So if you took us up on our Swimsuit Buying Tips from our last post, you've found your perfect suit and you're (almost -- weather providing) ready to wear it to the beach. After a few weeks, those great bright colors start to fade out, those little ball-shaped pieces of fluff start to appear and you can feel the lycra-spandex blends slowly slipping away from the places it should cling to.
Wait! What happened?! I just bought this suit!
The likeliest culprit was -- well, you. A little bit of simple bathing suit care can go a long long way. The main offenders here are salt, sun, hot tubs, sun lotion, and chlorine. The material that allows you to achieve that great stretch and comfort in your suit, Lycra, is more fragile than most wearers are aware of. It's easily worn down by chlorine and chemicals and abrasive surfaces like concrete patios can tear the fabric. Hot water is the first step to stretching the elastic and once it hits the perilous environment of your washing machine, consider it destroyed. While you can't avoid most of these elemental wears and tears, a little bit of Swimsuit TLC can help prolong the life of your bathing costume.
1.When you bring it home: (Before First Use Only)
Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon of white Vinegar per quart of water. Soak your new swimwear in the mixture for approximately 30 minutes. This will slow down the fading process and keep those wonderful summer colors bright.
2. Let your body enjoy the heat, not your suit:
Heat is one of the quickest way to destroy a suit. If your suit is wet, even the heat from the sun will fade out your colors and mess with the elasticity. If you're planning on entering a hot tub, consider wearing an older suit -- and NEVER put a bathing suit in the dryer.
3. Always Rinse:
Whether its an ocean, swimming pool, hot tub or kiddie pool of Jello -- After a swim, rinse. All that salt, chlorine, and bromine will eat away at the fabric. If you plan on keeping the suit on, rinsing yourself under some cool water will wash away most of the harmful suit-ruining chemicals. Gentle ring out your suit and hand it to dry in a shady spot. To dry it out while still wearing it, try to place it in a area away from the sun.
4. Just say NO to the Washing Machine:
Washing machines can wreck havoc on a new suit. Instead, when you return from your swimming escapade, gentle rinse it out in cool water. If you must detergent wash a soiled suit, hand wash the fabric with a gentle soap and hang it to air dry in a cool place away from the sun.
5.Don't keep it under wraps:
Try not to wrap your swimsuit in a towel immediately after swimming -- that towel will contain all the chemicals you just tried rinsing off your suit. Even worse, if you shove that towel in a closed bag with a wet suit, the towel will heat up and make the worst chemical combination possible.
6.Think Twice:
When possible, try to bring two swimsuits -- and wait 24hrs for your first one to dry and form back into its original shape. The lycra/spandex is a type of "memory yarn". Letting it dry a full 24hrs before re-use will help stop that weird problem where your suit keeps getting longer and longer.
7. Wait, where you gonna put that?
Be careful where you sit. Even if it feels smooth, decks and the edges of pools can be rough on the fabric. It will pick up the bottom of your suit or catch on the front if you're leaning over the edge. Take that extra moment to grab a towel to sit or lay on. Your swimwear will thank you.
8. Don't wait to worship:
This is for all your sun worshippers out there. Try to make it a point to tan before your swim. Getting your suit wet and then sitting in the sun is a sure-fire way to fade out the colors. If you prefer swimming first, change into that alternate swimsuit we mentioned in tip #6 to sunbathe with.
And while no suit will last forever, a little bit of proper care will keep those colors vibrant and maintain the form fitting shape throughout the entire season -- giving you one more reason to smile at the beach!
Surfs up!
As Always,
The Underfashion Club
Have an idea for an article, need advice? Contact us @
Underfashionclub@frontiernet.net Subject line:Blog
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tis' the Season to go Swimsuit Shopping!!
Uh oh! It’s that time again – Women around the country will soon be scurrying about to Department Store racks performing the arduous but necessary task of the one and only: Swimsuit Shopping. Buying a swimsuit is a necessity that most women dread, but curb your fears, ladies. We, at the Underfashion Club will help you move and wade through the countless options of swimwear and help you learn how to choose the perfect cut and style for your body type – plus some tips too. Now, onto the proverbial question – How do I choose a swimsuit style??
Provided that you are in the 1% of super slim cellulite-less Americans that half of the swimsuits seem to be made for, you have quite the plethora of swimsuit options. Of course, most of us (over half of Americans are considered overweight) don’t ‘fit’ into that category – but fear not! There are plenty of ways to play up your strong points and best assets. When purchasing a suit, take the time to consider the different styles and features available so you can decide what’s right for your specific needs.
While the classic one piece has been around for longer, two-piece suits have become a favorite amongst women. There are generally more styles and cuts to choose from than any other bathing suit and with so many different styles out there, there's a suit for almost everyone.
One Piece Swimsuits
Maillot: Pronounced my-oh - Traditional one-piece suits, also known as a tank suit. These bathing suits can have a variety of tops: bandeau tops,halter or regular tank top straps. Maillots have a variety of leg openings, from high-cut to low.
Who is a maillot for?
*Women who want more coverage in a swimsuit.
*Women who want to conceal their tummy.
Fitness: One-piece swimsuits with a sleek fit (for speed) and a racer back (where the straps cross in the back) are meant for people who are more interested in swimming laps than aimlessly napping in the sun.
Who is a fitness swimsuit for?
*Any fitness enthusiast who does water exercising or competition.
*Women with athletic-builds find it particularly flattering.
Skirted: A one-piece swimsuit with a skirt attached at the hip.
Who is a skirted suit for?
* Women who would feel more comfortable with maximum thigh coverage.
* New moms and those who have recently lost weight who would like additional coverage for stretch marks/loose skin.
Monokini: Two piece-ish suit with fabric that comes down the middle of the front connecting the top and bottom. The side cut-outs vary in different degree, some more revealing than others.
Who is a monokini for?
* Women with boy-shaped bodies who want to create the illusion of curves
* Women with leaner hips that want to add some width.
Two-piece swimsuits
Triangle top bikini: As the name implies, the cups of a triangle top bikini are two triangular panels the cover the breasts. The attached ties allow the wearer to make adjustments as she wants. Triangle top bikinis are available with different types of bottoms.
Who is a triangle top bikini for?
* Curvy women who want to adjust the top to flatter their curves
* Women with boyish figures who want to visually create curves
Halter top bikini: Halter bikinis have a top that ties behind the neck. The straps are usually wider than those on a triangle top bikini and often are non- adjustable.
Who is a halter bikini for?
* Large-busted women who require more support of the breasts.
* Small-busted women who want to create cleavage.
Hipster bikini: This bikini has an exceptionally low rise -- meaning that the waist is lower to the hips.
Who is a hipster bikini for?
* Women appreciate their lower area and would like to show off their toned stomach.
* Women who appreciate the modern look of low-rise swimwear bottoms.
String bikini: One of the more flattering styles, string bikini's have strings that connect the front and back of the bottoms. It can be paired with a variety of tops.
Who is a string bikini for?
* Women wishing to create a more defined figure and curves.
* Women with larger hips that wish to be able to adjust the fit of their swim bottoms.
Tankini: A tankini is just like a tank top that is paired with bikini bottoms. The top most often comes down to the top of the waistband of the swim bottoms, similar to a shirt, so the wearer has a two-piece suit with maximum coverage.
Who is a tankini for?
* Women wishing to wear a more modest two-piece swimsuit
* Women who wish to conceal belly imperfections.
Because a swimsuit is meant to fit right against your body, the correct choosing of size is essential. So haul out that measuring tape and measure yourself in front of a mirror.
How to Measure
1. Measure your waist: Bend to one side; the crease is your natural waist. Measure your natural waist with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor.
2. Measure your bust: Again with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor, measure around the fullest part of your bust.
3. Measure your torso: Starting at one shoulder, wrap the measuring tape down your body, between your legs and back up your back to the point where you started.
(Via Overstock.com)
Women's Swimwear Sizing Chart
Bust Waist Torso Suit Size
33" 25" 58" 4
34" 26" 59" 6
35" 27" 60" 8
36" 28" 61.5" 10
38" 29.5" 63" 12
39" 31" 64.5" 14
41" 33" 66" 16
Happy Swimming!
As Always,
The Underfashion Club
Have an idea for an article, need advice? Contact us @
Underfashionclub@frontiernet.net Subject line:Blog
Provided that you are in the 1% of super slim cellulite-less Americans that half of the swimsuits seem to be made for, you have quite the plethora of swimsuit options. Of course, most of us (over half of Americans are considered overweight) don’t ‘fit’ into that category – but fear not! There are plenty of ways to play up your strong points and best assets. When purchasing a suit, take the time to consider the different styles and features available so you can decide what’s right for your specific needs.
While the classic one piece has been around for longer, two-piece suits have become a favorite amongst women. There are generally more styles and cuts to choose from than any other bathing suit and with so many different styles out there, there's a suit for almost everyone.
One Piece Swimsuits
Maillot: Pronounced my-oh - Traditional one-piece suits, also known as a tank suit. These bathing suits can have a variety of tops: bandeau tops,halter or regular tank top straps. Maillots have a variety of leg openings, from high-cut to low.
Who is a maillot for?
*Women who want more coverage in a swimsuit.
*Women who want to conceal their tummy.
Fitness: One-piece swimsuits with a sleek fit (for speed) and a racer back (where the straps cross in the back) are meant for people who are more interested in swimming laps than aimlessly napping in the sun.
Who is a fitness swimsuit for?
*Any fitness enthusiast who does water exercising or competition.
*Women with athletic-builds find it particularly flattering.
Skirted: A one-piece swimsuit with a skirt attached at the hip.
Who is a skirted suit for?
* Women who would feel more comfortable with maximum thigh coverage.
* New moms and those who have recently lost weight who would like additional coverage for stretch marks/loose skin.
Monokini: Two piece-ish suit with fabric that comes down the middle of the front connecting the top and bottom. The side cut-outs vary in different degree, some more revealing than others.
Who is a monokini for?
* Women with boy-shaped bodies who want to create the illusion of curves
* Women with leaner hips that want to add some width.
Two-piece swimsuits
Triangle top bikini: As the name implies, the cups of a triangle top bikini are two triangular panels the cover the breasts. The attached ties allow the wearer to make adjustments as she wants. Triangle top bikinis are available with different types of bottoms.
Who is a triangle top bikini for?
* Curvy women who want to adjust the top to flatter their curves
* Women with boyish figures who want to visually create curves
Halter top bikini: Halter bikinis have a top that ties behind the neck. The straps are usually wider than those on a triangle top bikini and often are non- adjustable.
Who is a halter bikini for?
* Large-busted women who require more support of the breasts.
* Small-busted women who want to create cleavage.
Hipster bikini: This bikini has an exceptionally low rise -- meaning that the waist is lower to the hips.
Who is a hipster bikini for?
* Women appreciate their lower area and would like to show off their toned stomach.
* Women who appreciate the modern look of low-rise swimwear bottoms.
String bikini: One of the more flattering styles, string bikini's have strings that connect the front and back of the bottoms. It can be paired with a variety of tops.
Who is a string bikini for?
* Women wishing to create a more defined figure and curves.
* Women with larger hips that wish to be able to adjust the fit of their swim bottoms.
Tankini: A tankini is just like a tank top that is paired with bikini bottoms. The top most often comes down to the top of the waistband of the swim bottoms, similar to a shirt, so the wearer has a two-piece suit with maximum coverage.
Who is a tankini for?
* Women wishing to wear a more modest two-piece swimsuit
* Women who wish to conceal belly imperfections.
Because a swimsuit is meant to fit right against your body, the correct choosing of size is essential. So haul out that measuring tape and measure yourself in front of a mirror.
How to Measure
1. Measure your waist: Bend to one side; the crease is your natural waist. Measure your natural waist with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor.
2. Measure your bust: Again with the measuring tape snug against your body and parallel to the floor, measure around the fullest part of your bust.
3. Measure your torso: Starting at one shoulder, wrap the measuring tape down your body, between your legs and back up your back to the point where you started.
(Via Overstock.com)
Women's Swimwear Sizing Chart
Bust Waist Torso Suit Size
33" 25" 58" 4
34" 26" 59" 6
35" 27" 60" 8
36" 28" 61.5" 10
38" 29.5" 63" 12
39" 31" 64.5" 14
41" 33" 66" 16
Happy Swimming!
As Always,
The Underfashion Club
Have an idea for an article, need advice? Contact us @
Underfashionclub@frontiernet.net Subject line:Blog
