Have you decided to take the plunge and enjoy the benefits of swimming? Whatever your motivation or level, the first step is to choose the swimsuit that's exactly right for you. Aesthetics are important, but you need to take into account the essentials to make the right choice: your body type, your swimming level and your type of practice.
Probikeshop gives you all the information you need to make the right choice. choose the right swimsuit for you.
Choosing a 1-piece or 2-piece swimsuit?
This is the first big question to consider: should you choose a 1-piece swimsuit or a 2-piece swimsuit? Your preferences and habits will best guide your choice, but here are a few pointers to get you thinking.
Advantages of a 1-piece swimsuit
Better coverage, the 1-piece swimsuit offers better support for your breasts. From a D-E cup upwards, this type of swimsuit is better suited and safer for both leisure and sports wear.
Whatever the body type, the 1-piece swimsuit remains the best choice for experienced and competitive swimmers. In fact, the full-coverage design of the women's 1-piece swimsuit favors hydrodynamic performance - a technical fabric glides more efficiently through the water than bare skin!
Advantages of the 2-piece swimsuit
Visit 2-piece swimsuit is often considered the most aesthetically pleasing solution, flattering the female figure and helping to maintain a healthy tan. The top of the 2-piece swimsuit is ideally suited to cup sizes A to C.
The 2-piece swimsuit is best suited to leisure swimming. If you're planning to swim in a 2-piece, you'll need a top that supports your breasts well, such as a bra or a crop top with an elastic base.
Choosing a swimsuit to suit your level and sport
Your swimming level largely determines your choice of swimsuit. Depending on the frequency and intensity of your sessions, we can recommend different models to suit you.
Which swimsuit for occasional swimmers?
If you're a beginner or just getting back into the swing of things, and you're planning a few occasional trips to the pool to keep in shape, you'll need a swimsuit that provides comfort and support.
A 2-piece swimsuit may be suitable, the 1-piece swimsuit is appreciated for its good bust support and covering design. The beginner swimmer can opt for a classic cut, with a "U"-shaped back, or a semi-open "O"-shaped back. More open backs (with crossed "X" straps) offer maximum freedom of movement.
A woman's swimsuit is only as comfortable as the moment you put it on. A swimsuit made from a soft, supple material with elastane is easier to put on. A classic polyamide/elastane fabric is a good choice for occasional wear.
Which swimsuit is right for regular sportswear?
Comfortable or experienced swimmers who are used to doing laps every week should choose a durable swimsuit that can withstand intensive practice.
Avoid elastane and polyamide materials, which are more sensitive to chlorine and sea salt. Brands offer polyester swimsuits incorporating special PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) fibers, which are more resistant to chlorine and UV rays. Manufacturers often express the "lifespan" of their models in hours of use, with the most durable women's swimsuits able to retain their qualities (elasticity, color) for over 300 hours.
Frequent, sporty swimming suggests a good swimming rhythm, which requires great freedom of movement. Whatever technique you adopt (crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke), your swimming trunks should keep your shoulders clear, with an "X" back cut for example. Swimsuits with a "Y"-shaped back provide better support for the chest.
For sportswear, choose a swimsuit with a medium or high neckline. If you opt for a 2-piece swimsuit, a "sports top" such as a bra is the best choice.
Which swimsuit is right for competitive swimming?
Women's swimsuits for competition focus on hydrodynamic performance. These are 1-piece swimsuits using ultra-technical materials. Manufacturers have developed water-repellent fabrics that are particularly fast in the water, reducing friction. Designed and worn like a second skin, these women's swimsuits have a gainer/compressor effect, to help the swimmer exploit her full muscular potential.
These high-performance swimsuits are often swimming suitswith full back and thigh coverage. The more classic swimsuits feature a high collar and an open or semi-open back, for total freedom of movement.
All the criteria for choosing a woman's swimsuit
Probikeshop examines all the criteria for choosing the right women's swimsuit.
Women's swimsuit materials (durability, hydrodynamics, lining)
The material of your women's swimsuit must correspond to the type of activity you're planning.
Remember that a polyamide/elastane swimsuit has the advantage of being softer, more supple and easier to put on. It's best used for occasional swimming, as elastane fibers don't withstand the effects of chlorine over time.
Polyester or even better a polyester/PBT mix is more resistant and durable. This type of swimsuit corresponds to a high frequency of use. The most technical swimsuits - hydrodynamic, water-repellent and compressive - are reserved for more advanced practice, highly structured training sessions and competitions.
You can opt for a women's swimsuit with lining (full lining or lining in strategic areas). The lining avoids sheer effects, improves fabric durability and comfort levels.
Women's swimsuit cut (décolleté, notch, back and straps)
An element of comfort and style, the cut of a woman's swimsuit is a decisive criterion. You can study the neckline, the notch on the hips, the design of the straps and the back.
1-piece sport swimsuits feature a medium/high neckline. Women's leisure swimwear offers more possibilities, especially with 2-piece swimsuits. You can choose a triangle top, bandeau top or bra (crop top), depending on your preferences.
The notch on the hips is more or less high, to suit all body shapes. This part of the swimsuit influences the level of coverage and freedom of movement. Note that 2-piece bottoms are available in different styles: classic women's swim briefs, briefs with open sides, shorty.
Wide, classic or very thin, women's swimsuit straps help support the bust and enhance the swimmer's look. A "Y"-shaped back with wide straps provides good support for the bust. You have several options for the back design: "U, Y, O, X...". The choice of back mainly depends on the size of your bust (best support with a "Y or X back") and the freedom of movement you need (maximum freedom with an "X back"). Also take into account your personal preferences and sensations (covered or bare back).
Women's swimwear: adjustment options, breast support, sheathing effect
Some women's 1 or 2-piece swimsuits feature an adjustment system for optimum fit. You'll find classic adjustments integrated into the straps. You'll also find thin straps to tie in the back, for a perfect fit.
1-piece models and 2-piece tops place particular emphasis on bust support. They may feature underwiring or removable pads (to be slipped into the lining).
1-piece swimsuits use a special material or lining in the tummy area, with a sheathing effect that refines the silhouette.
Colors and patterns
Probikeshop lets you choose your 2-piece swimsuit top and bottom separately, for personalize your swimming gear by combining colors as you see fit. Our range includes models in sober, all-purpose colors, as well as brightly colored swimsuits, to assert your style at the pool and on the beach!
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