We all have a favourite swimming costume. The one we automatically reach for because we know it fits well, stays in place and feels comfortable in the water. Sadly, even the most loved cozzie will eventually reach the end of its swimming life – that’s just the way it is. You’ll find that your swimwear has a lot to contend with. It is stretched, soaked and dried over and over again, often while being exposed to chlorine, salt water, sunlight, sun cream and body oils. After a while, all of this can take its toll on the fabric.
How Often Should You Replace a Swimsuit?
So, how often should you replace a swimsuit? There is no set expiry date, but your swimsuit will usually give you a few clues when it is time for a replacement.
How Long Does a Swimsuit Usually Last?
If you swim regularly, you may find that a standard swimsuit lasts somewhere between six and twelve months. However, this is only a very rough guide. Someone who wears their swimsuit for one holiday each year could keep it for several years. A person swimming three or four times a week is naturally going to wear their swimsuit out much sooner.
The type of water matters too. Regular exposure to chlorine can be particularly hard on swimwear, while the heat and chemicals found in hot tubs can cause fabrics to deteriorate even more quickly.
How long your swimsuit lasts will also depend on:
- The quality of the fabric
- How often you wear it
- Whether you rinse it after swimming
- How you wash and dry it
- How much time it spends in chlorinated water
- Whether it is regularly exposed to sun cream and oils
- Whether you alternate between two or more swimsuits
Rather than replacing your beloved swimsuit after a particular number of months, it might be a good idea to try it on, take a good look at how it fits and feels. If it is still comfortable, supportive and providing the coverage you need, there may be plenty of life left in it.
Signs Your Swimsuit Needs Replacing
Some signs are hard to miss. Others happen so gradually that you may not realise how much your swimsuit has changed until you compare it with a newer one. Here are the things we suggest you take a closer look at.
1. The Fabric Is Becoming Thin
Thinning material is one of the clearest signs that your swimsuit is wearing out. It often happens first around the bottom, tummy or bust. These are areas where the fabric is frequently stretched or rubs against poolside surfaces.
Try holding your dry swimsuit up to a window or bright light. If you can see through areas that were not previously transparent, the fibres have probably started to break down.
Remember that swimwear can become more see-through when wet. If you are not sure, dampen the fabric and check it at home in good lighting. Trust us! It is much better to discover a problem there than halfway through a few laps at your local pool.
2. It Has Lost Its Shape
A swimsuit should stretch to fit your body and then return to its original shape. When the elastic fibres begin to deteriorate, it may start to sag or feel strangely loose. You might notice baggy fabric around the bottom or tummy. Perhaps the back no longer sits flat against your body, even though the swimsuit used to fit perfectly.
Once your swimsuit has started to lose its ability to spring back into shape, it is unlikely to recover. It may also move around in the water and create more drag as you swim, which isn’t what you want. If you spend half your swimming session pulling it back into place, it is probably time to start looking for a replacement – and we can help you with that, so come and have a look at our ladies swimwear and see if we’ve got a new one that you’ll just love as much.
3. The Straps Will Not Stay in Place
Slipping straps do not always mean that you are wearing the wrong size. If your straps used to stay securely on your shoulders but have recently started slipping, the elastic may simply be wearing out. With adjustable straps, it is worth shortening them first. This may be all that is needed to restore a secure fit.
However, if they soon loosen again or the strap material feels thin and rippled, it is likely to be a problem with the fabric rather than the adjustment. As swimsuit straps often provide some of the bust support, worn straps can affect the fit of your entire swimming costume.
4. You Are Not Getting the Same Bust Support
A supportive swimsuit should help you feel comfortable and secure without needing constant adjustment. Over time, bust linings can stretch, cups can lose their shape and the elastic beneath the bust can become loose. You may also find that the straps no longer provide the lift they once did. These changes can be subtle at first. You might simply notice that you feel a little less secure when swimming or taking part in an aqua fitness class.
If you chose your swimsuit because of its supportive features, there is little point struggling on once they are no longer doing their job. Our collection of swimming costumes with support includes lots of lovely styles designed to help you feel comfortable, supported and confident in the water.
5. The Leg Openings or Neckline Have Stretched
The elastic around the neckline and leg openings helps your swimsuit sit neatly against your body. As it wears out, you may notice small gaps appearing around the edges. The legs might start to ride up, or the neckline may move away from your body when you bend forwards.
This can be particularly frustrating if you swim lengths or attend energetic exercise classes. You want to concentrate on enjoying the water, not worry about whether your swimsuit is staying in place.
Listen out for a faint crackling sound when the elastic is stretched. This can be a sign that the elastic fibres inside the fabric have started to break. This is a sure sign that you might need to start looking around for a new swimsuit.
6. The Colour Has Faded or Become Patchy
A slightly faded swimsuit does not necessarily need replacing. If the material still feels strong and the fit has not changed, you may be perfectly happy to carry on wearing it. However, significant fading can sometimes be an early warning that the fabric is deteriorating too.
Chlorine and ultraviolet light do not only affect the colour of swimwear; they can also weaken its fibres. Sun cream, tanning products and body oils may leave paler or patchy areas, particularly when they are not rinsed out promptly.
Look at the overall condition of your bathing suit. Fading combined with sagging, thinning or reduced stretch usually means it is nearing the end of its useful life.
7. The Material Feels Rough
Swimsuit fabric should feel smooth and comfortable against your skin. If it has developed lots of bobbles, snags or rough patches, it may have been damaged by friction. Sitting directly on concrete pool edges, rough tiles, wooden benches or rocks can cause the surface of the fabric to pill.
A couple of small bobbles are unlikely to affect how the swimsuit performs. More widespread roughness, pulled threads or thin patches suggest that the fabric has become weaker.
8. The Seams or Fastenings Are Deteriorating
It is worth giving an older swimsuit a quick check before putting it into your swim bag. We’d suggest you have a close look at the seams around the straps, neckline and leg openings. If your costume has a zip or clip fastening, check that this still feels secure too.
The occasional loose thread may be easy to repair. Seams that are opening in several places are more of a concern, especially when they are in an area that will be under tension. You certainly do not want a zip, strap or clip giving way in the middle of the pool. What a wardrobe malfunction that would be!
9. It Feels Different Once You Get in the Water
Sometimes a worn swimsuit looks absolutely fine when it is dry. You only notice the problem after getting into the water. You may find that it suddenly feels baggy, becomes heavy or starts collecting water inside the fabric. Perhaps the legs ride up or you find yourself repeatedly adjusting the neckline.
Trust yourself and trust how it feels. A good swimsuit should allow you to forget about what you are wearing and get on with your swim. If yours has become a distraction, it may no longer be giving you the fit and security you need.
Why Do Swimsuits Wear Out?
Most swimsuits contain elastane, which you may also know as Lycra® or spandex. This is what gives the material its stretch and allows the costume to fit closely to your body.
The downside is that elastane can gradually deteriorate when it is repeatedly exposed to chlorine, heat, ultraviolet light and oils. Once those stretchy fibres begin to break down, the swimsuit starts losing its shape.
Chlorine is often the biggest problem for regular pool swimmers. Over time, it can make swimwear fabric fade, thin and become less elastic. Even chlorine-proof swimwear, like ours, will have a lifespan. Our chlorine-proof swimwear lasts twice as long as standard swimsuits, but repeated use in a chlorinated pool will degrade your swimsuit eventually.
Hot tubs can be even tougher on your swimsuit because they combine chemicals with high temperatures.
Salt water is generally less damaging, but salt crystals should still be rinsed out before the swimsuit dries.
If you would like to know more about the materials used to make swimwear, take a look at our complete guide to swimsuit fabrics.
How to Help Your Swimsuit Last Longer
A little care can make a noticeable difference to the life of your swimsuit. Fortunately, you do not need to do anything complicated.
Rinse It as Soon as You Can
Give your swimsuit a thorough rinse in cool, fresh water after every swim. This helps to remove chlorine, salt, sun cream and body oils before they settle into the fabric. If you cannot rinse it straight away, do it as soon as you get home.
Do Not Wring It Out
It is tempting to twist as much water as possible out of your cozzie, particularly when you are getting changed at the pool. Unfortunately, wringing can stretch and damage the fibres. Gently squeeze out the excess water instead. You can also roll the costume inside a clean towel and press your swimsuit lightly.
Allow It to Dry Naturally
Swimwear and high temperatures are not a good combination, so avoid putting your costume in the tumble dryer or leaving it on a hot radiator. Lay it flat or fold it over an airer and leave it somewhere shaded with good airflow. Direct sunlight may fade the fabric, particularly if the swimsuit is left outside for long periods. Our guide to putting swimsuits in the dryer explains more about the effect heat can have on swimwear.
Take It Out of Your Swim Bag
We have all forgotten about a wet swimsuit scrunched up at the bottom of a bag; believe us when we say we’ve done it. Leaving it there for hours is not good for the fabric and can result in a rather unpleasant smell. When you get home, take it out of the bag, rinse it and let it dry properly.
Put a Towel Down Before You Sit
Rough pool edges and textured surfaces can quickly cause bobbling and snags. You’ll find that sitting on a towel creates a protective barrier and only takes a moment. This is particularly worthwhile when you are beside an outdoor pool or swimming from a rocky beach.
Alternate Between Two Swimsuits
If you swim several times a week, owning two swimsuits can help both of them last longer. Rotating them allows each costume to dry fully and gives the fibres time to return to their original shape before it is worn again. It also means that you always have a spare if one suddenly needs replacing. We have lots of great swimsuits in our range, it might be hard choosing JUST TWO!
Choose Swimwear Made for Regular Pool Use
If most of your swimming takes place in a chlorinated pool, it is worth paying attention to the fabric. Polyester-based swimwear tends to cope better with regular chlorine exposure than standard elastane-rich fabric. It usually holds its colour and shape for longer too. Our chlorine-proof swimsuits are designed to last twice as long as standard swimwear fabric. They are a practical choice if you swim regularly, have weekly lessons or enjoy aqua fitness classes.
So, How Often Should You Buy a New Swimsuit?
There is no need to replace a swimsuit simply because you have owned it for a certain number of months. A holiday swimsuit could last for years. One worn several times a week in a chlorinated pool is likely to need replacing much sooner. The condition of the fabric is a far better guide than its age. If your swimsuit has become thin, saggy, transparent or uncomfortable, or you no longer feel secure wearing it, it has probably served you well for long enough.
When you are ready for a replacement, explore our complete collection of ladies’ swimwear to find a gorgeous swimsuit that helps you feel comfortable, supported and ready to enjoy your next swim