Swimwear For Modest and Fashionable Women

Finding Modest Swimsuits for Women

Are you looking for a modest swimsuit that flatters your figure? How about sunwear that complements your body and protects you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays? Whether you are looking for full-coverage swimwear at the beach, on the boat, or sun-protective clothing that can take you poolside to the dinner table, these fantastic brands are here for you!

Not many women enjoy shopping for swimsuits, but with the rise of elegant and modest swimwear companies, women and girls have far more options than ever before to look boardwalk chic while being cared for and covered up.

Swimwear a $21 Billion Market

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global swimwear market was valued at over $21.22B in 2024 and is projected to be over $30B in 2032. This may go without saying, but companies catering to women seeking sensible options that honor their femininity and religious convictions while protecting their skin play a significant role in the industry’s growth.

Modest Swimwear Brands

Discover ways to look fashionable while limiting damage to your skin by getting to know some trailblazing companies. I’ve included information about each brand with some takeaways I thought you’d enjoy discovering.

Coolibar

Coolibar specializes in sun-protective swimwear and athleisure clothing for men, women, and children. The company was founded in Australia with the ‘goal of spreading sun protection around the world.’ If you’ve been to Australia (hello, Gold Coast!), you know how hard the sun beats down. No wonder a phenomenal company focused on fashionable sun protection was founded in Aus. Coolibar also enjoys the distinction of being the first sun-protective clothing company to receive The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. Coolibar is now in Miami, Florida, after moving from their offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

More than a solution to your swimwear needs — you could almost build an entire wardrobe with their beautiful and functional pieces. I have many Coolibar pieces and feel fashionably protected outside in any season or activity wearing their proprietary blend of UPF 50+ sun protection goodness.

Shopping at Coolibar? Lake.com has a promo code! Use Lake15 to save 15% off your purchase.

Rey Swimwear

Did you grow up watching Power Rangers or babysat someone who did? Actress Jessica Rey, who played the White Ranger on Disney’s Power Ranger Wild Force, was hunting for more modest alternatives to the bikinis she wore between auditions and shoots as she spent much of her days poolside. After deciding to ditch bikinis (there’s a whole story linked from here), she focused on creating a swimwear brand, blending her eye for fashion with her MBA. In direct correlation with Jessica’s belief in the dignity of all people, Rey Swimwear creates beautiful clothing and swimwear that is ethically sourced and produced, drawing inspiration from the timeless style of Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn.

I have a few items from Jessica Rey in my closet. They are comfortable, classy, and make you feel like a princess. I love that Jessica is a wife and mother dedicated to homeschooling her children, traveling worldwide with her family, and being a model entrepreneur.

Shop for swimwear, clothing, gifts, and accessories at Jessica Rey.

Geode Swimwear

Have you ever looked inside a geode? From the outside, a geode rock appears plain and unassuming, but when you open it up, an array of crystals and minerals shine for all to see. Devoted to providing flattering swimsuits with comfortable coverage, this nature-inspired swimsuit and clothing line aspires to help women feel beautiful inside and out, shimmering with relaxed confidence. The muted hues and simple designs incorporate earthy tones to delight aquatic adventurers and geology lovers alike. Geode has long been a favorite rock of the company’s co-founder, Jenna Duncan, harkening back to her grandfather’s extensive rock collection. Jenna co-founded Geode Swimwear with her husband, Jake, while attending college.

Geode believes every woman should be able to afford swimwear that they feel comfortable and confident in, creating high-quality pieces that are reasonably priced.

Shop Geode Swimwear now.

Calypsa

Calypsa, formerly ModLi, carries swimsuits to fit ladies at every size and stage of life. Their swimwear is designed to boost comfort and increase confidence with a ‘kinder kind of swimwear.’ I was delighted to see maternity swimwear, swimsuits for nursing mothers, and regular swimwear in various sizes and styles. Calypsa offers more than just a tug-free swimsuit line — the brand carries activewear, dresses, skirts, tops, and more. There are over 75 styles, and the sizes range from XS to 6X. Want to shop in-store? Find the Calypsa brand at Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, and Sears. Based in Jerusalem, Calypsa was co-founded in 2015 by Nava Brief-Fried and Yehoshua Fried.

Shop Calypsa to experience comfort and coverage in swimwear that gets you.

Aqua Modesta

Translated from Italian to mean ‘modest waters,’ Aqua Modesta carries original Kosher swimwear for ladies and girls as well as activewear and accessories. Founded by Regine M. Tessone, Aqua Modesta is known for key features such as the line’s modest cut, lightweight comfort, quick-drying fabric, opacity even in lighter colors, and SPF rating of 50 Plus. The company also offers a product called a ‘skant,’ which is a mix of a skirt and pants. Additionally, Aqua Modesta’s lead designer, Regine Tessone, crafts handmade costume jewelry and prioritizes quality, fashion, and modesty in everything the company creates.

Aqua Modesta’s motto? Shop modest, swim modest, be modest with Aqua Modesta.

Shop Aqua Modesta for swimwear and more.

Undercover Waterwear

Family businesses are making it work! Undercover Waterwear started as a fun family venture that found its way into the hearts of women and gained their trust worldwide. Founded in 2002 by a mother and daughter team, co-founders Susan Esses, Melissa Chehebar, and Rachel Tabbouche have watched modest swimwear go from a ‘luxury’ when they started their business to a ‘necessity’ and part of mainstream culture from their headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Known for its full-coverage swimsuits, Undercover Waterwear has expanded to include women, kids, and plus sizes.

To quote from the company’s LinkedIn page,’…building a thriving business with the ones you most love is priceless!’

Shop UndercoverWaterwear.com for some fantastic finds.

HydroChic

One of the pioneering companies in the space, HydroChic, offers modest swimwear, including rashguards, swim tops, swim and sports bras, swim dresses, swim bottoms, and swimwear for girls. They also carry plus sizes and accessories to wear at the beach or pool. You can even get chlorine-proof tops, dresses, and bottoms.

The brand prides itself on offering versatile and stylish swimwear that can take you from the pickleball court to water aerobics or a walk in the woods.

Sun Protection For Families

Classy coverage isn’t just for the ladies! You can outfit your entire family in sun-protective swimwear, activewear, loungewear, hats, and even dressier outfits from specialty collections. Whether swimming in a pool, a lake, or the ocean, take your swimwear and sun protection seriously.

Coolibar has terrific options for the men in your life and your children. As mentioned earlier, use promo code Lake15 to save 15% on your Coolibar purchase!

Modest, Classy Options Without Sun Protection

Not looking for sun protection in your swimsuits? Here are some swimwear brands to consider:

Modestly Yours Swimwear – Ladies, girls, children, babies, maternity.

CoveredGraceCo – Modest swimwear for girls, ladies, and maternity.

Swimwear Picks From Real Women

Now that we’ve heard from and about various brands, I thought it would be great to introduce you to some lovely ladies blending sensible swimwear choices with class! Hear about the brands they wear, trust, and recommend to their friends.

Cloaked in SunSoaked

Jo Hayes, TV reporter, and Etiquette Expert knows all about sun safety, having been born and raised in sunny Australia. She writes, “The importance of sun protection was drilled into me from the youngest age. My home state of Queensland has the unenviable title of the skin cancer capital of the world, with the highest rate of skin cancer on earth. It’s a wonderful lifestyle, with gorgeous weather and beaches we can enjoy all year round. But, we are all too aware of the need to be sun-smart. From the youngest age, I have been vigilant about covering up when in the sun and avoiding the sun during the dangerous UV-hours.”

Jo carries a UV sun umbrella when out and about, even for short distances, citing, “It’s super-convenient, compact, and fits in my handbag, and I can whip it out whenever necessary – even for 90-second walks from the car to the store.”

For even stronger protection and more extensive coverage, she stows a strong, non-collapsable UV umbrella in her car, perfect for picnics or longer stays outdoors. Jo comments, “I took part in a 3-day walking pilgrimage in outback Australia a few years ago – my strong UV umbrella was perfect for keeping me protected from the harsh sun – and also kept me much cooler than my fellow walkers.”

Just how much better is the coverage of an umbrella versus a hat? Jo prefers using umbrellas in the sun instead of hats, noting, “Umbrellas have much higher UV protection and can protect all exposed skin, not just my face. But when I’m out running (and obviously can’t carry an umbrella), I’ll slather on the sunscreen and wear long sleeves and a good cap.”

Similarly, Jo learned to choose sun-protective swimwear, sharing, “I’m so grateful that there is now an abundance of stunning, stylish swimwear options that are sun-safe. My go-to brand is the local Australian label, SunSoaked. The gorgeous fabrics, stylish designs, and quality manufacturing make these a delight to wear. Not only do I wear them for swimming, but they’re so wearable I can style them up with cute summer shorts and for daywear. Plus, they were perfect for a recent series of triathlons I completed, six in total, including 2 Olympic distances.”

Jo’s Brands and Fits:

• Swimwear: SunSoaked
• Umbrella: Cancer Council Australia and UV100 Australia
• Sunblock: Cancer Council Australia 50+ Ultra Sunscreen (roll on) and Nivea Sun SPF50+ 4hr water resistant
  

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