Our 10 Favorite String Bikinis to Shop Now

These barely-there two pieces will have you looking and feeling your best.

Princess Polly and Monday Swimwear / Princess Polly and Monday Swimwear

String bikinis are synonymous with the SI Swimsuit Issue, from Christie Brinkley’s striking 1980 cover image to more modern styles, as featured on models like Christen Harper, the 2022 SI Swimsuit co-Rookie of the Year.

Swimwear has certainly evolved over the years, and today’s itty bitty string bikini originated in the mid-1940s when French designer Louis Réard debuted his then risqué design at a Paris swimming pool in July 1946.

The string bikini was advertised as “smaller than the world’s smallest bathing suit” and consisted of of a mere 30 inches of fabric. Réard famously said that a bathing suit couldn’t be called a bikini “unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring.”

While the string bikini wasn’t widely embraced in the U.S. until the ’60s, it quickly became the beachwear staple it is today. Whether you’re heading to the beach or pool to soak up some rays, there’s a string bikini out there for every shape, size and style preference.

Check out 10 of our favorite string bikinis to shop now.

Tanaye White was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados for SI Swimsuit 2022.

Ben Watts

Palma Top, $84 and Palma Bottom, $80 in “Honeydew Summer Plaid” (mondayswimwear.com)

Monday Swimwear

Lime green swimwear has been hugely trendy this summer. Join in with this sweet and textured pick from Monday Swimwear.

Alizzi Tie Front Triangle Bikini Top, $39 and Glora Tie Side Bikini Bottom, $30 (us.princesspolly.com)

Princess Polly

The graphic print on this string bikini will definitely turn heads on the beach.

Nick String Triangle Bikini Top, $70 and Tia String Bikini Bottom, $80 (frankiesbikinis.com)

Frankies Bikinis

A red string two-piece is always a great choice. And if you’d rather, this set is available in different colors and patterns to suit your personal taste.

Triangle Bikini Top, $40 and String Bikini Bottom, $35 (knix.com)

Christen Harper / John Parra/Getty Images

Channel Harper, a four-time SI Swimsuit star, on the Miami Swim Week runway in this Knix string bikini set.

Triangle Top, $38 and Dipped Tie Bottom, $36 (skims.com)

SKIMS

Available in several classic and limited-edition colors, this minimalist pick is super flattering.

Cheetah Bikini, $69 (andi-bagus.com)

Andi Bagus

This price includes both the bikini top and bottom, so it’s a steal!

Tamara Bikini Top, $92 and Bottom, $92  (baben.us)

Baben

This cute cowboy boot printed string bikini is double lined for better coverage.

Tropic of C Praia Bikini Top, $77, and Bottom, $67 (mytheresa.com)

Mytheresa

Snag this string bikini duo and you could be twinning with Gigi Hadid. The supermodel has previously been spotted in the same style.

Kayla Top in Cyber, $50 and Bottom, $50 (nessyswimwear.com)

Nessy Swimwear

This colorful blue and green string bikini has an adjustable top and bottom to give you the coverage and support you’re looking for.

Madeira Top, $89 and Bottom, $89 (shop.olavidaswimwear.com)

Ola Vida

If this string bikini and the images above look familiar, it’s because SI Swimsuit 2022 cover model Yumi Nu rocked it at her ‘22 photo shoot in Montenegro.