Swimming
Answers to Common Swimwear Questions: The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 5:
In part 5 of our swimwear guide, we answer your questions ranging from “do dark suits help you tan” to “the difference between lycra, spandex, etc.” Have a swimwear question? Contact me.
Answers to Common Swimwear Questions
Question 1: Lycra, Spandex, nylon, Supplex – what’s the difference and why should I care?
Here’s why: each offers a unique fit and function. First, decide if you are wearing a suit to sunbathe or swim. If it’s the former, choose a soft, lightweight fabric like cotton or Supplex. If it’s the latter, choose a suit with higher Lycra (spandex) content.Still confused? Below is a mini glossary of common swimwear fabrics:
Nylon: Nylon was developed in 1938 by DuPont as the first completely synthetic fiber. The material offer resilience, abrasion resistance and high flexibility. It’s often added to natural fibers to boost a garment’s durability.
Cotton: Cotton suits are softer and comfier than nylon but rarely form fitting. They lose shape, shrink and bleed and fade colors.
Supplex: Supplex is another DuPont invention which offers the plush touch of cotton with the strength, durability and performance of nylon – but softer. Plus, it won’t wrinkle, shrink or fade.
Lycra/Spandex: Lycra/spandex won’t ride up or slip off while you swim or ride the waves. A bonus: The higher the spandex content, the greater the slimming ability. But, keep in mind spandex fibers break down easily with exposure to chemicals in swimming pools, hot tubs and even sunscreen. You’re not alone and miracle products do exist. Take for example, Panache’s molded gel underwire bikini tops (available at figleaves.com). They not only resist water and maintain shape in and out of water, but they present a pretty convincing breast-lift. You may also want to try other tricks like front-tie halters to define cleavage and boost your bust. Finally, there’s always regular underwire for lifting and sculpting any chest size. If the thought of waiting in line to try on a handful of suits in a teeny tiny fitting room with unflattering florescent lighting doesn’t appeal to you, then online shopping is a great option. It’s worth noting that most e-commerce sites – including figleaves.com, Bluefly.com
Tricot: Tricot (nylon-spandex) is generally constructed from four-way stretch fabric, meaning your suit moves with you.
Question 2: I’m small-chested but every time I wear padded tops in the water the inserts get soaked and lose their shape. How can I avoid this problem?
, victoriassecret.com, dELiAs.com
and Target
—offer comprehensive size listings and charts and hassle-free return policies (so you can try suits on at own home and then send them back if you change your mind). Also worth noting, a few sites, including Lands’ End, now offer high-tech display software like My Virtual Model, so you have the option to “virtually” try on your swimsuit before you buy.
Question 4: Are there any suits that will get rid of my cellulite?
Clothing does not remove cellulite; the easiest way to disguise it is by sporting cute boy shorts or sarongs. A nice tan can also reduce visible the dimples and cottage-cheese- like texture of cellulite.
Question 5: Will dark suits help me tan?
A dark suit will not increase the intensity of sun exposure to your skin. However, there are some new suit manufacturers that claim their swimwear actually helps you tan. One company, Cooltan, uses a unique patent-pending fabric knit with millions of tiny pores. The pores provide as much coverage as a medium-level sunscreen, so results will not be drastic; your suit-covered skin will receive as much sun exposure as the rest of your sunblock-slathered body.
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 1: The Do’s and Don’t
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 2: What’s Hot and What’s Shot
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 3: The Best Swimsuit for Your Skin Color
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 4: What’s Hot and What’s Shot
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 5: Answers to Common Swimwear Questions
Advertisement
Featured on TBF
Copyright 2003-2009 TBF Group, LLC.