Bikini Bottom Styles Explained: Cheeky, Brazilian, High-Waist and Everything Between

The names are a mess. "Cheeky" means one thing in Australia and another in the US. "Brazilian" gets used for two different cuts. Half the brands out there invent a new word for a style that already has one.

Here's the plain version: bikini bottoms differ on three things only. How much they cover at the back, where they sit on your waist, and how wide the sides are. Every style name is just a combination of those three.

This guide breaks down each one, tells you honestly how much it covers, and helps you pick based on what you're actually doing in it.

 

Quick Comparison

 

1- Full Coverage Bottoms

Covers: the whole rear, sides sit on the hip.

The default cut. Nothing rides up, nothing needs adjusting, and it works from a morning swim through to lunch without a thought.

Full coverage has quietly changed over the last few years. Older versions were cut wide and high on the leg in a way that shortened the legs. Modern ones use a higher leg line, which lengthens the leg while still covering everything.

Choose it if: you want one bottom that handles everything, or you're buying your first proper swimsuit and don't yet know what you like.

 

2- High-Waist Bottoms

Covers: full to moderate at the back, sits at or above the natural waist.

The most flattering cut for most bodies, and it isn't close. Sitting at the narrowest part of your waist creates definition, and the higher rise covers the midsection without looking like it's trying to.

It's also the most practical cut for anything active. A high rise doesn't shift when you move, which is why it dominates surf and dive swimwear. Our Milu surf leggings take the same principle further for longer sessions.

Choose it if: you want waist definition, want tummy coverage without a one piece, or you're moving around a lot.

Watch for: a rise that's too high can shorten the torso on petite frames. Check the size chart measurements rather than guessing.

3- Hipster Bottoms

Covers: full at the back, wide sides, low to mid rise.

The most comfortable cut in the category. Wide sides mean no elastic digging in, which matters if you're wearing it all day or if you dislike the feeling of narrow-sided bottoms.

Less flattering than a high-waist for most people, because a low rise cuts the torso at its widest point. But comfort has value and this cut has plenty.

Choose it if: comfort is the priority, or you find narrow sides uncomfortable.

 

4- Cheeky Bottoms

Covers: roughly 50–70% of the rear.

The most misunderstood name on the list. Cheeky is not a thong. It covers most of you, just less than full coverage, with a curved leg line that follows the shape of the body rather than cutting straight across it.

This is the cut that suits the most people while still feeling like a proper swimsuit. It lengthens the leg, avoids the flattening effect of a straight-cut leg line, and doesn't require the confidence a Brazilian does.

We use a cheeky cut across a lot of our one piece swimsuits for exactly this reason. The Luna long sleeve pairs a high neck and full sleeves with a cheeky Brazilian back, which is why it works for people who want coverage up top without a swim-shirt silhouette.

Choose it if: you want a modern shape without going minimal.

5- Brazilian Bottoms

Covers: roughly 30–50% of the rear.

Named for the cut that came out of Rio, where less coverage is simply the norm rather than a statement. Narrower than cheeky, wider than a thong, usually with a mid to high rise and a scooped back.

Two things people get wrong about Brazilian bottoms. First, the rise is often high, not low, which means they're more flattering than the coverage suggests. Second, a well-cut Brazilian stays put better than a badly-cut full coverage, because the shape follows the body instead of fighting it.

Browse our bikini collection for the cut, and the spaghetti bikini bottom if you want the narrowest side profile.

Choose it if: you're sunbathing, you're somewhere warm, or you want minimal tan lines without going to a thong.

 

6- Thong Bottoms

Covers: minimal at the rear, high rise, narrow sides.

The least coverage available. Almost no tan lines, and the high rise plus narrow sides makes the leg look as long as any cut can.

Worth knowing before you buy: a thong is not a practical swimming cut. It's a sunbathing cut. If you're planning to surf, dive or swim laps, choose almost anything else.

Choose it if: you're lying on a beach and want to come home without tan lines.

 

7- Tie-side Bottoms

Covers: varies, and that's the point.

Adjustable at both hips, so the coverage and fit change with how you tie them. The most forgiving option if you're between sizes, if your weight fluctuates, or if you're buying online and unsure.

Watch for: ties can loosen in surf. Not the cut for anything with waves in it.

Choose it if: you're between sizes or buying without trying on.

 

How to Choose: by activity

This matters more than body shape, and almost nobody talks about it.

Surfing, paddle boarding, wakeboarding. High-waist, full coverage or a one piece. You need something that doesn't move when you do, and that protects your hips from board rash. Our surf collection is built around this.

Freediving, snorkelling, scuba. High-waist or a one piece, ideally long sleeve for warmth and sun. Nothing that needs adjusting when you surface.

Swimming laps. Full coverage or a one piece.

Sunbathing and beach days. Anything. This is where cheeky, Brazilian and thong belong.

All-day wear. Hipster or full coverage. Comfort beats everything over eight hours.

 

How to Choose: by shape

Rules here are softer than the internet claims, but a few hold up:

Wanting to lengthen the legs: high-waist, or any cut with a high leg line. A straight-across leg line shortens.

Wanting waist definition: high-waist, worn at the natural waist rather than below it.

Wanting tummy coverage without a one piece: high-waist with full rear coverage.

Petite frames: avoid very high rises that cut the torso short. Mid-rise cheeky tends to work better.

Fuller hips: tie-side or hipster, because both give you room to adjust the fit at the widest point.

The honest version: fit matters more than cut. A well-fitting Brazilian looks better than a badly-fitting full coverage, every time.

 

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cheeky and Brazilian bikini bottoms?
Cheeky covers roughly 50–70% of the rear. Brazilian covers roughly 30–50%. Both usually have a curved rather than straight leg line, and both typically sit at a mid to high rise. Brazilian is the narrower of the two.

Are Brazilian bikini bottoms the same as a thong?
No. A Brazilian still has a fabric panel at the back. A thong has a strip. Brazilian is the middle ground between cheeky and thong.

Which bikini bottom style is most flattering?
High-waist works for the widest range of bodies because it defines the waist and covers the midsection. But fit matters more than style, so measure yourself against the size chart before choosing.

Which bikini bottoms stay on while surfing?
High-waist or full coverage, with no ties. Anything adjustable can loosen in waves. Many surfers skip bikinis entirely and use a long sleeve one piece for the same reason.

What bikini bottom style is best for a tummy?
High-waist with full or moderate rear coverage. The rise sits above the midsection and the waistband creates definition rather than compression.

Do bikini bottoms stretch out over time?
Elastane loses recovery with heat, chlorine and UV. Rinse in cold fresh water after every wear, dry in shade, never machine wash or tumble dry, and a good pair holds its shape for years.

 

The short version

If you buy one, buy high-waist. It's the most flattering and the most practical.

If you buy two, add a cheeky cut for warm days when you're not doing much.

If you're buying for something active, stop looking at bikini bottoms and look at a one piece.

Makara Wear is handmade in Bali in small batches, from ECONYL® regenerated nylon made out of recovered fishing nets and fabric waste. Every cut above is designed to hug rather than compress, and tested in real surf before it goes into production. See the full bikini collection or the best sellers.