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Swimming is truly one of my favorite activities. It combines leisure with exercise and relaxation. Even if I am ‘power lap swimming’ I opt to look cute. However, I want the bathing suit to be comfortable, not fade too much, and dry quickly when I leave the water. After years of spending a lot for swimsuits, I have grown to find more budget-friendly options for me on Amazon. In this article, I discuss, things to look for in a bathing suit, and then show you two of my newest favorite pretty tankini styles.
Things to look for in a bathing suit
- Comfort
- Quick drying after a swim
- Structure and Durability
- None to minimal fading after exposure to chlorine and sun
What makes a bathing suit comfortable?
I believe that what makes any garment, especially a swimsuit, comfortable is the high-quality fabric. Nylon is very comfortable since it is lightweight and soft. It is especially comfy when blended with another fabric such as Lycra (also known as Spandex) or Elastane, giving it the ability to stretch.
Whatever swimsuit or even clothing I wear, I prefer to have it blended with a stretch fabric. This is because my body feels a little different every day due to water retention, the temperature, whether I worked out that week, what I ate, etc. You surely know this feeling! However, you don’t want the bathing suit to be entirely made of stretch fabric, because it would be too tight. So the blending of stretchy fabric with a soft fabric is the winning combo.
What makes a bathing suit quickly dry?
Another factor that adds to comfort is how quickly the fabric dries. You don’t want to feel like you are wearing a towel when you swim. Nylon being lightweight, tends to dry quickly.
What gives a bathing suit structure and durability?
You also want the bathing suit to have some structure and durability. You don’t want it to get overly loose after a few swims. You want it to accentuate your body and be flattering. It should hold you in, in the right places. Yet it should stretch in other ones like your mid- section. It should also retain the style that it was designed for. Wow, a swimsuit designer certainly has their work cut out for them! Polyester can be a very durable material. Also, elastane and lycra can also provide fit and stretch. They both, after they are stretched, stretch back to retain the shape.
What makes a bathing suit not fade when exposed to chlorine and sun?
You want your bathing suit to fade minimally when exposed to chlorine or the sun over time. I get tired of having to replace a swimsuit that I love, only because now it looks faded and shabby. One of the best fabrics resistant to fading is polyester. Honestly, I have tried different brands to see if the suit fades over time and have stuck with the brands that have minimally had this problem. I used to think that they don’t fade at all. However, I’ve realized that good suits may fade a bit, but minimally compared to others that completely look bleached out.
How to extend the life of a bathing suit – proper maintenance
If you can handwash your suits and either lay them flat or hang them to dry that will extend the life. I try not to use the machines at the health club that ring them dry, even though they are convenient. I also avoid the dryer. Rinsing them after every use will help also, but I honestly can’t say I do that every time. However, I have found that over time, and if you swim frequently, they will loosen and stretch a bit.
What I like about buying bathing suits on Amazon
I love the ease of the buying process on Amazon. All my shipping and credit card info is saved and it is easy to make transactions. Also, the products tend to ship quickly. Yet I have found suits that still meet my minimum criteria of durability, minimal fading, quick drying, and comfort. Let’s not forget style!
Two Comfortable Bathing Suits for Women
Tankini with boyshorts – Style 1
These two styles with boyshorts are so convenient and flattering. They look like a tank top with shorts so I can go from the pool right to the snack bar without having to put on a coverup. They are comfortable, quick drying, and have built in undergarments. I will have to report back on the fade test, since I just got them. However, when I have bought this brand before, I had worn them for years with minimal fading.
My newest addition to my swimsuit wardrobe. Love the colors.
Tankini and shorts – Style 2
This is how it looked when I first got it.
The nylon spandex blend provides comfort while being ‘stretchy’. It also has adjustable straps for a better fit.
They also sell ‘blouson’ styles, that have a looser fit. However, I have found that style to bubble out with too much gaping fabric, so I prefer the more fitted tank options.
I have found that as I have worn them for years, they do stretch out a bit. The undergarments can start to degrade or loosen. Also, sometimes, you can get small tears in the fabric. However, since they are kind on my wallet, I can pick up a few newer suits if needed to replace them after excessive use.
It is important to take part in the simple joys in life. Swimming is certainly one of them. Here I recommended two comfortable bathing suits for women. These will make your swim, or lounging on the beach, hopefully, comfortable, active, yet joyful. So grab your suit and enjoy a day of comfort, leisure and joy. What could be better!
