Choosing a One-Piece Swimsuit for Comfort, Sun Safety and Summer Plans
A good one-piece swimsuit is about more than looking current. It is a practical choice for long days at a Twin Cities lake beach, a hotel pool before a concert, or a family afternoon at a splash pad. Comfort, fit and sun protection tend to matter far more than whatever cut is fashionable this season.
Fit and comfort first
A suit that digs in, rides up or needs constant adjusting will not get worn. Look for straps that sit flat without leaving deep marks, a torso length that suits your body, and fabric with enough stretch to move with you. Many people find adjustable straps, a built-in shelf bra or a lined front more comfortable for swimming laps or playing in the water with children. If you are pregnant, recovering from surgery or managing a skin condition, it is worth asking your own doctor or nurse whether any particular fabrics or styles are better for you.
Sun protection is part of the outfit
One-piece suits cover more skin than many two-piece styles, which can help reduce sun exposure on the back and stomach. Some swimwear is labelled with a UPF rating, which indicates how much ultraviolet radiation the fabric blocks. Even so, exposed skin still needs a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, reapplied after swimming or towelling off. A hat, sunglasses and time in the shade during the middle of the day all add up.
Looking after your skin and your suit
- Rinse your suit in cool, fresh water after swimming in chlorinated pools or lakes.
- Change out of a damp suit when you can; staying in wet fabric for hours can irritate skin for some people.
- Let swimwear air-dry flat, away from direct heat, so the elastic lasts longer.
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