How to know when to Upgrade your Swimwear
Is it time to upgrade your swimwear? Let’s find out! We all have those bikinis that have been lingering in storage for years, or are deep within the realms of our drawers. Overtime, some swim becomes damaged due to poor quality, wear and tear, fit and more. When wearing swimwear, you want to feel confident, sexy and comfortable. Let’s dive in, and find out if it’s time to upgrade your swimwear!
I reached out the sustainable swim queen herself, Tiffany the Founder and Designer behind the iconic swimwear brand, BOLD Swim to get the inside scoop on how to know when it’s time to upgrade your swimwear, and what to look for when investing in new swim!
How do you know when it’s time to upgrade your swimwear?
- Pilling: Bathing suit bottoms are particularly susceptible to pilling, which can be frustrating.
- Stretching: If you notice that your swimwear fabric has more stretch than when you first bought it, this may be due to wear and tear over time.
- Fading: Your swimwear’s colors may start to fade after repeated use and exposure to chlorine and sunlight.
- Sagging: Over time, the fabric of your swimwear may lose its elasticity and begin to sag in unflattering ways.
- Clasps: If the clasps on your swimwear are showing signs of wear or are difficult to fasten, it may be time to consider replacing your swimsuit.
What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to swimwear?
” One of my swimwear pet peeves is any kind of sagging in the bottoms that affects the fit around the genitals, as well as long tags that are hard to remove without damaging the suit. To prevent these issues in our [BOLD Swim’s] collections, we use tear-away tags, particularly for our reversible styles. We strive to create the best possible fit for as many body types as possible by working diligently on improving our designs. For instance, a curvier hip will require a different cut angle compared to a smaller, straighter hip for the same or similar style. Our styles fit true to size, and we have worked on “grading” our sizes over the years to improve the fit and comfort. We are also online to help with concerns with sizing.”
Any advice behind finding the right swimwear for you?
“Understanding your body type is crucial since there is no universal size that fits everyone, and sizing can vary significantly among brands. BOLD Swim leverages AI to enhance the accuracy of our sizing chart and improve the fit of our garments. By fitting a diverse range of body types, we gather data that we use to tailor our measurements for different styles. For instance, if you have broad shoulders and are wearing a fabric with limited stretch, you may need to select a larger size. Conversely, if you have narrow shoulders or hips, you may require a smaller size.“
What are three things to consider when shopping for new swimwear?
“When shopping for new swimwear, there are three important factors to consider. Firstly, you should shop at a place that aligns with your values, such as BOLD Swim Shop. Secondly, choose styles that have longevity in both wear and use, allowing you to dress them up or down and make them a curated piece of your wardrobe, maximizing your investment. Lastly, opt for prints and patterns that are timeless, ensuring that your swimwear will remain fashionable for years to come.“
The importance of shopping for high-quality swim, over mass produced, cheaper swimwear?
“It’s likely that most of us are familiar with the differences between high-quality and mass-produced swimwear and their respective impacts. However, there is an opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of these terms, as they are often confused or used interchangeably.
For example, high quality swimwear can be mass produced ( we are talking volumes globally) this is often dictated by client demand leading for the business to scale to meet the needs of the customers that want them. So in theory, all brands can be mass produced. As demand grows for such swimwear, ( high quality or lower quality, i.e cheap ) the price to produce become cheaper, that is why large retailers/brands can afford deep discounts on pricing as they have already met their margins through practices such as cheap labor, illegal labor, cutting corners, and negotiations, which impacts the entire supply chain. The more we buy the “cheaper thing” that usually has a cheaper construction quality to it then likely these former mentioned practices apply.
In the end, this results in a rebuying cycle and creating a false need for this product. Imagine how many times you’ve returned a cheap $5 product, versus a high quality product. It’s $5 “who cares” but in reality you likely could have gotten the higher quality item thus creating the balance for demand/supply again impacting the supply chain.“
What suits are you looking forward to wearing this Summer?
“Of course I have my favorites from the collection. This year I am looking forward to spending more time in the Amethyst and Blue Allium styles along with the newest collection available – Magenta Majestic collection.“
