Walk onto Ipanema or Copacabana and you’ll realize pretty fast that everything you thought you knew about swimwear is probably wrong. Seriously. In the U.S. or Europe, we tend to treat a tiny bikini like it's some sort of exclusive club for people who spend six hours a day at the gym. In Brazil? It’s basically the national uniform.
The string bikinis in Brazil aren’t just about showing skin. It’s a culture. It’s a vibe. It’s a way of moving through the world that doesn’t care about your "imperfections."
I’ve spent a lot of time watching how the locals—the Cariocas—interact with the ocean. There is zero hesitation. You see grandmothers in neon thongs and teenagers in mismatched triangles, all of them owning the sand like they’re on a Parisian runway. If you’re looking for a "modest" cut, you’re in the wrong zip code. Here, the goal is the tan. Specifically, the marquinha—that crisp, razor-sharp tan line that serves as a status symbol of a life well-lived under the equator.
The Engineering of the Fio Dental
People call them "dental floss" bikinis for a reason. In Portuguese, it’s fio dental.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just a strip of fabric. There is a weirdly specific science to how these things are made. Unlike American suits that use heavy, thick spandex that can feel like a diaper when wet, Brazilian Lycra is thinner and more tactile. Brands like Salinas or Lenny Niemeyer (founded by the legendary Lenny Niemeyer, who moved from Rio to São Paulo and basically invented high-fashion beachwear) prioritize how the fabric moves with the body.
A real Brazilian string bikini uses a sliding triangle top. You adjust it based on the sun, not just your bust size. The bottoms are almost always "scrunch" style—levanta bumbum—which uses a bit of elasticated ruching in the center back to create a heart shape. It’s an optical illusion. It makes everything look a bit more lifted. It’s clever engineering disguised as minimalism.
Honestly, the "American" version of a string bikini usually has too much fabric in the back. It sags. In Brazil, the rule is simple: less fabric equals less sag. By reducing the surface area, the suit stays put even when you’re getting absolutely hammered by the Atlantic shorebreak.
Why the Marquinha is the Ultimate Goal
You can’t talk about beach culture here without talking about the obsession with tan lines. It is a literal industry. There are rooftop "spas" in neighborhoods like Realengo where women lie out for hours with electrical tape applied to their bodies in the shape of a bikini. Why tape? Because it doesn't move. It ensures the marquinha is perfectly symmetrical.
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Erika Bronze is probably the most famous name in this world. She became a sensation after showing up in an Anitta music video ("Vai Malandra"). She uses a specific technique with the tape to ensure that when her clients put on their string bikinis in Brazil, the lines match up perfectly with the fabric. It sounds extreme. It is extreme. But it speaks to the level of dedication Brazilians have for the sun.
Not All Beaches Are Created Equal
If you think you can just wear any old thing to any beach, you’re gonna stand out as a tourist. Fast.
Rio is the epicenter. At Posto 9, the vibe is young, trendy, and very political. You’ll see the tiniest of strings there. But if you head south to Florianópolis, the style shifts slightly toward something more "surfy" and athletic, though still decidedly Brazilian. In the northeast, like in Trancoso or Porto de Galinhas, the suits might incorporate more artisanal touches—crochet, shells, or local beadwork.
But across all these regions, the silhouette remains the same. The string bikini is the baseline.
- The Top: Usually a sliding triangle. Never padded. Padding is considered "too much" and looks fake under the bright Brazilian sun.
- The Sides: Very thin strings. No thick hip bands that dig into the skin.
- The Back: Brazilian cut or thong. Full coverage is almost non-existent among locals.
The Body Positivity Nobody Tells You About
There is a massive misconception that Brazil is only full of supermodels. We can probably blame Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima for that. But the reality on the ground is way more diverse.
Brazil has a complicated relationship with beauty standards—it’s the plastic surgery capital of the world, after all—but on the beach, something shifts. There’s a democratic feeling to it. You’ll see women of all shapes, sizes, and ages wearing the same tiny string bikinis in Brazil. Nobody is hiding under a sarong. There is a total lack of "beach body" anxiety because the "beach body" is just whatever body happens to be on the beach.
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I remember talking to a local vendor selling açai on the sand. I asked him about the "rules" for who should wear what. He laughed. He basically said that the only rule is that the suit has to fit. If it's too big, it looks sloppy. If it's small, it looks purposeful.
It’s about the "Ginga." That’s a word that’s hard to translate, but it’s a sort of soulful grace or swagger. If you have ginga, you can wear a piece of string and look like royalty.
The Role of Men’s Swimwear (The Sunga)
Just to be fair, it’s not just the women. Men have their own version: the sunga. It’s a square-cut, tight trunk. If a man shows up in long, baggy American board shorts, he is immediately pegged as a foreigner. Board shorts are for surfing; sungas are for "being." It’s the same philosophy—less fabric, more freedom, better tan.
Buying Authentic: Don't Get Scammed by "Brazilian Style"
If you’re looking to buy one, stop searching for "Brazilian style" on Amazon. Those are usually Chinese-made knockoffs that don't get the proportions right. The rise is usually too high or the crotch is too wide.
True Brazilian brands understand the "Golden Ratio" of the hip. You want brands like Farm Rio for the prints, Poko Pano for the classic cuts, or Vix Paula Hermanny if you want something that feels a bit more luxury and "yacht-ready."
Also, look at the ties. Authentic strings are long. Like, really long. This allows you to tie them high on the hip bone, which elongates the leg. If the strings are short, you’re forced to tie them at the waist, which can create that "muffin top" look that most people are trying to avoid.
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A History of Resistance
The bikini wasn’t always this small. In the 1960s, Rio was actually quite conservative. When the bikini first started shrinking, the "decency police" would actually patrol the sand with measuring tapes.
Actresses like Leila Diniz changed everything. In 1971, she was photographed pregnant on the beach in a bikini. At the time, that was a huge scandal. But it broke the dam. It turned the bikini from a piece of clothing into a symbol of feminist liberation and bodily autonomy. Choosing to wear string bikinis in Brazil today is a nod to that history of taking up space and refusing to be ashamed.
Sustainability and the Future
We’re starting to see a shift toward eco-fabrics. Because Brazil has such a deep connection to its natural landscape—the Amazon, the coast—brands are feeling the pressure to ditch the standard nylon.
Look for "Amni Eco Soul." It’s a Brazilian-developed yarn that’s biodegradable. It takes about three years to decompose in a landfill, whereas standard synthetics take decades. Brands like Haight are leading this minimalist, sustainable movement. Their suits are thicker, more architectural, but they still keep that essential Brazilian soul.
How to Wear One Without Feeling Exposed
If you’re new to this, the jump from a one-piece to a string can feel like a lot. Start with the "half-cup" or a slightly wider side-tie.
The secret is the confidence. If you’re constantly pulling at the fabric or trying to adjust the back, you’re going to feel uncomfortable. The trick is to put it on, tie it tight, and then forget it exists. The beach in Brazil is for socializing, playing futevôlei (foot volleyball), and drinking cold chopp (draft beer). It’s not for worrying about your outfit.
- Tie them high: Pull the side strings up above your iliac crest (the hip bone). It makes a world of difference for your silhouette.
- Ditch the padding: Trust the fabric. It dries faster and looks more natural.
- Mix and match: Brazilians rarely wear the perfect matching set. It looks too "try-hard." Pair a patterned top with a solid string bottom.
- The Pareo is your best friend: A canga (sarong) is the only accessory you need. You use it as a towel, a dress, a headwrap, or a bag.
The Verdict
The string bikinis in Brazil are more than just fashion. They are a cultural touchstone that challenges the way the rest of the world thinks about beauty. It’s not about having the perfect body; it’s about having the perfect attitude toward the body you have.
When you strip away the excess fabric, you’re left with the person. And in Brazil, that person is always invited to the party.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe
- Check the Label: Look for "Made in Brazil" to ensure the Lycra quality and the specific "scrunch" tailoring.
- Embrace the Canga: Stop carrying a heavy terry-cloth towel. Buy a thin, cotton canga to wrap around your waist when walking from the sand to the quiosque.
- Focus on Skincare: Since you’ll be showing more skin, a high-quality, reef-safe sunscreen is non-negotiable. Brazilians love a glow, but they respect the sun's power.
- Try the High-Leg Cut: If you’re nervous about the back, focus on the "high-cut" front. It gives you the Brazilian aesthetic while feeling a bit more secure.