Women's Nylon Swimwear: Shop by Style, Detail & Fit

Nylon is the classic swimsuit base fiber: strong, smooth, with a slight sheen and excellent stretch compatibility with spandex. The vast majority of fashion swimsuits — from bikinis to one-pieces — are nylon-spandex blends, because the combination hits the sweet spot of feel, fit, and price.

Nylon's strengths: it feels smooth and cool against skin, takes vibrant prints and colors beautifully, stretches well, and dries reasonably fast. Its weakness is singular but significant: chlorine. Regular pool use breaks nylon down in weeks to months — fading, thinning, losing elasticity. Salt water and sun are kinder but still aging. If you swim laps, nylon is the wrong choice; if you swim in the ocean or lounge poolside, it is perfect.

Choosing Nylon Well

Look for "chlorine-resistant" treatments or Lycra Xtra Life blends if pools are in your future. Heavier-weight nylon (with good lining) outlasts tissue-thin fashion suits. Dark colors and busy prints hide chlorine fading longest.

Care

Rinse the moment you leave the water — every minute counts with chlorine. Cold hand wash, shade dry. Never leave a wet nylon suit balled in a bag; the trapped chemicals keep working.