May 22nd, 2026

Do you have big plans to avoid occasions that call for swimsuits this summer? If you're ready for the season to end before it hits full swing due to swimwear angst, we have good news! Summer doesn’t have to mean bikinis! While summer and bikinis seem to go together, we want to show you how to feel confident in a swimsuit or swimwear alternative so you can enjoy summer to the fullest! But first, let's look back at the history of women’s bathing suits to see where it all began to appreciate the mercurial nature of fashion and how today, nearly anything goes!

History of Women’s Swimwear

The history of women’s swimsuits goes back to the eighteenth century when function and morality dictated swimwear styles. Long before the bikini was created, tight fighting, streamlined attire for competitive swimming and fashionable bathing costumes (as they were called) for recreational use adhered to prudent Victorian rules on modesty. These ensembles included restrictive ankle-length to knee-length bathing gowns or dresses of canvas or heavy wool, with lead weights sewn into the hems to prevent them from floating upward, stockings, and shoes—all aiming to conceal women’s shapes and preserve their virtue.


Men’s swimsuits evolved from pants and waistcoats to suits resembling long underwear, also made of wool! These cumbersome styles gradually “shrunk” over time, becoming smaller and smaller. Suffragettes led the way away from these morally binding swimwear styles, risking possible arrest for public indecency should skirts be too short, necklines too low, or armholes too wide. Eventually, limits on materials during World War II and new types of swimwear fabric like Lycra and nylon catapulted the evolution of swimwear, enabling form-fitting styles to flourish.

History of the Bikini

Although the history of the first bikinis dates back to 5600 BC, it wasn't until 1946 that Louis Réard created the modern bikini we know today. Shortly afterward, France and Germany banned the controversial bikini, deeming it sinfully scandalous. But, like many fashion trends spearheaded by celebrities, the bikini garnered attention when Brigitte Bardot, Ava Gardner, and Rita Hayworth donned them. Once Raquel Welch wore an itsy-bitsy bikini in the mid-60s, it became the idyllic style for beachwear. Decades afterward, the miniaturized microkini rewrote the history of bikini bottom evolution.

Finding Your Swimwear Style

Wondering, “What style of swimwear should I wear?” and searching, “What can I wear other than a bikini this summer? The answer is: Any type of swimsuit style you feel comfortable in! If you can wear a bikini without feeling insecure, we tip our sun hats to you! Or, if saying no to a swimsuit altogether helps you say yes to confidence, we support your choice in that, too! However, you decide to dress and navigate summer is up to you! When it comes to swimwear for women, there are several different styles of swimsuits to choose from beyond the dreaded teeny-weeny bikini. Here are a few popular types of swimwear for women to help expand your horizons:

• One-piece swimsuit: A classic choice that offers full coverage and support while still being stylish. You don’t have to feel like you failed by rocking a one-piece, as it has been making a comeback for years. Many have control top options if you like, as well!

• Tankini set: This two-piece bathing suit style features bikini bottoms with a tank-style top that conceals the stomach area, combining the modesty and comfort of a one-piece with the flexibility of a bikini.

• High-waisted swimsuit: A trendy option that features bottoms with a higher waistline, providing extra coverage and a retro-inspired look.

Alternatives to Bathing Suits

If you want to swim and are looking for alternatives to wearing a swimsuit in the traditional style, you can relax! Nowadays, there are plenty of options! Remember, the most important thing is choosing swimwear that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Check out the following so you can quit trying to fit yourself into those triangle-shaped molds!

• Swim dresses: While technically a “swimsuit,” these one-piece swimsuit dresses have skirted bottoms, offering a more modest and feminine style.

• Swim shorts: Swim shorts are wonderful alternatives to bikini bottoms, which can be unforgiving for many. These come in varying inseam lengths and are becoming one of the most popular types of swimwear bottoms. These swim trunks can be worn with traditional swimsuit tops, sports bras, or rash guards.

• Tankini short sets: These are an offshoot of the regular tankini set with short-style bottoms, which provide more coverage for your derriere.

• Swim capris: Great for those concerned about skin cancer, these knee-length shorts/pants hybrids are often made with UPF fabric that provides extra coverage and protection against UV rays.

• Long-sleeved rash guard + skirt sets: Rash guard-style tops are ideal for people who don’t love their arms and are currently trending. With many made from UPF fabrics providing neck-to-wrist protection against harmful UV rays, you can save your skin and self-esteem at the same time. The zip-up jacket styles and skirt combinations are a far cry from the postage-stamp coverage of a bikini!

How To Embrace Your Body Shape

There are many things we can do today to change our physiques. However, real confidence comes from identifying your insecurities and finding strategies that help you embrace the shape you have to feel more comfortable in your body. Here are tips for embracing your shape and finding body confidence:

• Focus on the positive: Instead of focusing on perceived flaws, shift your focus to unique features that you like.

• Practice awareness: Recognize that humans come in all shapes and sizes and celebrate your uniqueness amidst the amazingly diverse beauty we all share.

• Squash negativity: Stop negative self-talk and comparing yourself to others. Every time you catch yourself criticizing any part of your body, stop yourself and find at least one thing you like about yourself. Appreciate that instead.

• Get into acceptance: A little self-acceptance goes a long way toward loving yourself exactly as you are.

• Engage in self-care: Promote self-care and body positivity by practicing mindfulness, partaking in physical activities you enjoy, and nourishing your body with healthy foods.

Once you adopt these habits, you will gradually learn to love the body you are in!

Find Your Figure-Flattering Fit

Whatever you decide to wear, dressing for your body shape with clothing choices that highlight and flatter your specific body type, playing up your curves, or creating balance is an excellent method of maximizing your confidence. For those who have decided to rock a swimsuit but are still unclear on how to pick the right swimsuit for your body type, the following will help you discover how to find the right swimsuit in a figure-flattering fit.


Inverted triangle: People with broad shoulders and smaller hips can flaunt asymmetrical one-piece styles and classic bikinis with frills, ties, and patterns on the bottom and simple tops in solid or subtle prints. Rectangle: This straight silhouette with small-to-large busts and average shoulders and hips looks great in one-piece styles with cutouts that accentuate the waist, creating the illusion of curves


Two-piece suits with halter tops and bottoms with more interest also work. Rectangles with larger busts will benefit from underwire, adjustable straps, or tankinis to provide optimum support.


Pear: Women with small to medium busts, narrow shoulders, fuller hips, and a curvier bottom half look best in styles that emphasize the top half of their body. An off-the-shoulder one-piece with frills will look flattering. Two-piece styles with tops featuring ruffles, vibrant colors, or bold prints, and simple high-waisted bottoms are ideal! Hourglass: Curvier figures with contoured waists and medium-large busts may enjoy styles that accentuate the waist to balance wider hips and shoulders. A belted or classic one-piece style with a scoop or V-neck or a bikini with underwire top and fuller coverage bottoms flatter this shape. Apple: Women with average-large busts and undefined waists look best in styles that skim over the midline. Sweetheart one-piece necklines and tankinis are ideal for apples, while halter tops with high-waisted bottoms also flatter this shape. Remember, these were just suggestions. With all this advice, always remember to “do you,” as when you like what you wear, you naturally feel more comfortable and confident!

Summer Attire Beyond Swimsuits

Flattering summer attire that isn’t swimwear abounds, including variations of shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, and dresses.


Shorts come in many styles and fabrics, from cutoffs or denim shorts, cargoes, chinos, Bermudas, and board shorts to pleated or frilly feminine styles with interesting details. Linen, seersucker, leather, and fluid fabrics in longer, relaxed silhouettes, such as culottes and capris, are trending this year.


Skorts are a nice hybrid between shorts and skirts with the freedom of a short but the flattering silhouette of a skirt, a win-win for most body shapes. Skirts can be short or long, form-fitting or flowing, whatever suits your personal style. Dresses can be strappy sun dresses, beach dresses, traditional sheaths, or long maxi dresses. And let's not forget the ubiquitous wedding guest dress! Cover-ups have come a long way from your grandmother’s muumuu. Flowy bohemian scarf-like wraps popular at summer festivals, sarongs, kaftans, kimonos, and tunics are all the rage! Many of these options are available in UPF sun protection fabrics, which are better for your skin health, anyway! You might just set a trend!

Accessorize for Summer Confidence

The best accessory to complement your swimwear and other summer attire is smooth, glowing skin. Follow this routine featuring Pevonia’s specialized natural bath products to look svelte and feel confident all season long:


Bathe with our sulfate-free Anti-Stress Bath & Shower Gel to preserve moisture and create a debris-free canvas. Exfoliate two to three times a week with our Silky Skin Body Scrub, Chocolate Indulgence Foaming Salt Scrub, or De-Aging Saltmousse – Papaya-Pineapple to buff away skin-dulling dead skin cells. Follow with one of our silhouette-defining body moisturizer formulas.

Stem Cells Phyto Elite® Body Corrector: Green coffee enriches this revitalizing plant-based stem cells body contouring and illuminating formula.

Crepe-No-More Body Cream: This deeply moisturizing formula features longan fruit seed extract and marine collagen to help smooth the look of fine lines, roughness, and the appearance of cellulite.

De-Aging Body Balm – Papaya-Pineapple: A tropical escape enriched with specially-formulated time-release retinol, marine collagen, and elastin to help repair sun damage.

Chocolate Indulgence Moisturizer Face & Body: Revitalizing antioxidant-rich cacao extract, marine collagen polypeptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide repair, smooth, even skin tone, and moisturize for positive aging on the body.

Preserve Body Moisturizer: A skin-renewing body moisturizer with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) balanced with calming chamomile and other botanicals leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant.

After-Sun Soothing Gel: If shaving or waxing to get your body swimsuit ready causes redness, irritation, and bumps, this calming gel is a must! To maximize confidence, boost skin health with an in-depth consultation for your ideal products and professional treatments.

Visit Find A Spa for a Pevonia oasis near you offering our Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Intensive Body Contouring Wrap, Crepe-No-More Body Wrap Treatment, Tropicale De-Aging Papaya-Pineapple Crème Fraîche Body Wrap Treatment, or Chocolate Indulgence Full Body Exfoliating Treatment.