Bathing suits come in many different shapes, sizes, patterns, colors and fabric. Find out what's best for you.

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 Home: What bathing suit should I buy?

What bathing suit should I buy?

Go into a store or shop online for a swimsuit, and you’ll be quickly overwhelmed by the variety of choices offered. One piece or two piece? What color, fashion and pattern? What clothing material is best? Before you go shopping for a suit that simply “looks good”, ask yourself a simple question: “What am I going to use it for?”

Beach wear manufacturers don’t just guess what will look good next season: they first construct a suit based on how it will be used. So, what will you be doing the next time you’re at the beach?

Swimming and Playing

If you will be swimming a lot, look for a sturdy, one-piece bathing suit or tankini with strong straps and a greater percentage of polyester. Many women have learned the hard way what happens to a bikini top when a strong wave hits! Lycra and nylon are more comfortable and stretchy, but they are also less durable. If you swim in a public pool, chlorine and other chemicals are particularly harsh on Lycra, so look for a suit that advertises itself as chlorine or chemical-resistant.

A suit used for swimming can also be used when playing sports. You should wear a tank suit with strong support and straps, as you will be running and jumping. Many newer microfiber materials will also help keep you cool by their light weight, porous nature and quick drying abilities.

Tanning

If you will be mainly tanning, bikinis with skinny straps (or no straps) are best, as more of your skin will be exposed to the tanning rays. With skinny and adjustable straps, you can adjust them periodically to avoid a tan line.

For best results, look for swimsuits designed for tanning, called, appropriately, tan through swimsuits. These suits are constructed with pores in the fabric to allow the sun to evenly shine through. The fabric is the equivalent to an SPF of 6 to 10.

Tan through swimsuits are either made of a spandex / nylon mix or a special microfiber. Both types are snag-resistant and durable, so they can also be used while swimming. The pores in the fabric means the suit will dry very fast and can keep you cool when playing sports.

Always use precautions and a light sunscreen, or your tan will turn into a burn.