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Original poster

Do swimsuits have any advantages over bikinis?!

61 replies

strawberriessugarcream · 02/08/2022 12:24

Obviously if a person feels swimsuits are more flattering to them, that would be a reason to buy one. Are there any other reasons?!

I wear bikinis because I prefer the look of them and find them more comfortable under clothes, but I don't use them for actual swimming in the sea - just lazing on beaches and paddling. I'm thinking of taking up sea swimming and wondering whether to get a swimsuit (I've seen a nice one). I'm wondering:

  • Do swimsuits stay on better when swimming in the sea?
  • Do they keep you a bit warmer in chilly water?
Thanks for any thoughts on this!

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

OP posts:
turkeyboots · 02/08/2022 12:26

Swimsuits are way less likely to fall off on waterside and can protect your skin from bumpy bits on the slide.
And more streamlined for acutal swimming.

Sprogonthetyne · 02/08/2022 12:31

I find if I'm doing actually swimming I end up with boobs popping out of a bikini. It probably depends on how big busted you are and how vigorously you intend to swim. A few minutes splash about, i don't think it would matter. 20 minutes doing laps of the beach, I'd prefer a proper swimsuit.

Flockameanie · 02/08/2022 12:31

Swimsuits are better for actually swimming in! They don't come off. Less drag. Also better for jumping in in!

Also keep you warmer (can be a good or bad thing)

Protect skin from sun, etc

CuteGroot · 02/08/2022 12:37

I’ve always been a swimsuit person, even when I was young and gorgeous.

They’re comfortable.
They need less adjusting.
I’m an active person - I like swimming, paddle boarding etc - and I feel more secure in them.
Im pale and don’t sunbathe, so don’t care about my stomach being tanned.

Im also probably in the minority of thinking they look nicer. I have seen some really gorgeous French women on my current holiday in one pieces and they look very simple and chic.

TitInATrance · 02/08/2022 12:38

Better for swimming, don’t ride up or down when you move your arms vigorously!
Fastenings less likely to fail - I have had a bikini front fastening snap for no reason at a busy lido half way up a pool ladder, and I am small of boob.
Cover up stretch marks and flab.
Only one item to remember to take home from pool, beach, washing line.

Haven’t worn a bikini in years.

GettingStuffed · 02/08/2022 12:44

They don't let you flash the beach when body boarding 😬

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 02/08/2022 12:56

My preferred combo is a really well fitting bikini top (one using bra sizing) and a very big pair of 'boy' style bottoms. I like being able to put my swimming stuff under my clothes in advance and find that more comfy and practical than a swimsuit.

I think a swim suit might be slightly warmer once you're in and swimming not sure it makes much difference. I have a couple of tankinis as well which could be the best of both worlds.

ChilliPB · 02/08/2022 13:16

If you’re swimming and active - I’d go swimsuit. I’ve had a bikini top ride up when jumping in before so a swimsuit feels more secure 😂

However also think about what’s easiest to get on and off under a towel etc if you’re changing outdoors (and when it’s cold you’ll want to do this quickly!) So for example either a swimsuit that you can push the straps down on or a bikini top that has a back fastening works better than a bikini top that needs to come up over your head IYSWIM. With a swimsuit or bikini with a back fastening you can put a loose top over your head without putting your arms in and then take the swim stuff off under.

BlueChampagne · 02/08/2022 13:21

With a swimsuit, you'll never leave half of it behind ...

Chakraleaf · 02/08/2022 13:22

I swim outside daily and a bikini is just a pain. It doesn't usually look better either

SunnyKlara · 02/08/2022 13:23

Swimsuits are definitely more secure for swimming, as long as it isn't a fashiony cut out one.

I take both on holiday, swim suit for lengths then bikini for chilling

undermilkjug · 02/08/2022 13:25

I prefer a bikini if I'm going to be swimming or at the beach for more than about 2 hours because wet swimming costumes are tricky to get off if you need a wee, and horrible to pull back on again. If I'm just swimming for an hour or so and then changing back into normal clothes a swimming costume is better.

Original poster
strawberriessugarcream · 02/08/2022 13:30

Thank you for the replies - really helpful. It sounds worth getting a swimming costume.

@TitInATrance OMG what a nightmare!!

OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 02/08/2022 13:33

I went for long tankini top with boy cut bikini shorts.

No worries about boobs coming out or even stray pubes.

I am long of body so it's comfier than most Speedo swimsuits.

BloodAndFire · 02/08/2022 13:34

undermilkjug · 02/08/2022 13:25

I prefer a bikini if I'm going to be swimming or at the beach for more than about 2 hours because wet swimming costumes are tricky to get off if you need a wee, and horrible to pull back on again. If I'm just swimming for an hour or so and then changing back into normal clothes a swimming costume is better.

Just pull it to one side to have a wee!

TheVanguardSix · 02/08/2022 13:34

Ghillie suit is best… for me at least.

TabithaTittlemouse · 02/08/2022 13:35

I wear bikinis, swimsuits or wetsuits. I don’t find any stay on better (so long as they are well fitting).

and I don’t find a swimsuit keeps me any warmer than a bikini.

neshtastic · 02/08/2022 13:38

Absolutely love a simple black one piece. I think most people suit one pieces more than bikinis

pimlicoanna · 02/08/2022 14:23

If you have small children it's easier to not get your bikini top pulled off!

TheOrigRights · 02/08/2022 16:14

burnoutbabe · 02/08/2022 13:33

I went for long tankini top with boy cut bikini shorts.

No worries about boobs coming out or even stray pubes.

I am long of body so it's comfier than most Speedo swimsuits.

Are you me?
I swim (like in a pool and open water proper swimming) in a boy short tankini.
I find it hard to get nice long bodied one pieces and there ain't nothing flattering about a one piece wedgie!

I think I've not got well fitting bikini tops as the band pops over my very small boobs.

blobby10 · 02/08/2022 16:20

I prefer a tankini to a bikini - went surfing in Cornish waves in June and everything stayed in place! Gave me the best of both worlds as it was easier to change out of then a swimsuit but I was just as secure when body boarding

bellamountain · 02/08/2022 16:25

Saw a lot of women wearing swimsuits on holiday this year, a lot of trendy type women. Swimsuits are definitely fashionable at the moment. I wore mine quite a bit.

Syeknom · 02/08/2022 16:28

Sorry to slightly derail, can anyone recommend a good brand for taller than average women? I'd really like a regular swimsuit rather than a bikini for taking the kids swimming.

I'm 5'10" and about a size ten but because of my height something that fits on paper looks terrible and is really uncomfortable. I've tried Speedo and Adidas.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 02/08/2022 16:47

Swimsuits are better for swimming in as opposed to a bikini.

I agree with a PP that a tankini is also useful.

and as @BloodAndFire says - just pull the swimsuit to one side if you need to wee, I can't believe I spent years as a child/teenager pulling down the costume when to the side is so easy!

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 02/08/2022 16:53

Syeknom · 02/08/2022 16:28

Sorry to slightly derail, can anyone recommend a good brand for taller than average women? I'd really like a regular swimsuit rather than a bikini for taking the kids swimming.

I'm 5'10" and about a size ten but because of my height something that fits on paper looks terrible and is really uncomfortable. I've tried Speedo and Adidas.

My SIL is 5 ft 10 and size 8-10, she's always been ok with normal swimsuits but just with a long body. So no specific brand. In fact she borrowed one from my mum which was a Tu Sainsburys one and said it was really nice.

She's also got taller women swimsuits from Next and I think M&S in the past and has been fine with those.