What plus size swim shirts cover, and what they don't
A swim shirt covers the arms, shoulders and back and is designed to be worn over a swimsuit top or swim bra — most swim shirts do not include a built-in bra.
What does a swim shirt actually cover?
A swim shirt covers the arms, shoulders and back and is designed to be worn over a swimsuit top or swim bra. Most swim shirts do not include a built-in bra, so check the product copy for built-in support and for a stated UPF rating before you buy.
Shop swim shirts the way you'd shop any layering piece: for the coverage it adds, not for the fit job your suit already does. Most styles pull on over the head or zip at the front, sit at the hip, and move with you in the water the way a rash guard does on land.
Does a swim shirt have a built-in bra?
Usually not. The single most common disappointment in swim shirt reviews is buying one expecting built-in bust support that isn't there. Read the product page for the words "built-in bra" or "shelf bra" before you order — if neither appears, plan to wear real support underneath or a Woman Within swim bra, offered separately.
A stated UPF rating works the same way. Some swim shirt styles list UPF 50 sun protection and some don't, so check that style's own product page rather than assuming every swim shirt blocks UV rays.
What to wear under a swim shirt
Wear a tankini top or a swim bra underneath for the support a swim shirt doesn't build in. Reviewers who wear a swim shirt for water aerobics or laps every week say it stays in place through a lot of movement — that's the shirt doing its job as a layer, with real support underneath doing its own.
Look for a tankini top in a fabric and cut you already trust, then treat the swim shirt as the piece that adds arm and shoulder coverage on top of it.
What to pair with it on the bottom
Pair a swim shirt with a swim short, a swim legging, or a swim skirt — whatever bottom already covers what you want covered. The High-Waist Full-Coverage Swim Bike Short is built for exactly this kind of pairing: a high waist that sits at the natural waist, an 8-inch inseam, anti-chafing comfort, and a soft gusset lining, in a poly/spandex fabric that's stated UPF 50 for that style.
Hand wash swim pieces with mild soap, roll them in a towel to press out water, and dry flat. The washer and dryer break down stretch and stated sun protection faster than normal wear does.
Browse the full swimwear shop to build the rest of the outfit — top, shirt layer, and bottom — in pieces meant to be worn together.
Frequently asked questions
Is a swim shirt see-through when wet?
No, most swim tees are not sheer, in fact, some are are expressly designed to offer additional UPF sun protection as well. Even when wearing a sun tee, always be sure to apply sunblock every 90 minutes for maximum sun protection.
Does a swim shirt protect against sun?
Only if that style's product page states a UPF rating. A swim shirt covers skin by covering it, but sun protection as a stated fabric property is style-specific, so check the product page before you count on UV protection in it.
What size should I order in a swim shirt?
Check this style's Size Chart before you buy, rather than ordering your usual apparel Woman Within size. Woman Within swim styles run from size 10W up to a 44W, so measure first rather than guessing between two sizes.