Types of Swimwear

One-piece women’s suits: These have come a long way in style and function. Because most active-style one-pieces tend to stay in place better than two-piece suits, they’re a great choice for sports such as diving, bodysurfing or stand up paddle boarding where you’ll spend time falling or diving into the water or waves. If you plan to do lap or competitive swimming, you may opt to choose snug-fitting, cross-back streamlined suits designed for minimal fuss and drag in the water. (For triathlon-specific swimwear advice, see the REI Expert Advice article, Triathlon Gear: How to Choose.)

Two-piece women’s suits: With swim top and bottoms sold separately, it’s easy to customize two-piece suits to suit your watersport and body type. Many active brands design performance two-piece suits to stay in place during many watersports. Two-piece suits are also more convenient than one-piece suits for bathroom breaks.

Tops on two-piece suits come in a wide range of styles in two main categories:

• Bikini: These include the classic triangle top, bra or bralette-style top.
• Tankini: These tank tops usually cover the full midriff (crop tops may fall somewhere between the two styles.)

Swim bottoms range in coverage, from traditional bikini bottoms with a higher leg cut to more full coverage. Other options for coverage include swim skirts and boy short styles.

Men’s swim trunks:  Casual swim shorts, or trunks, range from short to above the knee. They typically have drawstrings, snaps or elastic waistbands; some come with a mesh inner brief or lining for extra support. You can opt for a tailored or baggy look.

Men’s swim briefs: These are form-fitting, brief-shaped swimsuits usually worn for performance sports such as lap swimming and water polo where speed and free range of motion are essential.

Swim leggings: These long swim bottoms, also called swim tights, give you maximum sun protection from your waist down to your shin or ankles. They’re great choices for paddle boarding, surfing and snorkeling or other sports where you’ll spend long hours in the sun and water and don’t want to continually reapply sunscreen. Depending on the fabric, they can keep you warmer in chilly waters. 

Board shorts: These shorts vary in length. Some women's board shorts run fairly short (2-inch inseam), while some men's board shorts fall well below the knee to help protect thighs from rubbing against surfboards or paddle boards.

Jammers: These snug-fitting shorts hug thighs and bottom (they’re similar to a bike short without the padding). They’re great for lap or competitive swimming because there’s minimal drag. 

Rashguards: These popular shirts provide protection from sun and chafing. Rashguards shield you from harmful UV rays during long hours of paddling, surfing, snorkeling or swimming. They’re lightweight, stretchy and can be loose- or form-fitting. The shirts come in many styles for versatility—cap-sleeve, short-sleeve, ¾-length, long-sleeve, pullover or zip-top.

The perfect two piece swimsuit for a sexy look! This sexy bikini features solid color, strappy detailing, lightly padded top and matching the sexy low waist bottom.

Fabric: Nylon
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Embellishment: Strappy
Pattern: Solid Color swimsuit
Season: Summer

Solid Color Strappy Sexy Two Piece Micro Bikini Swimsuit, $22.99

This sexy two piece bikini swimwear is sure to make you stand out at any pool party! Featuring stripe print, push up top with padded bra cups and finished with a matching bottom.

Neckline: Straps
Embellishment: Printed
Pattern: Stripe
Season: Summer

Stripe Print Push Up Sexy Two Piece Bikini Swimsuit, $20.99



Neckline: Strapless swimsuit
Embellishment: Knotted
Pattern: Solid Color
Season: Summer

Light Pink Knotted Sexy Cheeky Two Piece Bandeau Bikini Swimsuit, $22.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: Cheeky, Thong Bikini
Bra Type: Triangle
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Graphic
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Brazilian, Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Mid Waist

Pink Fish Net Triangle Cheeky Thong Sexy Brazilian Bikini, $17.99



Bottom Type: Cheeky, High Cut&high Leg, Tie Sides
Bra Type: Demi, Padded, Push Up
Embellishment: Strappy, Wrap
Group: Woman
Material: Chinlon, Polyester
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Solid Color
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Brazilian, Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Khaki Wrap Around Halter Brazilian High Cut Sexy Bikini, $21.99



Bottom Type: Cheeky, High Cut&high Leg, Thong, Tie Sides
Bra Type: Padded, Triangle swimsuit
Embellishment: Printed, Strappy
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Animal, Leopard
Style: Brazilian Bikini, Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Leopard Halter Strappy Triangle Tie Sides Thong Sexy Bikini Swimsuit, $17.99



Back Details: Crisscross
Bottom Type: Boyshort
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Layered, Printed, Tied
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Stripe
Style: Sexy
Type: Tankini
Waistline: Mid Waist

Black Striped Layered Crisscross Boyshort Sexy Tankini Swimsuit, $23.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: High Cut swimsuit
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Knotted, Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Neckline: V Neck
Pattern: Floral print swimsuit
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Orange Floral Print Knotted Padded High Waist Sexy Bikini Swimsuit, $24.99



Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Cutout, Printed, Tied
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Neckline: U Neck
Pattern: Stripe
Style: Sexy
Type: One Piece swimsuit

Black-stripe Cutout Padded Sexy One Piece Swimsuit, $22.99