Summer is in full swing, and we hope that means you’ve already spent plenty of time outside by the water. A good swimsuit (or two or three!) is a summer essential, and luckily there are tons of options out there. The thing is, depending on how you want to spend your sunny summer day, you may need different things from your swimsuit. For example, the suit you’d wear to wakeboard is likely going to be different than what you’d want when simply laying out to get a tan. Different activities call for different features, such as secure straps, more (or less) coverage, or even a specific style of top or bottom. That's why it helps to know the different types of women's swimsuits before you start shopping.
At Sun & Ski Sports, we have a wide range of women’s swimsuit options for all your outdoor summer needs. Whether you’re looking for a rash guard for watersports or a cute bikini for a casual beach day, we’re sharing some of our favorite women’s swimsuits from brands like ROXY, Billabong, and more.
Table of Contents
Women's Swimsuits for Lounging
Women's Swimsuits for Watersports
Women's Boardshorts
Women's Rash Guards
Making Your Swimsuit Last
Women's Swimsuit Questions Answered
Suit Up and Head to the Water
Women’s Swimsuits for Lounging
You can, of course, wear any swimsuit you want when simply lounging by the water, be it on the beach or alongside the pool, but we’re highlighting some that are a little more fashion-forward, rather than purely sporty. Whether you prefer a bikini or one-piece style, comfort is key, so look for suits with soft fabric and moderate compression. Since you won’t be, say, surfing a wake, there’s less of a need for super form-fitting straps or bands, but adjustable straps and ties are still essential for looking and feeling good. If getting a tan is your thing, then less coverage will obviously help with that.
When it comes to two-piece swimsuits, there are a range of top and bottom styles.
Bikini Top and Bottom Styles
You can go for a strapless bandeau top, a comfortable bralette style, or a more classic triangle bikini top. Bottoms can be low or high-waited for more or less coverage. One-pieces have the same variety, as you can opt for a deep V-neck, high-cut sides, or a low back.
Women’s Swimsuits for Watersports
Switching gears, the swimsuit you want for watersports is definitely going to have more specifications and requirements. Since you’ll either be getting pulled by a boat, actively swimming, and generally doing way more physical activity, you need a swimsuit that supports that. That means finding the balance between a swimsuit that keeps everything in place, while still allowing for freedom of movement. A good rule for how a swimsuit should fit: you should be able to slide two fingers under any strap or band without it digging in, and nothing should shift when you raise your arms overhead. If a suit passes that test dry, it will usually behave once it is wet.
For two-pieces, look for wider straps and bottoms with more coverage (high-waisted bottoms are helpful for some). Then there are surfsuits, which are basically a hybrid of a one-piece and a rash guard. With these you really can eliminate the worry of anything flying off, as they zip up for a secure fit, and have either short or long sleeves.
Women’s Boardshorts
Boardshorts are quick-drying shorts designed to be worn both in and out of the water, with a flat waistband and a bit longer inseam than a regular pair of swim trunks. Popular for watersports like surfing, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding, as well as water-side sports like beach volleyball, boardshorts are meant to be worn both in and around the water. They provide more coverage than a standard bikini bottom, but still come in a range of inseam lengths, so you can go as short or long as you want. They’re typically made of quick-dry fabric and are easy to move around in, making them perfect for those in-between activities where you’ll probably get a little wet, but don’t plan to go for a full-on swim.
Boardshorts are an adventure’s must-have. They can be paired with a bikini top, worn over a one-piece swimsuit, or serve as a perfect compliment to a standard athletic top.
Women’s Rash Guards
Rash guards are a type of swimsuit top designed to protect your skin from irritation, be it from the sand, sun, or water. The same way boardshorts are basically athletic shorts that can get wet, a rash guard is the same thing, but on top. Rash guards are great to wear when water skiing or wakeboarding, because they protect your skin when you fall and slam into the water (no judgment here). And, of course, they’re great for covering up from the sun, too. As an added bonus, most are made with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) fabrics that block out UV rays. UPF is not the same thing as SPF, since it rates how much total radiation the fabric itself lets through rather than how long a sunscreen holds up.
Whether you’re a watersport fanatic or need to protect your skin from getting burned, it’s always smart to have at least one rash guard on deck in your closet.
Making Your Swimsuit Last
Chlorine, salt, and sunscreen are all wrecking balls for swimsuit fabric, and direct sunlight finishes the job off. Rinse yours in cool water after every dip, don't even think about chucking it in the washing machine or dryer, and lay it flat to dry - out of direct sunlight, please. If you wear your suits regularly, they'll probably hold their shape for a year or two, and switching between them every now and then gives the elastic a chance to recover, which is the easiest way to prolong the life of a suit you love.
Women's Swimsuit Questions Answered
Do you really need to wear a swimsuit under a rash guard?
Yep, you can if you want to - most people do wear a bikini top or one-piece underneath for a bit more coverage and support, as the rash guard on its own is just a shirt. If you're wearing boardshorts, it's definitely worth it.
Can you wear boardshorts as regular shorts?
You bet. Boardshorts are basically like athletic shorts; they dry fast, so they're fine for walking to the beach, having a bite to eat afterward, or a game of volleyball. The main difference is the flat waistband.
What's the difference between a bandeau and a triangle bikini top?
A bandeau is a strapless top that cuts straight across your chest - good for avoiding tan lines but not great if you need a lot of support. A triangle top has ties at the neck and back, so you can adjust the fit to get some extra hold.
Does UPF protection fade away over time?
Quality UPF fabric will retain its rating throughout the garment's life; the protection is woven into the fabric itself, not applied as a separate coating. What reduces it is stretching or wearing the fabric out, so if your suit has lost its shape, it won't be giving you the same level of protection as when it was new.
Suit Up and Head to the Water
What you want to wear for watersports, to swim, or hang by the water is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable in. That’s the most important part: that you feel good. That being said, certain swimsuit styles could be tailored to one activity over another, so it’s smart to take that into consideration when shopping for a swimsuit. Whether you’re a watersports thrill-seeker, a leisurely kayaker, or a sunbather, stop by one of the 30+ Sun & Ski Sports locations to stock up on your next swimsuit.
About the Author, Sydney Fogel
Hi, I’m Sydney! I’m a writer and editor living in San Francisco. After attending college and kicking off my career in Boston, I made my way back to the Bay Area, where I grew up. When I’m not working, you can find me enjoying everything my beautiful area has to offer, from spending time at the beach (I live just a few blocks away!) to climbing those San Francisco hills to check out the latest restaurant. I’m also super into working out and have been dancing my entire life. Feel free to reach out at Sfogel@sunandski.com