Swimwear FAQs

Question 1: Lycra, Spandex, nylon, Supplex - Is there a difference?



Here's what you should know. Each fabric offers a unique fit and function. Firstly you should decide if you are going to wear your bathing suit to sunbathe or to 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.



Does all this confuse you? Below is a mini glossary of common swimwear fabrics:



Nylon



Cotton



Supplex



Lycra/Spandex



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?



You're not alone in this situation 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 also 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.



Question 3: Can I buy a swimsuit online that fits right?



If the thought of waiting in line to try on a handful of suits in a tiny little fitting room with unflattering florescent lighting doesn't really appeal to you, then online shopping is a great option. It's worth noting that most online sites 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 now offer high-tech display software so you have the option to 'virtually' try on your costume before you buy. These stores more than likely also have good discount throughout the year and this is worth investigating.



Question 4: Are there any suits that will conceal my cellulite?



Clothing does not remove cellulite, but 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 texture of cellulite. Spening some time in a indoor tanning salon before heding to the beach is a good idea.



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 that we found 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.



: Lycra/spandex won't ride up or slip off while you swim or ride the waves. There is an extra bonus here and that is that the higher the spandex content, the greater the slimming ability. But you should keep in mind spandex fibers break down easily with exposure to chemicals in swimming pools, hot tubs and even sunscreen. Your swimwear might not last as long as you hope it will.



Tricot: Tricot (nylon-spandex) is generally constructed from four-way stretch fabric, meaning your suit moves with you. : Supplex is another DuPont invention which offers the plush touch of cotton with the strength, durability and performance of nylon - but only softer. Plus, it won't wrinkle, shrink or fade.: Cotton suits are softer and more comfortable than nylon but are rarely form fitting. They lose shape, shrink and bleed and colors fade.



: Nylon was developed in 1938 by DuPont as the first completely synthetic fiber. This material offers resilience, abrasion resistance and very high flexibility. Often added to natural fibers to boost a garment's durability.