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 will meet your exact needs. While the aesthetic question is important, you should above all take into account the essentials for making the right choice: your body shape, your swimming level and your type of practice.
Probikeshop gives you all the keys to help you choose the right women's swimsuit.
Choosing a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit?
This is the first major question to consider: should you choose a one-piece or a two-piece swimsuit? Your preferences and habits will best guide your choice, but here are some pointers to help you think it through.
The advantages of the one-piece swimsuit
Offering more coverage, the one-piece swimsuit gives you better bust support. From a D-E cup, this type of swimsuit seems better suited and more secure, for both leisure and sporting use.
Regardless of body shape, the one-piece swimsuit remains the best choice for experienced swimmers and competitors. Indeed, the covering design of the women's one-piece swimsuit enhances hydrodynamic performance — a technical fabric glides through the water more efficiently than bare skin!
The advantages of the two-piece swimsuit
The two-piece swimsuit is often considered the most aesthetic option, flattering the female figure and allowing you to work on your tan. The top of the two-piece swimsuit is ideally suited to cup sizes A to C.
The two-piece swimsuit is better suited to leisure swimming. If you plan on doing sports swimming in a two-piece, opt for a top that provides good bust support, such as a sports bra or a crop top with an elasticated band.
Choosing a swimsuit according to your level and practice
Your swimming level largely determines the choice of your swimsuit. Depending on the frequency and intensity of your sessions, we recommend different models suited to your practice.
Which swimsuit for occasional use?
The beginner or returning swimmer, who plans a few occasional trips to the pool to keep in shape, should look for a swimsuit that offers comfort and support.
While a two-piece swimsuit may be suitable, the one-piece swimsuit is popular because it offers good bust support and a covering design. The beginner swimmer can opt for a classic cut, with a "U-back", or with a semi-open "O-back". More open backs (with crossed "X-back" straps) will maximise freedom of movement.
The comfort of a women's swimsuit is judged when putting it on. A swimsuit made from a soft, supple material with elastane is easier to put on. A classic polyamide/elastane fabric is a sensible choice for occasional use.
Which swimsuit for regular sporting activity?
The confident or experienced swimmer, who is used to doing lengths every week, should choose a durable swimsuit that can withstand intensive use.
It is advisable to avoid elastane and polyamide materials, which are more sensitive to chlorine and sea salt. Brands offer polyester swimsuits incorporating special PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) fibres, 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, colour) for more than 300 hours.
Regular and frequent swimming practice requires a good swimming rhythm, which demands a great deal of freedom of movement. Regardless of the technique adopted (front crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke), your swimsuit must leave the shoulders free, with an "X-back" cut for example. Swimsuits with a "Y-back" provide better bust support.
For sporting use, opt for a swimsuit with a medium or high neckline. If you choose a two-piece swimsuit, a sports top such as a sports bra seems the best choice.
Which swimsuit for competitive swimming?
Women's competition swimsuits focus on hydrodynamic performance. These are one-piece swimsuits that use ultra-technical materials. Manufacturers have developed particularly fast fabrics that are water-repellent and reduce drag. Designed and worn like a second skin, these women's competition swimsuits have a shaping/compressive effect, helping the swimmer to exploit her full muscular potential.
These high-performance swimsuits are often swimming suits that fully cover the back and thighs. The most classic swimsuits feature a high collar and an open or semi-open back, to offer total freedom of movement.
All the criteria for choosing a women's swimsuit
Probikeshop examines all the criteria for finding the right women's swimsuit.
The material of women's swimsuits (durability, hydrodynamics, lining)
The material of your women's swimsuit must match the type of activity you have in mind.
Bear in mind that a polyamide/elastane swimsuit has the advantage of being softer, more supple and easier to put on. It is better suited to occasional use, as elastane fibres do not cope well with the effects of chlorine over time.
A polyester material or, better still, a polyester/PBT mix is more resistant and durable. This type of swimsuit is suited to high-frequency use. The most technical, hydrodynamic, water-repellent and compressive swimsuits are reserved for more advanced practice, highly structured training sessions and competitions.
You can opt for a women's swimsuit with a lining (full lining or on strategic areas). The lining prevents see-through effects, improves the durability of the fabric and the level of comfort.
The cut of women's swimsuits (neckline, hip cut, back and straps)
An element of comfort and style, the cut of a women's swimsuit is a decisive factor. You can consider the neckline, the cut at the hips, the design of the straps and the back.
One-piece sports swimsuits feature a medium/high neckline. Leisure swimsuits for women offer more possibilities, especially with two-piece swimsuits. You can choose a triangle top, a bandeau top or a sports bra (crop top), according to your preferences.
The cut at 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 two-piece bottoms come in different styles: classic women's swim briefs, side cut-out briefs, shorty.
Wide, classic or very thin, the straps of women's swimsuits affect bust support and the swimmer's appearance. A "Y-back" designed with wide straps provides good bust support. You have several options for the back design: "U, Y, O, X…". The choice of back depends mainly on your bust size (better 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 back or bare back).
Women's swimsuits: adjustment options, bust support, shaping effect
Some women's one- or two-piece swimsuits feature an adjustment system for an optimal fit. You will find classic adjustments integrated into the straps. You will also find thin ties at the back, which allow you to perfectly adjust the top of the swimsuit to your size.
Some one-piece models and two-piece tops place particular emphasis on bust support. They may feature underwiring or provide removable padding (to be inserted into the lining).
Some one-piece swimsuits use a special material or lining at the stomach area, with a slimming effect that streamlines the figure.
Colours and patterns
Probikeshop lets you choose your two-piece swimsuit top and bottom separately, so you can personalise your swimming outfit by mixing and matching colours as you wish. Our range includes models in subtle, versatile colours, as well as swimsuits in bright colours, to express your style at the pool or on the beach!
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