Aerie String Triangle Bikini Top
Lower PFAS concern, untreated swimwear unlikely to require water-repellent coating chemicals.
Aerie's string bikini top is standard nylon/polyester swimwear with no disclosed waterproof or stain-resistant coatings. The brand has not made public PFAS claims.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon/polyester blend (standard swimwear)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Aerie String Triangle Bikini Top is made of, ingredients and materials
This bikini top is a nylon and polyester blend, the industry standard for swimwear because both fabrics are hydrophobic, durable, and quick-drying. Neither material requires chemical treatment to repel water, making PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings unlikely. The blend is stable under normal use and does not leach monomers into skin or water at body temperature.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Polyester and nylon are typically dyed with reactive or disperse azo dyes in standard manufacturing. Aerie does not publish dye-safety standards; some azo dyes can release carcinogenic amines under degradation or skin moisture, though risk is low for brief skin contact and intact fabric.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester-nylon blends may use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or shape retention in elastic and seams. Aerie does not disclose finishing chemistry; residual formaldehyde can leach into sweat or water, though levels in swimwear are typically below health-alert thresholds for brief use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Elastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber shedding
All swimwear containing elastane (common in Aerie bikinis for stretch and fit) sheds microfibers during washing and wear. These synthetic microplastics persist in aquatic ecosystems; rinsing by hand before washing and using a mesh bag can reduce shedding by 30-50 percent.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or public testing data specific to Aerie swimwear indicate heavy-metal contamination. Industry use of cadmium and lead in dyes is declining due to regulatory pressure, but Aerie does not certify restriction to alternatives with lower concern.
Source, FDA ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a common polyester catalyst; residual levels are generally very low in finished fabric and do not migrate to skin under normal conditions. Aerie does not test or certify antimony limits, but this is not a documented concern for consumer swimwear in the available literature.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Aerie (American Eagle's intimates subsidiary) has not issued detailed chemical disclosure statements specific to swimwear composition or restricted substance lists. The brand has positioned itself as body-positive and sustainable-leaning, but public transparency on textile chemical safety is limited. No recalls or safety incidents specific to Aerie swimwear are documented in available sources.
How it compares in its category
Nylon-polyester blends dominate mass-market swimwear and occupy the mid-safety tier of the category. Higher-cost brands may offer recycled polyester or certified low-chemical manufacturing; budget brands may use lower-quality dyes or finishes. Aerie's positioning and price point suggest standard industry-typical dyeing and finishing, with no evidence of premium or substandard chemical protocols.
If you buy it
Rinse thoroughly after saltwater or chlorinated pool use to remove residual chemicals and salt, which can accelerate fabric breakdown. Wash in cool water with mild detergent; hot water can degrade elastic and accelerate color fading from dyes. Air-dry away from direct heat and sunlight to extend life. Replace when elastic loses tension, seams fray, or color fades significantly, typically after 40-60 wears with good care.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Aerie has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Aerie String Triangle Bikini Top?
- Nylon/polyester blend with elastane (standard swimwear)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Elastane (spandex) degradation under heat or chlorine
More swimwear grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.