How Often Should You Replace Your Swimsuit?

It's summer, and with the ever-growing participation in swimming and other water activities, we wear and overwear our swimsuits. At first, it's all cool and cute, but since it doesn’t last forever, and then mixed with chlorine, saltwater, and sunscreen, we might be forced to say goodbye to our favorite swimsuits. No surprise then that the global swimwear market is projected to hit $38.53 billion by 2030, we’re buying more, replacing more, and staying swim-ready all season long.

Normally, swimsuits can last up to a year; it just depends on how much you use them, the quality of the fabric, and how well you take care of them. So asking “How often should you replace your swimsuit?” really depends on a lot of factors. But this guide includes some tell-tale signs to know when to replace your swimsuits and some tips to make your swimsuit last longer. Come on, let’s find out together.

6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Swimsuit in 2025

1. The Material is Worn or Fading

So, at first, when you got this vibrant pink bikini from your favorite store, it was bold, fit, cute, chic, and cool. And since you loved it so much, you wore it to the beach, the pool, and even on casual beach strolls every day for three months. Then one day, you realize the color seems a bit duller, the straps are not as tight, and maybe even the swimsuit is not as fit as it used to be. This is a tell-tale sign that it's time to replace your swimsuit.

I know you got this swimsuit expensive, but trust me, it isn’t indestructible. Over time, chlorine from the pool, salt from the ocean, sunrays on the suit, sunscreen from your body, and even the detergent you use to wash it break it down. It first starts with the vibrant colors fading unevenly, and before you know, your once favorite swimsuit has now become a shadow of its old self. Yup, it’s definitely time to replace your swimsuit.

2. There are Snags in the Fabric 

Sometimes, when you get a new swimsuit, you’ll always find little imperfections. Like a loose thread and maybe uneven sewing, but that's good and all, cos it is still new. But when you start wearing this swimsuit almost every day, this swimsuit becomes a whole lot bigger than it was at first.

Before you know it, the once smooth and sculpting swimwear now feels rough, uneven, and even bumpy. You start to find lots of loose threads and snags. This just shows it's time to replace your swimsuit. Cos, truthfully, once your suit doesn’t fit you as good as before or maybe it now needs tugging and shifting, then it’s time to move on and replace your swimsuit with something new that fits and looks good too. 

3. The Swimsuit has a Funky Smell

Yes, you wash or rinse your swimsuit after every use, and you make sure it's dried properly before storing it in your wardrobe. But you still can’t get rid of this smell that is just there. You may even be checking for diy ways to remove funky smells, like soaking in vinegar, but it still smells just like the boys' locker room. This is a sign to replace your swimsuit. 

But why does your swimsuit smell funny? Swimsuits are made from fabrics that absorb everything - from the sunscreen to sweat, salt water, pool chemicals, and ocean brine. And if you don’t rinse or properly dry them immediately after swimming, this smell begins to come, and before you know it, your swimsuits smell like summer vibes and more like replace me vibes.

4. Bathing Suit Bottoms are Saggy

Between your swimsuit bottom and top piece, which do you think is more likely to sag? You got it, the bottoms. Cos this is the one you pull on and off easily, you stretch more, and you sit on. Eventually, the fit, flattering, and sculpted look it gives you is nowhere to be found; what’s left is just a saggy bottom.

But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect the tops too, cos it does. Swim tops stretch, too, and that is the truth. I know it lifts your bust, keeps you covered, and keeps everything in place, but once it starts being saggy, then it doesn’t work anymore. When this happens, don’t go searching for what to do next. Just say goodbye and replace it with a new swimsuit.

5. You Don’t Feel Confident

This sign to replace your swimsuit may not have anything to do with the swimsuit itself; it might just be how you feel. The best swimsuits for inverted triangle, pear body shape, or any other body type are swimsuits that fit, flatter, and boost your confidence. But when the swimsuit starts fading and doesn’t hug you anymore, you don’t feel as confident, bold, or beautiful.

And sometimes the suit didn’t change or shrink; it’s just that you got older. Gained a few pounds, lost a few pounds. Sprouted, lost some inches. Or you got pregnant and now have to get a maternity swimsuit. These can all be reasons you don’t feel confident in your swimsuit anymore, cos you’ve grown, so don’t stress yourself; just replace it.

6. Your Style Has Changed

There are so many trends coming out every summer in the swimwear world, so it's understandable that the low back one-piece you’ve always loved feels too wild for you, and now you want something more modest. Or it could be that your old swimsuits are too vibrant, colorful, and too busy, but you want a more relaxed, minimalist swimsuit.

In all these scenarios, it’s clear that your style has changed, and it's time to replace your swimsuit with something better. Something that speaks to your current vibe. It could also be that your values have changed and now you want swimsuits from sustainable brands instead. In this case, you should know that it’s okay to let go of the old and focus on replacing your swimsuit.

Tips to Make Your Swimsuit Last Longer

Fair Warning: No matter what you do, all swimsuits will need to be replaced for reasons above or more personal ones. But at least you can make sure that these swimsuits last a bit longer. How? Well, by following these tips on what to do to make your swimsuit last longer:

Rinse after every swim

Every single time you swim and manage to peel your swimsuit from your body, go and rinse it out with cold, cool water. This way it washes off as much chlorine, sunscreen, sweat, and salt as it can. The difference might not be much, but it's a small step, and over time, the swimsuits get to last a bit longer.

Hand-wash with gentle detergent

It’s not lazy to just throw your swimsuit into the laundry machine, but if you don’t want to replace your swimsuit early, then you should learn to wash it by hand. You’ll need cold or lukewarm water, detergent or vinegar, and soak for a while before you use it. With this hand wash technique and a thorough rinsing, your swimsuit will last longer.

Avoid wringing or drying in direct sun

No matter what you do, do not wring or dry your swimsuits directly in the sun. Wringing is when you twist and tug to remove the water, but this affects the elasticity of the fabric too. So instead of wringing, lay the suit on a clean towel and press to remove the water. And then when it's time to dry it, find a cool flat dry shade.

Rotate suits if you swim often

If you’re an athlete or a regular beach lover, then it’s impossible to have just one swimsuit. So rotate them, wear one today, another tomorrow, and so on. This way you won’t have to replace your swimsuit faster. Wearing the same swimsuit every day doesn’t give the fabric enough rest, so rotating it is a game changer.

Conclusion

The best swimsuits aren’t just regular swimsuits; nope; they’re summer essentials, vacation essentials, and confidence boosters. But how often you should replace your swimsuit depends on how much you use it, the fabric quality, and how well you take care of it.

And that’s what this guide provides. So, when the elastic weakens, color fades, and it doesn’t fit anymore, then it's time to replace your swimsuit with something that can make you feel confident, supported, and on point at the beach or pool this summer.

Frequently Asked Questions