When it comes to shopping for swimsuits, there’s a whole hoard of things we unnecessarily worry about, from how they fit to what’s en vogue at the moment. Then there’s the added concern when trendy swimsuit styles aren’t the best choice in the practicality department. While that geometric stomach cut-out might look cute under a cabana, the coinciding tan lines can be a pain. No one wants a hexagonal mid-section after their first day under the sun, after all.
Basic styles are basic for a reason: At the end of the day, they’re a tried-and-true pick. So where we may have left our itty bitty string bikinis back on the pool party decks of Miami in 2006, maybe it’s time we let them back into our lives. And it’s not just us. The return of string ties and barely-there garments are prevalent in this summer’s swimwear selection. Between pushing the boundaries for just how much of your hoo-ha is actually covered by a flimsy pair of bottoms to pairing string bikini bottoms with more experimental tops, swimsuit designers are doling out the love, too.
So whether you’re ready to channel your inner Kardashian (because obviously they DGAF about trends and string bikinis are a regular part of their clothing rotation) or you’re just looking for a pain-free way to tan this year, shop our picks ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Basic Swim La Premiere Top, $, available at Basic Swim
Basic Swim La Premiere Bottom, $, available at Basic Swim
Aexae Tyra Tie Neck Top, $, available at Aexae
Aexae Tyra Tie Side Bottoms, $, available at Aexae
Good American Sexy Boost Bikini Top, $, available at Good American
Good American Hip Hug Bottom, $, available at Good American
Bamba Prince Bottoms, $, available at Bamba
Bamba Prince Top, $, available at Bamba
MELISSA SIMONE Enita Micro String Top, $, available at Melissa Simone
MELISSA SIMONE Enita Micro String Bottom, $, available at Melissa Simone
Triangl Avah Tie Dye Bikini, $, available at Triangl
Solid & Striped The Lulu Top, $, available at Solid & Striped
Solid & Striped The Lulu Bottom, $, available at Solid & Striped
Roxana Salehoun Triangle Bikini, $, available at Roxana Salehoun
Jade Swim Lido Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at Matches Fashion
Jade Swim Aria Mother-Of-Pearl Ring Bikini Briefs, $, available at Matches Fashion
lemlem Semira Stretch-Jacquard Bikini, $, available at Net-A-Porter
South Beach Curve Halter Bikini Top, $, available at ASOS
South Beach Curve Tie Up Bikini Bottom, $, available at ASOS
Static Swimwear Sunset Top, $, available at Static Swimwear
Static Swimwear Topanga Bottom, $, available at Static Swimwear
Cecilie Copenhagen Fenja Bikini Top, $, available at Olivela
Cecilie Copenhagen Clara Bikini Bottom, $, available at Olivela
LA Hearts by PacSun Black Khloe Rib Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at PacSun
LA Hearts by PacSun Black Khloe Rib High Band Bikini Bottom, $, available at PacSun
Lisa Marie Fernandez Pamela Zebra Crepe Bikini, $, available at Lisa Marie Fernandez
Laya Swim Lady Top, $, available at Laya Swim
Laya Swim Babaji Brief, $, available at Laya Swim
Reina Olga x Manebí Scrunchie Bikini, $, available at Manebi
Myra Sophie Top, $, available at Myra
Myra The Jocelyn, $, available at Myra
Asara Swim Dawa Top, $, available at Asara Swim
Asara Swim Ray Bottom, $, available at Asara Swim
Frankies Bikinis Tavi Top, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
Frankies Bikinis Tavi Bottom, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
Shlaer Costes Bikini, $, available at Shop Super Street
Zara Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at Zara
Zara Bikini Bottom, $, available at Zara
With Jéan
With Jean Betsy Bikini Top, $, available at With Jean
With Jean Betsy Bikini Bottom, $, available at With Jean
Aerie
Aerie String Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at AE
Aerie Aerie Tie Cheekiest Bikini Bottom, $, available at AE
Monday Swimwear
Monday Swimwear Palma Top, $, available at Monday Swimwear
Monday Swimwear Palma Bottom, $, available at Monday Swimwear
Good American
Good American Tiny Ties Top, $, available at Good American
Good American Tiny Ties Bottom, $, available at Good American
Summersalt
Summersalt String Bikini Top, $, available at Summersalt
Summersalt String Bikini Bottom, $, available at Summersalt
Free People
Aila Blue | Free People Aila Blue Soraya Bikini Top, $, available at Free People
Aila Blue | Free People Aila Blue Capri Bikini Bottoms, $, available at Free People
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective Cabo String Bikini Top, $, available at Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective String Bikini Bottom, $, available at Girlfriend Collective
Frankies Bikinis
Frankies Bikinis Tia Terry Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
Frankies Bikinis Tia Terry String Bikini Bottom, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
PacSun
PacSun Jasmin Cross Front, $, available at PacSun
PacSun High Cut Side Tie Bikini, $, available at PacSun
Swimsuits For All
Swimsuits For All Camille Kostek Classic String Bikini Top, $, available at Swimsuits For All
Swimsuits For All Camille Kostek Classic String Bikini Bottom, $, available at Swimsuits For All
Tropic of
C
Tropic of C Praia Top, $, available at Tropic Of C
Tropic of C Praia Bottom, $, available at Tropic Of C
Solid & Striped
Solid and Striped The Iris Reversible Top, $, available at Solid and Striped
Solid and Striped The Reversible Iris Bottom, $, available at Solid and Striped
Mariposa Swimwear
La Mariposa Monclova Top, $, available at La Mariposa
La Mariposa Monclova Bottom, $, available at La Mariposa
Guess
GUESS Braided Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at GUESS
GUESS Logo Tie String Brief, $, available at GUESS
Old Nav
y
Old Navy Ruffle-Trimmed Printed Triangle Bikini Swim Top for Women, $, available at Old Navy
Old Navy Mid-Rise Bikini Swim Bottoms for Women, $, available at Old Navy
Miko
h
Mikoh Monse Top, $, available at Mikoh
Mikoh Buru Bottom, $, available at Mikoh
Beach Riot
Beach Riot Winona Top, $, available at Beach Riot
Beach Riot Soleil Bottom, $, available at Beach Riot
La Blanc
a
La Blanca Island Goddess Halter Top, $, available at La Blanca
La Blanca Island Goddess Side Tie Bottom, $, available at La Blanca
L*Space
L*Space Printed Roger Bikini Bottom, $, available at L*Space
L*Space Printed Maggie Top, $, available at L*Space
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