Many questions are often asked about swimwear names, terms and indeed general knowledge when it comes to swimwear, beachwear and resort wear. Whether it is confusion around the difference between swimwear and resortwear, or "do I choose a bikini or one piece” we are here to lend a hand!
We know that it can be a little confusing, so we have prepared some helpful definitions to support your quest for those special items. Even if you think you already know the difference between a bikini and a brazilian, read through our glossary to be sure you have every detail figured out.
The Ruby Vixen Guide to Swimwear
Asymmetric - Swimwear design that is not symmetrical, often featuring a single strap over one shoulder.
Bandeau - Strapless swimwear, typically a single band of fabric around the bust, sometimes with detachable straps.
Banded Bottoms - Bikini bottoms with a wide band around the top edge, creating a flattering effect and offering more coverage.
Banded Halter-Neck - Halter-neck swimwear with a wide elastic band under the bust for added support, commonly found in bikinis.
Bandini - A strapless bikini or two-piece swimsuit similar to a bandeau.
Bikini - A two-piece swimwear set with briefs and a top, available in various styles like bandeau or halter-neck.
Bikini Tops – The top section of a bikini set.
Triangle Tops - Classic bikini top with triangle cups with string ties, adjustable at both neck and back.
Underwire Tops - Perfect for creating an enviable shape, they have an underwire at the bottom of the cup with a stronger molded cup to provide support and shape.
Push-up Tops - Enhance your assets with this strongly molded cup, with padded inserts that push the breast “up and out”. Padded inserts may often be removable.
Tankini Tops - A bra top designed to offer coverage and support. Often with halterneck style straps, they cover the tummy, often offering more support and control.
Blouson - Swimwear with loose material gathered around the waist or hips, creating a flattering silhouette.
Board Shorts - Men's swimwear similar to water shorts but typically longer and with a drawstring waist.
Boardies – Sland term for men's board shorts
Boho or Boho Chic - A style inspired by 1970s festivals, featuring floral embroidery, beads, paisley, floaty fabrics, and tie-dye.
Bows - Decorative elements that can be sewn or self-tied, often found on bikini bottoms.
Boy Shorts - Ladies' bikini bottoms cut in a boyish style, offering a cute and modest look.
Bra Top - A bikini top with straps over each shoulder, resembling a bra.
Brazilian - Bikini bottoms that show more cheek than regular briefs but less than a thong, with a low rise.
Bustier - A fitted bikini top that provides structure and support around the ribcage.
Burkini - Full-body swimwear offering modest coverage, designed for Islamic women.
Chevron - A symmetrical pattern of diagonal lines meeting at a center line, often used to create a slimming effect.
Classic Bikini - The staple swimwear bikini design has triangle cups and straps (thin to medium) connecting the bra cups. The bikini bottoms also have thin side straps. Bikini panties are mid-waist with an overall thin cut.
Color Block - A geometric pattern combining contrasting colors, used to accentuate certain areas of the body.
Constructed Shelf Bra - Hidden support in swimwear using molded foam cups and a wide band under the bust.
Contoured Top - Swimwear with seams that enhance and support the bust.
Control Top - Swimwear made from materials that provide support and streamline the figure.
Contemporary - Modern and innovative swimwear designs, often updated seasonally.
Convertible Dress/Skirt - A versatile cover-up that can be worn in multiple ways, such as a skirt that transforms into a dress.
Convertible Swimsuit or Bikini - Swimwear with detachable straps, offering the option to wear it as a bandeau or with straps.
Cookie Pads - Small foam pads in swimwear cups for modesty around the nipple area.
Cossies or Cozzy - Slang term for swimwear.
Cover Up or Beach Cover Up – Garments, usually light and airy, worn over swimwear as a stylish addition to your swimsuit. Great for wearing over swimwear by the pool, or when moving about in more public areas.
Cross Back - A design feature that offers additional support and is popular with swimmers.
Cutout - One-piece swimwear with sides cut out to expose the waist, also known as a monokini.
Embellished - Swimwear decorated with elements like bows, beads, sequins, or embroidery.
Fauxkini - A term for tankinis that look like one-piece swimsuits but offer the feel of a two-piece.
Flounce - A long frill added to swimwear or beachwear, with the ability to enhance smaller breasts.
Fringe - Decorative fabric or bead embellishments, typical of boho style.
Frong - A swimsuit with a high leg cut that resembles a thong at the front.
Full Bottom - Swimwear offering more coverage around the bottom and hips.
Full Cut Top - A bikini top offering more coverage around the chest, ideal for preventing sunburn on the decolletage.
Full Piece Bathing Suit - Another term for a one-piece swimsuit.
Gusset - The fabric piece covering the crotch area in swimwear.
Halter Neck - Swimwear with a strap around the neck, enhancing cleavage and leaving arms and back uncovered.
High Waist - Bikini bottoms that reach up to the belly button, offering a vintage look and more coverage.
Hipster Bottom - Low-rise bikini bottoms for a retro look.
Hot Shorts - Very short bikini bottoms, also known as hot pants.
Keyhole - A teardrop-shaped cutout detail in swimwear.
Light Fastness - A fabric's ability to resist fading from sunlight exposure.
Lycra - A stretchy fabric providing elasticity and support in swimwear, also known as spandex.
Mastectomy Swimwear - Swimwear designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy, with discreet cup pockets for prostheses.
Maxi Dress - An ankle-length dress that can be worn over swimwear, often designed to complement swimwear collections.
Maillot - A French term for a basic one-piece swimsuit, also known as a tank suit.
Microkini - Extremely small bikinis, often worn by bodybuilders.
Mitred Seam - A flattering seam treatment for diagonal patterns in swimwear.
Moderate Bottom - Bikini bottoms offering a balance between coverage and exposure.
Moulded Cup - Bikini cups that hold their shape for support without added bulk.
Monochrome - Swimwear featuring black and white designs.
Monokini - A one-piece swimsuit designed to look like a bikini with a connected middle section.
Ombre - A dye technique where one color fades into another, often used in stylish swimwear.
One-Piece - Another term for a swimsuit, including those with cutouts.
Pareo - An oblong fabric wrap that can be worn in various styles, often incorrectly referred to as a sarong.
Patterned - Swimwear with visually interesting treatments applied by print, weaving, or embellishments.
Peek A Boo - Swimwear with hole details, also known as keyholes.
Plunging Neckline - A deep V neckline that creates an illusion of length.
Poncho - A simple beach cover-up with a casual design.
Push-Up - Swimwear designed to lift the bust and create cleavage.
Rash Tops - Swimwear tops, close fitting with sleeves, originally designed to prevent chafing in salt when riding surf boards. Now often also incorporating anti-sun properties and popular for use with children.
Rashie - Slang term for rash tops.
Resort Wear- Overall poolside ensemble, often including a swimsuit, cover up, and footwear. Matching colors and styles are important to the overall look, as is a strong focus on style and elegance.
Retro - Swimwear designs reminiscent of styles from over fifteen years ago.
Reversible - Swimwear with different patterns on the inside and outside, allowing for multiple looks.
Ruched - Gathered fabric in swimwear for a slimming effect.
Ruffles - Frills used to create curves and enhance the bust or hips.
Sag - An unwanted gap in swimwear, indicating poor fit.
Sarong - A fabric wrap designed to be tied around the waist, often brightly printed.
Sash - A wide fabric band used to tie a bow on swimwear or a wrap skirt.
Scoop Bottom - Bikini bottoms with a high leg cut to create the illusion of longer legs.
Scoop Neck - Swimwear or beachwear with a wide, rounded neckline.
Scuba Bottom - Low-rise bikini bottoms with design features similar to wet suits.
Seduction Top - Swimwear with a sweetheart neckline, often with push-up cups.
Separates - Bikinis available as individual pieces, allowing for different sizes for tops and bottoms.
Shaping Pads - Foam or silicone inserts to enhance the bust.
Shelf Bra - Hidden support within a swimsuit or bikini to lift and shape the bust.
Shirring - Elastic sewn into fabric to create a gathered, slimming effect.
Skirted Bottom - Swimwear with a skirt attached to the hem, offering extra coverage.
Skirtini - Skirted swimwear, often a two-piece with a bikini top and a skirted bottom.
Soft Cup - Swimwear cups that are soft and pliable, without padding.
Spaghetti - Thin straps used in swimwear design.
Spandex - A stretchy fiber providing flexibility and control in swimwear, also known as lycra.
Speciality Foil Fabrics - Shiny, metallic fabrics used in swimwear design.
Sports Top - Simple, unembellished swimwear tops designed for freedom of movement.
String Bikini - A string bikini gets its name from the string components of its design. The bikini bottoms consist of two triangular shaped pieces connected at the groin but not at the sides, where a thin "string" or cord wraps around the waist connecting the two parts. Equally the top, or bra, section is held together with the same “string” components between cups and usually has ties at both the rear of the neck and the mid-back.
Sundress - A lightweight dress for warm weather, often designed to match swimwear collections.
Sweetheart Top or Sweetheart Neckline - A heart-shaped neckline that flatters the bust without revealing too much cleavage.
Surplice - Swimwear that wraps across the torso, inspired by clerical garments.
Swim Dress - A swimsuit with an attached skirt, resembling a dress but suitable for swimming.
Swim Shorts - Ladies' swim shorts or men's swimwear similar to cycling shorts, designed for swimming.
Swim Skirts - Bikini bottoms with an attached skirt or a separate beach cover-up.
Swimming Costume - Another term for a swimsuit, often used for sportswear.
Swimming Togs - Slang term for a swimsuit, primarily used in Australia and New Zealand.
Tank One Piece - A basic vest-style one-piece swimsuit, also known as a maillot.
Tankini - A two-piece swimsuit with a top that covers the tummy, often offering more support and control.
Tie-Side Bikini Bottom - Bikini bottoms with ties on the sides, allowing for adjustable fit.
Triangle Bikini - A bikini top with two triangular cups, offering a minimal and classic look.
Tricot - A fine knit material with high stretch properties, commonly used in swimwear.
Trikini - A bikini with the top and bottom joined by a strip of material, offering more coverage than a bikini.
Tummy Control Swimwear - Swimwear designed to flatten and shape the tummy area.
Underwire - Built-in wire support under the bust for shaping and lifting.
Wet Suit - Swimwear providing thermal insulation for surfers or swimmers.
Wrap - A sarong or other garment used for covering up on the beach.