You tie the neck first, then the back, then one hip and the other, and the whole thing takes about fifteen seconds

Everything on this set knots. The top is a classic triangle halter: two shaped cups on a thin cord that goes round the neck and ties, with a second cord that runs under the arms and ties at the back. The bottoms are the same idea, a small front and back panel joined by long thin ties that knot at each hip, low on the body rather than at the waist. Nothing here has a clasp, a hook or a zip.

The prints are the point. Four of the five colourways are the same zebra stripe printed in a different ground: tan brown, teal, hot pink, and a straight black on white. The fifth is a leopard, and it is asymmetric on purpose, with one triangle plain black and the other in the leopard print. Every colourway uses plain black cord for the ties and the binding. Polyester shell and lining per the maker, and a removable pad slips into each cup.

Key Benefits

• Ties at four points Neck, back and one at each hip, so the fit is set by you rather than by the label. Nothing is fixed by a hook or a clasp.
• Removable pads The packing list counts the pads as a separate line, which is the clearest proof there is that they come out.
• Five animal prints Four zebra grounds in brown, teal, pink and black on white, plus an asymmetric leopard with one plain black cup.
• Low rise bottoms The front sits well below the navel and the leg is cut high, held by the hip ties rather than by a waistband.
• Lined throughout The maker lists polyester for both the shell and the lining, so the print is backed rather than single layer.
• Three sizes S, M and L, with the ties absorbing part of the difference between them.

Best for: Anyone who prefers a tie fit to a fixed one, who wants an animal print rather than a plain colour, and who packs light enough that a set weighing about two hundred grammes matters.

Why It Works

A tie side bikini solves the problem that a fixed one cannot: bodies are not the same width at the hip as they are at the waist, and a knot does not care. Four tie points mean the top and the bottom are adjusted separately, and it also means the set packs down to nothing. The trade is that knots come undone if you tie them lazily, so double knot the hips before you go in the water. The pads are a second thing worth knowing: they are separate pieces, so take them out before you wash the set and put them back afterwards.

Quick Product Facts: Two piece bikini set; triangle halter top tying at the neck and the back; low rise bottoms tying at each hip; removable pad in each cup, listed separately on the packing list; polyester shell and polyester lining per the maker; about 200 grammes; hand wash and air dry per the maker; five animal print colourways; sizes S, M and L; packing list reads swimsuit times one plus removable chest pad times one.

How It Fits Your Routine

The first thing to do is tie it properly at home. Set the neck cord so the cups sit where you want them, then the back cord, then knot each hip twice. Once the neck cord is at the right length you can leave it and just untie the back next time.

Take the pads out before washing. The maker asks for hand washing in cool water and air drying, and that is the right advice for a printed swim fabric: hot water and machine agitation are what lift a print off the surface.

Dry it flat in the shade rather than on a hot balcony rail. Print on swimwear fades in direct sun far faster than the fabric wears out, and on an animal print the fade shows first in the black.

FAQ

Are the bottoms high waisted? No. The maker sheet says high waisted briefs and the photographs show the opposite: a low rise front that sits below the navel, held by ties at each hip. We have gone with the photographs.

Is the back open? There is no back panel to open. It is a triangle halter, so the top is held by two cords and there is nothing behind you but the tie. The maker calls it backless, which does not describe anything on this shape, so we are not repeating it.

Do the pads come out? Yes. The packing list counts a removable chest pad as its own line alongside the swimsuit, and the maker states there is no underwire.

Is the green one green? It photographs as a teal, closer to blue than to grass. The option is named Green, so read the option image before you order. The same applies to Brown, which is a tan ground rather than a dark chocolate.