Why the hell do my swimming costumes do this?

[Silverswirl]

I’m beyond frustrated. Can anyone relate / give advice?
I have large boobs so need a non padded, NON moulded cup, underwired swimming costume. (Would never wear bikini)
I get them from figleaves (now simply be I believe) and they look great, fit well, hold everything in place. They arnt cheap but I can’t really find anything as good. All swimming costumes seem to come with moulded cups which do not work with my boobs at all.
The problem is that every flipping costume really quickly goes see through at the bum after a short time. The water degrades it.
I always rinse well with cold water.
I seem to have to buy a new one every year and now with my latest one I’ve only worn it approx 10 times and it’s already completely see through at the bum.
I’m so cross as these costumes cost around £60.
Please tell me someone has an answer to this 😩

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If you've found this page in search of swimwear that has been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best swimsuits for women useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

I would send it back and complain!

I don’t know the answer, but I’ve had that happen to a few of mine. Particularly turquoise ones!

(Mine weren’t figleaves)

I've never had that happen. I buy bikinis and swimsuits from bravissimo.

@DownWhichOfLate

I would send it back and complain!

It’s been 9 months and 10 swims later though so don’t think I can now! That’s always the problem. It goes wrong too late to complain but too early to be right!

I get a fig leaves tankini underwired proper cup sized top and cheapo plain coloured swim bottoms from decathlon.

Are you only rinsing with water? Or then washing them in the machine too? I wonder if you arent getting all the chlorine out of the fabric? I have always bunged mine on a cooler wash in the machine and don't have this problem.

Are you rinsing out salt or chlorinated water very thoroughly? They degrade the fabric.

No idea, what about wearing a swim skirt on top of the swimming costume?

It will save you so much money replacing the suit every year.

www.landsend.co.uk/s/LandsEndUK/Womens_Beach_Living_Tummy_Control_SwimMini/pp/2659758.html?cm_mmc=search_g_pla_12815416968m34722310BLA&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQiAuvOPBhDXARIsAKzLQ8FJ9DvRoPYuChp8O8TJyBppSSPZ3JktYiDyRPfzyhfTdsajclIqFowaAte9EALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvOPBhDXARIsAKzLQ8FJ9DvRoPYuChp8O8TJyBppSSPZ3JktYiDyRPfzyhfTdsajclIqFowaAte9EALw_wcB

@Stormwhale

Are you only rinsing with water? Or then washing them in the machine too? I wonder if you arent getting all the chlorine out of the fabric? I have always bunged mine on a cooler wash in the machine and don't have this problem.

I do put them in the wash every now and again but the instructions actually say hand wash with cold water. I put them in the wash after a few swims as I like it to be properly washed but maybe I shouldn’t? Wouldn’t have thought a few washed would have caused it though?

Dont wash in fabric softener it kills lycra and elastic. Same goes for tights

I've never had this happen, do you go on a lot of water slides OP?

I would complain I think, especially if it's always happening. Is the fabric going all thin in that area then? I will say that surf brand bikinis and swimsuits often seem to be better quality/thicker material than fashion ones so that might be worth a look but I don't know if they do ones that meet your requirements otherwise.

Are you washing with detergent to get all chlorine out

[quote Arabellla]No idea, what about wearing a swim skirt on top of the swimming costume?

It will save you so much money replacing the suit every year.

www.landsend.co.uk/s/LandsEndUK/Womens_Beach_Living_Tummy_Control_SwimMini/pp/2659758.html?cm_mmc=search_g_pla_12815416968m34722310BLA&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQiAuvOPBhDXARIsAKzLQ8FJ9DvRoPYuChp8O8TJyBppSSPZ3JktYiDyRPfzyhfTdsajclIqFowaAte9EALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvOPBhDXARIsAKzLQ8FJ9DvRoPYuChp8O8TJyBppSSPZ3JktYiDyRPfzyhfTdsajclIqFowaAte9EALw_wcB[/quote]
It’s a really good idea thank you!

I swim every day and have done for years. I have 5 costumes and wash them after one wear (with other clothes) they still go thin but not as quickly buy more (cheap) ones.

OP, you need to put them through the washing machine after swim to get rid of all the chlorine.
Just rinsing them in water isn't enough.

@hamsterchump

I've never had this happen, do you go on a lot of water slides OP?

I would complain I think, especially if it's always happening. Is the fabric going all thin in that area then? I will say that surf brand bikinis and swimsuits often seem to be better quality/thicker material than fashion ones so that might be worth a look but I don't know if they do ones that meet your requirements otherwise.

No water slides no, but I do go in the hot tub at the pool sometimes and have used a hot tub whilst on holiday etc The material goes really thin in the bum area with white dots on the underside of the bum cheek / crack area. It’s like the elastic in the material keeps eroding

I hate to say it, but are they too small? I find that areas that are most stretched, especially on black costumes, seem to deteriorate from chlorine faster than the less stretched areas.

I've been wearing expensive tankini tops from Bravissimo with cheapo Shein swimming shorts that cost £7 and seem to last for ever with no change at all in their quality.

Oh well yes, hot tubs definitely don't help.

Swimming costumes should never go in a washing machine. And I wash mine with either pure liquid soapflakes (Wilkinson/Waitrose) or a blob of shampoo, never laundry detergent. Also they have to be thoroughly rinsed as soon as you get home, and washed in soap the same day. the rinsing at the pool is often still in chlorinated water so it doesn't count.

If you are washing in detergent every few washes and you've been 10 times in 9 months, that's a few months between washes. I think you need to put on a cool cycle with detergent every time.

I swim a lot. My black costume go a bit pale and my cheap Sport Direct one perished but I'd def got my moneys worth from them.

When you say see through, do you mean the fabric has got thinner?

@mandoforever

OP, you need to put them through the washing machine after swim to get rid of all the chlorine. Just rinsing them in water isn't enough.

I do that every couple / few swims but it says on the label hand wash only. I would say I’ve worn 10 times and washed with detergent 7 times. Cold rinsed 3 times approx

Or consider a cheaper costume & wear a bra under it. I swim multiple times a week and have big boobs so sometimes wear a sports bra under a costume.

@TheOrigRights

If you are washing in detergent every few washes and you've been 10 times in 9 months, that's a few months between washes. I think you need to put on a cool cycle with detergent every time.

I swim a lot. My black costume go a bit pale and my cheap Sport Direct one perished but I'd def got my moneys worth from them.

When you say see through, do you mean the fabric has got thinner?

Yes thin and see through. If you look on the back of the fabric there is all white bits like the elastic has degraded

@SkiRun0077

Or consider a cheaper costume & wear a bra under it. I swim multiple times a week and have big boobs so sometimes wear a sports bra under a costume.

That’s interesting, never thought of that! Funnily enough, when I’ve worn cheaper costumes (before kids when boobs were pert) they rarely did this