Bikini & Swimsuit Style Guide
Bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits come in many different styles with various neckline shapes and strap combinations, and with bottoms having different cuts through the waist, hip and bottom. Learn more about the different swimwear styles available with the LACE Swimwear Style Guide below, and for more information about choosing a style for your shape, check out the LACE Bikini Fit Guide and Swimsuit Fit Guide.
BANDEAU BIKINI TOP
A popular swimwear shape, the bandeau bikini has a straight or sweetheart shaped neckline. See Strapless Bikini for styles that can be worn without shoulder straps.
HALTERNECK BIKINI TOP
A halterneck bikini will tie around the neck, or may have shoulder straps that can be connected around the neck.
STRAPLESS BIKINI TOP
Strapless bikinis often come with detachable shoulder straps. Styles with built-in halterneck ties can be worn strapless as well, as the ties can usually tuck between the breasts down into the cup, and those with a sling style on the side of the cups can tie around the back.
PUSH-UP BIKINI TOP
A push-up bikini will showcase your curves and show a little bit of cleavage at the beach. Padded cups or even the addition of a push-up pad, and a lower neckline make the push-up bikini a classic shape.
TRIANGLE BIKINI TOP
The triangle bikini can be found with or without underwires. The low centre front with ties around the neck is flattering on fuller busts as it often brings the breasts together, enhancing your cleavage and elongating the neck.
TANKINI
Most tankini styles are available by bra size and will often have an underwire bra built in for support and shaping, along with a hook & eye closure and adjustable shoulder straps for versatility in fit.
SWIMSUIT
A swimsuit can come with or without wires, with many non-wire styles offering an internal bra for support and shaping. Styles and necklines vary, with many having adjustable shoulder straps for a customisable fit.
SPORTS SWIMSUIT
Swimsuits suitable for sports often have higher necklines and fuller cut bottoms for coverage and support, or are made of fabrics more resistant to chlorine. Straps will often cross-over in the back or be a racerback style to increase support and eliminate shoulder straps from slipping.
CLASSIC BIKINI BRIEF
The classic brief has moderate coverage at the front, hip and bum. A basic offered in nearly every collection.
TIE-SIDE BIKINI BRIEF
Tie-side briefs make the perfect beach bikini. Adjustable ties let you wear the bottoms as loose or as snug as you wish. Styles vary with some having narrow spaghetti-style ties, while others have large fabric ties giving a little more coverage.
BIKINI SHORTS
Bikini shorts sit square on the hip and offer good coverage through the hip and bottom. They can be both high or low in the rise. Shorts tend to look more 'athletic' and can draw attention to your hips and bottom.
HIGH-WAIST BIKINI BRIEF
The high-waist bikini brief is designed with more coverage in the front rise, hip and seat. It will sit higher on the waist, with some styles reaching the belly button. The full brief is often cut low on the leg so that there is full coverage across the stomach.
TANGA BIKINI BRIEF
The tanga-style bottom offers less coverage through the hip and the bum and sits low on the hip. Some tanga styles have very little coverage on the bum for a cheeky look.
Skirted Bikini Brief
The skirted bikini brief provides more coverage through the bum, hips and often covers the top of the thighs. Many skirted briefs have drawstrings on the side so you can adjust the coverage.
Need help with the fit of your bra? Visit the LACE Bra Fitting Guide for more information on how to fit your bra, the best way to put on your bra and our international size guide for EU and UK cup sizes, along with the LACE Pregnancy and Nursing Guide and LACE Sports Bra Guide.