Swimwear and Swimsuits for Women (2024)

FAQs

Can Catholics wear swim suits? ›

Bathing suits for guys and girls should be modest. If you have any question about whether it is modest enough, you should not bring it. Girls must wear a modest one-piece bathing suit with shorts over it. Bikinis and triangle tops are not allowed—girl's bathing suits cannot make any kind of “v” in the chest.

Wearing a bra with a bikini is often a choice based on personal comfort and style. Some find that a swim bra adds extra support, especially for fuller busts. From our experience, understanding your specific needs and preferences will guide you on whether to wear a bra under your swimsuit or bikini.

Ideally, you should choose your exact size. If you are in between sizes, we generally recommend going up, particularly if you have a large bust or a long torso. If you feel like you can't choose your exact size in a swimsuit, you may be selecting the wrong style.

If you're looking for a swimsuit that will streamline your appearance and stay in place during water sports, a tight swimsuit may be the best option. If you're looking for more coverage and support, or if you plan on spending a lot of time in the sun, a loose swimsuit may be a better choice.

Nevertheless, Mormon women are encouraged to buy swimsuits that uphold the church's general standard of modesty. While this does not mean their suits have to cover as much as the garments would, they generally are expected to cover midriffs and to wear bottoms with sufficient coverage.

Some people complain about the casual attire that others wear at Mass, particularly Sunday Masses. But that's not strictly about modesty, although encouraging parents and young people to avoid jeans and t-shirts is a worthwhile endeavor.

The word braless was first used circa 1965. Other terms for going braless include breast freedom, top freedom, and bra freedom. Activists advocating going braless have referred to protests as a "bra-cott".

If you are only talking about swimsuits, the most widespread term (at least in the US) is bikini bottom. Bikini tops and bottoms can be sold separately, but they are considered pieces of one outfit, similar to shirts and pants.

We wouldn't recommend wearing a standard bra under your bathing suit. Standard bras aren't engineered to handle the challenges posed by water. When they get wet, they become uncomfortable and cumbersome, weighing you down rather than offering the lift you need to enjoy your beach activities to the fullest.

If the swimsuit you're looking at uses numbered sizes, these will correspond at least roughly to the size of your pants or dresses. Even if they don't match up exactly, they'll give you some idea.

What is a size 34 swimsuit equivalent to? ›

Although the Catholic Church has no real dress code for proper attire when attending Mass, there is an unwritten dress code that demands we are properly dressed out of Respect, Honor, and Reverence for the Real Presence of Our Lord.

Chastity simply cannot work without the virtue of modesty of dress in both men and women. Although we don't always think of it, men must be modest, too. Tiny bathing suits, skin-tight trousers, and T-shirts with the arms cut away deep into the center of the shirt would be examples of immodest dress for men.

Because Catholic weddings place a premium on modesty, guests are wary of wearing sleeveless attire. However, most Catholic churches now allow brides to wear sleeveless wedding gowns. In addition, if a priest permits a bride to wear a sleeveless dress, guests will likely be allowed to do the same.

Catholic nuns

Regulations for nuns' swimwear are far from universal. According to Sister Lorraine from Ask a Catholic Nun, a social media-based forum run by the Daughters of St. Paul, some cloistered nuns never swim at all, while those of other orders may choose to wear fairly modern suits.