How to Pack Swimwear for Travel Without Damaging It

Packing swimwear for travel is one of those things that seems trivial until you arrive somewhere and find that a structured bikini top has been crushed into a shape it will not recover from, or that a wet suit left in a plastic bag for twelve hours has developed a smell that does not wash out. A few specific habits prevent both.

Folding structured pieces ¶

Underwire and molded-cup tops need to be packed so the cup is not compressed. The standard approach is to nest one cup inside the other and fold the band around them, then place the top on top of other items rather than underneath. If you are checking a bag, wrap the top in a soft layer before placing it in the suitcase.

Unstructured pieces, including the Adriatica and the Caldera, can be rolled loosely. Rolling rather than folding reduces crease lines in smooth fabrics.

Dealing with wet suits on the move ¶

A wet suit left in a sealed plastic bag for more than a few hours will develop mildew odor that is difficult to remove completely. If you are traveling and cannot rinse and dry a suit properly, the best option is a mesh bag rather than a sealed one. Mesh allows air circulation and slows the mildew process significantly.

If you are on a multi-destination trip, a small travel-size bottle of mild detergent allows you to hand wash in a hotel sink and lay the piece flat on a towel overnight. Most pieces will be dry enough to pack by morning.

What to bring ¶

For a one-week trip, two swimwear pieces is a practical minimum if you are swimming daily. This allows each piece to dry fully between wears, which extends the life of both. Three pieces gives more flexibility if the weather or your plans change.

The Tramonto cover-up packs flat and takes up minimal space. It works over a swimsuit for lunch or a walk and does not require ironing after being folded in a suitcase.

These are small habits, but they add up over the life of a piece. Swimwear that is packed and stored carefully will look and fit correctly for significantly longer than the same piece treated carelessly.