I’ve always seen going to the beach as a cool way to get those hanging disturbing thoughts off my head, and each time I’m on the water with my favorite swimwear, I usually notice that my swimwear somewhat gets a bit bigger.
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So I had to find out, do swimsuits actually get bigger or smaller in water? Here’s what I found later on.
Yes, when swimsuits get wet, they tend to become less tight and may lose their elasticity over time, causing a smaller size to stretch out.
Why Do Swimsuits Shrink or Stretch in Water?
1. Materials
Swimsuits are typically made of elastic materials like Lycra, spandex, nylon, or a combination of these. These materials are chosen for their ability to cling to the body and offer flexibility and comfort while swimming. Over time, exposure to various conditions can affect the elasticity of these materials.
2. Water temperature
Hot water can make elastic materials like spandex, and Lycra relax and expand. If the material doesn’t have the ability to return to its original shape (due to age or quality), the swimsuit can remain stretched out after it dries. Conversely, cold water can cause materials to contract, potentially leading to a temporary ‘shrinkage’ effect.
3. Chemicals in water
Pool water contains chlorine, a disinfectant that kills harmful bacteria. However, chlorine can also damage swimsuit materials over time, causing them to lose elasticity and either stretch or shrink. Similarly, saltwater from the ocean can also damage the material and cause similar effects.
4. Washing and drying
The way a swimsuit is washed and dried can also affect its size. Machine washing and drying can be particularly hard on swimsuits, causing them to shrink or stretch. Air drying is usually recommended to preserve the swimsuit’s shape and size.
5. Wear and tear
General wear and tear from repeated use will naturally degrade the material over time, causing it to lose elasticity and potentially stretch.
Things To Consider Before You Decide On A Swimsuit Material
1. Consider the fabrics
Every swimmer’s goal is to own a swimsuit that stretches and, at the same time, last longer. If this is what you want, then it’s best that you consider the fabrics they’re made of.
For these reasons, It’s best to go after fabrics made of Nylon blends because they stretch quite well and are durable and dry very quickly.
Although you may also consider Polyester, Polyester/Spandex blends are susceptible to fading, and thinking that they take longer to dry is just so annoying. So generally, a blend of Nylon fabrics will be just okay for you.
2. Stretch before making a purchase
Good swimsuits, irrespective of the materials they’re made with, should be able to stretch to about 60-70 % in all directions.
The best and most convenient way to test this is by gently pulling at the fabrics to see whether they will stretch to a reasonable length. After stretching, it must also have the ability to regain its elasticity.
While at it, pay close attention to other details like the prints on the SW. Ensure that they’re in their best shape even after being stretched.
How To Pick The Perfect Swimsuits Size
Swimming with your favourite swimwear can be fun, but if you must get the best out of your water sport, then you should be ready to go after those that actually fit.
Many people make the mistake of going after swimsuits that fits perfectly well in the fitting room without considering if the swimsuits will shrink or stretch out the moment they step into the water.
So to avoid looking awkward with sagging swimsuits while in water, it’s best that your bathing suits should be snug ( not too tight that you can’t breathe. At least they should be comfortable) on you; that way, even when you get into that water, they won’t come off easily.
Why Do Bathing Suits Lose Elasticity In Water?
There are several instances of why your swimsuits lose elasticity in water. For example, a suit that has been worn for quite some time may tend to lose elasticity in the long run.
A suit can also lose elasticity when it stretches beyond its limits, leading to permanent deformation. For example, a bigger person sizing a medium-sized swimwear can often time lead to overstretching of the fabrics, which may damage them.
Other instances include putting bathing suits in a dryer. The tumbling effects of the hot dryer on the swimsuits can adversely affect your suits’ elasticity and render them completely useless.
Also, apart from the elastic effects dryer has on swimsuits, your bathing suits may completely lose their original shape because the stretchy bits (often called Lycra), which constitute about 20% of the entire fabric, have been altered negatively.
Do Swimsuits Stretch Out Over Time?
Yes, swimsuits stretch out over time, as it is with every other of your wear; swimsuits, when worn for a very long while, do stretch out, and when this happens, your bathing suits may no longer hug you the way they used to be when you first purchased it.
If this is the current state of your swimwear, then it’s time for you to say goodbye to your old swimwear and a big hello to a new one.
How Do I Keep My Bathing Suit From Stretching?
There’s hardly anything you can do to stop your swimsuits from stretching, but there is a way around to keep them lasting longer. Below are expert tips to keep them in top condition.
1. Rinse as soon as you’re out of the water
Chlorinated water is no joke and can invariably do a lot of damage to your suits than you least imagine. Whether you’re sunbathing or just got out of that water, it’s best to rinse your suit with water even if you do not plan to wash them immediately.
2. Hand wash
If you’re keen on adding extra life to your suits, then you need to hand wash them rather than dumping them in the washing machine. Using a washing machine may damage some parts and become ill-fitting in the long run.
3. Use mild soap
It is no longer news that using harsh detergents can ruin your suits in a lot of ways. Although they’re some detergent that is great for washing suits, it is good that you wash your bathing suits with a mild detergent such as Woolite to prevent them from fading along the way.
4. Avoid squeezing too hard
I know you want your swimwear to dry out fast, but squeezing them too hard so that there isn’t any drop of water in them can cause them to wear out pretty fast. So, as a rule of thumb, don’t squeeze too hard. You can roll your suits over the towel before air-drying them out.
Note: Never hang your swimsuits directly in the sun. sun drying your suits may cause them to fade.
Does Salt Water Ruin Swimsuits?
There are quite a lot that can damage your bathing suit and salt water is among them. Other things that can adversely ruin your suits are hot tubs, chlorine etc.
Wrapping Up – Do Swimsuits Shrink or Stretch in Water
Learning how to correctly choose swimwears that won’t sag or shrink while in the water is a gift very few people have, but the truth is, it isn’t as difficult a task as many see it.
One key to making the right swimsuit choice is first to size up and down; while at it, be sure that the suit fits perfectly and it shouldn’t be too loose. In fact, it’s a good idea to go after snug suits than those that do not fit because snug suits often expand an inch the moment they get wet.
So the next time you plan to hit the beach, always prepare with the mindset that suits do expand when wet. I hope I’ve been able to answer your question about whether or not swimsuits get bigger or smaller while in the water.
