Women's Swimwear Bottoms

Two independent choices separate one swim bottom from the next: how high the waistband sits, and how high the leg is cut. High-waisted styles bring the band to the natural waist, mid-rise and hipster cuts sit on the hip, and low-rise styles drop below it. The leg line moves on its own dial, so a high-cut opening rises toward the hip bone and lengthens the thigh, while a straight or boyshort leg runs closer to horizontal across it.

Coverage at the back is a third dial again, running from full and classic briefs through cheeky cuts to Brazilian and thong shapes, and any of those can be paired with a high or a low rise. Tie-sides, ruched centre seams, belted bands and skirted panels all change how a single stated size actually fits. Nylon-elastane knit with a full front lining is the standard construction, while ribbed, crinkle and crochet textures relax more once they are wet and are worth buying to a closer dry fit.