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What Is a Very High Cut Swimsuit?

A high cut (or high leg) swimsuit raises the leg opening up the side of the hip, so more of the upper leg and outer hip is uncovered and the side line runs higher than a standard cut. “Very high cut” is the stronger end of that line.

The cut applies to both constructions: high-leg bikini bottoms and high-cut one-pieces, monokinis and bodysuits all share the raised leg line.

High cut is the leg line; the garment above it is a separate choice.

High Cut vs. Standard vs. Cheeky: The Leg Line

Leg openings run on their own scale, separate from the waistband and from back coverage:

• Standard leg — the opening sits at the hip crease.
• High cut — the opening rises up the outer hip.
• Very high cut — the side runs highest, close to the waist on the hip bone.

Cheeky is a different axis: it describes how much of the back is covered, not where the leg line sits. A bottom can be high cut and cheeky, or high cut with fuller back coverage — the leg line and the back coverage are chosen separately.

Leg line and back coverage are two dials, not one.

The Styles in This Collection

The high leg line shows up across these silhouettes:

• High-cut cheeky and Brazilian bottoms
• High-leg thong styles
• Cutout and zip-front one-pieces
• High-cut monokinis and thong bodysuits
• Ribbed, wrinkled and sheer fabrics on high legs

Prices run from about $23 to $47, and sizes from XS to XL with a few one-size pieces.

Pick the garment first, then how high the leg runs.

Wearing and Fit

The leg opening does the fitting work: the elastic along the leg should sit flat without digging, and the height of the opening varies between brands — “very high cut” on one listing can differ from another, so check photos and measurements.

A higher opening means more sun exposure on the outer hip and upper leg — factor in sunscreen. For movement, styles with snug leg elastic hold their line better than loose cuts; sit-test the fit before active days.

Leg elastic flat, opening height checked, sunscreen on.

How to Choose

Work through four decisions:

• Garment: bottoms, one-piece, monokini or bodysuit
• Leg height: high or very high
• Back coverage: thong, cheeky or fuller
• Waistband: low-rise, mid or high-waist

Sizes run XS to XL with some one-size pieces — check each listing’s chart.

Garment first, leg height second, back coverage third.