Do you have to wash swimwear before wearing it?

You have to wash any new clothing before you wear it. You have no idea who touched it and tried it on before you bought it. There are also finishing products used on fabric that could irritate your skin if you're sensitive to them. Oh, and dark blue and black items can stain your skin if you don't wash them first.

After you buy any item of clothing and you wear it, you should always wash it after you wear it.

So, in other words, your swimsuit should be washed before you wear it.

You don’t have to wash swimwear before wearing it but if you plan to do a lot of swimming in swimming pools where chemical (chlorine) involved then you better wash it.

This article (please click on it) will explain why you should wash swim wear before wearing it and there are some tips in the article that help you keep your new swimsuit in a good condition and make it last longer in chlorinated pools.

Any time you purchase any fashion garment you should wash it especially swimwear and underwear. You never know who has tried it on before you. Here is a link to an article on how to care for your swimwear. care for bikinis Archives - The Bikini Police - Swimwear Fashion Advisor -Bikinis-One Piece Swimsuits and more

If you wash it its much better however if you are not interested in washing it then there is no real need for it . Swim wears are made of such fabrics which do not let water to enter into the fabrics.

Fabrics used in swimwear are polyester and nylon

Neckline: Straps, High Neck Swimsuit
Embellishment: Printed, Strappy, lace up
Pattern: Graphic
Season: All Seasons

Pink High Neck Graphic Print Strappy Lace Up Back Sexy Two Piece Crop Top Bikini Swimsuit, $22.99



Embellishment: Knotted, Wrap
Pattern: Solid Color Swimsuit

Wrap Around Sexy Maxi Plus Size Beach Cover Up, $20.99



Back Details: Backless
Bra Type: Bandeau Bikini
Embellishment: Crisscross
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester
Neckline: Bare Shoulder
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini

Yellow Bandeau Crisscross Sexy Bikini Swimsuit, $17.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: Cheeky Bikini
Bra Type: Crop Top, Padded
Embellishment: Zipper
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester
Neckline: U Neck
Pattern: Solid Color
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Army-green Zipper U Neck Cheeky Sexy Crop Top Bikini, $19.99



Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Plunging
Pattern: Solid Color
Style: Sexy
Type: One Piece
Waistline: High Waist Swimsuit

Black Plunging High Waist High Cut Sexy One Piece Swimsuit, $20.99



Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Tied Swimsuit, Wrap
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Color Block
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Multi Color Block Wrap Tied Padded Sexy Bikini Swimsuit, $19.99



Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Bandeau, Padded
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Strapless Swimsuit
Pattern: Patchwork
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Red Patchwork Bandeau Padded High Waist Sexy Bikini, $20.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded, Triangle Swimsuit
Embellishment: Strappy, Tied
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Solid Color
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Green Neon Halter Triangle Strappy High Waist Sexy Bikini, $18.99



Back Details: Crisscross
Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Plunging
Pattern: Tribal Print
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Monokini

White Tribal Print Crisscross High Cut Sexy Monokini, $18.99

Can You Alter A Swimsuit?

What can you do if your swimsuit doesn’t fit? Whether you lost some weight or that swimsuit you fell in love with doesn't fit like you'd hoped, sometimes you find yourself with a suit that simply isn't right. Swimwear should be fun and flattering, so what should you do with a swimsuit that lets you down? Can you alter a swimsuit?

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH SWIMSUITS FITTING

• Too large all over. If you've recently lost weight, you may pull on your favorite swimsuit to discover that it's suddenly baggy. This can be true even with a weight loss of about 6 pounds. Two things to keep in mind: Reducing a swimsuit by more than one size probably won't look right, and if your suit is baggy because the fabric has lost its stretch then no alteration is going to help.
• Too small. It may be from weight gain, or from a swimsuit manufacturer that simply didn't work for your exact curves, but sometimes you end up with a suit that is just too tight. Swimsuits don't have extra fabric to let out in the seam, but there are other ways of adding a little room, such as sewing in panels.
• Your size on top doesn't match your size on bottom. This is a very common issue for women. If you buy a two-piece suit as a set, it can be frustrating to find one that matches your proportions. 
• You want a change. Maybe you're just ready for a new look? Making your one-piece suit into a high-waisted bikini or adding fabric to make your bikini into a one-piece can change things up.

SEW IT YOURSELF

Whether you need to take in seams to make your suit snug again or to add some inches to make it fit without pulling, it is possible to do alterations yourself. If you're accomplished at sewing, this is something you can tackle. Taking in the suit a little on the sides is fairly straightforward but be sure you use polyester thread and a stretch stitch, so the seam can stretch without snapping. An overlock machine can give you an entwined stitch for extra stretch. If the bodice is too large for your chest, you may want to consider adding "enhancer" cups to the suit. Altering the bodice can get complicated because it requires adjusting straps as well as fitting the seams to the rest of the suit.

If you need a little extra room, consider adding panels. Sheer fabric or lace panels are a very pretty addition to a suit. It's important to select a fabric that has the same kind of stretch as your swimsuit (2-way or 4-way). You want to be extra careful with the seam between your new panel and the original suit, so you don't end up with puckers in the fabric as you move.

HAVE IT ALTERED – BATHING SUIT ALTERATION

If you have a tailor that you love, you may want to consider having your swimsuit professionally altered. Keep in mind that certain changes will be pricey. If your suit has a liner, that will have to be adjusted separately. Also, some bathing suit alterations are more complicated, such as restructuring the bodice to accommodate a different sized bust. In some cases, having a professional rework your swimsuit may cost more than a new one.

LET US TAKE CARE OF YOU AT SWIMSUITS DIRECT

Swimsuit problems? 99 problems but a swimsuit fit ain’t one with Swimsuits Direct. Getting the perfect swimsuit shouldn't be stressful. It's far easier to find the right suit the first time than to make one that's not right work for you. We love to help women find swimsuits they love. At Swimsuits Direct we have a wide selection of beautiful swimwear, and we provide as much information as possible to help you find the perfect fit. For example, we have detailed fit guides for different swimsuit lines. We also sell tops and bottoms separately, so that you can select the sizes that work for your shape. If you still find yourself with a swimsuit that you don't love or swimsuit fitting, we are happy to take returns, no questions asked. 

To find a suit you feel beautiful in, take a look at our swimsuit selection. Once you've found your perfect swimsuit you're ready to get out there and play and leave all worries about fit behind.

Back Details: Tied
Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Contrast, Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Floral print swimsuit
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini

Floral Print Tied Back Padded Sexy Bikini, $22.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Knotted, Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Neckline: Halter, V Neck
Pattern: Flag
Style: Sexy
Type: Tankini

Blue American Flag Print Halter Knotted Sexy Tankini, $35.99



Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg, Thong
Bra Type: Bralette
Embellishment: Printed, Ruffles
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Floral
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy, Tropical swimsuit
Type: Bikini

Hot-pink Floral Print Ruffles Spaghetti Straps Sexy Bikini, $20.99



Closures: No Closure
Embellishment: Printed
Length: Maxi
Material: Cotton, Polyester
Neckline: V Neck
Occasion: Beach Cover Up, Holiday/vacation
Pattern: Tribal Print
Sleeve Length: Half Sleeve
Style: Casual
Type: Dress

Sapphire Tribal Print V Neck Casual Beach Dress Cover Up, $26.99



Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Belt
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Leopard
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: One Piece Swimsuit

Pink Leopard Spaghetti Straps Sexy High Cut One Piece Swimsuit, $18.99



Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Printed, Ruffles
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: One Shoulder
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist Swimsuit

Black Chain Print Ruffles One Shoulder Sexy Bikini, $17.99



Bottom Type: High Cut Swimsuit
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Ruffles
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Pattern: Houndstooth
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Black Houndstooth Ruffles High Waist Sexy Bikini, $17.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded, Triangle Bikini
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Solid Color
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist

Halter Triangle Padded High Cut Sexy Bikini, $17.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: Cheeky, Skimpy, Thong Bikini
Bra Type: Micro&tiny, Padded, Triangle
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Solid Color
Sleeve Length: Sleeveless
Style: Brazilian, Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Gold Halter Triangle Skimpy Thong Sexy Micro Bikini, $15.99

No Speedo? Then don't try to go swimming in France — seriously

If you’ve traveled outside of the US this summer, a foreign language may not have necessarily been the biggest stress factor of the trip. Local customs are often what get us stumped.

Take a trip to the local pool, for example. Seems like an easy and universal-enough activity to not have to jump through the daunting hoops of cultural differences, right? Wrong. It can be an uncomfortable experience.

I am a native of the city of Auxerre, Burgundy, in France. It’s a lovely place of about 35,000 people, rich with medieval history.

It’s small, but it boasts many remarkable historical monuments, including a cathedral and an abbey from the Middle Ages and some ancient churches and chapels. It sits in the middle of the Burgundian hills, known for their excellent wines.

The city has another, more modern attraction that locals are proud of: its phenomenal public pool — or as it’s called there, the Nautical Stadium. It has four indoor heated pools with a jacuzzi, and three outside pools including an Olympic-sized one with a long, swirly slide. It is an extravagantly large — for its town — aquatic facility, built on the green banks of the river Yonne.

People travel from surrounding towns and villages to spend the day there, sunbathe on its beautiful lawns and snack at its eatery, when they are not swimming. You pay a small fee to get a bracelet which gives you access to the facilities. There's nothing tricky, except for the bathing suit rules.

You see, in most French public pools, there are strict regulations about the kind of bathing suit you can wear, and therefore share with others, in the water.

Simply put, where hygiene is concerned, your swimsuit cannot be something you could be found wearing outside the pool. That means no trunks, Bermuda shorts, T-shirts or anything that is not strictly meant for swimming.

Auxerre’s pool administrators say they do not want people to drag any dirt on, or under, their summer attire into the pool. So if you are going to join the masses of swimmers — all 2,000 of them on a busy summer day — you'll have very little cloth covering your own birthday suit.

Where else would you be told to wear something shorter and tighter, no matter your shape? Man, woman or child, you’ll have to wear some form of spandex, something tight, the kind Speedo makes. Something that often leaves nothing to the imagination — and it’s not to everyone’s liking.

If you are caught entering the pool with biking shorts, running shorts or trunks, lifeguards — turned fashion police — will blow the whistle and send you back to the lobby where you will be asked to purchase proper attire. This is where convenient vending machines come in.

In the Auxerre pool lobby, there are machines that vend soft drinks, sandwiches and espressos, and others that dispense anything needed for the pool, from ear plugs, soap, shampoo and goggles, to swimwear.

A mannequin in swimming trunks with a big “forbidden” sign around its neck in the pool’s lobby is supposed to illustrate, for unsuspecting tourists, the kind of bathing suit that is acceptable. As a result, looking around, there is a certain repetitiveness to the swimsuit designs worn by men and boys.

There are four different designs in all, perhaps because that is all that is available at the vending machine or at the inexpensive sports store in town.

In the years since those regulations went into effect, I cannot remember hordes of disgruntled tourists getting outraged about this. But occasionally, one gets caught with his pants long (men more than women for obvious reasons) and is not happy about it.

The French have just gotten used to this, but for some visitors, the fact that municipal administrators have the authority to get you dressed to their liking — or un-dressed as the case may be — is completely infuriating. That is one of those unavoidable cultural quirks travelers must contend with in France.

As a resident of the United States, used to the uncompromising French swimsuit rules, it’s always disconcerting to me that anyone would be allowed to walk straight into an American public pool, from the street to the water, fully dressed, trunks over underwear, T-shirt over chest and sometimes with water shoes on.

That could make me love the French “no clothes — just Speedos” rules even more.

But perhaps there are no people on Earth prouder of their public pools than Icelanders. Iceland, where I just spent a few days, is rich with geothermal springs and big cities enjoy naturally heated outdoor pools. Because there are no chemicals in those pools, swimmers are expected to take a meticulous soap-and-scrub shower before entering the pool.

We were told that the rules are strictly enforced everywhere, and so visitors oblige.

This was my experience recently at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa near Reykjavik, where a very polite young staff lady looked on and directed all female visitors to shower in the nude before letting them into the hot spring. No one seemed to object. But then again, people were not told what to wear.

Neckline: Straps, High Neck
Embellishment: Printed, Strappy Swimsuit, lace up
Pattern: Graphic
Season: All Seasons

Pink High Neck Graphic Print Strappy Lace Up Back Sexy Two Piece Crop Top Bikini Swimsuit, $22.99



Bottom Type: Skimpy, String, Tie Sides
Bra Type: Micro Bikini, Padded, Triangle
Embellishment: Printed, Tassels
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Halter
Pattern: Ethnic, Geometric, Tribal Print
Style: Sexy, Tribal
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Red Ethnic Geo Tassels Triangle Tie Sides Sexy Micro Bikini, $17.99



Bottom Type: Cheeky, High Cut&high Leg
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Printed, Splicing
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: One Shoulder
Pattern: Color Block
Style: Sexy
Type: One Piece Swimsuit

Khaki Color Block One Shoulder High Cut Cheeky Sexy One Piece Swimsuit, $17.99



Back Details: Low Back
Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded Swimsuit
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: V Neck
Pattern: Floral
Sleeve: Slit Sleeve
Sleeve Length: Long Sleeve
Style: Sexy
Type: One Piece
Waistline: Mid Waist

White Floral Chiffon Slit Sleeve Low Back Sexy One Piece Swimsuit, $21.99



Back Details: Backless
Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded
Group: Woman
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps
Pattern: Two Tone
Style: Sexy
Type: Bikini
Waistline: High Waist Swimsuit

Watermelon Two Tone Padded High Waist Sexy Bikini, $26.99



Bottom Type: Normal
Bra Type: Padded
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Spaghetti Straps, V Neck
Pattern: Tribal Print
Style: Sexy, Tribal
Type: Tankini
Waistline: Low Waist

Red Tribal Print V Neck Padded Sexy Tankini Swimsuit, $23.99



Bra Type: Crop Top Bikini
Embellishment: Printed
Group: Woman
Material: Polyester, Spandex
Neckline: Round Neck
Pattern: Tribal Print
Sleeve Length: Long Sleeve
Style: Sexy, Tribal
Type: Bikini
Waistline: Low Waist

Dark-blue Tribal Print Long Sleeve Crop Top Sexy Bikini Swimsuit, $23.99



Bra Type: Bandeau Bikini
Embellishment: Crochet, Lace Up
Group: Woman
Material: Cotton, Polyester
Neckline: Off Shoulder
Pattern: Solid Color
Sleeve Length: Short Sleeve
Style: Sexy
Type: Top

Blue Lace Up Crochet Sexy Bikini Bra, $16.99