Swimwear Guide: Buy Pieces You Will Keep For Years

A no-nonsense swimwear guide to pick pieces you will reach for, not leave forgotten in a drawer.

Check fit first, always

Bad fit is a common reason swimwear never gets worn. When you try any piece on, squat fully, lift your arms right above your head, lean forward and twist side to side. Nothing should dig, slip or need adjusting. Swim fabric will stretch very slightly after three wears. Pick the size that feels firm but comfortable when new, not loose. You do not want something that will slip once you are in the water. Use our size calculator to check measurements before ordering. You can also try pieces on your avatar before you buy in the Avatar Studio. This lets you see how the cut sits on your body shape without waiting for delivery.

Understand how swim fabric behaves

Not all swim fabric wears the same. Rub the fabric firmly between your thumb and finger. If it feels thin, leaves fuzz on your hand, or does not bounce back immediately when you pull and release it, it will not hold shape for long. Good swim fabric has a tight, smooth weave. Fully lined front and back panels hold shape far better than unlined pieces. Avoid very sheer fabric, it will break down faster and become transparent when wet. Where the maker states the fabric, you will find it on the product page in our Swimwear & Cover-Ups collection. 5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose.

Pick styles that work for more than one occasion

You do not need a different swimsuit for every trip. Choose cuts that work for the pool, the lake, the beach, and even layered out for lunch. A plain one piece works under linen trousers, with a cardigan, or worn alone. High waisted bottoms match every top you already own. Avoid very trend led prints or cuts that will feel out of place next year. Swimwear layers well with pieces from our Tops & Blouses, Elevated Loungewear and Travel Essentials collections. You can test all combinations in the Mix & Match Studio with clothing you already own.

Wash correctly every single time

Wash every swim piece after every wear. Even if you never got in the water. Sunscreen, body oil and sweat break down swim fabric faster than chlorine or salt water. Hand wash only, in cool water, with very mild soap. Never wring the fabric. Never put swimwear in a tumble dryer. Never leave it folded up damp in a bag overnight. Lay flat on a plain towel out of direct sun to dry. Hang drying will stretch straps and hems over time. Full care instructions for every swim fabric are published in our Fabric care guide.

Repair small faults immediately

Almost every swimwear failure starts as one tiny easy to fix problem. A loose thread, a small tear at the seam, a stretched strap. Fix this on the day you notice it, and the piece will last many more seasons. You can stitch small seam tears with ordinary cotton thread. Replace broken elastic yourself, or take it to any local tailor. Most strap repairs take less than five minutes to complete at home. Do not throw a piece away for one small fault. If you decide you will no longer wear it, pass it to someone who will, or drop it at a local clothing collection point.

Plan what you actually need

Before you browse anything new, lay out every swim piece you already own on your bed. Try them all on. Put aside anything that does not fit, that you do not like, or that has damage you will not repair. Count how many days you expect to be near water in the next twelve months. You will likely only need 3 or 4 good swim pieces for this. Only add more if you swim every single week. Log all your existing swimwear in the Virtual Closet to track what you own. This will stop you accidentally buying duplicates or pieces that do not work with what you already have.

How giving works when you shop with us

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. After your order you pick one of three causes: CARE International, Cool Earth or Project Zero. The donation is paid out through PayPal Giving Fund UK. Those three causes, together with how we run our own store (honest product data, fair prices), are matched to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

That is the heart of the 1% Movement: small choices × millions of us = change. It is a giving promise we can show you, and it is the only promise we make on this page.