Explore the Different Types of Swimsuits for Every Body and Style

As a swimmer, I know just how important choosing the right swimsuit can be. Just imagine everything that can go wrong if you select a swimsuit that doesn’t match you!

That’s why I’ll be discussing the different types of swimsuits, helping you find the perfect one for you– irrespective of your body shape and personal style. Throughout my years of swimming, I’ve tried dozens of suits, so I know exactly what to look for.

Choosing the right type of swimsuit will allow you to feel comfortable, confident, and stylish. Moreover, your swimsuit should match the occasion—whether a leisurely day next to the pool, an active day on the beach, watersports, or swimming laps up and down as you prepare for your next big race.

Common Types of Swimsuits

There are two main styles of swimsuits to consider: one-piece and two-piece suits.

One-Piece Swimsuits

In my opinion, the one-piece swimsuit is the most functional and ideally suited for most occasions. It’s available in various options, providing different styles, designs, and specialty options. What I especially like is its versatility. The one-piece can be an excellent choice for relaxing by the pool, engaging in water sports, and swimming laps.

• Classic One-Piece: With an elegant and streamlined design, the classic one-piece offers the perfect blend of coverage and support, making it a versatile choice for many body types. Benefits include a supportive and flattering fit that enhances shape without restricting freedom of movement. There are also various coverage options, allowing you to feel comfortable. This is the most practical one-piece type, perfect for most leisure and sports activities.
• High-Neck One-Piece: Offering a more modern look and sporty aesthetic, the high-neck also has some practical benefits. At the same time, it maintains the appeal of the original classic one-piece. The high-neck may be the perfect option for sunny beach days, as the added coverage protects your skin from UV rays. It’s also exceptionally well suited for intense water sports like surfing, paddleboarding, or wakeboarding, as the secure fit and coverage reduce the risk and embarrassment of wardrobe malfunction.
• Plunging Neckline One-Piece: Offering more allure and elegance, this design is for the more daring. Typically, it has a deep V-neck cut, making it a statement piece. This type of swimsuit is perfect for poolside parties or tropical beaches, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for swimming laps or watersports. This is the ideal type of one-piece when combined with a fashionable design. Overall, it still offers the classic one-piece coverage while the V-cut adds some edge.

Two-Piece Swimsuits

The two-piece suit has two main options: the Bikini and the Takini. While these styles of swimsuits may be slightly less versatile compared to the one-piece, they are perfect for specific occasions and provide more opportunities for sun exposure, which is ideal for achieving a tan. In my opinion, among the two, the Takini offers more versatility.

The Bikini has three main styles:

• Triangle Bikini: This bikini has a minimalist and simple design with triangular-shaped cups that provide a sleek look. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for various leisure activities, from lounging to swimming. The minimalist style is perfect for sunbathers, as the higher skin exposure allows for an even tan. This lightweight style is also easy to mix and match with various swim bottoms.
• Halter Bikini: This is the perfect bikini for those who want added support and coverage. A unique design style is that the straps are typically tied around the neck, helping with bust support. The added coverage also allows for a secure and comfortable fit, making this bikini functional and stylish. I recommend this style if you want to be more active in your bikini, such as playing beach volleyball or swimming.
• Bandeau Bikini: With its strapless design, this style provides an unobstructed, chic, and modern look. It’s also a good option for achieving even tan lines. This style is best suited for occasions of relaxation, such as leisure by the pool or sunbathing. While this design is undoubtedly fashionable, it’s not as functional, provides less support, and is unideal for watersports activities.
• Takini: The takini combines a tank top with a bikini bottom or swim shorts with a bikini top. You can also mix it to have both swim shorts and a tank top. Or perhaps a sports bra. The takini provides more coverage than the traditional bikini while maintaining versatility and skin exposure. This style is popular as it offers a flattering, chic fit and a stylish look. It can also be very functional, providing more support depending on your takini. This makes it ideal for leisure and activities like swimming, volleyball, or certain watersports such as wakeboarding or paddleboarding.

Swim Separates

Swim separates resemble the two-piece suits I covered in the previous section. The main difference is that these are sold separately, allowing you to mix and match, whereas traditional bikinis and tankinis are sold as one matching pair.

The benefits of swim separates include:

• Greater customization.
• A personalized look.
• A swimsuit that matches your body shape.
• A swimsuit that matches your style and coverage preferences.
• More flexibility and versatility, allowing you to combine items based on the occasion.

There are various bikini tops to choose from:

• Underwire bikini tops: provide more support and structure, ideal for a secure fit or larger busts.
• Push-ups: ideal for bust enhancement by creating a lifting effect.
• Sports tops: additional coverage and support for comfort and confidence during water sports and other activities.

Bikini bottoms are available in various cuts:

• High-waisted: provides additional stomach coverage and can create a retro-style look.
• Cheeky: minimal coverage for a more daring look.
• Boyshorts provide fuller coverage, an athletic style, and additional support. They are ideal for a more modest fit and activities like watersports or volleyball.

Specialty Swimsuits

Now that I have covered the two broad types of bathing suits, let’s discuss some specialty swimsuits that can be considered subcategories of the two broad categories, namely one-piece and two-piece.

Maternity Swimsuits for Women

Maternity swimsuits for women are special suits designed for pregnant women. They offer comfortable and supportive designs with room for flexibility and stretch. The fabrics are soft and malleable, allowing the swimsuit to adapt with the mother through different stages of pregnancy. Often, these swimsuits also have features like underwire or push-ups for bust support.

Some styles that make a good fit are takinis that offer extra bust support, as well as maternity-specific one-pieces. If you prefer bikinis a high-waisted option may also be ideal since it provides extra support.

[h3] Athletic Swimsuits

Athletic swimsuits are for all my fellow competitive swimmers who do hundreds of laps daily, as well as those who enjoy lap swimming. They are designed for comfort, durability, support, and functionality. They usually come in one-piece suits, but some athletic two-piece swimsuits, such as the TYR Durafast, are also available, although they aren’t as popular. Triathlon swimsuits also fall under this category.

One-piece suits have three main styles:

• Open back: The most popular style is the open back. As the name suggests, this suit has an open-back design, with two thinner shoulder straps while most of the back is exposed. This suit is great for allowing flexibility and more breathing room.
• Closed back: Closed-back is similar to open-back, but most of the back is covered by fabric. This style provides more support. Although most swimmers don’t like to train with these suits, they are often preferred in racing conditions for their extra compression. Keep in mind that if you like more support, this can be a good option.
• Racerback: this style is a mix of open and closed back. The straps come across the shoulders in a V shape, featuring more fabric on the upper back than the open-back, but keeping the lower back exposed. This helps with support while still allowing freedom of movement in your arms and shoulders. This style is also popular among competitive swimmers and will also make a good fit for watersport activities.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Swimsuits

Sustainable swimsuits are essential for various reasons, which include:

• Protecting the environment
• Reduced carbon emissions
• Reduced waste and swimsuit replacements (saving you money!)
• Ethical manufacturing
• Non-toxic materials

Some popular sustainable swimming brands include Reformation, Vitamin A, and Jade Swim. On the athletic front, Arena has also put significant effort into redesigning all its swimsuits to be made from recycled material. [link to brands article once published]

Swimsuit Styles for Different Body Types

Hourglass Figure

As the name suggests, the hourglass figure refers to a body type with well-defined hips and bust and balanced proportions elsewhere. Some styles that go well with this body shape are belted one-pieces, high-waisted bikinis, and plunging neckline one-pieces.

Pear-Shaped Body

This body shape has hips wider than the shoulders and bust, combined with a smaller waist and upper body. With this body shape, you want to draw attention upwards. Halter bikini tops with high-cut bottoms or swim shorts work well. A plunging neckline one-piece is also a good option.

Athletic Build

The athletic build can also be considered a swimmer’s body with a more muscular figure, a wider back, and less defined curves. Depending on the purpose of your swimsuit, you may choose to use an athletic one-piece for training purposes. For style, swimsuits with ruffles, padding, and cut-outs can help define curves and show off a muscular yet feminine figure.

Plus-Size

Plus size is considered a fuller figure, often with curves, a larger bust, hips, or both. Swimsuits that offer more support and complement curves are ideal. Underwire bikinis, ruched one-piece bathing suits, and takinis can be good options. Some good plus-size brands include SwimSuits for All and Good American. [link to brands article once published]

Trends in Swimsuit Fashion

Retro-Inspired Designs

Retro-inspired design features vintage styles such as high-waisted bikinis and polka dots. High-waisted bikinis provide extra coverage around the midsection and add a nostalgic retro touch. Polka dots were a popular pattern in the 1950s and 1960s, adding elements of fun and playfulness. Other retro styles include structured tops and bold, solid colors like cherry red, navy, and mustard.

Bold Prints and Patterns

Bold prints and patterns are popular among competitive swimmers who want to spice up their swimwear since we’re often restricted in cuts to maintain functionality and support. I’m on the boring side and have always enjoyed plain, minimalistic designs that get the job done and allow me to focus on training.

However, many of my teammates enjoy spicing things up with vibrant prints and patterns featuring animals, flowers, foods, and other geometric-style designs. On pool deck before training, it is often a competition to see who is wearing the funniest, most vibrant swimsuit or who has matching swimsuits.

[h3] Cutouts and Mesh Inserts

Cutouts and mesh inserts add hints of modernity, edginess, style, and fashion to your swimsuit. These swimsuits provide a balance between trendy and functional as they have eye-catching details but still provide support and freedom of movement. I wouldn’t recommend this style for swimming laps, but it can be a good option for a day on the beach with watersports and volleyball.

How to Choose the Right Swimsuit

Understanding Your Body Type

When choosing your swimsuit, it’s essential to consider your body type.

Some common body types include:

• Hourglass
• Pear-shaped
• Athletic
• Plus size

Taking body measurements can be an excellent first step if you are unsure about your body type.

Other ways to identify your body type are to examine how different clothing pieces fit you and consider your proportions.

Once you’ve identified your body type, I recommend referring to the earlier section of the article, where I highlight the types of swimsuits and styles that work well with each.

Considering Your Activities

You will require different swimsuits depending on the activities you’ll be using your swimsuit for. Generally activities can be classified into three broad categories of leisure, competitive sport/ exercise, and active recreational activities like watersports or volleyball.

More fashionable and comfortable swimsuis will generally be suited more towards leisurely activities. Bikinis can also be a good option for leisure and lounging.

On the other hand, competitive sports will demand durability, freedom of movement, support and comfort. One-piece athletic swimsuits from brands like Sporti, Arena, Speedo, and TYR are good options here.

Takinis can be a good option for active reactional activities. However, one-pieces and bikinis with more support and coverage can also be good options.

Trying Different Styles

The only way to find the perfect swimsuit is through trial and error. Over the years, I have worn dozens of swimsuits before deciding that I like planer, more minimalist designs. You may also find that your style changes over time, and that’s perfectly fine, too!

If you’re often indecisive about your swimsuit, consider mix-and-match swim separates, as discussed earlier. Once you have a few pieces in circulation, you’ll easily be able to pick a style that fits you on any particular day.

Some tips for mix-and-match separates include:

• Balance colors and prints between bold patterns and solid colors.
• Coordinate colors to create a stylish look.
• Experiment with matching different textures.
• Play around with different combinations of coverage and support.

Care and Maintenance of Swimsuits

After owning dozens of suits over the years as a competitive swimmer, I know a thing or two about making your swimsuit last. Below are some of my best practical tips, which can be applied to both women's and men's swimwear.

Proper Washing and Drying Techniques

• Rinse: with cold water after every swimming session to remove substances (e.g. chlorine) that can damage the fabric.
• Don’t wash: avoid washing in all cases. Only wash your swimsuit if it’s absolutely necessary. If you do wash it, use a gentle detergent and hand wash only. Better yet, use a swimsuit cleanser product.
• Never wring: this stretches the fabric and reduces shape. Give your suits a few shakes to remove most of the water, and gently squeeze the remaining water out.
• Air dry only: on a flat surface out of direct sunlight (sunlight can damage the fabric and cause fading). Never use a dryer or iron your swimsuit.

Storage Tips

• Only store once your swimsuit is completely dry to avoid mold and mildew growth.
• Keep your swimsuit in a dry, open area with good ventilation. I like to keep mine directly on top of my swim bag.
• Don’t hang your bathing suit, as this can cause stretching and damage the fabric.
• Keep your swimsuit open and laid flat without folding it, if possible.
• Ensure good ventilation at all times.

Conclusion

You should now better understand the two main types of swimsuits, namely one-pieces and two-pieces, which include bikinis and tankinis. These styles are available in various options with different cuts, styles, and functionality.

I encourage you to explore and experiment to find the style of swimsuit that makes you feel the most comfortable and confident. Remember to consider factors like your body type, activity, and style preferences when choosing your ideal swimsuit, but don’t be afraid to try different styles, either.

FAQs

How many types of swimsuits are there

There are two main types of swimsuits: one-piece and two-piece suits, such as bikinis or tankinis. Under these two main types, you’ll find many variations, such as athletic, luxury, designer, trendy, and fashionable. Additional features also exist and can include different cuts and support features.

What is a full-body swimsuit called

A full-body swimsuit is also known as a one-piece swimsuit. One-piece swimsuits can offer different amounts of coverage and come in different cuts, such as open-back, closed-back, and racer-back.

What kind of swimsuit is slimming

Various one-piece swimsuits have tummy control panels that add support and can create a slimming appearance. Ruched swimsuits with additional fabric can also help to conceal the midsection for a smooth look. Choosing a dark, solid-colored swimsuit can aid the effect of a slim appearance.

What is bathing suit vs swimsuit

There is no difference between the terms bathing suit and swimsuit. Both mean the same thing. “Swimsuit” may be more frequently used in modern language, while bathing suit is a more traditional name.