Full Coverage Swimwear for Women: How to Swim Comfortably in Sleeves and Leggings

The short answer: a full coverage swimsuit is a swim top with long or 3/4 sleeves worn over swim pants, capris or a swim skirt with attached leggings. It's made from real swim fabric, so it's light in the water, dries fast and stays opaque when wet. Leggings and a cotton T-shirt can't do any of that.

Who full coverage swimwear is for

Plenty of women want to be in the water. They want to swim laps, join a water aerobics class, play with their kids in the pool or float on vacation. They just don't want to do it in a swimsuit that shows a lot of skin.

Their reasons vary: family or cultural tradition, faith, sun-sensitive skin, body confidence, or simply feeling more like themselves with more fabric on. Whatever the reason, the answer is the same: swimwear that covers you and still works in the water.

"The fit is good, covers what I need covered and feel comfortable to be out and about with everyone else in the water, beach or pool."

— Patty Q.

Why leggings and a T-shirt don't work in the pool

It's the most common workaround, and it has real problems:

• Cotton soaks up water. A wet T-shirt gets heavy, drags when you move and clings to your body. That's the opposite of what you wanted.
• Light colors turn see-through. Many everyday fabrics become sheer once they're wet.
• It stays cold and wet. Cotton dries slowly, so you're chilly on the pool deck and soaked in the car.
• Gym leggings aren't built for chlorine. Most get their stretch from spandex, and chlorine breaks spandex down. They fade, bag out and thin. Here's why.
• Your pool may not allow it. Many public pools, gyms and community centers ask swimmers to wear swim fabric rather than street clothes. Check your pool's rules before you go.

"I do really like your swim gear the best… I did order one off of Amazon and it was see-through."

— Shonda R.

What "full coverage" actually means

We sort our swimwear into three coverage levels so you can find your comfort zone fast:

• Full coverage: long or 3/4 sleeves, swim pants, capris, and swim skirts 25" or longer.
• High coverage: short sleeves, knee-length shorts, and skirts with attached shorts or leggings.
• Medium coverage: sleeveless tops, crop styles, and shorter skirts.

Most women who skip swimming because of coverage are looking for a full coverage top paired with a full or high coverage bottom.

Three full coverage outfits that work

1. Swim pants + a long sleeve zip top

The closest thing to swimming in your favorite athleisure. Pair the Long Yoga Swim Pants (close fitting but not tight, with a side zip pocket) with the Easy On and Off Full Zippered Athletic Swim Top, which has sleeves to the wrist, a high neck and a roomy fit. It zips on, so there's nothing to wrestle over your head when it's wet.

2. A long swim skirt with attached leggings + a 3/4 sleeve rash guard

For maximum coverage with an easy, feminine silhouette. The Activewear Long Swim and Sports Skirt 28" has built-in leggings plus snaps at the center of the hem: fasten them between your legs and the skirt stays put in the water. The skirt is wide, so even snapped it never limits your movement. Prefer a little shorter? The Bike & Hike Swim Skirt 25" has the same snaps and attached leggings. Pair either one with the Aqua Pacific Fitness Modest Rash Guard or the Cross Fit Sprinter Rash Guard, both with 3/4 sleeves.

3. A shorter skirt with long leggings for active days

If a long skirt feels like too much fabric for laps or water aerobics, try the Athletic Jogging Swim Skirt 20". It has extra long attached leggings, so your legs stay covered. Its closer-fitting cut follows your body, so it stays in place in the water without snaps. On hot days, the Land & Sea Swim Capris are a lighter option.

Our tops are designed to be worn over a separate swim bra, so you can choose your own support. The Supreme Swim and Sports Bra is our best-seller: customers come back for it again and again, often buying several at once.

What to look for before you buy

• Chlorine proof fabric. Look for PBT and polyester. With no spandex, there's nothing for chlorine to destroy, so the suit keeps its shape season after season.
• Stays opaque when wet. Proper swim fabric doesn't turn sheer in the water.
• A relaxed fit through the middle. Coverage should feel comfortable, not tight. Look for tops that skim instead of cling.
• Attached shorts or leggings under skirts. They keep you covered in the water and when you climb out.
• Snaps at the hem. A snap at the center of the hem keeps a skirt from floating up. Look for a wide A-line cut, so the skirt still lets you move freely.
• UPF 50+ sun protection. Long sleeves and full-length bottoms already block a lot of sun. UPF-rated fabric makes that protection reliable outdoors.
• Real size range. Full coverage should fit every body. Most HydroChic styles run from S to 5X.

Full coverage for every moment at the pool

• Swimming laps: swim pants or capris with a fitted 3/4 sleeve rash guard keep drag low.
• Water aerobics: skirts with attached leggings and roomy tops give you freedom to move. See our Water Aerobics & Pool Swimwear.
• Kids' swim lessons: stop watching from the bench. When you're comfortable in what you're wearing, it's easy to get in the water with your kids.
• Beach, cruise and water parks: long sleeves plus UPF 50+ mean less sunscreen and less sunburn. Browse Cruise, Beach & Water Park Swimwear.
• Learning to swim as an adult: it's never too late. Many YMCAs and local recreation centers offer adult beginner classes, and feeling comfortable in what you wear makes that first lesson a lot easier.

"I needed a modest swim outfit to give me the confidence to swim again, while pursuing better fitness."

— Janet M., on the Cross Fit Sprinter Rash Guard

Frequently asked questions

Can I swim in regular leggings?

You can, but they won't last. Most leggings contain spandex, which chlorine breaks down, and many pools don't allow street clothes. Chlorine proof swim pants look like leggings but are made for the water.

Is a full coverage swimsuit hot?

Not when it's made from lightweight swim fabric. It dries quickly and shields your skin from direct sun, so you're not baking on a hot pool deck.

Will a swim skirt float up in the water?

Not ours. Our wide, flowing skirts come in one line from shorter to longer: the Skater Skirt 18", Swing Skirt 21", Bike & Hike 25" and Activewear 28". Each has a snap at the center of the hem that holds the skirt in place, and because they're cut wide, they never restrict your movement. Our closer-fitting skirts, like the Mia 22.5" and Athletic Jogging 20", follow the body, so they stay down without snaps. Attached shorts or leggings keep you covered underneath either way.

Can I wear full coverage swimwear at a public pool?

Yes. It's made from real swim fabric, the same type of fabric as any other swimsuit, just with more of it.

What sizes does HydroChic offer?

Most of our swim tops and bottoms come in sizes S to 5X, and tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can choose a different size for each.

Coverage is about choosing your own comfort level, never about hiding. Find yours in our pool swimwear and come swim with us.