Home » Blog » Secrets to fix a see-through swimsuit
Table of Contents
Just because sheer or transparent swimwear is having a moment doesn’t mean everyone’s getting on board. Some people simply don’t feel comfortable sporting that barely-there look – especially not in swimwear. In fact, most dread stepping into a new swimsuit or bikini and realizing their intimate bits can be seen under it. For those moments, they may be left wondering how to fix a see-through swimsuit.
The short answer
Fixing a transparent or see-through swimsuit is a matter of DIY lining and strategic coverups. That said, prevention is key, meaning shopping for material, material thickness, size, and body shape, and all go a long way to ensuring you remain hidden under your swimwear.
Fixing a Transparent Swimsuit
What are Transparent/Sheer Swimsuits?
If you are looking to get some attention and show off a little skin, these sheer designs are the perfect solution.
Interestingly, see-through swimsuits are categorized by just how sheer they are. The transparency level is decided using a unit of measure called a denier, from 3 (extremely thin) to 15 (standard sheer for stockings) up to 30 (semi-opaque) until 100 (opaque).
The Types of Transparent Swimsuits:
Transparent Swimwear: Low denier
Transparent Swimwear is basically any swimsuit, be it a bikini or one-piece swimsuit, that is transparent or see-through at all times. These styles are typically manufactured from a nylon/lycra fabric with a mesh or loose fabric weave.
Semi-Transparent Swimwear: Medium Denier
As it sounds, the semi-transparent bikini or swimsuit is not completely see-through, but its tight fit tends to evoke a stunning, streamlined silhouette. The fabric allows for some level of light transition but limits the full view.
Transparent When Wet Swimwear: Low-to-mid Denier
These swimsuits are ever so slightly transparent when dry, but the fabric in question becomes clingy and sheer when wet, creating a patchy-looking effect.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Are White Swimsuits Translucent?
The eternal sorrow of swimwear fashionistas is that white swimsuits tend to turn translucent when wet. This effect shows exactly where the swimsuit sticks to the body, potentially revealing the nipples and other parts you might like to keep under wraps. So, what looks pristinely polished and ultra-chic dry turns into a patchy canvas while wet that may even expose your private parts.
If you’re obsessed with the look of a bright white swimsuit but borderline terrified to wear one because – we’ve got some good news.
Why are Some Swimsuits See-through?
We’ve already acknowledged that some swimsuits are designed to be sheer. However, beyond that, there appears to be an epidemic of see-through swimsuits that aren’t, well, meant to be seen through.
Fast Fashion
We’re cycling through fashion trends faster than ever, meaning most brands have little. Time to keep up. What used to just be one collection a year has evolved into a constant churning out of new swimsuit styles.
As a result, designers are rarely able to test each new style in real-life scenarios. In other words, the fabric may look nice from the samples, but it won’t fare well once being actually worn and exposed to water. These days, microfibers come in various blends featuring two-way and four-way stretch and varying thickness, which can lead to transparency when wet.
Fabric Faux-pas
Most swimsuits are made from a blend of polyester, spandex, and nylon. When it comes to transparent swimwear fabric, things are a little heavy on the nylon side of things, with spandex or lycra also making an appearance sometimes. No matter the mix, they’re blended thread-thin or with a low-density knit which results in a semi-transparent or translucent, flimsy cloth.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How to Know if your Bikini or Swimsuit is See-through?
Before even trying your swimsuit or bikini on, you can test its see-through status by placing your hand inside the suit and underneath one side’s material. If you can already see some details of your hand – your suit is very see-through. This should generally be avoided.
If not, stretch the material a little, observing your hand underneath the material all the while. If you see your fingers, it will likely be see-through.
So far, so good, but still, even if you can’t see your fingers just yet, keep in mind your swimsuit could be hiding its see-throughness behind its driness.
Test While Wet
Swimwear can be deceptive. What appears to be only slightly transparent fabric when dry can become nigh-on fully see-through once wet. To avoid this inconvenience, be sure to wet a part of your swimsuit’s material and retry the above steps on the damp spot. If you’d like to ensure no mishaps, why not try on the swimsuit while it’s wet? That way, you’ll know exactly what it’ll look like in use.
How to Fix a See-through Bikini Bottom?
Get a Bikini Bottom Liner
Bikini bottom liners serve the purpose of adding extra protection and coverage to the bottoms. While most bikinis will already feature a lining, some won’t. For those cases, you can purchase a liner or DIY one from materials that match that of your bikini. Sew this material into your bikini bottom, and the extra layer should ensure no light gets through! These bikini liners can also help to hide cameltoe.
Shop for Darker Colors & Prints
The darker the swimsuit, the less likely it is to be see-through. Even if the design is similar to a lightly colored swimsuit of similar design, the dark shades blend all of your bits underneath.
Think Thick
Some bikini bottoms, no matter how beautiful they are, are simply flimsy. The material feels a little too light-weight and as though it could tear at any moment. It’s best to put these bikini bottoms back on the shelf and pick up a pair that feels and looks a little thicker.
Wear a Coverup
If there’s no going back now and you have to wear the see-through bottoms, grab a reassuring coverup that’ll keep you well hidden while out of the water. Take it off just before you get into the water and enjoy! It’s unlikely that anyone will be able to see your bikini bottom’s transparency underwater.
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How to Fix a See-through Bikini Top?
Much like a bikini bottom, a bikini bottom can also be see-through or semi-transparent. Fortunately, there are some methods for making your bikini top a little more “solid” and impermeable to the light. Unsurprisingly, they’re quite similar to those of the bikini bottom, with only a few small differences to account for design.
What to do About a Transparent Bikini Top
Get a Bikini Cup Liner
Just like with bikini bottoms, bikini tops can benefit from an extra layer of material. So, gather around some material, get your DIY skills at the ready, and get sewing! The result should be cups with two layers of fabric, rendering them completely non-transparent.
Use Bra Cups
If your bikini doesn’t already have a padded insert, you can purchase them, or borrow them from one of your bras or other bikinis to slip into the cups of your bikini – that is considered they have a space to insert. If not, you may want to consider sewing on a liner while leaving a portion open so you can slip in a padded insert for extra coverage and support.
Shop for Darker Colors & Prints
Darker shades naturally cover any alterations in the shades below their material, meaning your nipples remain hidden away and can’t be distinguished under the darker material. Prints also have the same effect of helping the nipples to “blend in” so that they disappear among all the amazing colors and designs.
Think Thick
If you’re shopping for a bikini top without padding, be sure to opt for a thicker fabric. That said, it’s always best to go for a bikini top with a padding insert to avoid transparency at all costs.
Sport a Coverup
If all else fails and you really want to wear your bikini, you can always throw on a fashionable cover-up that adds as much comfort to your beachside look as it does style. Think along the lines of a sarong or kaftan that you can pull on or off at ease throughout the day.
Nipples Showing? No problem!
You can cover your nipples in a swimsuit using a mix of pasties, nipple covers or knowing how to shop for a swimsuit that won’t show your nipples in the first place (hint: It includes looking for thicker material and shopping for your body shape/size.)
How to fix a transparent bikini: Solved
For some, a transparent bikini is a chance to show off and feel fantastically daring while. For others, they’d simply rather keep their bits under wraps. Both approaches are completely acceptable. However, for the latter, we’ve solved their swimwear transparency issues above through a few steps, tricks, and strategies that make sure no one can see through their swimsuits!
Sand, sea, and sun… it’s a magical combo and the perfect ingredients for any leisurely day spent at the beach. However, we all know that sand can be troublesome among the bunch, and especially when mixed with swimsuits. Because really, sand finds its way into every little crevice, crack, and closure and leaves us asking, “How do …
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 …
We’re taking on one of the oldest and most hotly-debated topics in the swimwear world: Is a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit better? At Decisive Beachwear, we’ve heard plenty of persuasive arguments for both sides and have even thrown our own swimwear expertise into the mix. After years of gathering knowledge in the industry and some careful deliberation on …
I’m sure we’ve all been there. Having to pack a wet swimsuit into a bag or suitcase. Maybe it’s because you wanted to take that last dip in the ocean before going home from your vacation. Or you’re just an avid swimmer who goes to and from the pool after practice. Whatever the reason, it’s …
Secrets to fix a see-through swimsuit
Just because sheer or transparent swimwear is having a moment doesn’t mean everyone’s getting on board. Some people simply don’t feel comfortable sporting that barely-there look – especially not in swimwear. In fact, most dread stepping into a new swimsuit or bikini and realizing their intimate bits can be seen under it. For those moments, they may be left wondering how to fix a see-through swimsuit.
The short answer
Fixing a transparent or see-through swimsuit is a matter of DIY lining and strategic coverups. That said, prevention is key, meaning shopping for material, material thickness, size, and body shape, and all go a long way to ensuring you remain hidden under your swimwear.
Fixing a Transparent Swimsuit
What are Transparent/Sheer Swimsuits?
If you are looking to get some attention and show off a little skin, these sheer designs are the perfect solution.
Interestingly, see-through swimsuits are categorized by just how sheer they are. The transparency level is decided using a unit of measure called a denier, from 3 (extremely thin) to 15 (standard sheer for stockings) up to 30 (semi-opaque) until 100 (opaque).
The Types of Transparent Swimsuits:
Transparent Swimwear: Low denier
Transparent Swimwear is basically any swimsuit, be it a bikini or one-piece swimsuit, that is transparent or see-through at all times. These styles are typically manufactured from a nylon/lycra fabric with a mesh or loose fabric weave.
Semi-Transparent Swimwear: Medium Denier
As it sounds, the semi-transparent bikini or swimsuit is not completely see-through, but its tight fit tends to evoke a stunning, streamlined silhouette. The fabric allows for some level of light transition but limits the full view.
Transparent When Wet Swimwear: Low-to-mid Denier
These swimsuits are ever so slightly transparent when dry, but the fabric in question becomes clingy and sheer when wet, creating a patchy-looking effect.
Maldives
$60Pearl
$60Santorini
$60Turtle Swimsuit
$49Are White Swimsuits Translucent?
The eternal sorrow of swimwear fashionistas is that white swimsuits tend to turn translucent when wet. This effect shows exactly where the swimsuit sticks to the body, potentially revealing the nipples and other parts you might like to keep under wraps. So, what looks pristinely polished and ultra-chic dry turns into a patchy canvas while wet that may even expose your private parts.
If you’re obsessed with the look of a bright white swimsuit but borderline terrified to wear one because – we’ve got some good news.
Why are Some Swimsuits See-through?
We’ve already acknowledged that some swimsuits are designed to be sheer. However, beyond that, there appears to be an epidemic of see-through swimsuits that aren’t, well, meant to be seen through.
Fast Fashion
We’re cycling through fashion trends faster than ever, meaning most brands have little. Time to keep up. What used to just be one collection a year has evolved into a constant churning out of new swimsuit styles.
As a result, designers are rarely able to test each new style in real-life scenarios. In other words, the fabric may look nice from the samples, but it won’t fare well once being actually worn and exposed to water. These days, microfibers come in various blends featuring two-way and four-way stretch and varying thickness, which can lead to transparency when wet.
Fabric Faux-pas
Most swimsuits are made from a blend of polyester, spandex, and nylon. When it comes to transparent swimwear fabric, things are a little heavy on the nylon side of things, with spandex or lycra also making an appearance sometimes. No matter the mix, they’re blended thread-thin or with a low-density knit which results in a semi-transparent or translucent, flimsy cloth.
Turtle Palm – Father and Son
$68Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
Sea
$60How to Know if your Bikini or Swimsuit is See-through?
Before even trying your swimsuit or bikini on, you can test its see-through status by placing your hand inside the suit and underneath one side’s material. If you can already see some details of your hand – your suit is very see-through. This should generally be avoided.
If not, stretch the material a little, observing your hand underneath the material all the while. If you see your fingers, it will likely be see-through.
So far, so good, but still, even if you can’t see your fingers just yet, keep in mind your swimsuit could be hiding its see-throughness behind its driness.
Test While Wet
Swimwear can be deceptive. What appears to be only slightly transparent fabric when dry can become nigh-on fully see-through once wet. To avoid this inconvenience, be sure to wet a part of your swimsuit’s material and retry the above steps on the damp spot. If you’d like to ensure no mishaps, why not try on the swimsuit while it’s wet? That way, you’ll know exactly what it’ll look like in use.
How to Fix a See-through Bikini Bottom?
Get a Bikini Bottom Liner
Bikini bottom liners serve the purpose of adding extra protection and coverage to the bottoms. While most bikinis will already feature a lining, some won’t. For those cases, you can purchase a liner or DIY one from materials that match that of your bikini. Sew this material into your bikini bottom, and the extra layer should ensure no light gets through! These bikini liners can also help to hide cameltoe.
Shop for Darker Colors & Prints
The darker the swimsuit, the less likely it is to be see-through. Even if the design is similar to a lightly colored swimsuit of similar design, the dark shades blend all of your bits underneath.
Think Thick
Some bikini bottoms, no matter how beautiful they are, are simply flimsy. The material feels a little too light-weight and as though it could tear at any moment. It’s best to put these bikini bottoms back on the shelf and pick up a pair that feels and looks a little thicker.
Wear a Coverup
If there’s no going back now and you have to wear the see-through bottoms, grab a reassuring coverup that’ll keep you well hidden while out of the water. Take it off just before you get into the water and enjoy! It’s unlikely that anyone will be able to see your bikini bottom’s transparency underwater.
Turtle Palm – Father and Son
$68Sand
$60Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
Los Angeles Swim Shorts
$60How to Fix a See-through Bikini Top?
Much like a bikini bottom, a bikini bottom can also be see-through or semi-transparent. Fortunately, there are some methods for making your bikini top a little more “solid” and impermeable to the light. Unsurprisingly, they’re quite similar to those of the bikini bottom, with only a few small differences to account for design.
What to do About a Transparent Bikini Top
Get a Bikini Cup Liner
Just like with bikini bottoms, bikini tops can benefit from an extra layer of material. So, gather around some material, get your DIY skills at the ready, and get sewing! The result should be cups with two layers of fabric, rendering them completely non-transparent.
Use Bra Cups
If your bikini doesn’t already have a padded insert, you can purchase them, or borrow them from one of your bras or other bikinis to slip into the cups of your bikini – that is considered they have a space to insert. If not, you may want to consider sewing on a liner while leaving a portion open so you can slip in a padded insert for extra coverage and support.
Shop for Darker Colors & Prints
Darker shades naturally cover any alterations in the shades below their material, meaning your nipples remain hidden away and can’t be distinguished under the darker material. Prints also have the same effect of helping the nipples to “blend in” so that they disappear among all the amazing colors and designs.
Think Thick
If you’re shopping for a bikini top without padding, be sure to opt for a thicker fabric. That said, it’s always best to go for a bikini top with a padding insert to avoid transparency at all costs.
Sport a Coverup
If all else fails and you really want to wear your bikini, you can always throw on a fashionable cover-up that adds as much comfort to your beachside look as it does style. Think along the lines of a sarong or kaftan that you can pull on or off at ease throughout the day.
Nipples Showing? No problem!
You can cover your nipples in a swimsuit using a mix of pasties, nipple covers or knowing how to shop for a swimsuit that won’t show your nipples in the first place (hint: It includes looking for thicker material and shopping for your body shape/size.)
How to fix a transparent bikini: Solved
For some, a transparent bikini is a chance to show off and feel fantastically daring while. For others, they’d simply rather keep their bits under wraps. Both approaches are completely acceptable. However, for the latter, we’ve solved their swimwear transparency issues above through a few steps, tricks, and strategies that make sure no one can see through their swimsuits!
Bestsellers
Pineapple Watermelon Swim Shorts
Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Flamingo swim shorts
Tropical 2-Pack Swim Shorts
Stripes 2-Pack Swim Shorts
$80Pineapple Watermelon – Father and Son
$70Kvalitetsaktiepodden x Decisive Beachwear
$65Turtle Matching Couples Swimwear
$80Read more
I’ll write about anything and everything related to swimwear!
Related Posts
How to Get Sand Out of a Swimsuit
Sand, sea, and sun… it’s a magical combo and the perfect ingredients for any leisurely day spent at the beach. However, we all know that sand can be troublesome among the bunch, and especially when mixed with swimsuits. Because really, sand finds its way into every little crevice, crack, and closure and leaves us asking, “How do …
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 …
One-piece vs. Two-piece Swimsuit
We’re taking on one of the oldest and most hotly-debated topics in the swimwear world: Is a one-piece or two-piece swimsuit better? At Decisive Beachwear, we’ve heard plenty of persuasive arguments for both sides and have even thrown our own swimwear expertise into the mix. After years of gathering knowledge in the industry and some careful deliberation on …
How to pack a wet swimsuit
I’m sure we’ve all been there. Having to pack a wet swimsuit into a bag or suitcase. Maybe it’s because you wanted to take that last dip in the ocean before going home from your vacation. Or you’re just an avid swimmer who goes to and from the pool after practice. Whatever the reason, it’s …