Embracing Your Sporty Side: 10 No-slip Swimsuits To Surf, Swim, And Snorkel In
The swimwear world often chooses fashion over function, but with these 10 no-slip swimsuits, you can dive headfirst into ocean adventures in style.
Lounging on the beach with a book in one hand and a piña colada in the other is a glorious way to enjoy this season’s beach vacation. And maybe that’ll be your way for the first day or two of your travels. But come day three, and you might be itching for some action.
The beauty of beachside vacations is that they offer activities on opposite ends of the leisure spectrum, creating a “choose your own adventure” for eager vacationers: lounge in luxury, or join the adrenaline junkies.
While trends like the micro bikini are perfect for tanning, they won’t survive a surf sesh or even a swan dive. Brands have taken note of (and taken action on) the market need for fashion and function in women’s swimwear. Supported by these 10 activity-proof swimsuits, you’ll be diving headfirst into ocean adventures.
Sporty and Chic: 10 Swimwear Looks for Active Lifestyles
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Roxy - Bottoms That Stay Put
Pro - Wave Top and The Up Surge Bikini Bottoms
Bikini · sold separately
1 / 2Top no longer availableBottom no longer availableAnyone who’s ever jumped in a pool while wearing a two-piece knows the bottoms are the first to go. If you’re lucky, they’ll end up somewhere nearby. If you’re doing anything remotely vigorous, like SUP yoga, forget about it.
Roxy has made a name for itself by crafting slip-proof swimwear for female surfers. Their bikini bottoms are crafted with super durable, two-way stretch fabric that’s anti-pilling, chlorine- and oil-resistant. The high rise and wide waistband will make you feel supported in the waves or on the shore. -
Patagonia
Women’s Bottom Turn Bikini Top
Bikini · sold separately
1 / 2Top no longer availableBottom no longer availableThis racerback bikini top offers extra support for the athletically inclined. Its straps lie flat against the skin, so they won’t tangle with the wetsuit you may or may not be wearing. The fabric is stretchy and durable, making this option not just classically cute but comfy and practical, too. Pair it with the Patagonia classic Sunamee bottoms.
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Free People
Free-est - Amber One-Piece Suit
One-piece
1 / 2Nothing says “supportive” quite like a one-piece. If you’re picturing your high school swim team, stop right there; it’s 2024, and there are tons of chic options to choose from. Free People’s Amber suit has a form-fitting, pull-on style and adjustable ties—so adorbs you’ll forget that it’s pragmatic, too. Plus, you can fully embrace Brat Summer if you opt for the “Golden Lime” hue.
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Left on Friday - Built for an Epic Good Time
Playa Top & Hi Tide Bottom
Bikini · sold separately
1 / 2Left on Friday’s entire ethos is that swimwear should be suitable for whatever an “epic good time” means to you. The brand was born when female athlete founders Shannon and Laura realized they both had separate suits for lounging, surfing, and hot-tubbing, but no suit that could do it all—so they made one.
The Playa Top is a fan favorite for its distinct one-shoulder design and bold contrast of colors, making it not only activity-proof but Instagram-ready, too. -
Skims
Signature Swim Olympic Long-Sleeve Cropped T-Shirt
Bikini · sold separately
1 / 2Top no longer availableBottom no longer availableWhile slippage is probably the biggest concern when it comes to active swimwear, sun protection is a close second. A swim shirt is a safeguard against both, without compromising on style. Skims’ cropped swim shirt offers protection on the arms, chest, and shoulders and can be paired with matching bikini bottoms or mid-waist swim shorts for additional coverage.
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Solid and Striped
Ribbed Bikini Top
1 / 2No longer availableWhile this sporty top isn’t exactly full-coverage, it does have adjustable straps and a pull-over style that make it more secure than, say, a string bikini. The absence of boning or padding allows for maximum comfort, and its fabric, made from recycled materials, boasts UPF 50+ protection.
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Left on Friday - Full Coverage, Still Chic
Streamline Suit
One-piece
1 / 2For a more full-coverage option, check out Left on Friday’s chic one-pieces. The Streamline Suit will stun with its square neckline and high-cut leg, and its fabric is designed to withstand activities like surfing, kiting, and swimming.
In addition to standard sizes ranging from XS to XXL, Left on Friday offers additional sizes in relation to torso length—“regular” and “tall”—going the extra mile to guarantee the perfect fit. -
Roxy - Laps to Lounging
Pro the Double Line One-Piece Swimsuit
One-piece
1 / 2No longer availableThis one piece is sturdy enough for swimming laps and stylish enough for lounging poolside. Its timeless silhouette is spiced up with a playful cutout, and its quick-drying, premium fabric will keep you comfortable no matter what you’re doing. It features adjustable straps and a two-way stretch to fit your body like a glove. Plus, the fabric is partially recycled and resistant to pilling, sunscreen, oil, and chlorine.
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Watskin
Lola Bodysuit
One-piece
1 / 2No longer availableFor the ultimate in coverage and sun protection, WATSKIN’s Lola Bodysuit is hard to beat. It’s made from UPF 50+ fabric, blocking 98% of the sun’s UV rays, and boasts four-way stretch, full sleeves, and WATSKIN’s trademark Italian zipper. But with a suit this cute, you won’t be thinking about coverage or sun protection; its flattering cut and funky zig zag print will give you style points in any activity you take on.
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Fendi
Timeless Swimsuit
One-piece
1 / 2You already know that brown is this year’s must-have shade. To make this flattering neutral even more sophisticated, opt for the aptly named Timeless Swimsuit by Fendi. Its reversible Lycra will stretch with your body, making it a comfortable choice for swimming and diving. And of course, its iconic print will never go out of style.
Vacation Your Way With the Right Swimsuit
There’s no “right” way to enjoy the beach, and there’s no need to choose between sports and suntanning. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t feel restricted by your swimwear when it comes to what types of activities you want to add to your itinerary (or spontaneously indulge in once lounging beachside).
Brands have heeded the call of women far and wide desperate for swimwear that can do it all. We no longer have to choose between fashion and function—so much so that the options for active swimwear are virtually endless.
So, go ahead—dive off the boat; rent the jet ski; take the surf lesson. You’ll be making memories to last a lifetime, and your boldness will be turning heads up and down the shore (…or was it your cute swimsuit?).
