And somehow, you look better than everyone who tried too hard.