The main types of swimwear include one piece swimsuits, bikinis, swim shorts, jammers, and performance suits. Women's swimwear covers styles from leisurewear bikinis to competition kneeskins. Men's swimwear ranges from board shorts to racing briefs. Children's swimwear includes one-pieces, swim shorts, and performance suits. The right type depends on your activity, coverage preference, and whether you are swimming for leisure or competition.
Choosing the right swimwear can feel overwhelming when there are so many styles, cuts, and fabrics to consider. Whether you are buying for the pool, the beach, or competitive training, understanding the different types of swimwear makes the decision much simpler. This guide covers every major category for every style & age of swimmer, along with practical advice on matching the right style to your activity.
Women's Swimwear Types
Women's swimwear covers the widest range of styles of any category, from high-performance competition suits to relaxed leisure options. The key is knowing what each style offers so you can match it to how and where you swim.
One-Piece Swimsuits
The one-piece swimsuit, also called a swimming costume or swimsuit, is the most versatile style in women's swimwear. It covers the torso fully and comes in a wide range of back styles, from open racerback designs to more conservative full backs, designed to offer the levels of support required. You can choose the cut of the costume, offering a high leg, cheeky style, or a fuller coverage. One-pieces are suitable for pool swimming, holidays, and water fitness classes. Performance versions made from chlorine-resistant materials & ideal for regular pool use.
Browse women's swimwear for leisure and everyday styles, or explore dedicated women's performance swimwear for training and competition options.
Bikinis
Bikinis are two-piece swimwear consisting of a separate top and bottom. They are the most popular leisure swimwear style for holidays and beach use. Bikini tops come in several variations including triangle, bandeau, halter, underwire, and balconette styles, each offering different levels of support and coverage. Bottoms range from brief and tie-side cuts to high-waist styles.
Mixing and matching tops and bottoms separately allows for a more customised fit, which is particularly useful for swimmers with different proportions on top and bottom.
Swim Crop Tops
Swim crop tops are a more recent addition to women's swimwear. They sit between a standard bikini top and a full tankini top in terms of coverage, offering a sporty aesthetic that works well for both pool and beach wear. Swim crop tops can be paired with bikini bottoms or swim shorts and are particularly popular for water sports and active beach days. Crop tops are often used in conjunction with performance racing skins, between races to allow coverage & relief from the compression designs of performance suits.
All4Swim stocks a dedicated range of women's swim crop tops designed to stay in place during movement.
Swim Dresses and Boyleg Swimsuits
Swim dresses are one-piece swimsuits with a skirt panel attached at the hip or waist, providing additional coverage over the upper thighs. They are a popular choice for swimmers who prefer more modesty or extra coverage at the pool. Boyleg swimsuits, sometimes called legsuits, extend the leg opening downward to provide shorts-style coverage around the upper thigh. Both styles are widely used in aqua aerobics and water fitness classes, offering comfort and support during low-impact water exercise.
Period Swimwear
Period swimwear is a specialised category designed with a built-in absorbent gusset that allows swimmers to manage their period without using tampons or other internal products. The swimwear looks identical to a standard bikini bottom or one-piece on the outside but contains multiple functional layers inside the gusset. It is suitable for light to moderate flow days and can also be used as a backup layer alongside internal period products on heavier days.
Explore the period swimwear collection at All4Swim for a range of styles and absorbency levels.
Men's Swimwear Types
Men's swimwear divides broadly into two categories: loose leisure styles and fitted performance styles. Understanding the distinction between them makes it straightforward to choose the right option for your level of activity and preferred coverage.
Jammers, Swim Shorts & Breifs
Board shorts and swim shorts are the most widely worn leisure swimwear for men. They are loose-fitting, typically knee-length, and available in a wide range of colours and prints. Swim shorts are suitable for beach holidays and casual pool use but are not recommended for lap swimming, as the loose fabric creates drag in the water. Quick-drying fabrics and built-in mesh liners are common features that improve comfort.
All4Swim offers a full range of men's swimwear including swim shorts in multiple lengths and styles.
Jammers
Jammers are tight-fitting swim shorts that extend to just above the knee, sitting between swim briefs and board shorts in terms of coverage. They are the most popular training and competition swimwear for male swimmers. The snug fit reduces drag significantly compared to board shorts, and many styles are made from chlorine-resistant polyester for durability with regular pool use. Jammers are suitable for fitness swimmers, club swimmers, and competitive athletes. They provide more coverage than briefs, which makes them a preferred choice for swimmers who train regularly.
Aquashorts and Swim Briefs
Swim briefs are the traditional short-cut swimming trunk, offering minimal coverage and maximum freedom of movement. They are the standard choice for competitive swimmers, particularly at club and national level, and are also popular among regular fitness swimmers. Aquashorts sit between briefs and jammers in coverage, offering a slightly longer leg cut than a brief while retaining the low-drag profile needed for regular training. Both styles are available in chlorine-resistant fabrics for pool use.
Performance options can be found in the men's performance swimwear range.
Kneeskins and Competition Suits
Kneeskins are tight-fitting competition suits that extend to just above or just below the knee. They are the most technical category of men's swimwear, used exclusively in competitive swimming. Kneeskins are constructed from approved textile fabrics that compress the body to reduce drag and are worn only during races, not during training, as they are designed for short-term performance rather than durability. Competition swimwear must meet World Aquatics approval requirements to be used in licensed meets.
Kids' and Teen Swimwear Types
Children's swimwear covers a wide range of styles depending on age, activity level, and whether the child swims recreationally or as part of a club. Getting the right type early builds good habits around fit and comfort in the water.
Girls' Swimwear
Girls' swimwear includes one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, and tankinis. For younger children, one-piece swimsuits offer the best combination of coverage, freedom of movement, and practicality. Older girls and teenagers often prefer bikinis or tankinis for beach and holiday use. For swim lessons and regular pool use, a close-fitting one-piece in a chlorine-resistant fabric is the most practical choice.
All4Swim offers dedicated girls' swimwear and girls' performance swimwear for club and competitive swimmers.
Boys' swimwear follows a similar pattern to men's swimwear, with swim shorts being the most popular leisure choice and jammers or briefs favoured for regular training. For beach holidays and casual swimming, swim shorts in quick-drying fabric are ideal. Boys who swim regularly for fitness or as part of a club benefit from fitted jammers, which reduce drag and last longer with chlorine exposure than loose shorts.
Explore the boys' swimwear range for leisure styles and boys' performance swimwear for training and competition.
Performance Swimwear for Young Swimmers
Children who swim competitively or train regularly with a club need performance-specific swimwear rather than standard leisure suits. For girls, racerback one-pieces in polyester are the standard training suit, with kneeskins used for competition. For boys, jammers are the most common training choice, with briefs or kneeskins used during races. Performance suits for children are sized differently from leisure suits and typically run smaller, so checking the size guide specific to the brand is essential.
How to Choose the Right Type of Swimwear for Your Activity
The type of swimwear that works best depends as much on what you plan to do in the water as it does on personal style. The table below matches each common activity with the most suitable swimwear type and explains why.
| Activity | Recommended Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Beach holiday | Bikini, tankini, swim shorts | Style and comfort are the priority; drag in water is not a concern |
| Pool leisure / casual | One-piece, tankini, jammers | Comfortable fit, modest coverage, suitable for occasional pool use |
| Regular pool training | Polyester one-piece, jammers, briefs | Chlorine-resistant fabric extends lifespan; close fit reduces drag |
| Water fitness / aqua aerobics | Boyleg one-piece, swim dress, tankini | Extra coverage and support for low-impact movement |
| Competitive swimming | Kneeskin, competition brief, racerback one-piece | Approved textile fabric required; designed for speed and minimal drag |
| Open water / wild swimming | One-piece, jammers, swim crop top | UV-protective and quick-dry fabrics recommended for outdoor use |
| Swimming during period | Period swimwear, or standard suit with tampon/cup backup | Built-in absorbent gusset provides leak-proof protection in water |
The table above covers the most common swimming activities and the swimwear types best suited to each. For regular pool training, chlorine-resistant polyester in a close-fitting style is always the priority regardless of gender. Leisure styles work well for casual use but are not designed to withstand the chemical and physical demands of daily pool sessions.
Leisure Swimming and Holidays
For beach holidays and casual pool use, style and personal preference take priority. Bikinis, swim shorts, and tankinis are the most popular choices because they are comfortable, easy to pack, and available in a wide variety of designs. Quick-drying fabric is a practical feature for days when you are in and out of the water frequently. UV protection is worth considering for outdoor swimming, particularly for children.
Pool Training and Fitness
Swimmers who train regularly in a chlorinated pool should prioritise chlorine-resistant fabric above all other features. Standard elastane and lycra fabrics degrade quickly with repeated chlorine exposure, while polyester-based fabrics can last up to 10 times longer under the same conditions. A close-fitting style that stays in place during tumble turns and starts is also essential for anyone swimming regular lengths.
Competitive Swimming
Competitive swimwear must meet World Aquatics requirements to be used in licensed meets. This means textile-only fabrics with no buoyancy aids, no zippers, and coverage within defined limits. Competition suits are sized smaller than training suits and are designed for short-term performance use rather than durability. Swimmers competing at club level and above should check both Swim England requirements and the specific event rules before purchasing a competition suit.
Not sure which type of swimwear is right for you? Browse all swimwear collections at All4Swim to find the right style for your activity and level.
What Fabrics Are Used in Different Types of Swimwear?
The fabric used in a swimsuit affects how long it lasts, how it performs in the water, and how comfortable it feels to wear. Understanding the key fabric types helps you make a more informed choice regardless of the style you select.
Polyester vs Nylon vs Lycra
Polyester is the most durable swimwear fabric and is the standard choice for training and performance swimwear. It resists chlorine degradation far better than other materials, making it the best option for swimmers who train several times a week. Nylon is softer and more comfortable against the skin than polyester but degrades faster with chlorine exposure, making it better suited to leisure use. Lycra and elastane provide stretch and shape retention and are typically blended with nylon or polyester rather than used alone. Most training suits use a polyester-elastane blend to combine durability with stretch.
Chlorine-Resistant Swimwear: Why It Matters for Regular Swimmers
A swimsuit that is not designed for chlorine resistance can lose its shape, fade, and become transparent after as few as 20 to 30 pool sessions. Chlorine-resistant swimwear, typically made from a high-polyester blend, is rated to withstand significantly more exposure before degrading. For swimmers using a pool two or more times per week, investing in a chlorine-resistant suit pays for itself in longevity. Most performance and training swimwear from major brands clearly indicates chlorine resistance in the product specification.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the different types of swimwear makes it much easier to find the right option for your needs. The main distinctions come down to activity level, coverage preference, and how often you swim. For regular pool training, prioritise chlorine-resistant performance fabrics. For leisure and holidays, choose the style that makes you feel comfortable and confident in the water.
Ready to shop? Explore the full range of swimwear for women, men and kids at All4Swim.co.uk and find the right type for every swimmer in your household.