Suncheeter makes swimwear for women who don't do bikini's, with swim dresses, rash tops and swim leggings in sizes 10-22. I started it for women who love the beach but not the bikini. The fabric is UPF50+. Cancer Council Australia recommends UPF50 and UPF50+ clothing as excellent protection [1].
Swimwear for women who don't do bikini's: where I'd start
If you want something in place of a bikini, I'd start with one of three pieces. The first is a Swim Dress, whether you choose classic Navy or something brighter like our Hibiscus Pink.
Our sim dresses are designed to cover the way a dress covers, giving you comfortable cover up and a feeling of confidence whether you are lying on the beach, sitting by the pool or sitting in a cafe having a coffee.
The second are Swim Leggings like our classic Black. They pair with a swim dress or a rash top and give modest coverage to the bum and legs which can create issues for women that affect their confidence. And of course, they are brilliant at stopping thigh chafe.
The third is to add to this is a simple Crop Top which gives you supportive confidence with good coverage. Classic Black works with everything. Our "swim unders", which are supportive crop tops and full coverage bather bottoms are designed to co-ordinate with our swim dresses and leggings.
If you prefer a more sporty top, try our Zip Neck Rash Top has a zip at the neck and full sleeves, so you can open it for a breather between swims and close it again for sun protection on the chest. Try our beautiful Amalfi, it's like diving into a crystal clear ocean when you wear it.
None of this is a niche idea. SunSmart suggests swim gear such as a rashie, wetsuit or t-shirt for casual swims. The difference with Suncheeter is that our product is designed to fit well, create stylish, elegant silhouettes and provide just enough UPF50+ cover for women who choose "no bikini."
Why do so many of us skip the bikini?
A Planet Fitness poll found that almost half (46%) of American adults don't feel confident in a swimsuit [2]. In the same poll, One in Three of the respondents said they would rather go to the dentist than wear a bikini [2]. That dentist line made me laugh. It also made sense to me.
Refinery29 ran its own Take Back The Beach survey of women. It found 60% felt too self-conscious in their swimwear to post a photo to social media [2].
Plenty of people love a bikini and wear one happily, but you can see there is a big percentage of women will choose something with more coverage. When I think about a piece like our Teal swim dress or the Saltwater Blue Swim Set, I'm picturing someone who wants to get in the water and stop thinking about what she's wearing.
How do we choose the women who model for us?
Because we are a small business we rarely use established models, we simply don't have the budget.
Most of the women in our photos are family, friends of mine, or friends of friends, or they are extras who are launching their acting careers, and when we ask if they would be in one of our shoots, they are pretty happy to be involved. We love the diversity, the naturalness and the spontaneity this brings.
They range from their late 20s to their early 70s. That spread is on purpose, because the people who buy from us are not all the same age and I'd like the photos to look like that.
I'm not after a particular look. I look for two things, confidence and a willingness to have a go. Someone who laughs when the wind catches her hair and keeps going is exactly who I'm hoping for. I'd take that over a perfect pose every time.
Their confidence to have a go, even if they're nervous at the start. tells me a lot about them as people, and shines through in the photographs we take. Everyone finishes a shoot with us laughing and feeling happy! Hopefully feeling even more confident in their swimwear than they might have before.
I don't describe anyone's body in our photos or our captions. You can see the clothes and you can see the smile, and I think that's plenty to go on.
We also love it when one of our customers sends in a photo of themselves wearing their Suncheeter swimwear. Don't hesitate to send us a holiday or pool side snap. before we use the photo we would reach out and check with you about using it on social media or in our website.
Meet Olesia and Tania
These lovely women recently featured in our swimwear shoot at Port Melbourne beach on a sunny but windy Friday. What I loved about both of these gorgeous women was their can-do attitude, their sense of fun and their openness to whatever happens next. It was a joy.
Frequently asked questions
Will chlorine wear out my swim dress if I swim laps?
The fabric is chlorine resistant, so the pool is what it is made for. A quick rinse in fresh water will keep your Suncheeter Swimwear in top condition.
Is your swimwear made from UPF50+ fabric?
Yes. Our fabric is UPF50+, and the styles are neat and well fitting, so they don't stretch out of shape when wet. Where our fabric covers your skin, SunSmart advises looking for bathers and rashies labelled UPF50 to help block UV [3]. For any skin it doesn't cover, it helps to add sunscreen, a hat or sunglasses.
What if I'm between two sizes?
We make sizes 10-22, and you can exchange within 30 days if the garment comes back unworn with the labels still attached. Our size chart indicates the range of body sizes that will fit easily into a particular size.
If you are at the top end of the measurements and like to wear something comfortable, go up a size, but if you like a firmer fit, even at the top end of the measurements, you will be OK in your regular size. Our products also have a lot of stretch, so they are super comfortable.
So you don't need to stress and you can try the swimwear on in the privacy and comfort of your own home which is much easier than a sterile change room.
References
- Sun protective clothing. Cancer Council Australia. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/be-sunsmart/sun-protective-clothing
- A Third Of Us Would Rather See A Dentist Than Be Seen In A Bikini. Refinery29. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/bikini-dentist-body-image-survey
- Sun protection tips for swimming. SunSmart. https://www.sunsmart.com.au/advice-for/sports-groups/top-sunsmart-tips-for-your-sport/swimming
