Every year, you buy a new swimsuit, and every year, you swear that this will be your last one. Most people do not wear swimwear as often as their regular clothes; they might put on a swimsuit a few times during the summer season to soak up the sunshine and spend time in a friend’s pool, but otherwise, their new swimwear tends to look and feel new after many months of use. In truth, swimwear could survive for many years on end — yet many people like you continue to invest in new swim pieces every summer, wasting their money and cluttering their homes with unnecessary garments.
If you are tired of buying new swimwear over and over, it is possible to break the cycle. Here are three tips to help you find swimwear that you will love year after year, so you can stop blowing your budget on new swim pieces.
Buy Flattering Swimwear
The first step to kicking the habit of buying new swimwear is to recognize what type of swimwear makes you feel comfortable and confident. Insecurity can drive people to continue spending money on items they do not need or want; thus, by identifying the swimwear styles that flatter your shape and style, you will be more adept at selecting swimwear pieces that you will want to wear again and again for years to come.
All over the web, you can find guides to swimwear styles by body shape and size. While many people find these resources helpful, you should not consider them to be universally accurate. More important than how other people view your body in your swimsuit is how you feel about yourself, so if you prefer a swimwear style that is allegedly bad for your body shape, you should ignore the “rules” and follow your instincts. Some good signs that a style of swimwear feels flattering include:
- You like looking at your body in your swimwear.
- You are not constantly adjusting your swimwear.
- You forget you are wearing your swimwear.
- You can enjoy a variety of activities in your swimwear.
Buy Durable Swimwear
As important as how your swimwear looks is what it is made from. Not all swimwear is created equal; some swimwear designers prioritize the price of the final product, which typically means that suits will be made from cheap and flimsy materials. It isn’t uncommon for low-quality swimwear to wear thin, lose elasticity or otherwise become unwearable after a single season. If you cannot trust your swimwear to hold up after a few uses, you will be trapped in a swimwear buying cycle forever.
Thus, you need to find sources of high-quality women’s designer swimwear. Good, durable swimwear fabrics will feel thick and soft, and when pulled, the fabric and seams will quickly and consistently return to its original shape. Your swimwear should have a full lining, and the seams should show two rows of stitching. It should go without saying, but any stitching that seems loose or unfinished — or any elements like padding or wires that are not securely attached — are signs that the swimwear is poorly made and not worth your investment.
Care for Your Swimwear
Finally, even the most deluxe swimwear will experience wear and tear, and you will need to engage in proper maintenance to prevent excessive damage. The steps to proper swimwear care include:
- Rinse your swimwear after every use. With fresh, cool, clean water from the tap, rinse out any sand, salt or chemicals that may linger in your swimwear. Avoid the urge to wring or scrunch your swimwear during this process.
- Handwash your swimwear after three wears. Using a mild clothing detergent (perhaps even a specialized soap designed for the synthetic fabric of swimwear) and cool water, gently swish your swimwear clean in the sink or tub. Rinse with clean water until soap is gone and air dry on a flat surface. Avoid the urge to use your laundry machines, which even on delicate cycles move too violently and thus cause damage to the delicate materials of your swimwear.
- Consider what you touch. Avoid sitting or leaning against rough surfaces, which can cause micro-tears in your swimsuit fabric that result in unsightly pilling and destruction of elastic. Place a towel or a swim cover between your swimsuit and any surfaces that might cause harm.
You might need to buy one or two new swimsuits — but if you follow this guide, that could be the last swimwear purchase for many years. You can save money, reduce waste and feel better about yourself in your swimwear if you stop the swimwear cycle and invest in swimwear that will last.
