Can You Wear Someone Else’s Swimsuit?

It happens. You arrive at the beach, rummage through your beach bag, and it’s nowhere to be seen. You’ve left your swimsuit behind – not ideal. But all hope is not lost – there’s always the option of wearing a spear suit! And that’s when the question inevitably arises “Can I wear someone else’s swimsuit?”

As swimwear specialists, we get asked this question often. So often, in fact, that we’ve decided to answer it once and for all. 

The quick answer: yes, you can wear someone else’s swimsuit, but it’s not recommended. Swimsuits, by their very makeup, are not breathable. As such, they tend to hold onto bodily fluids, oils, chemicals, etc. As well, bacteria love moist environments, meaning that sharing swimsuits could lead to the transmission of diseases and infections. So while you can technically share swimsuits, you really shouldn’t. But if you must, wearing underwear or cleaning/rinsing the swimsuit thoroughly before use can keep things healthy, safe, and ready for a swim!

And that’s that. But if you’d like the long answer, we’re more than happy to explain to implications of sharing swimsuits further, helping you to decide if borrowed or second-hand swimsuits are right for you, and covering some tips and tricks on how to safely wear someone else’s swimsuit.

Why Would you Wear Someone Else’s Swimsuit?

Swimsuits are generally considered to be highly personal items of clothing. So, you might be wondering why anyone asks, “can you wear someone else’s swimsuit?” in the first place. 

Truth be told, it happens more often than you think. 

Swimsuits are a bit like passports in that regard. They’re essential but easy to forget and misplace. But unlike passports, there’s usually a spare swimsuit to be found. Or, you can always ask someone for a lend of their suit. 

They really need a swimsuit 

If you arrive at the beach and realize you’ve forgotten your swimsuit or are faced with an impromptu swim and don’t happen to carry a swimsuit with you at all times – you generally have three options. Either you buy a new swimsuit, take a dip in your underwear, or borrow someone else’s. 

Another scenario during which someone might need to wear another’s swimsuit is if their own is torn or ripped. This is a relatively frequent occurrence for athletes who might prefer to borrow a swimsuit rather than forfeit a competition.

It’s sustainable 

As well, swimwear has not been left behind by the sustainable shopping movement. As we move towards a more eco-friendly world, we expect to hear more about second-hand swimsuits. Sustainably speaking, eco-friendly swimwear is a controversial and complicated subject, and second-hand swimsuits can help resolve this issue.

Reasons you probably shouldn’t share swimsuits

When it comes to reasons why you shouldn’t share swimsuits – there are many. 

Consider this: you’re all out of underwear. Do you wear someone else’s?

Likely not. The thought of sharing underwear is unbearable to most people for much the same reasons that sharing swimsuits isn’t recommended. 

They’re hotbeds of bacteria

Swimsuit materials are not very breathable, so when your swimsuit gets wet, it traps moisture in some pretty sensitive areas. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Chemicals from a pool and bacteria from the ocean and lakes get absorbed into your swimsuit’s fabric.

And before you know it, you have an infected swimsuit. This is usually no issue if you stick to using your own swimsuit. However, swapping bacterial is never a good idea, and can result in the transmission or development of the following infections:

Trichomoniasis:  Otherwise known as “trich,” this infection is caused by a parasite that can survive for 24 hours on wet towels and bathing suits, resulting in discomfort in the vaginal area.

Molluscum Contagiosum: Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection (most commonly experienced by children but also by adults) that results in raised, skin-colored bumps with a dent or red dot at the top.

UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): You can catch a UTI from the bacteria trapped in someone else’s swimsuit.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): While you can develop BV from your own swimsuit, it’s more likely to spread from someone else’s.

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that is transmitted through bodily secretions including blood, semen and vaginal fluids which can live in a swimsuit for up to 7 days.

Pubic Lice: Pubic Lice can survive in the crotch area of a swimsuit and be spread if worn by another person.

But if you really must …

How to Safely Share Swimsuits

Believe it or not, there are some precautionary steps you can take to overcome bacteria and dirt to safely share swimsuits, starting with:

Rinse, Rinse, Rinse

When it comes to rinsing a soon-to-be-swapped swimsuit, it’s better to lean towards the excessive. Take the swimsuit and swish it around or leave to soak in a body of hot water – the hotter, the better. High temperatures can denature bacteria, effectively cleansing the suit.  

If there’s no hot water, cold water will suffice. Run the swimsuit under a cold tap until saturated and dripping. Be sure to turn the swimsuit inside out while rinsing, so the inner lining is also cleaned.

A gentle warning: don’t wring out a rinsed swimsuit. Excessive pressure can stretch or damage the material. Instead, dry the swimsuit on a flat surface out of the way of direct sunlight.

Deep clean the swimsuit 

While you might not always have the time or means to wash a swapped or borrowed swimsuit – if you do – it’s a must!

To know how best to wash a swimsuit, be sure to check the washing instructions on the swimsuit’s labels. 

If there’s no label present, your best option is to handwash the swimsuit inside-out in warm water using a gentle detergent before surface drying.

That said, most swimsuits can survive being machine-washed on a gentle setting without much or any damage.

Wear underwear 

While wearing any type of underwear under your swimsuit isn’t recommendable, the material can offer an extra layer of protection between your skin and the suit, acting as a barrier to any harmful bacteria or transmissions.

Is it safe to buy a used swimsuit?

Yes. It is completely fine to purchase a swimsuit already used by someone else. That is, provided the suit has been washed prior to sale. If that’s the case, the swimsuit should be thoroughly cleansed of any trace of the previous owner. 

It’s always good practice to wash your second-hand swimsuit thoroughly after purchase to ensure no residue has been left behind.

Be sure to check for stains before purchasing or wearing a second-hand swimsuit. This can be evidence that the swimsuit has not been adequately cleaned.

The Bottom Line 

While we’d love to say there’s no right or wrong answer to this question, sharing swimsuits isn’t always a matter of personal preference. It’s usually best to avoid sharing swimsuits whenever possible, especially if the suit has not been properly cleaned or cleansed beforehand as bacteria could lead to several unwanted outcomes. However, if the necessary precautionary measures are taken, sharing swimsuits or purchasing second-hand swimsuits should be no issue, meaning that you can enjoy those sunny days or leisurely swims without a care in the world.

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