The Thongkini Is Hollywood's Swimsuit of Choice
As if Beyoncé rocking a crystal bikini on the "Renaissance" album cover wasn't already an indicator, the thongkini is officially summer's hottest swimwear trend. The thongkini, or thong bikini, looks like a traditional two-piece swimsuit from the front, but in the back, it features a thin strip of material designed to show as much skin as possible.
Recently, some of the biggest swimsuit connoisseurs have embraced thongkinis without hesitation. SZA nailed "#KFedcore" in a plunging thongkini styled with a red trucker hat. Olivia Rodrigo took a dip in the waters of Maui in a black bikini set with a cheeky bottom. Kim Kardashian did cartwheels on the beach wearing a black thongkini bottom paired with a white T-shirt. Halle Bailey wowed in Jamaica in a Montce green printed thongkini with a wraparound strappy top. Lizzo posed in a super-strappy thongkini, styling it with beaded jewelry and a sheer coverup. Kendall Jenner went for a full thong style in a Heavy Manners set replete with a floral brushstroke print. Anitta posed in Brazil wearing red thongkini bottoms paired with a graphic T-shirt and matching baseball cap.
Chlöe took a dip in a nude string thongkini, and Kim and Khloé Kardashian sported black thongkinis from their respective brands, Skims and Good American, while in Turks and Caicos. Simone Biles has embraced the thriving trend on countless vacations, most notably rocking a neon-green thongkini during a birthday trip with fiancé Jonathan Owens. And the sultry silhouette has won the hearts of bloggers and influencers all over TikTok and Instagram, cementing itself as the reigning style of the season.
The thongkini was a staple on major '90s runways, including Chanel's spring 1995 show, where supermodels like Beverly Johnson and Helena Christensen famously showed off the swimwear trend. Their crystal bikinis — featuring a thong emblazoned with the Chanel logo — became instantly iconic. Today, the trend is back on the catwalk at Miami Swim Week, where brands like Matte Collection and Riot Swim embraced the style.
What Is the Thongkini Trend?
The thongkini, also known as a thong bikini, is a high-cut swimwear style that comes with a triangle-shaped bottom with minimal coverage over the hips and butt, reminiscent of a bodybuilder's uniform. Even though the thongkini is enjoying a resurgence today, the revealing style was invented by designer Rudi Gernreich in the '70s, and it populated several high-fashion runways throughout the '80s and '90s.
The thongkini trend encourages people to display their body confidence, unbound by the limitations of the conventional, full-coverage bikini bottom. And for those who want more coverage, don't hesitate to explore one-piece swimsuits with high-cut thongs.
If the head-turning look resonates with you, keep scrolling for the best celebrity takes on the trend.
Anitta Wearing a Printed, Ruffle Thongkini
Anitta danced in a video on Instagram wearing a thongkini from Sydney Sweeney's collection with Frankies Bikinis. The string bikini featured a dreamy print and ruffle detail — and Anitta styled it with a matching coverup.
Vanessa Hudgens Wearing a Pink Thongkini
Effortlessly mastering the Barbiecore trend, Hudgens wore the Xandra Bikini from Hunza G in a striking, hot-pink hue.
Lori Harvey Wearing a Dior Thongkini
Lori Harvey embraced the trend in an unconventional way while celebrating her dad's birthday in the Bahamas. For the special occasion, the Skn by LH founder paired an archival printed Dior bikini from spring 2003 with an oversize pink Seyit Ares shirt. She finished her beach-ready look with a cowboy hat and an array of gold accessories to match.
Lizzo Wearing a Gold Thongkini
While on vacation, Lizzo confidently posed in a gold design featuring a crisscross strap and tie at the waist.
Kim Kardashian Wearing a Metallic Skims Thongkini
Serving all the futuristic vibes, Kardashian wore a self-made bikini from her shapewear and clothing brand, Skims. While the brand's venture into swimwear is no secret, the business mogul's thongkini is from a new collection launch.
Simone Biles Wearing a Green Thongkini
Simone Biles has a full swimwear drawer, as exhibited on her birthday trip to Turks and Caicos. The swimwear-loving gymnast posed in a neon green thongkini, paired with a bucket hat of the same hue.
Beyoncé Wearing a Nusi Quero Thongkini
With no need for a tropical setting, Beyoncé posed in a crystal, sculptural Nuso Quero bikini on the cover of her critically-acclaimed album "Renaissance." Styled by Marni Senofonte and Vance Gamble, the pop star wore the statement swimsuit with liquid silver heels.
Hailey Bieber Wearing a Tie-Dye Thongkini
While on a trip to an undisclosed location, Bieber nailed the model-off-duty aesthetic in a tie-dye bikini from Tropic of C. She teamed the colorful look with crisscross body jewelry, Balenciaga B Chain earrings, and a cotton Jacquemus sun hat.
Jennifer Lopez Wearing a White Thongkini
In an at-home mirror selfie, the singer channeled the '80s in a sporty white one-piece by Heart of Sun, featuring a high-cut thong bottom, a plunging neckline, and cutouts at the waist.
Keep scrolling to shop our favorite thongkinis.
Addison Rae Wearing a Pink Thongkini
Addison Rae enjoyed some sand and sun in a pink embellished thongkini, which showed off her new leg tattoos.
Sofia Vergara Wearing a Black Thongkini
Sofia Vergara looked stunning as she sunbathed by the pool topless with a tiny black thongkini bottom.
Chlöe Wearing a Nude Thongkini
Chlöe reminisced about trips to Dubai and Brazil with a series of photos on Instagram, including a sultry shot in a nude thongkini. The "Pray It Away" singer styled the swimsuit with gold jewelry, blue-lens sunglasses, and her famously gorgeous locs dyed bright red.
Lizzo Wearing a Blue Thongkini
Lizzo made a splash in a two-piece swimsuit with a nature-inspired print, embracing the string bikini and thong-bottom trend in one fell swoop.
Kim Kardashian Wearing a Gray Thongkini
Kim Kardashian closed out the year embracing one of the biggest 2022 trends: the thongkini. In a selfie, she showcased a string-bikini style with thong bottoms, complementing the light-colored swimsuit with her platinum-blond dye job.
Emma Roberts Wearing a Green Thongkini
Emma Roberts incorporated footwear into the mix, pairing a Victoria's Secret green thongkini with high-heeled wedges from Aldo for a photo in front of the mountains.
Hailey Bieber Wearing a Red Thongkini
Hailey Bieber tried out some of her Rhode Skin products wearing a wet "Got Milk" T-shirt and a tiny string red thongkini.
Halle Bailey Wearing a Green Thongkini
Halle Bailey looked stunning in Jamaica wearing a Montce green-and-brown printed thongkini with a wraparound strappy top. She let her gorgeous locs flow freely and added a pop of color with a soft, pink lip.
Kendall Jenner Wearing a Floral Thongkini
Jenner wore a Heavy Manners Miss Tortula underwire top with a delicate ruffle trim along the balconette. Her matching high-rise Miss Tortula bottom featured the same floral brushstroke print, and she capped off the look with a baseball cap from her own 818 Tequila brand.
Lizzo Wearing a Printed Thongkini
Lizzo accessorizes a super-strappy printed thongkini with beaded jewelry and a sheer coverup.
Heidi Klum Wearing a Black Thongkini
Heidi Klum posed topless in a tiny black string thongkini on Instagram.
Hailey Bieber Wearing a Neon Mismatched Thongkini
Hailey Bieber took a dip in a cold plunge wearing a neon-and-black mismatched thongkini.
Anitta Wearing a Red Thongkini Bottom
Anitta shows off her heart butt tattoo in a red thongkini styled with a graphic T-shirt and matching baseball cap.
Kim Kardashian Wearing a Black Thongkini
Kim Kardashian does cartwheels in a barely there thongkini bottom, which she paired with a tied-up, fitted white T-shirt.
Olivia Rodrigo Wearing a Black Thongkini
Click through to see Rodrigo taking a dip in the water while on vacation in Maui, sporting a black thongkini bikini set with her long, brown hair left down.
SZA Wearing a Plunging Thongkini
Styling her barely there thongkini with a red trucker hat, SZA hilariously dubs her look "kfedcore" in the perfect nod to the 2000s.
Anitta Wearing a Pink Thongkini
Anitta looked stunning in a pink string thongkini designed by I.AM.GIA.