How to tell if your cute new swimsuit is actually going to be see through once you hit the water
I think we have all been there at least once where you find the most perfect looking white or pale pink swimsuit online and it looks incredible in the professional photos but then you actually get to the hotel pool and realize it is basically transparent the second it gets a little bit damp. It is honestly one of the most embarrassing things that can happen on vacation and it usually ends up with you hiding in the water for an hour because you are too scared to walk back to your towel. I used to think that just buying a more expensive brand would save me from this nightmare but to be honest I have had some pretty pricey suits turn into a total disaster the second they got wet. Over the years I have developed a few weird little tests I do in the dressing room or even just by looking at the fabric quality that help me figure out if a suit is going to keep my dignity intact or if it is basically just a giant piece of wet tissue paper.
The hand stretch test is your first line of defense
The very first thing I do when I pick up a swimsuit is stick my hand inside the fabric and pull it tight over my knuckles. If I can clearly see the color of my skin or the shape of my fingernails while the fabric is dry then you can bet your life that it is going to be completely see through when it is wet. You want a material that stays opaque even when you are stretching it out because remember that the fabric is going to be stretched over your curves all day long. If the fibers look like they are pulling apart or getting thin under just a little bit of pressure from your hand then that is a massive red flag and you should probably just put it back on the rack and walk away.
Check for a high quality inner lining
I have noticed that a lot of fast fashion brands try to save money by only lining the very front of the swimsuit or even worse they just don't line it at all. A good swimsuit should almost always have a second layer of fabric inside especially if it is a lighter color like white or yellow or mint green. I always flip the suit inside out to see if the lining goes all the way around the back too. If the lining feels like it is made of that super thin mesh stuff it probably won't do much to help you once it is soaked. You really want a solid secondary layer of nylon or spandex that feels almost as thick as the outer shell itself to give you that extra bit of security.
Why the weight of the fabric actually matters
Sometimes you can just tell by the weight of the suit in your hand if it is going to be a problem or not. If a swimsuit feels incredibly light and airy like a regular t-shirt it is probably not going to hold up well in the water. High quality swimwear fabric usually has a bit of weight to it because the knit is much tighter and denser. I usually look for words like "heavyweight" or "double layered" in the product description if I am shopping online. A thicker fabric doesn't just hide your skin better but it also usually lasts way longer because it doesn't lose its shape after just a few swims in the ocean.
Be extra careful with white and pastel shades
It sounds like common sense but white swimsuits are the absolute worst offenders when it comes to being transparent. Even the most expensive white suits can get a little bit risky if the sun is hitting them a certain way or if they are totally drenched. If you really love the look of a white one piece I highly suggest looking for one that has a textured fabric like a ribbed or a crinkle material. Those little ridges and bumps in the fabric add an extra layer of depth that makes it much harder for light to pass straight through. It gives you that chic aesthetic without the constant worry of accidentally flashing everyone at the beach club.
The light test will reveal the truth
If you are in a fitting room one of the best tricks is to hold the swimsuit up directly against the overhead light. If you can see the shape of the light bulb through both layers of the fabric then it is definitely going to be an issue in the bright afternoon sun. Natural light is way stronger than those dressing room bulbs so if it is already looking a bit thin in the store it is going to be ten times worse at the beach. I have even been known to take a quick photo of the fabric with my phone flash on just to see how much light bounces off or goes through. It might feel a bit extra but it is way better than finding out the hard way later on.
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