The G-string bikini trend hits Sydney beaches (2024)

With the autumn heatwave sweeping Sydney this week, record numbers have flocked to the beaches to work on their tans.

None more so than the hundreds of women - who have taken a leaf out of Latin American and European books and opted for a 'cheeky' G-string bikini style.

But why is the style becoming such a swimwear mainstay? FEMAIL spoke to women at Sydney's Bondi Beach to find out why they have chosen to forgo traditional briefs in favour of the cheeky bikini bottoms.

Daniela Silva, 35, and Amanda Brazie, 24

As Brazilian women, Daniela and Amanda told FEMAIL that such styles are the norm where they come from:

'In Brazil, we show our butts,' Daniela, 35, laughed. 'Whatever the age, it gives you the best tan and G-string bikinis make your bum look better.'

Amanda, 24, agreed with her friend:

'It's not sexy to wear material,' she said. 'Cheeky bikini bottoms look beautiful if you've got the right bum.'

A 77-year-old onlooker of the women, Avis Lotz, who was with her daughter, agreed, saying that 'if the style looks good, I can see why they wear it'.

Maddie Mathiesen, 23, and Ingvild Kjeldsen, 23

Norwegian pair, Maddie and Ingvild, both 23, said they love the cheeky G-string style, principally for the amazing tan it gives their entire bodies:

'I think it looks so much better,' Maddie said. 'And I think my butt looks bigger when I wear more material.'

She added that such a style can help to lengthen your legs, make you look slimmer and taller: 'I think they look great,' Maddie said.

Maddie and Ingvild said they shop for swimwear mostly online, on sites like Zaful. When they hit the shops, they head to the likes of H&M and Topshop.

Federica Peruzzo, 33, and Jessica Marino, 29

As Italian women, Federica, 33, and Jessica, 29, know all too well the advantages of the G-string bikini:

'We are Italian. Everyone wears them there! No one has a normal bikini,' Federica said.

'They tan your bum. I like the line they give,' Jessica added.

The Sydney-based friends added that they will shop on Bamba Swim and Mikoh when looking for cheeky styles.

'It's when you're older, perhaps in your 50s, that you should think about a one piece.'

Fanny Bystrom, 20

In her red bikini, Fanny told FEMAIL that cheeky bikini bottoms are big in her home country of Sweden - and she can see why they're catching on in Australia.

'The tan is so good that you get from them,' she said. 'I bought my bottoms from Glue, but I also love getting bikinis from General Pants.'

Annie Krage, 19

Annie has lived in Australia since February, when she arrived from Iowa in the United States.

'I like the style because it helps with my all-body tan,' she explained. 'I get my bottoms from Topshop.'

Karina Irby, who is the owner of Australian cheeky bikini label Moana, told FEMAIL she had always had an interest in bringing this style to Oz.

'I always had a HUGE interest in cheekier-cut swimwear, and especially those with bold, unique designs. Unfortunately, there weren't many brands producing the styles I wanted, or my friends wanted, or at least not in Australia at that point in time,' she said.

'But it wasn't until a holiday in Hawaii where I started to see a few more brands heading in the direction I was interested in. One thing led to another and I began wholesaling for a Hawaiian company that attempted to satisfy the growing demand for cheekier cut, eye-catching swimwear.

'While Moana still manufacture bikinis with varying levels of coverage (we have three levels of coverage all together across our range to cater for all desires), our skimpier cuts definitely have garnered the most interest and sales over the past couple of years.

'We really noticed the start and popularity of this trend and style, perhaps, around five years ago. But, in the last two years, skimpier cuts have really been the norm, and our highest sellers, as more and more girls become comfortable in their own skin and want to flaunt this confidence - which is what a bikini is all about, really.'

She also had come advice for less body confident women who might be worried about the lack of material.

'While some people may not be comfortable rocking a small bikini, or some people might not like the way it looks on other people, I actually believe that a smaller bikini will fit and showcase your body better than a bikini with much more coverage.

'The way the lycra hugs the body in a skimpier cut is actually far more positive and flattering for your body. Those bikinis with more coverage are more prone to bunching and sagging and it can make your body, and booty, look far worse than it might in a skimpier cut.'