Swimsuit Tankinis

Before the introduction of the tankini women had the choice of bikini or a full swimsuit. Neither of these options was considered ideal for body conscious women or practical for pregnant women. Then in 1998 Anne Cole a leading US swimwear designer launched the tankini, and the problem was solved.

What makes a tankini?

Tankini swimsuits consist of a tankini top and a pair bikini bottoms. Both the top and bottoms are available in a variety of colours and styles, allowing them to mixed and matched with each other to suit taste as well as body shape.

The top

The tankini swimsuit top is perhaps one of the most important features of the tankini. Firstly it tends to cover the torso in a modern and modest manner and secondly by doing so it can add support or coverage as desired. There are several different styles of tankini swimsuit tops that are available, these include;

Controlled – controlled tankini swimwear is fitted with a tummy control feature on the inside around the midriff area in order to suck in the tummy and give a slimmer look to the wearer.

Apron – the apron tankini’s are tops which are secure around the bust area, but have a billow effect around the waist and midriff area.

Traditional – a traditional tankini has evolved slightly in terms of it straps. Now women can choose to have the traditional thick straps or the thinner camisole style straps.

Strapless –strapless tankini’s or their counterpart, bandeau tankini’s are simply without straps. They tend to held up by either a form of elastic around the top or have a halter neck style fastening. The bandeau tankini is more often worn by women with larger busts as they provide additional support than the traditional tankinis.

Tankini bottoms

Tankini swimsuit bottoms can be anything from bikini bottoms, female board shorts, hipster bottoms or even a style of shorts known as boy shorts. All tankini swimsuit shorts provide coverage of the hip and bottom area and the different styles allows for the more boy conscious women to customise her swimsuit look.

Tankini swimsuits in sports

The tankini swimsuit has even been worn by female athletes as the top can provide a similar support to that of a sports bra. The sports tankini swimsuits tend to be a shorter variety, fitted around the breast, leaving the midriff exposed.

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