How to pick the right one piece swimsuit depending on whether you are hitting the pool or the beach
I used to think that a swimsuit was just a swimsuit and it didn’t really matter which one I grabbed out of my drawer when I was heading out the door for a swim. But after a couple of really annoying wardrobe mishaps I finally learned the hard way that swimming laps in a local community pool and hanging out in the ocean waves are two completely different sports. I remember wearing this super cute fashion forward suit with all these loose ties to an actual pool workout once and the amount of drag I felt was insane not to mention I spent half the time praying the straps wouldn't snap. Then a few weeks later I wore a super tight athletic suit to a beach lounge day and I was just sweaty and uncomfortable the entire afternoon while trying to relax on the sand. It turns out that the water environment actually dictates exactly what kind of fabric and cut you need if you want to avoid looking silly or feeling miserable.
Why chlorine means you need to look at the fabric tag closely
If you are mostly spending your time in a public pool doing actual swim laps or even just splashing around with family you have to understand that chlorine is absolute poison for cheap swimwear. I used to buy these super soft fast fashion suits that felt amazing on the hanger but after about four trips to the indoor pool they would get completely translucent and saggy in the back. Now when I am buying a suit specifically for pool use I always ignore how soft it feels and look for words like polyester blend or chlorine resistant on the label. Polyester might feel a tiny bit stiffer at first when it is dry but it holds its shape forever and won't rot under those harsh pool chemicals. Save your delicate nylon and spandex suits for the natural water because the pool will just eat them alive within a single month.
The streamlined cut you actually need for pool workouts
When you are moving through pool water you are fighting against a lot of resistance so you really want a one piece that behaves itself and stays completely plastered to your skin. This is not the place for plunging necklines or cute little ruffles because those things will just scoop up water and weigh you down like a heavy parachute. I always go for a classic racerback style or a high high scoop neck when I know I am going to be doing real swimming. You want wide straps that sit comfortably away from your neck so they don't chafe when you are doing your strokes. It gives you this very sleek and athletic vibe that makes you feel fast in the water and you don't have to keep adjusting the leg holes every time you push off the pool wall.
Surviving the ocean waves means thinking about sand traps
The ocean is a completely different beast because you are dealing with heavy waves and a ton of floating sand that wants to get into every single crevice of your clothing. The biggest mistake you can make at the beach is wearing a one piece with a ton of loose mesh inserts or complicated double linings that aren't stitched together at the bottom. Sand gets trapped inside those layers and it is literally impossible to get out until you get home and rinse it for an hour. For the beach I always look for single layer suits with a very tight weave fabric so the sand just slides right off. You also want to make sure the leg openings have a really solid elastic grip because a big wave will easily push a loose suit completely out of place before you even realize what happened.
Embracing the lounge factor and hardware at the coast
The best part about beach days is that you are usually spending a lot of time just lying on a towel or walking to a nearby taco stand so comfort and style can take top priority. This is the perfect environment to break out your more delicate nylon suits with the pretty metal rings or the low back cuts that look amazing in photos. Since you aren't doing heavy aerobic exercise you don't need to worry about high performance fabric or perfect aerodynamic streamlining. I love choosing vibrant colors or textured fabrics like ribbing for the beach because the natural sunlight makes those details look incredibly beautiful. Just make sure there are no huge metal buckles right on your spine or you are going to regret it the second you try to lean back on your lounge chair.
Making the final choice based on your post swim plans
Before you make your final choice you should also consider what you are doing right after you get out of the water because that changes the game too. If I am at a public pool I usually just want to shower quickly and change into regular clothes so a simple athletic suit that dries fast is perfect. But at the beach you are way more likely to wander into a casual restaurant or a boardwalk shop while still half wet. A stylish minimalist beach one piece doubles perfectly as a bodysuit so you can just pop a pair of linen shorts over it and look instantly put together. It saves you from having to carry a massive bag of extra clothes onto the sand which is always a massive win in my book.
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