Swimsuit

The Ultimate Guide of All of the Ways to Tie Your Classic String Bikini Top

Try these six variations on the usual triangle swimsuit top.

Ananya Panchal

Brooks Nader, Nicole Williams English and Ellie Thumann.

Brooks Nader, Nicole Williams English and Ellie Thumann.

There‘s nothing more exciting than a clothing item that can be worn multiple ways, but how about six different ways? We’ve done the research and gone through the trial and error to figure out six additional ways to tie a classic string or halter bikini, besides the default triangle style.

Our fashion editors have been styling models for their destination SI Swimsuit photoshoots and runways for years, and have employed several of the unique methods that follow. Even celebrity models like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner love to (literally and figuratively) add a twist to their beach day looks and yacht party outfits.

Keep reading to learn the six ways to tie a bikini top below, plus a short explanation and photos of each.

Classic triangle

Kim Kardashian was photographed by Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic.

Kim Kardashian was photographed by Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic.

This one’s pretty self-explanatory.

Upside down

Lauren Chan was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic.

Lauren Chan was photographed by James Macari in the Dominican Republic.

Flip your bikini upside down and tie as if it’s right-side-up.

Tie front

Extend the triangle pieces far away from each other so that the middle can wrap around your back. Put your bikini on kind of like you would a jacket and tie the straps at the front, in between your chest, and the other strings like normal, around your neck.

Keyhole bandeau

Flip your bikini upside down and tie it at the back, then take the straps that should go around your neck and tie them in a double knot in front of your chest, creating a bandeau-style top with a keyhole in the middle.

Keyhole criss-cross halter

Brooks Nader.

Brooks Nader.

This one’s easy and ultra chic. Tie the back of your bikini normally, but criss cross the straps that go behind your neck in front of your chest before tying them.

Upside down tie-front

This is a combination of two unique styles—first, flip your bikini upside down, move the triangle pieces further apart and wrap the middle string around your neck. Then, tie the first set of loose strings in the middle of your chest and the other behind your back.

Wrap around

Nicole Williams English

Nicole Williams English

Most bikinis have way more string than necessary. Add a bit of flair to your top by wrapping the excess around your midriff once, twice or even three times.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When she is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, Panchal can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast. Panchal has a bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Boston University.