A lap swimsuit should be boring.

Fit over fashion. You’re not on a beach; you’re doing laps. Get a suit that stays put, not one that looks good on the rack.

Look for chlorine-resistant fabric — polyester or PBT blends last way longer than nylon or spandex. Nylon will stretch out and fade in a few months. Polyester suits hold their shape and color for a year or more of regular swimming.

Skip anything with ruffles, cutouts, drawstrings, or adjustable straps. Those move around, chafe, or come undone. A racerback with a high neckline is your friend. No straps slipping off shoulders. No adjusting mid-lap.

Seams matter too: flatlock seams or bonded seams are less likely to dig in. If the suit is tight when dry, it will loosen slightly in the water. But it should not feel loose when dry — that means it’ll bag out.

Your pool time is not a fashion show. Buy the boring black or navy polyester suit. Future you (with fewer chafe marks) will thank you.