Bathing suits for women - Recommendations

Although the function of a bathing suit is largely the same, there is still a big difference between them. Some are specifically designed to emphasise certain parts of the female form, while others have a much more functional focus.

This is one of the reasons why there are so many models to choose from, so it can be a bit overwhelming. To make things a little more manageable, here are some parameters and concepts to keep in mind.

The most well-known bathing suits often have a high leg cut - also known as a V-cut - which means they go up to around the start of the hip region. This makes them more mobile, but also shows a lot more skin than, for example, one-piece bathing suit. These, on the other hand, are a little less mobile, but cover down to the beginning of the thighs and some models cover down to the centre of the thighs. Personal preferences in terms of modesty and comfort in relation to mobility should be taken into consideration.

The more functional bathing suits are those that are specially designed for pregnant women and those with inserts, for example. In a maternity bathing suit, the focus is more on adjustable straps and extra fabric around the belly so that it can always be adjusted and fits comfortably as the belly grows. While not the same, plus size swimsuits are also designed to provide a high level of comfort that compliments the female form without being tight and uncomfortable to wear. 

Swimsuits with inserts, on the other hand, are designed to provide extra support for women with a large bust. This gives almost the same effect as a bra would, making them more ergonomic and better for the back than swimsuits without inserts.

Another parameter to look for is the shape of the back itself and the straps. Generally speaking, there are two different back designs called “racer back” and U-back. With a racer back, the straps cross at the back and provide a better fit, making the bathing suit snug when moving in water. A U-back is available with both a low and high back cut that forms a U-shape on the back. This allows the straps along the sides of the back to go up over the shoulder, which is ideal for women with large busts and more curvy shapes.

As more focus has been placed on the climate, environment, and production of swimwear, this aspect has also revolutionised the market. One good consequence of this is that some swimwear is now made from recycled fibres, making it easier to choose green alternatives and support the green transition.