Striped Bikinis 2026: Engineered Prints, Matching Skirts and Fit

A striped bikini is a two-piece swimsuit printed, woven and knitted with stripes, whose direction and width change how the cut looks on the body. The new example at Coveti is the Riley Beaded String Triangle Top in Sunset Stripe from SIR the Label, cut with an exclusive print engineered to the garment and finished with resin beads.

• Best striped triangle top: SIR the Label Riley Beaded String Triangle Top, sliding cups, resin beads and a halter option.
• Best striped string brief: SIR the Label Riley String Brief, low rise with adjustable side ties in the same print.
• Best striped cover-up skirt: SIR the Label Riley Mini Skirt, triple-layered mesh with a tie to gather the skirt.
• Best striped top for after swim: SIR the Label Riley Ruched Tank, a fitted ruched mesh tank in the matching stripe.
• Best multi stripe from another house: Simon Miller Bwai Bikini Top in Vibrant Multi Stripe, a bright stripe in nylon and spandex.

What is a striped bikini?

A striped bikini is any two-piece where stripes are the main pattern. The stripe can be printed onto smooth swim fabric, knitted into the fabric and used as a trim along the edge. Printed stripes give the most control over colour and width, which is why many resort labels use them on lycra swim.

The way a stripe is placed matters as much as the colours. Horizontal stripes run across the body and make a cut look wider. Vertical stripes draw the eye up and down. Diagonal and chevron stripes follow the angle of a triangle cup and suit string tops. An engineered print is placed on each pattern piece before the garment is cut, so the stripes are positioned deliberately on the cups and the brief instead of falling wherever the fabric was cut. SIR describes the Riley swim print as engineered to the garment.

Striped bikini versus striped swimsuit

The striped bikini splits the pattern across two pieces, so the stripe can run differently on the top and the brief. A striped one piece carries the stripe across the whole torso, which shows the direction of the stripe more clearly. For full swimsuits in stripes and plain colours, browse the designer swimsuits edit.

How to choose a striped bikini

Check the stripe placement

Look at the product photographs to see where the stripes meet at the centre front of the top and at the side seams of the brief. On a well placed print, the stripes sit symmetrically on each cup. Sliding triangle cups, like those on the Riley triangle top, let you move each cup along the tie to line the stripes up.

Pick a palette you will rewear

Two-colour stripes in navy, black and white read as nautical and classic. Multi-colour stripes in warm tones, such as Sunset Stripe, feel resort and pair well with the plain colours in the print. A tonal stripe in brown and cream is quieter still. Match your cover-up to one colour from the stripe rather than to the whole pattern.

Read the fabric and lining

Swim fabric should recover after stretching. The Riley String Brief and Riley Beaded String Triangle Top list a main fabric of 76% nylon and 24% spandex, with a lining of 74% nylon and 26% spandex, described by SIR as lightweight lycra with generous stretch.

Choose the cut for your coverage

String triangle tops let you set the coverage with sliding cups. Low-rise string briefs with side ties let you set the rise. If you want more support, a balconette cut gives lift; see our balconette bikini guide. If you prefer beads as the main detail, read our guide to beaded bikinis.

Buy the matching ready-to-wear

The advantage of a striped bikini from a ready-to-wear label is that the same print often comes as a skirt, a top and a dress. That lets you build a full look from the beach to dinner without clashing patterns. The Riley print comes as a mini skirt, a ruched tank and a halter mini dress.

How to wear a striped bikini by occasion

Beach and pool

Wear the Riley Beaded String Triangle Top tied at the back for swimming and as a halter for lying out. Pair it with the Riley String Brief, tied firmly before you get in the water.

Beach club and lunch

Pull the Riley Mini Skirt over the brief and use its tie to gather the skirt to the length you want. Keep the rest of the look plain: flat sandals and a cap such as the Club SIR. Cap in Charcoal.

Evening

Swap the bikini top for the Riley Ruched Tank and keep the matching mini skirt for a full print look. For a single piece, the Riley Halter Mini Dress works on its own; our guide to halter mini dresses has more options. To break up the stripe, pair the tank with plain trousers from our straight leg pants guide.

How to care for a striped bikini

Printed swim keeps its colour longest when washed cool and dried out of direct sun. SIR gives two sets of care instructions across the Riley pieces.

For the Riley Beaded String Triangle Top and Riley String Brief:

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

For the Riley Mini Skirt and Riley Ruched Tank:

• Cold gentle machine wash with similar colours, using a mild detergent.
• Do not use fabric softener, do not bleach and do not tumble dry.
• Warm iron on reverse, and cover hardware when dry cleaning.

Rinse swim pieces in cool fresh water after salt water and chlorine, and dry them flat in shade so the print does not fade unevenly.

The SIR the Label Resort 2027 Sunset Stripe pieces

SIR the Label was founded in 2014 by Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote. The Australian label’s name, SIR., stands for Separates, Intimates, Ready-to-wear, and its Resort 2027 drop includes a full Sunset Stripe capsule across swim and ready-to-wear. See the SIR the Label Resort 2027 guide for the wider collection.

Riley Beaded String Triangle Top in Sunset Stripe

The Riley Beaded String Triangle Top ($250) is a triangle bikini top in lightweight lycra with generous stretch and an exclusive SIR. print engineered to the garment. It has sliding cups, adjustable ties at the back, resin beads and adjustable coverage, and 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: designed to pair with the Riley String Brief.

Riley String Brief in Sunset Stripe

The Riley String Brief ($250) is a low-rise bikini brief in lightweight lycra with the same engineered SIR. print. It has adjustable side ties for a customised fit and adjustable coverage.

• 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 under the Riley Mini Skirt from the beach to lunch.

Riley Mini Skirt in Sunset Stripe

The Riley Mini Skirt ($400) is a pull-on mini skirt in triple-layered mesh with slight stretch and an exclusive SIR. print. It has a functional tie to gather the skirt and is fully lined in a contrast lining.

• Fabric: main 94% polyester, 6% elastane; lining 94% polyester, 6% elastane.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 175 cm and wears a SIR size 0.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0P to 4, which is UK 4 to 14 (0P is a petite cut equal to UK 4).
• Care: cold gentle machine wash with similar colours, mild detergent, no fabric softener, no bleach, no tumble dry, warm iron on reverse.
• Styling: over the Riley brief at the beach, with the ruched tank for evening. See more in the designer mini skirts edit.

Riley Ruched Tank in Sunset Stripe

The Riley Ruched Tank ($400) is a fitted tank in triple-layered mesh with slight stretch and an exclusive SIR. print. It has a straight neckline, contrast binding through the neckline and straps, ruching for a gathered finish and an invisible zip through the side seam. It is fully lined in a contrast lining.

• Fabric: main 94% polyester, 6% elastane; lining 94% polyester, 6% elastane.
• Fit: fits true to size. The model is 175 cm and wears a SIR size 0.
• Sizing in UK: SIR 0P to 4, which is UK 4 to 14.
• Care: cold gentle machine wash with similar colours, mild detergent, no fabric softener, no bleach, no tumble dry, warm iron on reverse.
• Styling: with the matching mini skirt, and with plain cotton trousers. Browse more in the designer tops edit.

More striped SIR swim already at Coveti

SIR has other striped swim in stock, including the Calypso String Triangle Top in Sorbet Stripe ($280) with the Calypso String Brief in Sorbet Stripe ($280), the Alva Halter Triangle Top in Laila Stripe ($280), the Leilana String Triangle Top in Garden Stripe ($250) and the Marlowe Reversible String Triangle Top in Monochrome Stripe ($280). For a cover-up, the Calypso Sarong in Sorbet Stripe ($380) matches the Calypso set. The full range is in our SIR the Label swimwear guide.

Other designers to consider at Coveti

Simon Miller Bwai Bikini in Vibrant Multi Stripe

The Simon Miller Bwai Bikini Top in Vibrant Multi Stripe ($270) and the Bwai Bikini Bottom in Vibrant Multi Stripe ($270) are sold separately. Both are listed in 80% nylon and 20% spandex.

Toteme Stripe Tie Bikini Top in Walnut

The Toteme Stripe Tie Bikini Top in Walnut ($300) is a tie top in 43% recycled RCS polyamide, 29% polyamide and 28% elastane, in a brown tone.

Toteme Stripe Edge Swimsuit in Walnut

The Toteme Stripe Edge Swimsuit in Walnut ($410) uses the stripe as an edge on a one piece, in the same 43% recycled RCS polyamide, 29% polyamide and 28% elastane fabric.

Amiri MA Multi Stripe Bikini Set

The Amiri MA Multi Stripe Bikini Set ($770) is sold as a set, in 78% nylon and 22% elastane.

Dolce & Gabbana Carretto-Print Triangle Bikini

The Dolce & Gabbana Carretto-Print Triangle Bikini in Multicolour Stripe ($1,050) is a triangle bikini with an outer fabric of 74% polyamide and 26% elastane.

Verdelimon Tijuana Stripes One Piece

The Verdelimon Tijuana Stripes One Piece Swimsuit ($245) is a striped one piece in 80% polyester and 20% Lycra.

Striped bikini comparison

Wearing it around the world

The US

A multi-colour stripe suits beach towns from Montauk to Malibu, where the matching mini skirt takes the bikini to lunch. Use the SIR the Label size guide to convert UK sizing to US sizing before ordering.

The UK and Europe

On European coasts, the Sunset Stripe sits well with plain white cotton and tan leather. Evenings can be cool, so pack the ruched tank with a light jacket. SIR sizes map directly to UK sizing, from 0 at UK 6 to 4 at UK 14, with 0P at UK 4 on the ready-to-wear.

The Gulf (GCC)

In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider Gulf, keep the bikini for hotel pools and private beaches. For walking through the hotel, add a long cover-up with sleeves; the Riley Mini Skirt and Ruched Tank are best worn with a light layer over the shoulders in public spaces. Dry printed swim in shade, as strong sun fades colour.

Frequently asked questions

What is an engineered stripe print?

An engineered print is placed on each pattern piece before the garment is cut, so the design lines up on the finished piece instead of falling at random. SIR the Label describes the Sunset Stripe print on the Riley Beaded String Triangle Top and Riley String Brief as an exclusive SIR. print engineered to the garment.

What is the SIR the Label Riley bikini made of?

The Riley Beaded String Triangle Top and Riley String Brief in Sunset Stripe list a main fabric of 76% nylon and 24% spandex, with a lining of 74% nylon and 26% spandex. SIR the Label describes it as lightweight lycra with generous stretch. The top also has resin beads.

Is there a matching skirt for the Riley striped bikini?

Yes. The Riley Mini Skirt in Sunset Stripe is a pull-on mini skirt in triple-layered mesh with a functional tie to gather it. SIR the Label also makes the Riley Ruched Tank and the Riley Halter Mini Dress in the same print, so the bikini can be worn as part of a full matching look.

Do SIR the Label striped pieces fit true to size?

Yes. SIR the Label says all four Riley pieces fit true to size. The bikini top and brief are made in SIR 0 to 4, which is UK 6 to 14. The Riley Mini Skirt and Ruched Tank add a 0P petite cut, so they run from UK 4 to UK 14.

How do you wash a striped bikini?

Hand wash it in cold water, separately, then dry it flat in shade. For the Riley swim pieces, SIR the Label advises against soaking, ironing and tumble drying. Rinse in cool fresh water after the sea and the pool, and keep printed swim out of direct sun while drying so the colour stays even.

Do horizontal stripes make a bikini look wider?

Horizontal stripes run across the body and tend to emphasise width, while vertical stripes draw the eye up and down. On a triangle top, the stripe often follows the angle of the cup instead. Sliding cups, as on the SIR the Label Riley top, let you move each cup to position the stripes.

Shop the full label on the SIR the Label brand page, and read our guides to crochet bikinis, beaded bikinis and brands like SIR the Label.