How to Keep Swimsuit from Riding Up

There’s little worse than hunting down the perfect swimsuit, loving the style and design before trying it on for the first time, and feeling that familiar uncomfortable pinch: it’s riding up. Maybe the suit is too small, perhaps you choose the wrong size, or maybe it’s just a bad fit. Sometimes, you may notice a suit that used to fit like a glove starts to creep upward. That’s because swimsuit materials can change as they age or if they’re not properly taken care of.

Keeping a swimsuit from riding up involves prevention by shopping for the right swimsuit for your body shape and size. If you need to fix a swimsuit on the spot, tape can offer temporary relief, while knowing how to adjust your swimsuit properly can solve the problem immediately. Ultimately, knowing how to care for your swimwear to prevent its material from degrading is also a must.

So, if you’re prepared to stop tugging at your swimsuit once and for all and banish it from riding up too high, we’ve gathered around all of the tips, tricks, and solutions that are guaranteed to work below.

How to Keep Swimsuit from Riding Up

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely found yourself pulling down your swimsuits more often than you’d like. If that’s the case, we’re leaving no stone unturned as we get to the bottom of why swimsuits ride up and what can be done about it. At the core of every good swimsuit is one simple consideration: its size. If you can get this right, you’re in for a happy swimming experience. 

Importance of Finding the Right Swimsuit Fit

While we all feel the effect, very few people every day out loud that swimsuits change shape in the water. They tend to gain a size or two, meaning they’re more likely to become baggy, sag, and may even go into places they never went before. Overall, the result is uncomfortable and can lead to wardrobe malfunctions and a nightmarish day at the beach or pool. 

What you really want is to find a swimsuit that fits like a glove both in and out of the water.

Why do Swimsuits and Bikini Bottoms Ride up?

If you’re always shimmying about in your swimsuits and always picking at your bikini bottoms, there could be various causes for this pesky issue. The first and most common being …

Improper fit 

Swimsuit bottoms should fit tightly, but they shouldn’t squeeze your butt. So, while that area is particularly important for preventing swimsuits from riding up, the same is true for the rest of the suit. No part of your swimsuit should hug too loosely or tightly to your body.

Having swimsuit bottoms ride up and give you a wedgie is more than annoying. It’s a sign of a poor-fitting swimsuit! You likely need a bigger size in the bottoms if you’re experiencing this issue.

Too small 

Swimsuits are naturally small, and for good reason. However, sometimes, your swimsuit is so uncomfortably tight that it’s obviously too small. Other times, it’s just a little snug, but this seems to change throughout the day. Why? Well, swimsuits fit differently when wet. As the material absorbs water, it tends to become looser, with most swimsuits, including bikini bottoms, becoming a size bigger in the water. So, if your swimsuit is only slightly riding up while dry, you can rest assured it’ll fit like a glove while wet. In other words, a swimsuit that may fit perfectly in the dressing room might not hold up so great in the water. 

That’s why it’s important to learn how to tell if a swimsuit is too small. The signs are easy to spot and should help you avoid buying or wearing swimsuits that aren’t a good fit so that they ride up.

How to Keep a Swimsuit or Bikini Bottom from Riding up?

Moisturizing is Key

Many people are unaware of the miracle solution that can be found in a moisturizer bottle. Moisturizing allows the material of your swimsuit or bikini bottom to stay intact and not find uncomfortable places to fit in. So, applying a layer of moisturizer to the whole body before stepping into your swimwear could be just the trick you need to keep your swimsuit from riding up.

Ensure Proper Fit and Size 

The most common culprit of a bikini bottom or swimsuit riding up is that it’s too tight or loose. While this could mean your swimsuit has aged, really, we often don’t know our own dimensions, especially considering swimsuit sizing is different from that of general clothing. Be sure to consult a swimsuit size guide before even starting on your swimwear shipping journey this year to ensure you stand the least chance of running into the “riding up” woes.

Right Swimsuit for Your Body Type 

Everyone’s body bends and curves in different places, with each of us having a totally unique silhouette that tends to fall under the 6 subcategories of the main body types: Hourglass, Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Pear, and Rounded. Knowing which swimsuit design best suits your body type is the secret to sidestepping any wardrobe malfunctions or uncomfortable fits altogether. 

Well Maintained 

Like any other fabrics or materials, swimsuits can be overwashed. They’re also not fond of dryers, which is one result of their dislike for heat and harsh conditions. Should they get too warm or be treated with strong detergents, not only will swimsuit materials degrade, but their elasticity will give, causing the suit to become warped and misshape. 

As a result, it is less likely to fit well when you wear it again. Given the lost elasticity and fit, the material would now just be hanging, and you will find it constantly riding up. To skip this issue, wash your swimwear with your hands and leave it out in the open to dry. 

Tape 

If you are still having trouble keeping your swimsuit in place, you may want to try using swimsuit tape. This is a special type of tape that is designed to adhere to enough fabric and skin. You can use it to secure the edges of your swimsuit in place. This will help to keep it from riding up and provide extra support.

Stretch the Material 

While not entirely recommended, there are some safe ways that you can “loosen” the material of your swimsuit or bikini bottoms. Learning how to stretch out bikini bottoms is vital to keep your swimwear in good quality, avoiding any misshapen outcomes. 

How to Adjust Your Swimsuit

It happens. You’re already at the beach, and your swimsuit is proving troublesome. Worry not. There are plenty of ways you can readjust your swimsuit to ensure it fits a little more comfortably. 

How to Adjust your Swimsuit Without Drawing Attention 

While you’ll spot people tugging at their swimsuits anywhere where swimwear is the standard dress, you still might want your swimsuit alterings to go under the radar. If so, we can’t recommend locating a bathroom soon enough. Once there, simply slide a finger under the lining and pull it in whatever direction is most comfortable. These movements can sometimes be passed off as itching if done fast enough. However, everyone’s preferred method is to slip into the water, where their movements are less likely to be seen.

How to Adjust Your Swimsuit While in the Water 

Walk into the water as deep as the part of your swimsuit you need to readjust. We recommend you cover up to your neck so people can’t see you moving your arms. Then, readjust your straps or the lining of your swimsuit.

When to Invest in a New Swimsuit

Knowing when it’s time for out with the old and in with the new is a matter of spotting the signs of an aging swimsuit alongside following the expert’s advice on how often you should replace your swimwear.

Signs that it’s time to retire your old swimsuit 

Stretched-out elastic: if it no longer fits snugly, the elastic has worn out.

Worn/Thin fabric: it may become see-through, or you may start to see bubbling or discoloration between the liner and the outside material If it’s faded, or features snags, you should definitely replace it. Torn lining is also another red flag.

How you feel about it: If your swimsuit tanks your confidence levels rather than lift them up, it’s time to find a new one.

How Often Should you Replace your Swimsuit?

A general rule of thumb is that a swimsuit should last anywhere between three months to a year. However, the lifespan of a swimsuit is dependent on many variables, from the quality of materials to how often its washed. Ultimately though, you are the only one who determines how long a swimsuit should last.

Tips for Choosing a New Swimsuit

Mix and Match: The perfect swimsuit starts with mixing and matching your favorite pieces. If you opt for two-piece swimsuits, your style choice doubles as you’re able to pair different bottoms with different tops. 

Measure Your Size: Knowing your swimsuit dimensions is necessary before even considering what swimsuit style to purchase. 

Know Your Body Shape: While size is key, shape is just as important. With different size hems and seams and varying amounts of material in different parts of the suits, different swimsuit designs naturally suit some body types better than others. 

Conclusion

Keeping bathing suits from riding up isn’t rocket science, even though it can certainly feel that way sometimes. Really, it’s a matter of buying the swimsuit or bikini that works best for your body. However, even if you gather a swimsuit collection that seems like it was made just for your body, most suits will inevitably start rising up with age as their materials warp and become looser. Of course, you can put off this fate by taking good care of your suits, but sometimes all that’s left to do is purchase a new addition to sidestep the irksome issue of riding up.

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