Maternity Swim Wear

Maternity Swim Wear Styles

Just as in regular swimsuits, maternity swim wear comes in several different styles. Each style offers different features for the special needs of moms. For example, a tie-back halter neckline offers support to larger-chested women or for those who expect to grow as summer progresses. Other special features to look into include:

• Classic tanks with side shirring are good for women who expect their bellies to grow and those who want a good lap or water aerobics suit. This style offers coverage and support.
• Tankinis cover up stretch marks and come in a variety of styles. Shelf bras and soft cups offer upper support, while bottoms can be purchased in regular bikini style or in full-coverage maternity styles.
• Bikinis are great for the mom who wants to show off her expanding belly! Additionally, bikini tops often come in underwire cups, offering exceptional support for a growing chest. With regular style bikini bottoms, moms may be able to wear the bikini post-baby as well. This style should be avoided for most moms who plan to be active, as it usually does not provide enough support.
• Skirted bottoms work well for moms who are looking to cover additional weight gain in the thigh, hip, and butt area. Skirts can come on bikinis, tankinis, and regular tank suits.

Once you identify the areas you want help with, you can narrow your search to maternity swim wear that fits the criteria.

Where to Buy Maternity Suits

Sometimes, just finding a maternity suit can be a challenge. Knowing where to look can help shave previous time off shopping excursions.

Stella Maternity offers super hip maternity bikinis that can also be worn long after the baby arrives. Most styles have matching sarongs that can be worn over the tummy for a chic tankini look or around the waist in classic sarong style.

Fit Maternity offers styles that have been tested for endurance during outdoor and indoor swimming activities. Many styles are appropriate for lap swimming, jogging, or water aerobics. Several of the tankinis offer additional chest support through a special criss-cross design.

Due Maternity has fashion-forward styles in one, two, and even three pieces. One of their suits, the Maternal America 3-Piece is a bikini that comes with a mesh inset. It can be used to make the bikini a tankini or worn as a sarong around the hips, depending on how your body grows. The bottoms are normal bottoms, allowing for use after the baby is born.

Motherhood Maternity has both online and in-store swimsuit collections. The stylish, yet affordable suits come in tank, bikini, and tankini styles. Motherhood offers a special swim skirt in black that can be paired with other suit styles to offer more coverage for moms looking to cover-up a little more at the beach or pool.

Another option for women who are not sure what they are looking for in maternity swim wear is to check a comparison website, like MySimon.com. Comparison sites can offer a wide range of styles in several price ranges, from all kinds of stores. Additionally, comparison sites frequently offer user ratings or comments on different suits. This can be a big help for people who do not know where to start.

Tips for Suits

Simply buying a suit with good structure does not guarantee that it will fit. Trying on several styles is the best way to figure out if it will work. Doing a few activities you may do in the suit can help determine the best fit, also. Bend over, do a few jumping jacks, make swimming motions, and other similar movements if you plan to be active. Checking your back view in a 3-way mirror, or having an honest friend can be essential for making sure things do not peek out that should be contained!

Also, if you are buying a suit early in your pregnancy, you may want to try it on in a store. Maternity stores offer strap-on bellies, so you can see how it will fit as you grow through the summer. This way, you do not have to buy several suits for the season.

Additional Information

For more swimsuit shopping tips, check out the articles on LoveToKnow Swimsuits.