How to Make Sure Your Swimsuits Last From Season to Season, According to Experts

There's no better feeling than finding the perfect-fitting swimsuit [1] for an upcoming holiday. At the same time, nothing is worse than spending money on something that doesn't last much longer than said getaway. A good swimsuit not only needs to fit well [2], feel supportive, and stay in place when worn, but it should also be durable enough to last season after season (if you're looking to make a good investment, that is).

Experts agree that the longevity of a swimsuit [3] depends on a few factors: the material, the frequency in which you wear the style, and how often you're submerged in chlorine (during the summertime, we imagine that's quite a bit). Since extending the life of a new suit starts even before you buy it, we enlisted the help of a few swimsuit designers and pros to help guide the way: Gionna Nicole of Avid Swim [4], Brittany Kozerski Freeney of Jade Swim [5], and Alissa Bristow of L*Space [6]. Here are their recommendations.

Choose Your Material Wisely

If you select a nice fabric and diligently follow care instructions, a swimsuit should be able to stand the test of time. Right? Not always. According to Nicole, polyester is the prime pick when it comes to durability. "Polyester maintains its shape and holds colour in dyes and prints," she says. Nylon and spandex blends are also good fabrics to keep in mind — ideally, you're looking for material that uses high-quality elastic.

Avoid the Washing Machine at All Costs

Listen, we're all guilty of wanting to take the easy way out and toss our suits in the washer, but doing so could severely deteriorate the suit — mainly by causing the dye to fade and the fabric to pill. Swimwear should instead be rinsed in cool water and then air dried. "Handwashing will prevent stretch, bleeding washout, and pilling on softer fabrics," says Nicole. When handwashing, Bristow recommends filling a basin with cool water, adding your bikini and a few drops of bikini wash (or gentle detergent), and gently kneading the soap into the fabric. "Make sure to avoid loosening the fabric by aggressively wringing out the wet suit, too," she adds. "Let the suit soak for 10-15 minutes, then hang or lay flat to dry in a shaded area." If you absolutely must use the washing machine, make sure to at least switch the cycle to delicate, use a gentle detergent, and do not tumble dry under any circumstances.

Wash Your Swimsuit After Each Wear

Suits should be washed after each use. Leaving them wet in a sink or hanging on a drying rack leads to unwanted odour. Believe it or not, your body's natural oils can still wear down your swimwear even if you don't take a dip in the water. Of course, sometimes it's not always possible to wash your suit after each wear — especially if you're travelling. If this is the case, gently rinse it under cool water and lay it flat until you can properly wash it with soap. It's crucial to flat dry your suit because putting a wet suit on a hanger enables the chemicals and chlorine to accumulate at the bottom and decrease the quality. The weight of the water can also stretch the suit out of shape.

Invest in Shape Retention Technology

Just like all articles of repetitively worn clothing, swimwear will experience natural wear and tear. The best thing you can do to avoid stretching? Look for suits with spandex and shape retention technology that will sculpt and shape to the body after every use, says Freeney. Like the name suggests, shape retention helps the suit retain its shape no matter how much activity it goes through.

Be Careful With Chlorine

Sadly, chlorine is extremely damageing to swimwear. "Chlorine eats away at the fabric and washes away the colour when it's excessively exposed to the sun," Nicole says. It breaks down the yarns and affects the elasticity, too. Regardless of how long you're underwater, the chemicals will negatively impact the fibres of your suit long afterward. Look for brands that offer certified UV Ray protection fabrics, or try soaking your suit in fresh water before exposing yourself to chlorinated water to prevent it from absorbing high volumes of chlorine.

Ahead, shop some of our favourite swimsuits that are built to last.