How to Style a Bikini Top Step by Step
Bathing suit top hacks
Curious about how many different looks you can get from just one bikini top? By the end of this article, you’ll be amazed at the 17+ unique styles I’ve found that will make you feel like you’re wearing a brand new set every time. ✨
First, good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad 😅: Not all bikini tops are created equal when it comes to styling options. To pull off these 17+ looks, you’ll need straps that are long and wide enough to give you the freedom to play around.
And now for the good news ✨: This article features the Mimi Multiway Bikini Pattern! Its adjustable straps are wide and long enough to make all those stylish transformations happen! Plus, it’s ready to print at home, so you can make as many tops as you want.
1. Classic Halter Bikini Top
style ONE
The first way is a classic: take the thicker straps and tie them behind your neck for that halter look. Then, grab the thinner straps and tie them at your back, making sure it’s as snug as you like.
2. Knot Bikini Top
style TWO
Make a knot on each side of the top, pulling the fabric tighter to create a shorter cup effect. Once you’ve tied the knots on both sides, bring the straps back behind your neck and tie them again.
3. Cross Halter Bikini Top
style three
Untie the knots and with the thicker straps laying flat, cross them over each other at the front to form an ‘X’ shape. Once they’re crossed, tie them behind your neck again, and you’re all set!
4. One Shoulder Bikini Top
style FOUR
For the one-shoulder look, take the thickest straps and tie a knot at the front to bring them together and shift them toward one shoulder. To keep them in place, tie them to the thinner straps at the back, securing everything in position.
5. Strappy Triangle Bikini Top
style FIVE
Slide one of the cups over to the side to shift the underbust strap into a straight line across your back, creating an open space at the front of the top. Tie the wide straps behind your neck, then tie the thin straps—first making a knot at the center, and then behind your neck to finish the look.
6. Criss Cross Triangle Top
style SIX
Start by crossing the thin straps over each other at the front, just above your ribcage, then tie them at the back. Next, switch up the thick straps too—tie them in the front to create a twisted, collar effect that looks super cute. Finish it off by tying them behind your neck, and you’re all set!
7. Upside Down Bikini Trend
style SEVEN
For this one, turn the top upside down. Tie the thinnest straps behind your neck and the wider straps at the back. Then, evenly distribute the folds of the fabric at the front, and you’re all set!
8. Upside Down + Criss-Cross
style EIGHT
Keep the upside-down look and the wide straps tied at the back from the previous style. Then, untie the thinner straps, cross them over each other at the front, and tie them again behind your neck to secure the look.
9. Ring Bandeau Bikini Top
style nine
To turn it into a strapless top, untie the thin straps behind your neck from the previous look and tie them together at the front, creating a knot that brings both sides together. Then, tie the strings in a bow to shorten them, making it easier to tuck them under the top for a sleek, strapless finish.
10. Bikini with choker
style TEN
Leave the knot in the center from the strapless look and pull the thin straps out from underneath. Then, pass them around your neck to create a choker effect. Finish it by tying the strings behind your neck to secure the look.
11. Front Tie Bikini Top
style ELEVEN
Turn the top upside down again, so the string creates a halter effect behind your neck, leaving the rest of the strings hanging in the front. Then, tie the thick straps behind your back. Finish by taking the thinner straps in the front and tying them in a bow to complete the look.
12. Front Criss-Cross Bikini Top
style twelve
For a quick new look, untie the bow from the previous style and simply cross the strings over each other at the front. Then, tie them again at the back to secure the look.
13. Bow Bikini Top
style THIRTEEN
Switch the position again so that the pleated part of the top is now at the sides of the body and the thickest straps at the front. Tie the thinner straps at the back, then evenly distribute the folds on the sides. Finally, take the thicker straps and tie them into a bow to complete the look.
14. Rib Cross Top
style FOURTEEN
Untie the bow from the previous look, then cross the wide straps over each other and around your ribs. Finish by tying them at the back to complete the new style.
15. Strapless Bikini Top
style FIFTEEN
Untie the strings at the back, loosening the part behind your neck so you can pull it behind your back. Next, pull the strings on each side to tighten them at the back, then tie the ends together. Arrange the thick straps under the bust and tuck the thin straps underneath them for a clean look.
16. Criss-cross Wrap Halter Top
style sixteen
Move the pleated side above the bust, then take the thin straps, first cross them over the front, and tie them behind your neck. For the thicker straps that were left hanging, press them on top of each other to create an X, then tie them at the back. Finish by distributing the folds evenly.
17. Twist Bikini Top
style seventeen
Untie the thickest straps at the back and bring them to the front, making a twist before tying them again at the back. Arrange the thicker straps so they sit nicely around your body, and leave the neck part as it is. And you’re all set!
If you have any questions about how to tie any of the other looks, don’t worry—the video below will walk you through each one to clear up any confusion.
Plus, I’ve got a bonus look for you! You can learn how to create a bandaged criss-cross style swimsuit using matching bottoms at the end of the video.
And that’s a wrap! Which look was your favorite? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear which style you’ll try out next!
Want to learn how to make a multiway bikini top? Check out this sewing tutorial! No sewing machine? No problem! there’s a no-sew version too 😏
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