Quick answer

Tie your bikini bottoms so the knot sits at the hip bone, not the soft waist, and adjust the side ties symmetrically to control coverage and prevent ride-up.

Why the knot placement matters

Where you tie the side strings changes how the bottoms sit on your body. A knot placed too high on the waist pulls the fabric up, creating a wedgie effect. A knot too low lets the fabric sag and shift. The sweet spot is directly over your hip bone — this keeps the front and back panels evenly tensioned and stops the fabric from twisting.

Tie side vs. fixed side bottoms

Tie side bikini bottoms give you more control over fit than fixed-side styles. You can loosen the ties for a lower rise or tighten them for more coverage on the back. The trade-off is that the knot can come loose during swimming or movement. A double knot solves this without adding bulk.

How to tie bikini bottoms step by step

  1. Step 1: Center the front panel: Hold the front panel of the bottoms against your body and align the center seam (if present) with your belly button. The side strings should hang evenly on both hips. A common mistake is pulling the front panel too high before tying — this creates a wedgie later.
  2. Step 2: Cross the strings behind your back: Bring the left string behind your back to the right side, and the right string to the left side. Keep the strings flat (not twisted) against your skin to avoid digging. Twisted strings create pressure points that cause irritation after a few hours.
  3. Step 3: Tie a snug double knot at the hip bone: Pull both strings forward and tie them in a double knot directly over your hip bone. The knot should be tight enough that the fabric lies flat but not so tight that it digs in. If the knot sits above the hip bone, the bottoms will ride up. If it sits below, the back coverage will sag.
  4. Step 4: Check symmetry and adjust: Stand straight and look in a mirror. The side ties should be even in length and tension. If one side feels looser, untie and re-tie that side slightly tighter. Uneven ties cause the fabric to twist, which leads to visible panty lines or a crooked seam.
  5. Step 5: Test movement: Bend, squat, and walk a few steps. If the fabric shifts or the knot loosens, re-tie with a tighter double knot or move the knot slightly lower on the hip. A knot that feels secure standing may loosen during swimming — always test in a full range of motion.

Products that make tying easier

  • ALLEY Bottoms: Low-rise silhouette with adjustable side ties for the perfect fit. Designed to be worn high or low on the hip. The adjustable side ties let you shift the rise from hip to waist, so you can fine-tune the coverage and leg-lengthening effect.

    ALLEY Bottoms

    ALLEY Bottoms

  • SABRINA Bottoms: Thong coverage bottoms with a seamless finish so no pinching and digging into your skin. Even with a thong cut, the seamless edges mean the side ties are the only adjustment point — no extra elastic to fight against.

    SABRINA Bottoms

    SABRINA Bottoms