Competitive and Regular Swimsuit Differences
Choosing the right swimsuit for the summer season is extremely important. With so many factors going into it as far as color, style, print or no print, matching coverups and more, it can be a tough decision to find the right swimsuit for your needs. Even something like what kind of tan lines need to be taken into account. Luckily, there are so many different swimsuits out there that you're sure to find one that fits your taste and style well. In fact, it can almost be overwhelming, and we want to ensure you get the right suit for your needs. A competitive swimmer would need a different swimsuit than someone who is just going to the beach with friends. With that said, you may be wondering what the difference between competitive and regular swimsuits is.
Competitive swimsuits were designed specifically for swimming competitions to help the swimmers reduce the friction and drag in the water. These suits are specifically designed to assist the athlete during a swimming competition by offering a tight fit to reduce muscle vibration, and drag, as well as reduce any chance of losing a piece of the swimwear while trying to swim as fast as possible. Even the material of these suits varies drastically from the everyday swimsuit that you may be shopping for.
There are several different styles of competitive swimsuits, just like you'd find different styles of suits for your everyday purposes. However, these styles are all designed to help increase speed or provide arm flexibility and freedom to not interfere with the swimmer trying to get the best speed in the pool.
Now, regular swimsuits have several different options, but you'll find the material is generally the same for all, it's pretty common to find a nylon and spandex blend for the suit material. The percentage of each material may differ, and you'll find that some are fully or double lined while others are only partially lined, but that is more about the different support and coverage offered. The material isn't designed in a specific way other than to be able to get wet without losing any of its shape.
As for the different styles, designers are able to get more and more creative on the different types of styles offered. From tankinis to bikinis to one pieces, you have your choice of how much skin to show, and even from there, then you can choose one shoulder, a halter style, a crop, a knot twist, and so much more. From strappy back styles to ruffled shoulders, there is a style for every woman available. For those who prefer to be a bit more modest, there are styles for that too! It really just depends on the designer, and what you personally are looking for in a swimsuit. Some designs even have cute peplum tops!
Once you've decided on the style, you'll have to choose the different colors available. Some prefer a plain color to match perfectly, while others prefer to mix and match colors and different prints and patterns. Maybe you love florals, in which case a floral suit is the way to go. Or if you're more of a country girl at heart, a plaid suit is the perfect choice.
Ultimately, the main differences in competitive and regular swimsuits are that regular swimsuits have a lot more diversity and style opportunities within them. Competitive swimmers have to stick to a certain style of swimsuit to meet regulations and not impede their performance, whereas anyone else can wear any kind of swimsuit without having to worry about if their shoulders can move enough or if the material will create drag while they are swimming.