As a mom, I completely get the urge to buy clothes a size up.
Kids grow fast. Clothing isn’t cheap. And if I can get an extra season out of something, I’m all for it.
But swimwear?
Swimwear is one of the very few areas where I don’t play that game.
And before this sounds dramatic, hear me out. This isn’t about fashion. It’s not about being picky. It’s about comfort, safety, and making sure your child is actually able to focus on learning to swim.
Because as a swim instructor, I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong size swim suit can quietly sabotage swim lessons… without parents even realizing it.
The Awkward Truth
As a swim instructor, I’ve worked with:
- Kids who constantly have to pull their swim bottoms up
- Little girls whose suits repeatedly expose private areas
- Straps slipping, shorts sagging, and fabric doing things it was never meant to do
It’s uncomfortable for the kids.
And honestly? It’s uncomfortable for me.
Swim lessons are hands-on by nature. I’m supporting your child, guiding their body position, helping them float, glide, and move safely through the water. When swimwear is loose, my brain is suddenly doing extra gymnastics:
- Keeping your child safe
- Teaching skills
- AND making sure I’m not holding them in a way that causes their suit to shift, slide, or expose something it shouldn’t
That’s not a position I want to be in. And I know you don’t want me in that position either.
At home, we spend a lot of time teaching kids about body safety, good touch vs. bad touch, and privacy. When a child arrives at swim lessons with their private areas exposed, it directly conflicts with that messaging.
And just to be clear:
I want to be your swim instructor.
Not the person having an awkward swimwear conversation with you on deck with other parents around.
Water Changes Everything (Yes, Even the Fit)
Here’s something many parents don’t realize:
Swimwear gets looser in the water.
- Fabric stretches when wet
- Water adds weight
- Movement creates drag
- Chlorine breaks down elasticity over time
A suit that seems “a little loose but fine” when dry often becomes very not fine once water is added.
What feels like “room to grow” on land turns into slipping straps, sagging bottoms, and constant adjusting in the pool.
Loose Swimwear = Harder Swimming
Beyond comfort and modesty, there’s also performance to think about. Loose swimwear creates extra drag in the water, makes movement harder, and pulls a child’s attention away from learning. Instead of focusing on kicks, arm movements, breathing, and floating, many kids end up worrying about keeping straps up, pulling bottoms into place, or feeling exposed.
When that happens, swim lessons become less effective.
You’re investing real money in your child’s swim education. A poorly fitting swimsuit shouldn’t be the thing that gets in the way of that progress.
Yes, I Sometimes Size Down
This surprises people, but it’s true.
Within comfort, I actually prefer snug.
For example: my four-year-old son still comfortably wears a 2T swimsuit.
That won’t be true for every child or every brand, but it works for him.
The goal isn’t tight.
The goal is secure.
If your child can move freely, breathe comfortably, and isn’t fidgeting, you’re doing it right.
My Dream Swim Lesson Outfit (For All Kids)
If I could wave a magic pool noodle and choose swim attire for lessons, it would look like this for both boys and girls:
- Snug-fitting long sleeve rash guard
- Snug-fitting swim shorts
Why?
- In indoor pools: kids stay warmer
- In outdoor pools: better sun protection
- No straps slipping
- No worrying about modesty
- No constant adjusting
Kids can focus on learning to swim.
I can focus on teaching.
Everyone wins.
From One Mom to Another
Swim lessons aren’t a fashion show.
They’re about safety.
Confidence.
Skill-building.
And letting kids move freely in the water without distractions.
So yes, size up the leggings.
Size up the hoodies.
Size up the pajamas.
But when it comes to swimwear?
Snug is safe. Secure is better. And your child will thank you for it—whether they realize it or not.
