I used to be one of those people who thought bikinis were the only way to actually look cute at the beach. I mean, the idea of wearing sleeves to go swimming felt kind of dorky to be honest. It reminded me of those intense surfers or like, a professional athlete, which I am definitely not. But after a few summers of dealing with annoying strap marks and that constant, low key fear that my top was gonna fly off every time a wave hit, I finally tried a short sleeve swimsuit. I gotta tell you, it was a total game changer. There is just something so nice about not having to yank at your suit every five minutes while you're trying to have a good time. Plus, they actually look way cooler than I expected once you find the right fit.Great for when you actually want to do stuff
If you have ever tried to play beach volleyball or even just walk through some rough waves in a string bikini, you know the struggle is real. You're constantly checking to make sure everything is still where it should be. It is exhausting. That is where the short sleeve suits really win for me. They stay locked on your shoulders no matter what you're doing. I can actually focus on not falling off my paddleboard instead of worrying about a wardrobe malfunction. It’s just way more relaxing when you aren't fighting your clothes the whole afternoon.Seriously, save your shoulders from the sun
We have all had that one day where we totally forget to reapply sunscreen and end up looking like a bright red lobster by dinner. It is the worst. One of the biggest perks of having actual sleeves is that you get built in protection for the parts of your body that usually burn the fastest. I find it so much easier to just zip up and know my back and shoulders are safe from that brutal midday sun. It saves me a lot of stress, especially when the water reflection is extra crazy. You still need the lotion for your arms obviously, but it takes a huge chunk of the worry out of the equation.It basically doubles as a cute bodysuit
The funny thing about these suits is how well they work even after you leave the water. I have definitely worn my short sleeve suit with a pair of high waisted denim shorts to grab a taco and nobody even realized it was swimwear. It just looks like a sporty top. You can’t really pull that off with a tiny bikini top unless you want to feel a bit too exposed in a restaurant. It makes packing for a day trip way simpler because you don’t have to lug around three different outfits just to go from the sand to the shops.Bikinis are still okay for just chilling
I’m not saying you should go throw away every bikini you own, because they definitely still have a place. If your only goal for the day is to just lie out on a towel and get a nice even tan without any weird lines on your arms, then yeah, a bikini is the way to go. They’re light and perfect for those super hot days when you barely want anything touching your skin. I usually save mine for the pool or a quiet backyard day and save the sleeves for when I’m headed to the actual ocean where things get a bit more unpredictable.It just comes down to your own vibe
At the end of the day, you should just wear whatever makes you feel like your best self. Some days I want to feel a bit more fancy in a bikini and other days I just want to jump off a pier without a single care in the world. I think the reason these short sleeve suits are blowing up lately is because people are finally starting to value being comfortable just as much as looking good. You don't really have to choose one or the other anymore. Once you find one that fits like a second skin, you’ll probably find yourself grabbing it way more often than you thought you would.
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