How to STOP Bikini Bottoms and Swimsuits from Riding Up

You are at the beach or the pool, you bend down to grab your towel, and your bikini bottom has crept where it should not be. You spend the rest of the day pulling and adjusting instead of relaxing.

Bikini bottoms and swimsuits ride up because the size is wrong, the elastic is worn out, or the fabric does not grip your skin. Once you fix the right cause, you can actually enjoy wearing them.

Here is how to figure out which cause is yours and what to do about it.

Why Bikini Bottoms Ride Up

The size is wrong

A bikini bottom that is too loose has excess fabric that bunches and rides into a wedgie. One that is too tight stretches across your hips and gets pulled upward every time you move.

The right size should feel snug against your body without digging in. If you are between sizes, go with the larger one and look for adjustable ties.

The elastic is worn out

Swimwear elastic breaks down from chlorine, saltwater, and sun exposure much faster than regular clothing elastic. Once the elastic loses its grip, the fabric has nothing holding it in place.

If the leg openings no longer snap back when you stretch them, the suit is done. According to Real Simple’s swimwear care guide, rinsing your suit in fresh water after every swim is the single most important thing you can do to extend the elastic life.

The fabric does not grip your skin

Smooth, silky fabrics like nylon and polyester slide against your skin. When you bend, sit, or walk, the fabric shifts because there is no friction keeping it in place.

Fabrics with a matte finish or a textured lining grip better. Look for suits with a brushed or slightly rough inner lining instead of a slick one.

Your body shape pulls the fabric

Round, defined buttocks pull the back panel of a bikini bottom inward because the curves create tension that draws the fabric toward the center. This happens regardless of your size.

Wider back panels and higher-cut legs distribute the fabric more evenly and resist riding up better than narrow-backed styles.

How to Stop Bikini Bottoms From Riding Up

Get the right size first

A perfect fit matters more than a perfect pattern. Try the suit on and move around in the dressing room before buying.

Bend over, sit down, and walk. If the fabric shifts or bunches during any of these, it will be worse in the water.

If you are shopping online, order two sizes and return the one that does not stay put.

Moisturize your skin before wearing

This is the simplest trick and it works immediately. Moisturizing your buttocks and upper thighs before putting on your suit creates a light grip between your skin and the fabric.

Any body lotion works. Apply it, let it absorb for a minute, then put on your suit.

The fabric will cling just enough to stay in place without feeling sticky.

Hand wash and skip the dryer

Chlorine and heat destroy swimwear elastic faster than anything else. According to Good Housekeeping’s swimwear guide, rinsing your suit in cool fresh water after every wear and letting it air dry can double the elastic life.

Never wring out your swimsuit. Lay it flat on a towel and roll the towel up to squeeze out excess water, which keeps the elastic intact.

Choose a style with more coverage

High-waisted bikini bottoms (paid link) have more fabric anchoring the suit to your body. The wider waistband sits on your natural waist and holds the bottom panel in place.

Boy-short style swimsuit bottoms also resist riding up because the leg coverage prevents the fabric from bunching at the inner thigh.

Use fashion tape as a backup

Waterproof fashion tape (paid link) sticks to your skin and holds the fabric edge in place. Apply small strips along the leg openings where the suit tends to ride up.

This works best as a backup for suits that almost fit but shift occasionally. It will not save a suit that is the wrong size.

Try a one-piece or tankini

If bikini bottoms ride up no matter what you try, the problem may be the style itself. One-piece swimsuits (paid link) with tummy control hold everything in place because the top and bottom are one continuous piece of fabric.

A tankini gives you the look of a two-piece with the coverage and anchoring of a one-piece.

For related problems, see how to stop shorts from riding up, how to stop underwear from riding up, and how to prevent camel toeing.