Have you ever noticed your bathing suit bottoms have started to sag? Or that the straps that connect your top are stretched out way longer than the last time you wore it? If this has happened to you, chances are you've been buying low-quality swimsuits. If you want to start purchasing higher quality swim pieces that will hold up in the long run, read ahead.
How to Tell if a Piece is High-Quality
There are a few characteristics that good quality swim pieces will have. You will first want to pay attention to the stitching on the top and bottoms. If you can make out two rows of stitching, you know that you are looking at a piece that will stand the test of time. This type of stitching will prevent the swimsuit from stretching or tearing at the seams. If you see a single row of stitching, then you can assume that you have a cheaply made piece on your hands.
The lining in a swimsuit is also a classic tell of the quality. Some pieces of swimwear will come with no additional lining. You will also see some pieces with partial lining. What you want to look for is a swimsuit that is fully lined on the bikini bottom and top. When included on a swimsuit, lining will help to support the piece and give it more balance over time. This will help with the longevity of the swimsuit.
Look over the clasps and closures as well. No one wants to have a closure point fail on a form fitting bikini. If you notice poorly made or cheap looking clasps, then that is a good sign that the piece will not last. Also consider how any metal details will change in appearance over time. Gold details on a bikini are more likely to turn to silver over time. And silver pieces are prone to paint chipping on lower quality suits.
Similar to clasps and closures, you want to examine strings or ties for strength as well. You can pull at the tie closures to inspect the elasticity. A bathing suit with good elasticity will not overstretch and will return to its former shape as soon as you stop stretching it. The straps will be thick and sturdy and should be long enough to tie a substantial knot. Straps that are too long can get caught on things and can cause your knot to unravel.
Lastly you will want to feel the fabric of the swimsuit. It should be thick while still feeling soft to the touch. It should not feel stiff or like it would be uncomfortable once you put it on. Do the same elasticity test that you did with the straps to see if it returns to its intended shape. If the swimsuit you are looking to purchase passes all of these tests then you can rest assured that you are looking at a high-quality piece of swimwear.
Where to Not to Look
When looking for a good piece of swimwear, you will want to avoid fast fashion retailers. Fast fashion has been growing in popularity for years. These retailers are all about fast and quick manufacturing and they do not take high quality materials or fabrication into account. Many people like these types of stores for their cheap prices. This may be good for a couple trendy pieces that you intend to wear just a few times, however getting swimwear from these shops is a recipe for disaster. The wear and tear that your swimwear goes through is far beyond anything your day to day clothes will experience. Make sure you are avoiding buying swimwear from these places to ensure that your pieces will last you the entire season.
Where to Look
You may assume that high cost means high quality when it comes to swimwear. This is not necessarily the case. Make sure that you are still checking expensive swimwear with the methods listed above. So where should you be looking for high-quality swimwear?
Places that focus on swimwear are some of the best places to buy bathing suits. There are plenty of stores that exclusively sell swimwear. Some of them will also sell summer clothing, sandals, and other beach accessories, but if they have a focus on bathing suits you know they are going to be good. The focus on one type of garment ensures that you are purchasing from a company that understands how to make quality swimwear.
Your New Favorite Swimsuit
Follow these tips and tricks to help find your new favorite swimsuit. There is no better feeling than heading into summer knowing that you have an awesome new bikini to rock at the beach or pool. And you'll feel even better knowing that you have a piece that will be around next season too!