Women's Swimwear Buying Guide
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When it's time for fun in the sun, it's time for new women's swimwear. For some women, though, shopping for women's swimwear is torture. If you need to learn how to buy women's swimwear without stress, then this women's swimwear buying guide is for you. Whether your version of fun includes sunbathing in a bikini, swimming in a women's swimsuit or playing beach volleyball in a tankini, you'll know what to look for so you can find the women's swimwear you'll love.
If you're planning to wear women's swimwear, you're also probably planning to unwind and have a good time. If you have a swimsuit that lets you relax the way you'd like to, you'll enjoy your day at the beach much more. Before you start choosing women's swimwear, consider the different styles available and the features they each have so you can decide what is important to you.
One-piece swimsuits
For those seeking a bit of coverage from a bathing suit, one-piece swimwear is an excellent choice. However, tank suits aren't all about covering up, depending on the style.
Maillot: Pronounced my-oh, this is the name of traditional one-piece swimsuits, also known as a tank suit. These bathing suits can have bandeau tops (which wrap around), halter tops (where the straps tie behind the neck) or regular tank top straps. Maillots can also have a variety of leg openings, from high-cut to low. They may also be embellished with cute details, like belts or ruffles.
Who is a maillot for?
- Women who want a swimsuit with more coverage
- Women who want to conceal a soft tummy or love handles
Fitness: One-piece swimsuits with a sleek fit (for speed) and a racer back (where the straps cross in the back) are meant for people who are more about swimming laps than taking naps in the sun.
Who is a fitness swimsuit for?
- Any woman who wants a swimsuit for exercising or competition
- Women with athletic-builds may also prefer this style
Skirted: A one-piece swimsuit with a skirt attached adds an extra bit of coverage to the legs.
Who is a skirted suit for?
- Women who would like to cover their thighs a bit more
- New moms who would like additional coverage for stretch marks
Monokini: With fabric down the middle of the front connecting the top and bottom, this one-piece swimsuit is another style for the daring woman. The side cut-outs vary in different degree, so some monokinis are more revealing than others.
Who is a monokini for?
- Women with boy-shaped bodies who want to create the illusiion of curves
- Women with lean hips
Keyhole: A keyhole-shaped cutout in the front of this one-piece swimsuit takes a traditionally modest bathing suit and adds a dash of skin.
Who is a keyhole swimsuit for?
- Women who want to conceal their sides but show off a toned stomach
- Women who want a non-traditional swimsuit
Slingshot: Also know as a "pretzel," the slingshot bathing suit walks a fine line between one-piece and two-piece swimwear. This bold beachwear consists of one piece of fabric that covers the breasts and connects to a sexy, skimpy bottom, usually with a thong or g-string back. The slingshot has a similar look to a bikini bottom with suspenders.
Who is a slingshot swimsuit for?
- Daring women who want show off their figures while posing by the pool
- Women who don't mind having swimwear that isn't meant for swimming
Two-piece swimsuits
While one-piece swimsuits may have been around longer, two-piece swimsuits have become a favorite among women. You'll usually find that there are more bikinis to choose from than any other bathing suits. With many different styles to choose from, there's a two-piece swimsuit for almost every woman.
Two-piece swimsuit tops
Triangle top bikini: Just as the name implies, the cups of a triangle top bikini are two triangular panels. The triangles may tie in the middle or be sewn together, but they almost always tie around the neck and in the back. The ties allow the wearer to make adjustments as she wants. Triangle top bikinis are available with different types of bottoms.
Who is a triangle top bikini for?
- Curvy women who want to adjust the top to flatter their curves
- Women with boyish figures who want to visually create curves
Halter top bikini: Halter bikinis have a top that ties or connects behind the neck and in the back. The straps are usually wider than those on a triangle top bikini and often are not adjustable.
Who is a halter bikini for?
- Large-busted women who need more support
- Small-busted women who want a little bit of lift
Bandeau top bikini: A bandeau top is a piece of fabric that wraps around the bust like a band. The bandeau top may or may not have straps, and the straps could be tank top style (over the shoulders) or halter top style (behind the neck).
Who is a bandeau top bikini for?
- A strapless version is for sun bathers who don't want tan lines from shoulder straps
- Women with curves
Tankini: A tankini is like a tank top with bikini bottoms. The top usually comes down to the waistband of the bottoms like a shirt, so the wearer has a two-piece swimsuit with much more coverage.
Who is a tankini for?
- Women who want a modest two-piece swimsuit
- Women who want to conceal soft bellies
Swimsuit bottoms
Hipster bikini: This bikini has a low rise, meaning that the waist is lower than traditional styles. The name "hipster" means that the waistband is closer to your hips than your waist. Hipster bikinis can be matched with different types of tops and can have varying amounts of coverage in the seat.
Who is a hipster bikini for?
- Women want to show off a toned stomach
- Daring women who love the modern look of low-rise bottoms
Thong bikini: This tiny bikini has only a strip of fabric in the seat for maximum exposure. While it takes a lot of confidence to wear this style, many women love a thong bikini.
Who is a thong bikini for?
- Brave women who want no tan lines
- People who love the European style
String bikini: With strings to connect the front of the bottoms to the back, a string bikini is one of the most flattering styles. String bikini bottoms are usually paired with triangle tops.
Who is a string bikini for?
- Women with a boyish figure who want to create curves
- Women with larger hips who want to be able to adjust the sides to fit
The perfect women's swimwear for you
Sizing
Since your swimsuit is meant to fit right against your body, choosing the right size is essential. Grab a measuring tape and measure yourself in your underwear in front of a mirror.
- Measure your waist: Bend to one side; the crease is your natural waist. Measure your natural waist with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor.
- Measure your bust: Again with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor, measure around the fullest part of your bust.
- Measure your torso: Starting at one shoulder, wrap the measuring tape down your body, between your legs and back up your back to the point where you started.
Women's swimwear sizes
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Color and pattern
While choosing the color of and patterns on your new swimsuit should be based on your personal preference, you may want to be aware of the effects of wearing different colors and patterns.
- Teal or turquoise can make fair skin look tanner.
- Bright colors, such as white or coral, are flattering on brown or olive skin.
- Black can make you look slimmer, but pale women may prefer wearing brown instead.
- Make sure you have solid colors on areas where you don't want attention.
- Patterns can attract attention and create fullness where you want it.
- Details, like a logo or a bow, will also attract attention.
- V-shaped stripes (also called chevron stripes) can make anyone look slimmer.
Women's swimwear care
While it's fun to buy a new bathing suit every spring, you may want yours to last longer -- especially once you've found a swimsuit that you really love! If you wear your swimsuit in the pool, make sure you rinse it out as soon as possible after your swim because chlorine can wear down the material in your women's swimwear quickly. When you need to wash your swimsuit, hand wash it in cool water with a gentle detergent. Allow it to hang dry in the shade or indoors -- never in the direct sunlight. When your swimsuit starts to lose it shape and sag, it's time to give it the boot and start shopping for a replacement.
What can I do to avoid tan lines?
No one likes to have tan lines from women's swimsuit straps, and one solution is to have a few different women's swimsuits. A variety of swimsuit straps will cover your shoulders in different places on the different days you wear them, giving you the chance to tan evenly. With the low prices on women's swimwear here on Overstock.com, you can afford to have a wardrobe of swimsuits and bikinis to choose from all summer long.
I feel so self conscious in a swimsuit. What can I do to still feel covered?
Wearing a swimsuit doesn't have to mean feeling overexposed! You have many choices that could work for you.
- Sarong or wrap: You may want to choose a swimsuit that comes with a matching wrap or cover. If you're feeling shy, you can keep your wrap on and still look summery.
- Vintage styles: You may also want to consider choosing a vintage-inspired swimsuit. These classic swimsuit styles are usually aren't as high-cut on the legs or as low-cut in the front. You'll be more covered up, and you'll have a cute pin-up girl style.
- Boy shorts: Another choice is a bikini with boy shorts. You'll still be in a cute two-piece swimsuit, but you'll have more coverage on your legs than you would in a string bikini. Women with wide hips will want to avoid this style, however.
- A skirted suit: Both one-piece and two-piece swimwear is available in skirted styles. A skirt can give a little extra coverage to your thighs.
- A new bathing suit: Sometimes just having a great looking swimsuit is enough to help you feel confident, so throw out your old women's swimwear and bring in something new.
The perfect accessories
Other than sunscreen, sunglasses are one of the most important things to wear with your swimsuit. Choose fashion sunglasses to wear with your bikini while you're lying out by the pool. Wear your tankini with a new pair of sport sunglasses while you're playing Frisbee on the beach. No matter what your style of women's swimwear, you'll find the sunglasses to wear with it here on Overstock.com.
Bring it along
You need to bring your sunscreen, sunglasses, beach towel and a magazine to the pool, and Overstock.com has the handbags that can hold it all. A tote bag would be perfect for carrying your poolside gear, or choose an oversized bag so you have room to bring everything you need for a day at the beach. With our wide selection, you can easily find handbags to match all of your different swimsuits.
Down to your toes
Having the right shoes to wear with your swimsuit is important, so be sure to shop for the perfect sandals on Overstock.com. From sweet slides to fun flip flops, sandals are the official footwear of summer. Pair your new sandals with a pedicure and your women's swimsuit, and no one will doubt that you are a sun goddess.
