Crochet Bikini Guide 2026: Lined Sets That Hold Up in the Water

A crochet bikini is a two-piece swimsuit whose cups and brief are made from, and finished with, an open looped crochet texture, usually backed by a stretch lining so it holds its shape in water. The clearest new example at Coveti is the Jasmine Crochet String Top in Cream from SIR the Label, a fully lined string top cut in a cream crochet.

• Best crochet string top: SIR the Label Jasmine Crochet String Top, a lined cream top that ties at the back and converts to a halter.
• Best matching brief: SIR the Label Jasmine Crochet String Brief, low rise with a single side tie for adjustable coverage.
• Best crochet detail bikini: Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail Bikini, a set whose name points to crochet used as a detail.
• Best crochet one piece: Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail 1PC, the same crochet idea on a full swimsuit.
• Best cotton cover-up pairing: SIR the Label Lillie Lace Mini Short, a cotton lace short that carries the open texture off the sand.

What is a crochet bikini?

Crochet is a looped textile made with a single hook, and it gives a surface that is raised, slightly open and visibly handmade in character. On swimwear, crochet is rarely used alone. A crochet layer on its own would stretch when wet, sag at the cups and show more than intended, so most designer crochet bikinis combine a crochet face with a smooth, stretch lining underneath. That lining does the structural work while the crochet gives the look.

There are two broad types you will see at Coveti. The first is the all-over crochet bikini, where the visible face of the cups and brief is crochet throughout. The second is the crochet detail bikini, where the main body is a smooth swim fabric and crochet appears as a trim, a panel and an edging. Both read as resort swimwear, but they wear differently. All-over crochet gives a softer, more tactile surface; crochet detail keeps the swim fabric smooth against the body and uses the crochet as decoration.

Crochet bikini top versus crochet string bikini

A crochet bikini top is any top with a crochet face. A crochet string bikini is a narrower term: it describes a set with string ties, typically a triangle top that ties at the neck and back, paired with a brief that ties at the hips. The string construction matters because it lets you set the coverage yourself. The Jasmine crochet string top and its matching brief are both string pieces, which is why SIR describes the coverage on each as adjustable.

How to choose a crochet bikini

Crochet swimwear is judged in the hand, so the checks below are the ones that separate a set you will swim in from a set you will only sit in.

Check the lining first

Look for the words “fully lined” on the product page. A full lining sits behind the whole crochet face, controls transparency once the fabric is wet and gives the cups a cleaner line. Both Jasmine pieces are listed as fully lined, with a lining of 80% nylon and 20% spandex. If a crochet bikini is lined only at the cups, expect the brief to be more sheer in water.

Read the composition, all of it

Crochet sets often list more than one fabric. The Jasmine top and brief each list a main fabric of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, a contrast of 100% cotton and the lining. Reading the full list tells you which parts stretch and which parts are natural fibre. Nylon and spandex recover after stretching; cotton gives a dry, matte hand but does not spring back in the same way, which is why it is paired with a stretch base.

Look at the ties and fastenings

Ties give more adjustment than a fixed strap. A self-tie back lets you set the band tension, and a top that “can be worn as a halter neck style” gives you two ways to carry the weight of the cups. On the brief, side ties control both the rise and the leg coverage. The Jasmine brief uses a single self tie on one side, which keeps the opposite hip clean while still allowing adjustment.

Decide on rise and coverage

Low-rise briefs sit below the navel and suit a string top. If you want more coverage, a high-waisted brief with a lined crochet face is the alternative, though most crochet string sets are cut low. Adjustable coverage on a string brief means you can pull the ties to narrow the side and loosen them to widen it.

Choose a colour that shows the stitch

Pale crochet in cream, ivory and ecru shows the stitch pattern most clearly because the shadows inside each loop are visible. Darker crochet reads as texture rather than pattern. Cream also sits easily against a tan and alongside white linen and cotton cover-ups. For a broader view of light-coloured swim, browse the designer bikini edit.

How to wear a crochet bikini by occasion

Pool and beach

Wear the top tied at the back for swimming, which spreads the support across the band. Retie it as a halter for lying out if you prefer the cups lifted. Keep the brief ties firm before you get in the water, since knots relax slightly when wet.

Beach club and lunch

A crochet bikini already has a dressed texture, so the cover-up can be simple. A cotton lace short such as the Lillie Lace Mini Short in Painted Lace keeps the open, handmade feel, while the Carlita Straight Leg Pant in Ecru gives a cleaner line for lunch. Our guides to lace shorts and straight leg pants cover both in more depth.

Sunset and travel days

Layer a cotton halter top over the bikini top, such as the Frida Embroidered Halter Wrap Top in Ivory, and add a Classico Head Scarf in Ivory for sun. An ivory string set worn under a white embroidered dress also works; see our guide to white embroidered dresses.

How to care for a crochet bikini

Crochet catches on rough surfaces and holds water, so care is about avoiding friction and drying it gently. SIR gives the following instructions for both Jasmine pieces:

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

In practice, rinse the set in cool fresh water as soon as you can after salt water and pool water, press the water out with a towel instead of wringing, and lay it flat away from direct sun so the crochet does not stretch under its own weight. Keep it away from rough pool edges and wooden loungers, which can pull a loop.

The SIR the Label Resort 2027 crochet pieces

SIR. stands for Separates, Intimates, Ready-to-wear. The Australian label was founded in 2014 by Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote and has its flagship in Bondi. Its Resort 2027 drop includes a matching crochet string set in cream; read more about the wider collection in our SIR the Label Resort 2027 guide.

Jasmine Crochet String Top in Cream

The Jasmine Crochet String Top ($370) is a crochet bikini top cut from lightweight lycra with generous stretch. It has an adjustable self-tie back, adjustable coverage and can be worn as a halter neck style. It is fully lined.

• Fabric: main 80% nylon, 20% spandex; contrast 100% cotton; lining 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size, so select your normal size. The model is 178 cm and wears a SIR size 1.
• Sizing in UK: made in SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14 (0 = UK 6, 1 = UK 8, 2 = UK 10, 3 = UK 12, 4 = UK 14).
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: wear it tied at the back for swimming and as a halter for lounging, with the matching brief.

Jasmine Crochet String Brief in Cream

The Jasmine Crochet String Brief ($300) is a low-rise crochet bikini bottom with a single self tie on the side. SIR designs it with adjustable coverage and adjustable rise, and it pairs with the matching Jasmine top. It is fully lined.

• Fabric: main 80% nylon, 20% spandex; contrast 100% cotton; lining 80% nylon, 20% spandex.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 178 cm and wears a SIR size 1.
• Sizing in UK: made in SIR 0 to 4 (UK 6 to 14).
• Care: cold hand wash separately, dry flat in shade, do not soak, iron and tumble dry.
• Styling: wear the tie on the hip you want to show, under a cotton lace short for lunch.

Other SIR swim in pale shades

If you want the same cream palette without crochet, SIR also has the Louis String Triangle Top in Ivory ($240) with the Louis String Brief in Ivory ($240), and the Jacques Mesh Bandeau in Ecru ($240). For texture in a different form, the Resort 2027 drop also has beaded bikinis in dark olive and striped bikinis in Sunset Stripe. The full range sits in our SIR the Label swimwear guide.

Other designers to consider at Coveti

Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail Bikini

The Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail Bikini ($510) is, as the name says, a bikini with crochet detail. The main fabric is listed as 80% polyamide and 20% elastane.

Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail 1PC

The Zimmermann Indra Crochet Detail 1PC ($620) carries the same crochet detail onto a one piece swimsuit, with a main fabric of 80% polyamide and 20% elastane. It suits anyone who wants crochet texture with full-body coverage.

Valextra Soft Tote Raffia Crochet Mini Bag

For the beach bag, the Valextra Soft Tote Raffia Crochet Mini Bag in Beige and Black ($3,260) is crocheted in natural raffia with Millepunte calf leather. It repeats the looped texture of a crochet bikini in a structured accessory.

Magda Butrym Crochet Flat Mules

The Magda Butrym Crochet Flat Mules in Cream ($1,750) have an upper of 75% cotton and 25% viscose. The cream tone matches the Jasmine set closely for a full crochet look from the beach to the bar.

Crochet bikini comparison

Wearing it around the world

The US

From Florida to the Hamptons and Southern California, a crochet bikini is beach and pool club wear. Pair it with a lace short and flat sandals for lunch. SIR size 1 is UK 8; convert UK sizing to US sizing with the SIR the Label size guide before you order.

The UK and Europe

For Mediterranean holidays, the cream crochet sits well with white linen and cotton. Evenings cool quickly on the coast, so pack a cotton layer such as the straight leg pant. SIR sizes map directly to UK sizing: 0 is UK 6 through to 4 at UK 14.

The Gulf (GCC)

In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider Gulf, crochet swim is best kept to hotel pools, private beaches and beach clubs. Bring a cover-up with full legs and a sleeved layer for walking through the hotel, and a head scarf for midday sun. The lightweight lycra dries quickly in the heat, but dry it in shade as SIR advises.

Frequently asked questions

Are crochet bikinis see-through?

A crochet bikini is only see-through if it is unlined. Most designer crochet swimwear has a stretch lining behind the crochet face to control transparency in water. The SIR the Label Jasmine Crochet String Top and Brief in Cream are both fully lined, with a lining of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, so the crochet reads as texture on top of an opaque base.

Can you swim in a crochet bikini?

Yes, provided the bikini has a stretch base and a full lining. The Jasmine set from SIR the Label is cut from lightweight lycra with generous stretch and is fully lined, so it is designed as swimwear rather than a beach-only piece. Tighten the ties before getting in the water, and rinse the set in cool fresh water afterwards.

What is the Jasmine crochet bikini made of?

Both the SIR the Label Jasmine Crochet String Top and Jasmine Crochet String Brief list a main fabric of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, a contrast of 100% cotton and a lining of 80% nylon and 20% spandex. The stretch fabric gives recovery, while the cotton contrast gives a dry, matte crochet surface.

How do you wash a crochet bikini?

Wash it by hand in cold water, separately from other items, then press out the water with a towel and dry it flat in shade. SIR the Label advises against soaking, ironing and tumble drying the Jasmine set. Avoid wringing, which can stretch the crochet loops, and keep it away from rough pool edges.

Does the SIR the Label Jasmine set fit true to size?

Yes. SIR the Label says both Jasmine pieces fit true to size, so select your normal size. They are made in SIR 0 to 4, equal to UK 6 to 14. The model is 178 cm and wears a SIR size 1, which is UK 8.

What is the difference between a crochet bikini and a crochet string bikini?

A crochet bikini is any two-piece with a crochet face. A crochet string bikini has string ties, usually at the neck, back and hips, so you can set the coverage and fit yourself. The SIR the Label Jasmine set is a crochet string bikini: the top ties at the back and works as a halter, and the brief has a single side tie.

What should you wear over a crochet bikini?

Keep the cover-up simple, since crochet already has a strong texture. Cotton lace shorts, straight leg cotton pants and an embroidered cotton halter top all sit well with a cream crochet set. For a full look, a crochet bag and crochet mules repeat the texture without adding colour.

Explore the full label on the SIR the Label brand page, then read our guides to balconette bikinis, beaded bikinis and striped bikinis.