 Certain types of underwear are described as bikini underwear and designed for men and women . For women , bikini or bikini @-@ style underwear is underwear that is similar in size and form to a regular bikini . It can refer to virtually any undergarment that provides less coverage to the midriff than traditional underwear , panties or knickers , especially suited to clothing such as crop tops . For men , bikini briefs are undergarments that are smaller and more revealing than men 's regular briefs . Men 's bikini briefs can be low- or high @-@ side that are usually lower than true waist , often at hips , and usually have no access pouch or flap , legs bands at tops of thighs . String bikini briefs have front and rear sections that meet in the crotch but not at the waistband , with no fabric on the side of the legs . 
