What do You Swim in These Days? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

What do You Swim in These Days?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is the first season that I have NOT been swimwear shopping with clients. So I haven't seen new swimwear styles on bodies this year. Clients seem to be sorted with their cozzie.

But what they swim in runs the gamut: everything from bra-sized bikinis and tankinis, to one pieces, board shorts, and rash guards. What do you swim in - or "resort" and "beach" in?

I don't swim anymore - just don't do beach and resort holidays because of the grueling sun. (We take the doggies swimming though, but then I wear cut-off denim shorts and an old top and only wet my knees). I DO have a fun retro cozzie that I bought for Arizona a few years ago. I lay under the umbrella in the shade and read my book. It's still brand new.

Over to you. PLEASE provide links of the items when you can.

Seafolly 'Boyleg' One-Piece Swimsuit

View Info

Top Pick

5

Dressing

82 replies

Latest reply was from Rambling Ann

Inge

(website)

I love your pink bathing suit, Angie.
I still have the blue La Blanca suit, which I wear when I go swimming. (Hardly ever go to the beach to sunbathe, but I would wear it for that too. - ETA: sitting under an umbrella, in the shade, covered in sunscreen - I'm not much of a sunbather either;-)

La Blanca 'Sweetheart' One-Piece Swimsuit

View Info

Top Pick

5

LaPed

Veteran

I have two sets from Carve Designs. They hold up well to salt and chlorine, are fun to mix and match, fit well and stay put. I have two Catalina tops, a pair of Isla boyshorts, and a pair of the Minna paddle shorts. Nice to have two, so that if one is still wet in the morning I have a dry one ready to go. I also have a very old halter-top bikini from Brazil, long ago, that I like to trot out every now and then. Minimal coverage, maximal nostalgia. Have not had a one-piece suit that fit properly since I was a kid (I'm a different size on top than on the bottom). We live next to a large pond, my childhood home is on a lake, and my husband's hometown is on the coast, so we spend a lot of time in the water!

Scarlet

Veteran

Nothing would make me happy like a week at the Mediterranean. I struggle with the sun, but being in the water is transformative. I switched to a one piece in the last two years, along the lines of Inge's. I also have board shorts and a rash guard for being out with the kids, although the rash guard when out of the water is HOT.

Scarlet

Veteran

Also that pink retro suit is SO CUTE!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I waterski, boat, and inner tube on Lake Washington. For much of the year, I wear a a wet-suit. As it warms up, I transition to a bra-sized bikini with board shorts over the bottoms. It's hard to find swim tops that provide enough coverage and durability for rough water sports. I'm really happy to see the proliferation of rash guards and long-sleeved swim tops--I need to make a choice and buy one! I think my go-to this year will be bikini set with long-sleeved rash guard and board shorts over.

Kathleen M

I've had this suit from Land's End for years. Flattering and comfy, everything stays in place. It *could* be a bit more supportive but it's the best I've found. The back is really pretty, too.

Women's Slender Tunic One Piece Swimsuit

View Info

Top Pick

3

anne

Veteran

What happened to your famous bikini, Angie?

Sisi

Veteran

Bikinis forever! Since when I gained weight, every Spring I think "This year I had better buy a one-piece" but then I say "The hell with it!". Bikinis are comfortable, let you tan better and then, I hate the feeling of too much wet fabric on my skin.

Anonymous

I LOVE that retro suit, Angie! And you've added a new word to my vocab: cozzie.

We are planning a trip to Portugal and Greece this summer, so I bought this cozzie from Nordstrom for beach time. (Wish I looked like the model in it, but I still like it a lot.)

Miraclesuit Crisscross One-Piece Swimsuit

View Info

Top Pick

4

Christina F.

Veteran

I like the J Crew scoopback one pieces that they brought back recently. I have a striped one, but I'm eying this one because I can't resist a kitschy print. I also have a couple of others front J Crew, including a sailboat print (that one's dying) and a gorgeous purple print. I love the beach but don't get to go enough, though we do have a vacation to Lake Michigan with the family each year,

I have larger thighs, so I like one pieces that are a bit higher cut. I don't need a lot of support in the chest, and I usually find that the ones with cups tend to move out of place, so the scoopback is pretty ideal for me.

Scoopback one-piece swimsuit in Florida print

View Info

Top Pick

2

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I wear jcrew swimwear - I have a couple of bikini options, one is a navy halter top (new this year) that goes with the navy bottoms from last year that I also have a bra type top to switch out. I bought the same bikini in green but I def. prefer the navy.

Cropped halter bikini top

View Info

Top Pick

0

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Oh how funny, Angie! My pink swimsuit is almost identical to yours--except the strap around the neck is thin and removable creating a strapless, and it has a cute little scalloped skirt kind of like Kathleen M.'s. I have a tankini and a triangle top bikini which are both old. I wear the latter when my tummy is extra flat.

In my perfect world, I'd have a pool in my backyard and sunbathe to my heart's content (without getting sun damage, lol.) But the truth is, I rarely have the chance to wear a swim suit. Thinking of a Mexico trip soon!

Style Fan

Veteran

I rarely swim but when I do wear a bathing suit it is a bikini. I have a couple that have little skirts to match.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Inge, LOVE your cozzie. Elegant and vibrant.

LP, that's a large assortment of swwimwear. Perhaps you can provide links of the items where you can.

Scarlet, perhaps you can provide links to your swimwear too. (Thanks for the compliment).

Emily, you too.

Anne, THREE famous bikinis. I'm done with them, although I fitted them on again last year and liked the way they looked. Too much sun exposure though. It's not wise for my very sensitive skin. Too many scares around me.

Sisi, I am ALWAYS in favour of bikinis if you like the look. I was until last year but am now far too worried about the sun.

Xtabay, LOVE your cozzie. Looks very Halston.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dana, HIGH FIVE. Does yours look like the Find below?

Texstyle, how do you find the bust support on that top?

Kathleen, gorgeous suit. I know it well.

Style Fan, your skirted bikinis sound adorable.

Christina F, how's the fit on that J.Crew suit?

Profile By Gottex 'Tutti Frutti' Swimdress

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

3

anchie

Veteran

I am with Sisi 100% Bikini all the way, no matter what Maybe it is Europe thing. I can't stand wet fabric on my skin. And never found one-peace that look good and provided enough support. I would like to have one peace sport swimsuit for indoor pools but no luck so far.

Chris987

Veteran

I don't end up swimming that often even through I love to and did indoor swimming for exercise a number of years ago. I have a black Ralph Lauren one a lot like Inge's blue one that I've had for quite a few years that serves all my needs. I have never been much of a sunbather...I find it a little boring even with a good book and my skin burns so easily that's it's not worth it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chris, I'm with you. I'd rather take Sam on a walk and read my book in bed. But I LOVE the sea and the beach - just don't want to be exposed to the sun when I am there. MUST BE COVERED. A sea and beach VIEW from my window is ideal. I want to retire in SoCal.

Anchie, YES. It's very Euro to wear a bikini. FWIW, my one-piece has excellent bust support.

Diana

Veteran

I have a cheap black bikini from H&M. I quite like their swimwear actually for inexpensive options. But like you, I haven't actually been swimming in years and don't really like swimming in the ocean. I'd like to swim for exercise but don't have convenient access to a pool.

Eliza

Veteran

I am not at beaches very often, but when I am, I have to be sun conscious and covered. I now wear a rash guard over a one piece, not unlike the LandsEnd or Seafolly ones if I am swimming. I just bought a couple of long-sleeved Airism Uniqlo tops with sun protection built in. They are soft, comfortable and lightweight, so I am hoping they could work over a swimsuit and perhaps be less confining than a rash guard.

This post makes me realize how little time I spend at the beach in swimming weather. I love the ocean, but...

Sara L.

Veteran

We have a pool in our backyard and take a weeklong beach vacation to Mexico every year. I have a wide variety of swimwear. I have 2 one pieces from Target - they're actually long enough for me. I have several bikinis from Athleta that I like for the ocean because they stay in place even in the waves. Then I have some cheap bikini tops and bottoms from a variety of places (Old Navy, Target, Victoria's Secret) in colors and patterns that can be mixed and matched. I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I read under an umbrella at the beach and in our backyard. I always wear a hat and lots of sunscreen.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Eliza, Emily and Scarlet, how do you find wearing rash guards? They do NOT look comfortable. I can't stand wearing yoga clothes - (although I do because I love yoga) - and that's what rash guards remind me of. And in the heat too. Not fun.

Greyscale

Veteran

Funny, I was just thinking about this, as new swimsuits keep popping up in my daily "buy our new stuff!" emails from stores.

Like you, I really avoid beach and ocean vacations because of sun concerns. But I do enjoy it when I'm willing to go to the hassle of sun protection.

I have a slightly retro one-piece, similar to some that folks have posted: straight across the chest, halter tie, not high cut at the legs, solid black. I think it's a very versatile shape for many body types.

When I do swim, I wear a rash guard top or, ideally, a full wetsuit. I went snorkeling for hours in Hawaii -- my brother got married there last year and I couldn't stay away from the beach for that special occasion! -- and I rented a full wetsuit even though it was warm enough for a bathing suit. It was pleasant to have the extra warmth and flotation, and I didn't have to think about sun.

I am so tempted by the long-sleeve swimsuits (almost like lightweight wetsuits) that are a fringe trend these days. I'd love one of the Cynthia Rowley wetsuits with a dark floral pattern, but I can't justify the cost for something I do so rarely. A few that I really like are in Finds (the red ones also come in navy, a better color for me).

Seea Gaviotas Surf Suit

View Info

Top Pick

1

Seea Swami Swim Romper

View Info

Top Pick

1

Zip-up long-sleeve swimsuit

View Info

Top Pick

1

Scalloped short-sleeve one-piece swimsuit in Italian matte

View Info

Top Pick

1

Joyce B

Veteran

I wear a tankini when I go swimming. It is practical, comfortable and provides good coverage. I have not heard anyone talk about tankinis, maybe they are outdated but I still wear mine because it is in good shape and it works for me. Plus, finding a properly fitting one piece bathing suit is tough if you have a longish torso and it is not very practical if you need to visit the LR.

Sara L.

Veteran

Oh I have a couple rash guards too. I like them when I'm especially worried about the sun (snorkeling, ocean kayaking, etc). They're comfortable but I take them off right away since I don't like the feel of wet fabric on my skin.

Greyscale

Veteran

Angie, the difference for me is that rash guards are usually nylon knit, which feels different than the material in most yoga clothes. Hard to explain the difference but I think the main thing is that it isn't soft and absorbent in the same way. When you get it completely wet, it dries quickly. For some reason I hate workout clothes and don't mind rash guards -- only while swimming, though! For walking around a beach town or lounging on a beach (in the shade), I wear an airy long-sleeve buttoned shirt.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sara and Greyscale, the rash guards ONLY cover your top. Your legs are still very exposed to the sun - so I battle to see the point, unless you want to cover up for modesty reasons. (Some clients wear rash gards to water theme parks for modesty reasons). I'm all ears and ready to be educated about rash guards.

Joyce, PLENTY of clients wear tankinis. You are in good company.

Christina F.

Veteran

Angie, the one I have is what I'd consider TTS. I usually take a 10 in swimsuits, not so much for my chest, which is a C cup, but my belly, which tends to bloat, and my butt, which is Portuguese Mine's the same shape but from a couple of years ago, so I can't speak to this year's model, but I'll report back if I pick up this cutesy one.

The rash guard conversation reminds me that I have a rash guard from Land's End that I like, and if I want leg coverage I also got some matching swim shorts that are almost knee length. The top in particular was a godsend in Bali, where the sun was strong and the water was reflecting the sun on my top half when I was swimming.I was less worried about my legs when I was submerged, and I could also put a towel over them on the beach if I didn't have shade.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Greyscale, we posted at the same time. Thanks for chiming back in. The fabric difference makes sense. At least there is that!

ChristinaF, keep us posted on that new suit. So the rash guard protects your top WHEN your legs are submerged. That makes sense. And then I vote take it off and head for shade once you're done swimming.

12 3