Choose the right type of swimsuit

What types of bathing suits are there?

There are a lot of different designs on swimsuits, and it can be a little difficult to see which ones belong to the different categories. Overall, it can be said that there are 7 different categories of swimsuits for women:

Competition swimsuits

Training swimsuits

Swimwear

Swimwear for pregnant women

Swimsuits with legs

Swimsuits with skirts

Swimsuits with frills

Others will probably also divide them into swimsuits with high/low leg cut and in relation to back cut, but there we would think that those types fit all 7 categories to varying extents.

Competition swimsuits are only relevant to those who practice swimming at the competitive and elite level, as these are highly specialized in their design and material composition, which makes them suitable for one thing only - competition. Should it still interest you. then you can find Denmark's best selection straight away here, as well as read about how you best fits for your competition suit.

The same can be said about training swimsuits, but these are after all more generally applicable, but we'll come back to that, so let's go through the different categories instead.

Swimwear

Although the name probably mostly suggests that swimming suits are for swimming in and bathing suits for swimming in, the situation is actually the other way around. A swimsuit is often much looser in fabric and therefore not as tight-fitting. It could, for example, be this from Jolyn, which has a high leg cut and a crossback back (We'll probably get into that further down). Therefore, a swimsuit is also best for a beach holiday, a relaxing trip to the beach and play and fun in the swimming pool.

But before we get too categorical, it must be said that today there is not much difference between a swimsuit and a bathing suit. Actually will some of the models fall under both categories. Therefore, you can also easily use a swimsuit for training, as long as the back cut is hydrodynamic.

Swimwear for pregnant women

Being pregnant is associated with a life-affirming and happy time, but it also has its challenges. Because as the belly grows, the clothes will start to tighten - and this also applies to bathing suits. So what do you do then? Because it doesn't make sense to have 4 swimsuits in different sizes that will only fit for 2 months. Therefore, swimsuits for pregnant women are a brilliant solution.

They are designed with an extra layer of elastic fabric along the side panels of the stomach region, which will expand in step with the stomach, without it being tight or uncomfortable. In addition, they also have padded cups to lift and support the bust as it also grows. Last but not least, you can choose whether it must have 2 straps, that gathers on the back or you would rather have someone with you halterneck. The advantage of the latter is that it can spare and relieve the back, but it requires that the neck can withstand it.

Swimsuits with legs

Legged bathing suits were some of the first designs to see the light of day in the 1800s. Today, this design has a very special meaning for competitive swimmers, as most competition suits have long legs for increased hydrodynamics. But! Of course, there is also ordinary swimsuits with legs, where they cover the hip region and down to the top of the thighs.

Often the choice of this type of bathing suit has more to do with personal comfort. For some, it's about covering more of the body around the hip region, while others like to use them as training swimsuits, since different models may resemble competition swimsuits. If you are in doubt as to which one suits you best, you can read more about the various test winners right away here.

Swimsuits with skirts

In order to remain in the same considerations regarding body shape and fullness as you find with swimsuits with legs, we have swimsuits with skirts. They are also called bathing suits, where their similarity is mostly to be found in ordinary minidresses, but they can also be described as swimsuits with legs and a skirt.

The advantage of this type of bathing suit is that they discreetly and elegantly hide the stomach and hip region. Some of the models even has a longitudinal seam just above the waist, which gives a more hourglass shape despite the loose fabric around the stomach.

In addition, there are they also with padded bowls, which support the bust and together with the design of the bathing suit, they highlight female forms in the best way.

Swimsuits with frills

Swimsuits with frills have been in fashion ever since the 1800s, when in their expression they wanted to separate the male from the female bathing suits. That's why frills were introduced to make them more feminine - and why change something that has always worked?

That's why swimsuits with frills also come in many different designs, but the most popular is frills along a V-neckline. It just gives that extra something, so that the femininity can really shine.

So what is leg and back cutting?

As a starting point, there are 3 different parts of a bathing suit, which can be cut differently if in the design.

Leg cutting

Back cut

Cut throat

It sounds pretty straightforward and simple, until you read about high, medium and low leg cut, as well as deep and low U-back cut, crossback and racerback - and then we haven't reached the necklines yet.

The designations themselves are relevant - it's more about what it means for the comfort, expression and function of the different cuts.

A high leg cut is clearly the most preferred, as they provide a high degree of flexibility around the hips, do not stick to the leg when wet and show a little more skin for e.g. sunbathing. The low leg cut is often chosen by those who want to cover more of the hip region, but who do not want the swimsuit to go down on their legs. The medium leg cut is the compromise between the first two, where you want a little more movement than the low, but don't want to show as much skin as the high.

When it comes to the back cut, it's a whole different ballpark as it has more than just aesthetic value. Especially when it comes to racerback, that are specially designed for competition. The purpose of this cut is to make the suit fit as tight as possible without reducing movement around the shoulder joint. Therefore, it is also not suitable for recreational use, as it will appear too tight and uncomfortable.

Just the opposite, it is with a U-back cut, which is available in both a high and a deep shape. The tall covers much of the back and the cut goes between the shoulder blades, which provides optimal support for the bust and back. The deep one is, on the other hand, fresher and exposes a larger part of the back.

You will be able to find swimsuits that have a back cut like a racerback. These are usually called crossback and are not as tight fitting as racerback. Therefore, crossback will both be available as a racerback design, but also with thinner straps.

Choose the swimsuit in the right materials

Although many of the different bathing suits are made of the same materials, there is still a difference between them and not least their composition. As a starting point, there are generally 5 different materials, which are the most common:

PBT polyester

Polyamide

Polyester

Elastane/spandex

Cotton

It should also be mentioned that there is also a 6th variant that consists of polyester from recycled plastic. Likewise, it should also be noted that you don't find many bathing suits made of cotton, as it absorbs the water and becomes too heavy.

To be completely specific, one would be able to say about the different materials:

PBT polyester: Has a good natural stretch, reminiscent of spandex, and is extremely chlorine and salt water resistant.

Polyamide: Also known as nylon, and is characterized by being quick-drying, water-resistant (it does not absorb water) and is soft against the skin.

Polyester: In swimwear, it is known to be extremely durable and holds its shape, even after prolonged use.

Elastane/spandex: Is extremely flexible and enables the swimsuit to stretch so that it better molds to the body

If you are environmentally conscious and would like to have a strong thread in your bathing suit, you can choose those made of polyester from recycled plastic bottles. It could, for example, be this beautiful case, that is made from 55% recycled plastic bottles collected from the sea.

So which swimsuit should I choose?

Although most swimsuits will fit all shapes and sizes, there are some types and models that suit the body shape or the activity for which they will be used better. In relation to the latter, the biggest considerations lie in relation to swimming training and competition. If you want to perform well at a competition, you can't avoid a competition suit.

But if the swimsuit is to be used for swimming training, it is sufficient to choose a swimsuit with legs or a high leg cut and a racer back. It will make you comfortably streamlined in the water. If it is instead for water aerobics, all swimsuits without legs will be preferable, as those with legs can hinder flexibility around the hips.

If your bathing suit is instead for a beach holiday, beach trip and fun, then the different models will fit better than others in relation to your body type. Many divide it so that you can have one:

V-form

A-shape/pear shape

Apple shape

Hourglass shape

With a V shape, you have wider shoulders than hips, and therefore a swimsuit with a high leg cut and thick straps will compliment the body best. It will give a greater expression of wider hips and the straps will divide the shoulders a little so that they don't look so wide.

The A or pear shape is characterized by wide hips, narrow waist and narrow shoulders, where a swimsuit with narrow straps or a halter neck will be the most complimentary.

The apple shape has more round shapes around the upper and lower body, but long slender legs. There, swimsuits with patterns or frills, as well as a high leg cut will be the most ideal.

The hourglass figure will be complimented well by most types of swimsuits, so it's more about finding models that highlight what you want to highlight, whether it's bust, waist or hips. If you are still a little unsure about what to choose in relation to your body shape, you can read a lot more about it here.

But after reading this blog, you are now one step closer to being a swimsuit expert.