The Upside-Down Bikini Is Going Viral, With Kylie Jenner and Ashley Graham on Board

Published on 7/11/2023 at 5:53 PM

Courtesy of Kylie Cosmetics

As is the case with many a popular swimwear trend, the Kardashian-Jenners are largely responsible for bringing the upside down bikini top to social media. In fact, supermodel Kendall Jenner first gave way to the idea of transforming a standard, string-tie triangle top in March 2020, when she laid on the beach in a Sommer Swim design with a memorable baroque print. Jenner had masterfully tied the cords of her top together across the front of her bust, making for a cutout bandeau that was a fitting complement to her barely-there Brazilian bottoms. As time has progressed, her sisters Kylie Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian have given the trend a go, twisting their own straps in a criss-cross fashion at the chest to fasten behind the neck, achieving a halter silhouette. Kendall followed suit in July 2022, posing for a FWRD campaign on Instagram in a similar sunshine-yellow bikini with a metallic sheen.

Meanwhile, other models and creators, including Ashley Graham and Addison Rae, have brought the trend into 2023, rocking a leopard top upside down and a rhinestone-embellished pink bikini, respectively. Their method involves tracing the bottom, elastic portion of the top around their cleavage, circling it like a makeshift neckline. The closure that is meant to clasp at the back of the neck is therefore situated at the back.

While Elsa Hosk and Hailey Bieber also flaunted their own takes last year, Graham, Rae, and Kylie Jenner prove the staying power of this DIY swimwear trick extends far into 2023. After all, the hack is all over TikTok, and we only expect it to stay on the rise with more celebrity influence. Ahead, see how the stars are wearing the upside down bikini trend, then check out the thongkini bottom, sheer swimwear, and the '80s-inspired high-leg cut, as these aesthetics are also running rampant this summer.

Kylie Jenner Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

In June 2023, Jenner wore a metallic orange bikini top upside down, criss-crossing the straps above the bust line to create a halter and amplify her cleavage as she posed with her tinted butter balm for @kyliecosmetics.

Ashley Graham Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

While vacationing aboard a yacht with husband Justin Ervin in June 2023, Graham styled her leopard bikini top upside down, shaping the elastic bottom across her breasts instead of under the bust line. She finished the look with high-waisted black briefs, a baseball cap, and jewelry.

Addison Rae Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

Rae sported a pink rhinestone bikini by Italian swimwear brand Seashell Bikini in June 2023, posing from multiple angles to show off her leg tattoos, as well as her delicate everyday jewelry from Annele.

Kendall Jenner Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

Jenner proved she was still every bit the fan of the upside down bikini in July 2022, when she sported a marigold two-piece underneath a chic red cropped cardigan for a FWRD campaign that she posted to Instagram.

Hailey Bieber Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

While promoting her collaboration with Vogue Eyewear in May 2022, Bieber sported an orange bikini top upside down, positioning the string tie of the suit at the front of her chest. She accessorized with her artfully-shaped sunglasses and layered necklaces, including a chainlink style with a single pearl pendant.

Elsa Hosk Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

In April 2022, the supermodel flaunted two major swimwear trends — both by employing the upside down bikini and rocking a crochet bucket hat as her final accessory. Hosk's two-piece from FWRD was also a major foreshadow to the ever-popular Barbiecore color palette.

Kourtney Kardashian Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

Kardashian kept the upside down bikini top relevant at the beginning of 2021, enjoying a January dip in the pool in this bright red string two-piece that she turned into a strappy, criss-cross halter.

Kendall Jenner Wearing the Upside Down Bikini

Jenner's baroque-printed bikini from Sommer Swim was one of the first signs of this DIY, makeshift trend coming to fruition in March 2020. While snacking on fruit beachside, the supermodel also wore a wide-brimmed woven sunhat.