How does swimwear work

Fast forward a few years and I've now got my head around tampons, while I've also developed a bit of an environmental conscience. Over our lifetimes, a menstruating person will use around 9,, disposable hygiene products such as tampons or pads. Pads that are made from the equivalent of four plastic bags and will last pretty much forever in landfill, or tampons that are covered in plastic packaging and sometimes contain plastic themselves.

Making use of reusable period protection means none of this has to go to landfill or pollute our environment. Fourteen year old me would have been sold hearing that, but alas, she was stuck swimming with a tampon in and the string paranoia that came with it. How indeed. Modibodi , the makers of the period-proof swimwear I'm talking about, have made a demo video showing how the fabric the swimwear is made from is completely water repellent.

Meanwhile, they say that the inner liner absorbs everything and is designed to dry extremely fast. No leaks whatsoever are escaping while you're sitting on the sand in your white beach dress. But I still had questions. No swimwear I've ever worn has ever been airtight. I always find there are air gaps around my legs.

So how do we know that they won't fill up with water, or that the blood could all leak out? And if there aren't any gaps, how tight and uncomfortable will they be? What if the gusset gets completely filled up with water and starts sagging? And can we wear them in the surf?

What happens if they come off? Or do they not come off? My favorite thing about the Knix period swimsuit, however, is that I was able to enjoy my time by the pool without worrying about my period. But with this swimsuit, most of my anxiety was eliminated because I felt protected, thanks to both the gusset and the black color. I made it back to my hotel room two hours later without any stains or spotting—to say I was impressed would be an understatement.

The swimsuit made me feel a lot more confident, and I was able to spend my vacation stress-free. For as comfortable as the bathing suit bottoms were, they weren't exactly the most stylish. They serve their purpose for being leakproof but they aren't something I'd buy for looks alone.

I also tried the scoop bikini top and was disappointed. It lacks structure, so my breasts didn't feel supported and I struggled with the padding—it wouldn't stay in place so I took it out. The other thing I don't like about Knix period swimwear is the lack of variety.

There are only two style options to choose from—bikini bottoms and a one-piece—and both only come in black. Knix does offer other swimsuits in bright colors and patterns, but they're not leakproof.

Despite the fact that I don't think it's super stylish, I would buy the Knix bikini bottoms again for the protection alone. When it comes to period swimwear, Ruby Love has the most color, size up to 3XL and style options. This period bikini set is available in 11 different colors and patterns. The organic cotton liner has the capacity of three tampons , so it can be worn with or without additional protection. With an adjustable halter top and side ties, this mid-rise bikini is customizable for your perfect fit.

Knix, popular for their lightweight period underwear and super comfy wireless bras , recently launched period swimwear. Testers were impressed how flattering this one piece suit is without any ruching or extra compression. The top has a built-in bra with removable cups for easy washing. Plus, the sizing has options for A-G cup sizes. Period swimwear is a great option for teens who may not be comfortable using tampons yet.

This sleek one-piece from Knixteen is designed to be worn during swim meets or vacation. Available in a variety of shades and patterns including mint green and lemons, reviewers love the style of this suit, but some wish it had more bum coverage. Available in navy and black , these period bikini bottoms are easy to pair with bikini tops you already own.

With over reviews online, many reviewers were parents who bought them for their kids, making their first periods less stressful. When I rinse out the costume, I spy a wispy amount of red in the sink. Follow us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Lifestyle.