Beaded Bikinis 2026: Removable Belts, Bead Detail and Fit Notes

A beaded bikini is a two-piece swimsuit decorated with beads, usually threaded onto the straps, the ties and a belt, so the hardware becomes the jewellery of the look. At Coveti, the new reference piece is the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief in Dark Olive from SIR the Label, a high-waisted brief with a removable beaded belt.

• Best beaded brief: SIR the Label Lilah Beaded Belt Brief, high waisted with a high-cut leg and a belt you can take off.
• Best beaded one piece: SIR the Label Lilah Beaded One Piece, a scoop neck swimsuit with cross-back straps and seasonal beads.
• Best beaded triangle top: SIR the Label Riley Beaded String Triangle Top, sliding cups with resin beads in an engineered stripe.
• Best beaded balconette: SIR the Label Lilah Twisted Halter Top, a balconette with beads at the front straps.
• Best beaded detail from another house: Zimmermann Mahon Beaded Detail Bikini, a full set with beaded detailing.

What is a beaded bikini?

A beaded bikini uses beads as a functional and decorative element on otherwise smooth swim fabric. The beads can sit on the strap of a top, run along the tie of a string brief, form a belt across the hips and gather at a halter neck. Because the beads are attached to the hardware, the body of the bikini stays plain stretch fabric, which means it wears like a standard swimsuit with a little added weight at the trim.

The material of the beads changes the look. Resin beads are light and often coloured to match a print. Metallic beads catch the sun and read as jewellery. SIR the Label lists resin beads on the Riley top and describes the Lilah one piece as having seasonal beads.

Beaded bikini versus beaded one piece

The beaded bikini puts beads at the points where a two-piece fastens: the hips, the back and the neck. A beaded one piece has fewer fastenings, so the beads tend to sit on the straps and at the neckline. If you want the detail with more coverage, a one piece such as the Lilah Beaded One Piece keeps the beading while giving medium coverage. For more on full swimsuits, see the designer swimsuits edit.

How to choose a beaded bikini

Check where the beads sit

Beads on a strap that rests on the shoulder are comfortable for long days. Beads at the back of a top press against the body when you lie down, so a front-strap placement, as on the Lilah Twisted Halter Top, suits sunbathing. A belt across the hips is the most visible placement and the easiest to remove.

Look for removable beading

A removable beaded belt gives you two pieces in one: a dressed brief for the beach club and a plain high-waisted brief for swimming laps. The Lilah Beaded Belt Brief is listed with a removable beaded belt, which also makes it easier to hand wash.

Read the fabric and lining

Beads add weight, so the base fabric needs to hold. The Lilah pieces and the Riley top list a main fabric of 76% nylon and 24% spandex, with a lining of 74% nylon and 26% spandex. A fully lined piece keeps its shape under the pull of the trim.

Pick the cut for your coverage

High-waisted briefs with a high-cut leg give coverage at the stomach and length through the leg. String triangle tops with sliding cups let you set how much of the cup is shown. A balconette lifts and shapes; for more on that cut, read our balconette bikini guide.

Choose your colour story

A dark olive bikini lets the beads stand out without competing with a print. A stripe brings colour of its own, and the beads then act as an accent. If you prefer a printed beaded set, our guide to striped bikinis covers the Riley Sunset Stripe pieces in full.

How to wear a beaded bikini by occasion

Beach club

The beads already act as jewellery, so keep accessories minimal. Wear the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief with the Lilah Twisted Halter Top for a matched dark olive set, then add a pair of The Speed Sunglasses in Olive to repeat the colour.

Pool and swimming

For laps, remove the belt from the brief and swim in the plain high-waisted brief. The Lilah String Triangle Top and Lilah String Brief are a lighter, bead-free option in the same colour.

From swim to dinner

A beaded one piece works as a bodysuit under a skirt. Try the Lilah Beaded One Piece under a silk skirt from our guide to asymmetric skirts, and see our halter mini dresses guide for the Riley Halter Mini Dress, which also has resin bead hardware.

How to care for a beaded bikini

Beads are the part of a bikini most likely to snag, so wash them with care. SIR lists the same care for the Lilah and Riley swim pieces:

• Cold hand wash separately.
• Dry flat in shade.
• Do not soak, iron and tumble dry.

Remove any detachable belt before washing. Rinse after salt water and chlorine, press dry in a towel and lay the piece flat with the beads face up so they do not drag on the fabric. Pack beaded swimwear in a soft pouch when travelling to stop the beads pulling at other clothes.

The SIR the Label Resort 2027 beaded pieces

SIR the Label is an Australian brand founded in 2014 by Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote; the name SIR. stands for Separates, Intimates, Ready-to-wear. The Resort 2027 swim includes a beaded dark olive capsule and a beaded stripe top. Our Resort 2027 guide covers the full drop.

Lilah Beaded Belt Brief in Dark Olive

The Lilah Beaded Belt Brief ($370) is a high-waisted bikini brief with a high-cut leg. It has soft gathers through the side body and a removable beaded belt, and it is fully lined.

• Fabric: main 76% nylon, 24% spandex; lining 74% nylon, 26% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 175 cm and wears a SIR size 0.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14.
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: pair it with the Lilah Twisted Halter Top for a matched set.

Lilah Beaded One Piece in Dark Olive

The Lilah Beaded One Piece ($440) is a scoop neck swimsuit in lightweight lycra with generous stretch. It has fixed cross-back straps, medium coverage and seasonal beads, and it is fully lined.

• Fabric: main 76% nylon, 24% spandex; lining 74% nylon, 26% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 178 cm and wears a SIR size 1.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14.
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: wear it as a bodysuit under a skirt after the beach.

Riley Beaded String Triangle Top in Sunset Stripe

The Riley Beaded String Triangle Top ($250) is a triangle bikini top in lightweight lycra with an exclusive SIR. print engineered to the garment. It has sliding cups, adjustable ties at the back, resin beads and adjustable coverage, and it can be worn as a halter neck style.

• Fabric: main 76% nylon, 24% spandex; lining 74% nylon, 26% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 175 cm and wears a SIR size 0.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14.
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: it is designed to pair with the Riley String Brief in Sunset Stripe ($250).

Lilah Twisted Halter Top in Dark Olive

The Lilah Twisted Halter Top ($330) is a balconette bikini top with a fixed twist at the centre front and beads at the front straps. It closes with an adjustable halter strap and a SIR. logo clasp at the back, and it is fully lined.

• Fabric: main 76% nylon, 24% spandex; lining 74% nylon, 26% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 175 cm and wears a SIR size 0.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14.
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: wear it with the beaded belt brief, and with the plain string brief for swimming.

Lilah String Triangle Top and Lilah String Brief in Dark Olive

The Lilah String Triangle Top ($220) and Lilah String Brief ($220) are the plain pair in the capsule; SIR does not list beads on either. The top has sliding cups, adjustable underbust ties and a halter option. The brief is low rise with adjustable side ties. Both use the same 76% nylon, 24% spandex main fabric, fit true to size and are made in UK 6 to 14. Mix them with the beaded pieces to wear beads on one half of the set only.

More beaded SIR swim already at Coveti

SIR also has the Jeanne Beaded String Triangle Top in Chocolate ($250) with the Jeanne Beaded String Brief in Chocolate ($250), and the Amado Beaded Brief in Mocha ($280). Browse more in our SIR the Label swimwear guide.

Other designers to consider at Coveti

Zimmermann Mahon Beaded Detail Bikini

The Zimmermann Mahon Beaded Detail Bikini ($540) is a full set with beaded detail. Its fabric is 80% polyamide and 20% elastane.

Zimmermann Aster Bead Detail Bikini Top

The Zimmermann Aster Bead Detail Bikini Top ($360) is a top with bead detail, in a main fabric of 80% polyamide and 20% elastane.

Hunza G Cassie Beaded Bikini

The Hunza G Cassie Beaded Bikini in Metallic Chocolate ($481) is a beaded set in 97% polyamide and 3% elastane. Hunza G lists it as one size.

Hunza G Gina Beaded Bikini

The Hunza G Gina Beaded Bikini in Metallic Ice Blue ($442) uses the same 97% polyamide and 3% elastane fabric, also in one size.

Hunza G Mia Beaded Swim

The Hunza G Mia Beaded Swim in Metallic Ice Blue ($442) brings beading to a swimsuit, in 97% polyamide and 3% elastane.

Casablanca Gradient String Beaded Bikini Top

The Casablanca Blue and Green Gradient String Beaded Bikini Top ($450) is a string top in 78% polyester and 22% elastane, with a matching gradient beaded bikini bottom ($420).

Beaded bikini comparison

Wearing it around the world

The US

Beaded swim suits the pool clubs of Miami and Palm Springs, where the beads stand in for jewellery. Remove the belt on the Lilah brief if you plan to swim. SIR sizes run 0 to 4 (UK 6 to 14); check the SIR the Label size guide to convert to US sizing.

The UK and Europe

On the Mediterranean, a dark olive beaded set sits well against linen and stone. Pack the plain Lilah string pair as well for swimming days, and keep the beaded pieces for lunch on the coast. SIR size 2 is UK 10.

The Gulf (GCC)

In the UAE, Qatar and the wider Gulf, beaded bikinis belong at hotel pools and private beach clubs. The Lilah Beaded One Piece gives more coverage under a long cover-up, and a sleeved shirt keeps the shoulders covered when walking through public areas. Rinse beads after each swim, as the heat dries salt onto the trim quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in a beaded bikini?

Yes, most beaded bikinis are made from standard swim fabric and are designed to be worn in the water. The SIR the Label Lilah and Riley pieces are cut in 76% nylon and 24% spandex with a stretch lining. For laps, a piece with removable beading, such as the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief, lets you take the belt off first.

What are the beads on the SIR the Label bikinis made of?

SIR the Label lists resin beads on the Riley Beaded String Triangle Top in Sunset Stripe. The Lilah Twisted Halter Top has beads at the front straps, the Lilah Beaded One Piece has seasonal beads and the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief has a removable beaded belt. The house does not publish the bead material for the Lilah pieces.

How do you wash a beaded bikini?

Hand wash it in cold water, separately, and dry it flat in shade. SIR the Label advises against soaking, ironing and tumble drying its beaded swim. Take off any removable belt first, press out water with a towel instead of wringing, and lay the piece with the beads facing up so they do not pull the fabric.

Do SIR the Label beaded bikinis fit true to size?

Yes. SIR the Label says the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief, Lilah Beaded One Piece, Lilah Twisted Halter Top and Riley Beaded String Triangle Top all fit true to size. They are made in SIR 0 to 4, which equals UK 6 to 14. Select your normal size.

Is the beaded belt on the Lilah brief removable?

Yes. SIR the Label lists the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief in Dark Olive with a removable beaded belt. Without the belt it is a plain high-waisted bikini brief with a high-cut leg and soft gathers through the sides, which makes it practical for swimming and easier to hand wash.

What should you wear with a beaded bikini?

Keep jewellery minimal, since the beads already act as decoration. A matching top in the same colour, plain sunglasses and a simple silk skirt are enough. In the SIR the Label capsule, the Lilah Twisted Halter Top pairs with the Lilah Beaded Belt Brief, and the Riley top pairs with the Riley String Brief.

See the full collection on the SIR the Label brand page, and read our guides to crochet bikinis, striped bikinis and the designer bikini edit.