A Modest Swimwear Edit- Our top 10 list and more

Definitely a growing niche industry, the modest swimwear market is now wide open. Twenty years ago it was nearly impossible to find a modest piece of swimwear that didn’t involve stealing your husband/ brother/ father’s Rashi (rashgaurd top) and or shorts, but now one can buy anything from a swimwear dress to a complete 4 piece outfit. And whilst it is great to revel in how our luck has changed, it’s also inspiring to find out just how that happened.

Amanda K

Amanda Kremer established Amanda K back in 2003, when what began with a collection of colorful and uniquely designed headscarves, grew into a broad line of innovative products, from women's clothing and fashion accessories on to baby articles and Judaica accessories.

The Amanda K swimwear story begins with innovation- when Amanda sought out swimwear that was unique, contemporary and trendy and found that the majority of modest swimwear consisted of swim dresses in black, brown and blue. Answering the call, Amanda was the first to create a modest swimwear that was bright, colorful and employed playful prints- transforming the heavy and outdated dark-colored swim dresses for the summery and vibrant colors associated with the iconic bikini and summer swimsuit.

Important to mention is the high-quality materials (Lycra extra life™ fiber) used and the detail unseen in other brands is the inbuilt bralet/ croptop that provides extra support without further layering.

Pour Sasha Modest Swimwear

Whist amidst a digital overhaul and seemingly a little hard to get in touch with, the Pour Sasha modest swimwear by Nathalie Bitton is a new favorite in resort and swimwear that is both chic and practical.

Eight years ago, religious and modest, Bitton was diagnosed with an Auto-Immune disease that prevented her from frolicking in the sun. So, out of necessity, she started designing her leisure swimwear. Initially, she started with a small selection of designs, colours and sizes however over time and in response to the overwhelming feedback she got from her clientele she developed more designs in a wider palette of colour that catered to a variety of figures, sizes and needs.

Best method of contact: poursasha@gmail.com and https://www.facebook.com/poursasha.nathdeco

MarSea

Like most designer evolution stories, Marci Rapp designed a solution to a problem. She couldn’t find anything to wear to the beach that wasn’t tight or of a high quality in Israel. Having moved to Israel from the United States, at age 55 without the language and without a job prospect, Marci set out to achieve the impossible. In less than a decade she managed to build a successful company that sells an extraordinary range of locally made, high quality swimwear- in children's and women's sizes from XS to size 18, in stores, online and internationally with free shipping.

Asked if she was happy with her success story Marci replied “I am 64 years old and I love what I do” and you can’t ask for more than that.

HydroChic

Established in 2006, HydroChic is UPF 50+ and has been leading the way in versatile sportswear- designed to go from land to sea. Committed to fit, style, comfort and quality for women of all ages, shapes and sizes, HydroChic’s premium fabrics and exclusive prints are designed and crafted in Italy to provide a range of coverage for all body types and personal style preferences.

Featured in our editorial, we had the Hydrochic short sleeve rashgaurd with leggings, however there was also on option a longer sleeve top and matching skirt with leggings.

Lyra

A newer design house, Lyra was established in 2016 and celebrates beach culture with a vintage meets middle eastern aesthetic. Perhaps it is because of their wider audience within the international Muslim community (it is possible that they are manufacturing a greater quantity than other design houses) but Lyra is the most affordable collection so far. Both set’s and individual pieces are available at their online store.

Swir

Swir is the newest modest swimwear on the block. Distinguishing themselves from other existing brands by their youthful edge and colorful range. Aimed at young women and girls who want to dress in quality, trendy and practical swimwear. Their price range is also very reasonable for the fashionable range and styles.

Available at ModLi https://modli.co/swir

770 Runway Modest Swimwear

In 2014, Laura Abecassis established 770Runway. Originally wanting to create a one stop online shop for the Modest Montreal woman, she found it too difficult to work with the many creatives needed for the project and decided to focus on the one thing she found hardest to find- modest swimwear. Little did she know, building a brand, let alone a clothing line, was even more challenging!

Locally made and with a preference for Italian Lycra spandex (80% nylon 20% spandex), which drapes the figure in a more flattering way and provides UPF 50+ protection, the 770Runway swimwear are mutli-functional- perfect for the beach, the pool, the gym and everyday wear.

What differentiates 770Runway’s designs from other swimwear is that they use matt fabric, rather than shiny, providing a more flattering look and thus easily worn enroute and through the day.