How Do Different Materials Affect Different Types of Kids Swimwear?

It's good to know what your options are when you're looking for swimwear for your kids. Unlike adults, children's skins are a bit more sensitive, and the fabric their swimwear is made of can be the difference between a perfect day and an unpleasant experience at the beach. We've already covered the three major types of fabric used in swimwear. But how do each of them affect the overall quality of different types of swimwear?

Bodysuits
When shopping for bodysuits for kids, your main priority should be on comfort, and not just looks. Nylon is a popular choice of fabric for bodysuits, particularly for adults. It repels water, it's quick-drying, and it's soft to the touch.

Nylon has excellent tensile strength as a type of fabric, so it's a good choice however, unlike polyester and elastane, nylon deteriorates more quickly when exposed to UV rays and pills much more easily. Moreover, nylon bodysuits don't seem to have as good a colour-retention property as polyester or elastane. When constantly exposed to UV light and chlorine, nylon bodysuits tend to bleed and fade.

Polyester is also a popular choice for bodysuits. Like nylon, it's soft yet strong, but its main advantage is that it's more resistant to UV and chlorine. Polyester bodysuits have a high endurance against saltwater, chlorine, and sunlight. They also have a higher resistance to constant stretching, so much so that they surpass nylon bodysuits in terms of durability. And when blended with elastane, polyester provides a figure-fitting stretch.

Elastane is also often blended with nylon, producing a bodysuit with better stretch and durability. You won't find a bodysuit that's 100% elastane since that wouldn't be a good idea. Elastane has a slippery texture, which is a big no in the pool. It's also not as breathable as other fabrics and is more sensitive to heat.

Boardshorts
Boardshorts have always been manufactured using either nylon or polyester. Throughout the years, the idea was to design them using fabric that dries quickly. The design may have remained the same, but many features have been added to improve their function and overall quality further.

Nylon is a popular fabric for boardshorts. They dry more quickly and are perfect if you wish to spend a longer time in the water. Polyester boardshorts are more comfortable to wear, though. That's because they are more elastic and fit the body better. Not to mention that they are less expensive than boardshorts made of nylon and nylon blends.

Boardshorts made of elastane blends are also becoming more popular, particularly among casual wearers. They are more durable and stretchy and are very comfortable for swimming. Poly-elastane blends are especially a common preference for boardshorts. These shorts contain a four-way stretch fabric that provides more freedom of movement but they don't have as much durability as Polyester boardshorts. 


Kids are very active, especially when they're having fun at the beach or in the swimming pool. Boardshorts made of Polyester allow kids more dynamic movements, such as running and jumping. And since it is naturally stretchy, they fit more comfortably.

Bikinis
Children's bikinis have come a long way in the last several decades. The '50s paved the way for one-piece bathing suits, which eventually evolved into modest versions of adult bikinis. Around this time, bikinis were mostly made from latex and nylon. This was an improvement from earlier versions made from rayon fabric, which, while durable, proved to be problematic when wet.

Today, if you pick up a set of bikinis, there's a high chance that it contains nylon or polyester. Bikinis made using nylon are lightweight and offer moisture-wicking capability, which contributes to faster drying times. They also stretch and hug the body well, making them comfortable to wear. Nylon bikinis are very versatile. They are thin and flexible but are tough and durable, nonetheless.

As for polyester bikinis, these suits often earn high marks for their durability. Modern technology has also helped reduce the absorbency of this material, which means bikinis containing polyester are quick-drying. Finally, compared to bikinis made from elastane and nylon, polyester bikinis are also more resistant to chlorine, which helps increase their lifespan.
 These properties of polyester bikinis make them the first choice over other options, such as wool and cotton. One disadvantage of nylon bikinis is that they easily fray or fade when exposed to the sun for too long.


Meanwhile, bikinis made of elastane also make an excellent choice. Although elastane isn't t

ypically the sole fabric in bikinis, it can significantly enhance a bikini's stretchiness as part of a fabric blend. The more elastane the swimsuit contains, the more it becomes shape-hugging. This is a huge advantage for bikinis, as the more the fabric sticks tightly to the body, the more comfortable it is to wear for swimming.