We receive email and phone inquires often, so I am going to describe the unique features of the Becoming Swimdress. Since it is the first of its kind there are some differences from bikinis or even one piece bathing suits. Body coverage is the most apparent difference that makes the swimdress unique, as described below:
The swimdress under bodysuit is made up of 86/14 Nylon/Lycra swimsuit fabric--nylon being more durable than polyester, more resistant to chemicals and more colorfast.
The attached over dress is an Active Mesh of 90/10 Nylon/Lycra which is durable and resistant to snags and picks (although given severe circumstances it would probably snag).
The swimdress has bra inserts that are soft and thin for "modesty" purposes, however the dress has a pocket the pads fit in so if you want to add a thicker, pushup, mastectomy or any other kind of pad you can slip them in the pocket and remove them for laundering. If you don't want any pads the ones are just tacked in so they can be removed.
As you can see, the swimdress has much more fabric than a bikini, therefore, it will act differently. Everyone that tries it on is impressed with how easy it goes on and off given the amount of fabric. When wet pulling it up and down does not seem to be a problem.
They swim easy, you don't even realize you have something so bodycovering on, but when you get out of the water just shake the water out of the active mesh so it does not cling--both the body suit and the over dress dry out quickly.
The sizes run the same as Women's sizes in any other apparel that you purchase, if you typically wear a medium then you will wear a medium in the Becoming Swimdress.
The Swimdress body suit is designed for COMFORT FIT, in other words, it is not supposed to hug your body tight like a girdle--rather, a close fit that is extremely comfortable with only one seam in the inside of the legs there is nothing to bind or poke or rub.
It has a longer waist so the suit does not bind in the crotch but give lots of room. If you like a snug fit you can tie the straps up tighter.
If you want a shorter suit, then you can pull the legs up over the knees like Tara did in the pictures.
You can wash the swimdress in the washing machine and dry it in the dryer with low heat, but like any other garment, if you want it to last longer then use the gentle cycle or hand wash and line dry or dry flat. Just remember to rinse out the chlorine each time you get into the water. All fabrics and thread are made to last so you should not have to buy another one for a while unless you just want other styles.
The Becoming Swimdress is also "forgiving" -- if you gain and lose ten pounds, you can wear the same one, no need to purchase two sizes (like I do my jeans:)
In the winter, nylon attracts static electricity, so lift the outer dress and mist the body suit; it will break the static. This does not seem to be a problem in the summer--the winter heat dries out the air just like it does our skin, yuk.
The first thing everyone who has ever tried on the swimdress says is, "OO-OO it is so comfortable." If you do nothing but lounge around the house in it, you will love it. The next cruise we take the Becoming Swimdresses will be the only clothing I take except for a few evening gowns.
Many women say they will use it for a party dress with heels, young girls see themselves using it for an every day outfit. One swimdress, many uses.