Swimsuit vs. Bathing Suit

Summer is upon us, and it’s that time of the year when we all come out and take breaks from the usual hectic schedules. And in most instances, your perfect vacation idea will often involve visiting the waterside. This can be a beach, pool, or water park where you can participate in several water-related activities. You can also decide to soak up some sunlight to help you get that proportionate tan effect on your skin.

To do all of the above, you need the proper attire that fits the occasion. This must be a garment firm or loose enough to allow you to participate in whatever activity you decide. Thankfully, some attires will enable you to enjoy your visit while having fun. What’s more, your options are almost limitless when picking swimwear. Confusion can occur and might prompt you to make the comparison; swimsuit vs. bathing suit.

Both terms refer to several garments suitable for use in water. These garments often vary in design and style, but they all have one goal in mind during use. 

Swimsuit Vs Bathing Suit

Interestingly, there is no significant difference between a swimsuit and a bathing suit, as both terms can be used interchangeably. Away from this, the term bathing suit often is a more general way of referring to gender-neutral swimwear. It applies to anything that an individual can wear while getting into the water. On the other hand, a swimsuit is a clothing garment specifically designed to engage in a water-based activity such as swimming, diving, and surfing. Alternatively, it can also be used in sun-orientated activities, like sunbathing. Many people associate the term swimsuit with referring to women’s bathing suits exclusively.

To many, the term bathing suit is an old way of referring to a swimsuit. And depending on the location where you use the term, you might get a weird look.

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Why Is It Called A Bathing Suit If You Don’t Bathe In It?

The term bathing suit was coined after the English spa city Bath. The town of Bath is located in the county of Somerset, in southeastern England. In the 15th through to the 18th centuries. The city was famous as visitors came to enjoy the therapeutic waters of its natural thermal springs. Visitors would immerse themselves in the waters to “bathe” while clothed in what would be later referred to as “bathing costumes.” Over the years, the term would be modified to “bathing suits” and would eventually be adopted worldwide.

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All You Need To Know About Swimsuits or Bathing Suits

Swimsuits or bathing suits cover any garment designed for water-based activities and sunbathing. As earlier stated, these terms cover a wide range of different clothes for both genders and children. If you are new to swimsuits, worry not.

What Are Swimsuits Made From?

In the past, bathing suits were made from regular clothing materials. Not until the 1920s, when Rayon was used in the manufacturing of tight-fitting swimsuits. It soon became evident that when wet, Rayon loses its durability. By the mid-1930s, new materials like latex and nylon were incorporated into the making of swimsuits. The new fabrics provided for a better, more durable swimwear when compared to Rayon but will pill after several uses.

Today, the best fabric for making swimsuits is a combination of polyester with Elastane. Another name for Elastane is the more popular Spandex or Lycra, and it’s responsible for the super stretchy nature of bathing suits available today. On the other hand, polyester is resistant to the effects of chemicals found in water, such as chlorine and salt. Again, polyester is excellent at retaining its color, making for impressive durability when creating body-hugging swimsuits.

Texturized polyester (PBT) swimsuits are common today with their natural stretch ability similar to what is obtainable with Spandex. 

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Uses of Bathing Suits

Over the years, bathing suits have evolved away from swimming garments alone. They’ve successfully found use in several other aspects of life. Today, swimsuits are delicate garments to promote physical attributes for both genders. You can find other uses of swimsuits in events like beauty pageants, glamor photography, gym, and bodybuilding.

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While these are the more conventional uses of bathing suits, you can also rock your one-piece or two-piece swimsuits under traditional garments to make an appealing mix-match combination. This is quite a popular trend in the fashion world, and it’s becoming more and more acceptable to many, especially ladies. Alternatively, you can find other uses for your old swimsuits within and around the house; you’ll be surprised at how nimble your bathing suit can be.

Types of Swimsuits

Swimsuits or bathing suits come in various names, designs, and styles. Each design can further have subdivisions within. Swimsuits are often classified by gender, but there are also those suitable for both genders. Regardless, below is a brief description of some of the most popular designs and styles of swimsuits available today:

1. One-Piece/Tank Suit

This design is the average picture on nearly everyone’s head of what a swimsuit looks like. It has a structure of one garment providing coverage for most of the abdomen. It has its top and bottom half joined and is suitable for water and sun activities. With the one-piece swimsuit, different styles abound, with each aiming to create the perfect beach body appearance for you. The tank suit evolved from old bulky swimming attires and has become the preferred form of swimwear for many.

2. Two-piece or Bikini

Just as the name suggests, two-piece swimsuits or bikinis consist of two separate halves; the top and the bottom. They were created by French designer Louis Réard, to rival an earlier version known as “atom” by Jacques Heim. The introduction of bikinis has pushed the boundaries of bathing suits to near nudity with the existence of several designs with skimpy styles. Today, two-piece swimsuits are more popular than ever, with newer types popping up from time to time. Some popular styles of two-piece swimsuits include string bikinis, thongs, skirtini, and bandeaukini.

3. Rash Guard

The rash guard top helps athletes deal with abrasion and rashes from certain water sports activities. In most cases, it uses polyester, Spandex, nylon, or a combination of any of the three materials. If you participate in triathlon events, surfing or kayaking, you should consider having a rash guard. Thankfully, you can find rash guard designs today in the form of wetsuits.

4. Board shorts

By design, Boardshorts are an extension of swim trunks that go to or past the knee. The added length provides extra coverage and offers more protection to the leg. In most cases, they come with a non-elastic waistband or a draw line for easy adjustment and a tight fit around the torso. As the name implies, Boardshorts are effective for use during different board sports like surfing, paddleboarding, and wakeboarding.

5. Racing Suits

With improvement in technology and the quest of manufacturers to replicate the skin of several marine animals; the racing suit is the result of such quest. It uses advancements in technology to improve the materials for making bathing suits. You won’t find this type of swimsuit used in international sporting events as it gives undue performance advantage. They improve performance by reducing the effect of friction and drag along the body. The racing suit also reduces the rate of fatigue build-up while streamlining the body in water. Racing suits are available as swim briefs and body skins.

6. Burqini

If you are conservative or practice a faith against the display of skin or are a lover of modesty, then the Burqini swimsuit design is for you. With this, you can participate in water-related activities. This type of bathing suit is common among Muslim and Mennonite ladies. It provides ample coverage for the entire body and head, excluding the face, fingers, and feet. It is very similar to the diver’s wetsuit.

7. Jammer

The jammer is a swimsuit for men and is popular among competitive athletes for both training and racing. Jammers are a form of knee-length swim shorts similar to swim trunks but provide better coverage and have more maneuverability due to the presence of stretchy materials. They are very similar to cycling or compression shorts made from lycra.

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What Is The Best Swimsuit Brand To Get?

Swimsuit brands abound in their hundreds, making buying a bathing suit tedious and complex. Getting one that fits ideally depends on several factors that need careful consideration. Price is a significant factor for many, and your body shape, size, and physical features need accentuating and those that need concealing. Regardless, you can find a few popular brands with customer-friendly swimsuits, a moderate price range, and availability in sizes. Brands such as Hilor, Summersalt. Cocos and Cupshe.

Conclusion – Swimsuit vs. Bathing Suit

Using the term swimsuit or bathing suit is acceptable, although you might turn a few gazes if one is the predominant term in your location. Regardless, swimsuits are an essential part of our lives, especially during the summer months. In the end, shopping for bathing suits can be a fun experience ahead of your visits to the beach or water park.