Swimwear Glossary

Suit up for the season with some helpful swimwear definitions.

• Bra styles
• Swimwear and accessory styles
• Fabrics

Bra styles

Floating underwire bra
For contour and support, an underwire is built into the inside of the base of the bra. It is called floating because it moves on the inside like a real bra, as opposed to an underwire that is actually stitched into the fabric of the suit itself.

Shelf bra
An unconstructed, light support bra that is actually a lingerie bra. Usually made of nylon or nylon/spandex, it has an elasticized band at the bottom to support the bust.

Soft cup bra
The soft, comfortable bra with removable pads is used to support as well as enhance the bust and make it ideal for either large- or small-busted women.

Swimwear and accessory styles

Bandeau
A bandeau swimsuit runs straight across and just above the bust. Its strapless design visually shortens the torso and balances full-figure hips. (Most come with detachable shoulder straps for swimming comfort.)

Maillot
A one-piece swimsuit with sewn-on straps and scoop, squared or halter-style neckline, it flatters most figure-types.

Pareo
A separate wrap that is used as a cover-up. It ties at the waist and can be either long or short.

Sarong
A one-piece swimsuit with attached skirt in front. Provides great coverage for fuller hips and thighs.

Surplice
A one-piece suit with front wrap style. Provides great tummy coverage and control.

Swimdress
A dress style suit with an attached panty. Provides maximum coverage for fuller hips, thighs and tummy.

Tankini
A versatile two-piece swimsuit that can also be worn to look like a one-piece. The top resembles a tank top. Designed to flatter most body shapes.

Tubini
A two-piece version of the bandeau-style suit. Provides a better fit for longer torsos than a one-piece bandeau-style suit.

Fabrics

Gauze
A lightweight cotton or polyester fabric used in some cover-ups and embroidered cotton lawns.

Lycra® Spandex
Lycra® spandex tells how much elasticity is in the fabric; the higher the Lycra® content the more the stretch. Lycra® is DuPont's registered trademark.

Tactel® Nylon
A term for a lightweight nylon that dries extremely fast. TACTEL® is DuPont's registered trademark for its brand of tactile and aesthetic fibers.

Miratex®
High-performance fabric with three-times the Lycra® spandex of traditional swimsuit fabric for special "holding power." Contours, shapes and firms the body without sacrificing comfort.