Swimwear like non-padded triangle bikinis are perfect for comfort and accentuate the natural shape of your chest.
Photo: @pearlmodiadie/Instagram
When swimwear shopping, pinpoint if you’ll need it for competitive use of for leisure.Costumes come with varying degrees of layers for support, comfort and durability.Don’t get costumes that are too small or too big for you.The sun’s out and a dip in the pool is the perfect remedy for a hot summer’s day.
Whether you’re just looking to cool off or using the water as your next gym spot, getting just the right swimming costume that sits comfortably and allows breathable movement.
The best thing about swimwear is the versatility that comes with different styles.
Costumes like the triangle bikinis or strapless bikini tops are perfect for comfort since they usually have no underwire and padding. The non-padded bikini top accentuates the natural shape of your chest for a fun and modest cleavage.
One-piece costumes are classic and easy to move in. They offer good support for the chest and torso while giving you comfort.
When shopping for a costume, the first questions you need to ask yourself are what you hope to do in the water and how often you’ll be using it.
READ MORE | K Naomi and others show us how to style waistcoats this summer
Rahab Kanyane, team leader for Decathlon South Africa’s water sports in Johannesburg, started out as a runner and trained in horse riding and water sports, and she gave us some insight into finding just the right swimming costume for your needs.
For beginners looking to get into watersports or water training at the gym, Rahab suggests “you need a swimming costume, you need a pair of beginner goggles, you need a swimming cap. Maybe a little waterproof bag to put all your stuff in and then training fins”.
We got in touch with Rahab for her tips on swimwear shopping.
1. Find the right materialFrom minimal padding to extra layers, finding a costume with the right materials for your use is crucial.
“The materials are different. Some are single, some are double [lined], which gives a little big of extra [coverage] so it’s not too visible, like no one will see your skin,” Rahab says.
With costumes that have thinner material, she explains, “I think, more than anything, it’s comfort because we cater for different people … I come across a lot of customers who would say, ‘I don’t want anything, I just want plain’.”
2. Buy the size that fitsThis may seem like a given, but there’s a trend of too-tight costumes and bikini tops many sizes too small to accentuate the body’s features that may do more harm than good.
Nutritionist Lyndi Cohen explains: “A swimsuit that is too small will dig or cut into you. You won’t feel comfortable. You’ll constantly be readjusting. It won’t motivate you to lose weight. But it will ruin your mood.”
Lyndi further advises that a larger costume might not give you the extra coverage you expect but will instead cause gapes in the fabric and offer little support. Comfort is everything, so it’s best to go for a size you can move freely in and feel sexy and confident.
3. Confidence is keyWhether you’re a beginner or a competitive swimmer, finding that perfect costume for you is the key to feeling confident and happy in your skin.
Before making your purchase, Rahab suggests fitting the costume in the store. But hygiene is a big factor when fitting garments that go near intimate areas.
“We always advise that customers try on top [of their] underwear,” Rahab says.
“But obviously we cannot follow them to see if they are doing that. So, I always advise people to wash their clothes before they use them because everywhere – even me when I go shopping, I always try to wash my clothes before because I don’t know who tried it on.”
Newsletter
Weekly
TrueLove Style Essentials
Fashion and beauty stories, trends and styling tips.
Sign up
0 Comments