Woman's three-piece modest burkini swimsuit with hijab

How to Choose a Burkini for Swimming: A Practical Guide

A good burkini should let you swim, play with your children or do laps without thinking about your swimsuit. A poor one balloons in the water, clings when you climb out or slips at the hijab. This guide covers what actually matters when you choose modest swimwear for swimming.

1. Decide how you will use it

  • Beach and family pool days: a looser tunic over swim pants gives the most coverage and is comfortable for sitting, walking and playing.
  • Swimming lessons or laps: choose a closer, streamlined fit so the fabric does not drag in the water. A shorter tunic is easier to swim in.
  • Plus sizes: look for a style with a longer tunic and pants that are cut for curves, not just a bigger version of a standard size.

2. Check the fabric

Swim fabric should be a stretch blend (usually polyester or nylon with spandex) that dries quickly and does not become see-through when wet. Avoid cotton or ordinary clothing fabric: it absorbs water, becomes heavy and is not allowed in many pools.

3. Coverage pieces: 2, 3 or 4 pieces

  • Tunic + pants: the basic set. Add your own swim hijab.
  • 3-piece (tunic, pants and hijab): everything matches and the hijab is made for water.
  • 4-piece: adds a cap or underscarf so the hijab stays in place when you swim.

If your current hijab slips in the water, an underscarf or a dedicated swim hijab usually solves it.

4. Get the size right

  • Measure your bust, waist and hips and compare them with the size guide on each product page. Sizes differ between brands.
  • If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one for a loose beach fit and the smaller one for swimming laps.
  • The pants should not be so tight that you feel restricted when you kick, and not so loose that they fill with water.

5. Small details that make a big difference

  • Elastic or ties at the ankles stop the pants riding up.
  • A built-in or removable inner layer adds comfort and coverage.
  • Darker colours and prints hide water marks and look less clingy when wet.

6. Care: make it last

  • Rinse in cool fresh water after every swim, especially after chlorine or salt water.
  • Wash by hand or on a gentle cycle, without bleach or fabric softener.
  • Dry flat in the shade. Strong sun and tumble dryers break down the stretch fibres.

Our modest swimwear

These are the styles we carry, each with a size guide on the product page:

Buy the Women's 3-Piece Burkini together with the Swim Hijab and the Burkini + Swim Hijab kit discount is applied automatically at checkout. See all styles in Women Modest. We ship worldwide with tracking.

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