Swimsuit Seams

[LeanHunk]

What kind of seams do your swimsuits typically have? I usually wear my Arena AST90 to swim laps. It has a back seam that really prevents the suit from getting that baggy, diaper look.

I've even heard of brief-style swimwear with front seams. Does anyone own a pair of those? If so, what do you think of them?

[Schoolspeedo]

Hi - I have many suits with a front seam and find them comfortable and allow movement if necessary. That said they are very brief; one had only string sides while the others vary between 1cm - 3cm- not sure what that is in inches! Most are quite low cut also. I also have suits with the crotch dart which again gives more room at the front though I have one suit which has nothing but a plain front like a womans bikini and this makes for uncomfortable use.

[sebbie]

1 inch =2.54 cm so 3 cm is a bit over an inch

[louis]

check on Nike suits thay all have seams

[PSDave]

I have never been fond of the rear seams, kind of ruin the round smooth look of the bum. Lycra suits need to have a front seam to be comfortable. It gives more room for my junk. Unless it is one of those Asian suits that have the water vent in the rear seam, I don't see any need for that rear seam

[sebbie]

The best seams are the ones that stretch on the rear of the AQUX briefs!

[Torchwatch]

The classic 2" (5cm) Speedo has a smooth front.
When a swim bikini briefer than this is wanted there can be a shortage of space at the front, sewing 2 pieces of fabric together along a convex curve creates a bowl shape which when incorporated into a swim bikini becomes a pouch.

When a Lycra swim brief ages the first thing to go is the rear, sagging down towards the knees. The Paper Lycra suits of the late 1980's were worn very tight but were prone to rapid aging and rear sagging. On stretch fabric a straight seam (sewn with the fabrics stretched) gives stretch down the seam but not across it. This can be used to give support to the rears of rapidly aging fabrics so the Paper Lycra racing speedos had rear seams.
The rear seam was found to be attractive and the Japanese incorporated a narrow piece of mesh into their rear seams to aid drainage. This feature was also popular with swimmers.

In conclusion, a front seam creates a pouch while a rear seam makes the suit last longer and give the option of adding drainage mesh.

[PSDave]

I have never witnessed this situation you described as a saggy butt.
Are these really old suits that have seen a lot of chlorine and not rinsed out?

[Torchwatch]

Take one pair of Lycra Speedos that are already well worn and have no souvenir value to you. Start wearing them each time you go swimming, never rinse them out and let them stay rolled up in a damp towel for at least 24 hours before you hang them up to dry. If you swim every day them keep these Speedos rolled up in damp towels all the time between swims.
Almost before you can say "jock itch" you will have a delectable pair of Speedos with a saggy butt that hangs half way to your knees.
It is probably too late to remember that at college you won a race in these Speedos causing that nice blond girl to notice you, the one you later made your wife.

[dorcas3]

Hold up to light-you will see through. Get Caussies!

[knikon]

Solars have a comfy front seam and I actually am one who dislikes the front seam...

[afewgoodmen]

Hi - I have many suits with a front seam and find them comfortable and allow movement if necessary. That said they are very brief; one had only string sides while the others vary between 1cm - 3cm- not sure what that is in inches! Most are quite low cut also. I also have suits with the crotch dart which again gives more room at the front though I have one suit which has nothing but a plain front like a womans bikini and this makes for uncomfortable use.

Hi Schoolspeedo,
It seems you have a variety of suits that I might be interested in seeing. You mind posting some pics of them. I think many might hold this curiosity on the board.

[Dooley67]

check on Nike suits thay all have seams

I've got 2 Nike Scatterbrain suits that don't have seams, possibly because they are fully lined, front and back.

D67

[7_of_Fine]

I have a few pairs with the front seam. They're good for accentuating your bulge. If you're like me, and like to fool around in your gear, it can cause friction burn. Now, if we could use that 3d printer to get the same fit without the seam...

[tightjeans]

I have had both front and rear seam briegs of the two I dislike the front seam more than the rear seam and actually will never purchase either again. They sure look good on some of the models and the divers with a big butt but are very uncomfortable for me.

[Torchwatch]

If you want a swim brief with plenty of front space but without a front seam pouch then do what Arena did in the 1980's. Make the seat seam between the front and back of the suit wider but make the front of the suit wider than the back. Whenever you sew Lycra you have to stretch it, but stretch the back of the suit more than the front and when your garment is finished you will have plenty of space in the front. This is why old Arena swim briefs have a tell tale ripple either side of the family jewels.

[PSDave]

With the kind of treatment described, any Lycra type suit will break down. The only thing a seam in the back will do is have two saggy butt cheeks instead of one saggy diaper