Posted on November 19 2025
To tankini or not to tankini? That is the question. Well it's a question we get asked quite a bit because it really comes down to personal taste.
We used to carry a wider selection of tankini tops in the past but found that when put up against their bikini or one piece swimsuit counterparts, they very rarely came out on top. With tankini sales at a lull we made the decision to carry fewer styles and focus more on bikinis and one pieces.
When it comes down to personal preference, I (I being Me, the person writing this post!) have tried and owned all 3 options and while I fully understand why someone would prefer a tankini to a bikini or one piece, I frankly stopped reaching for them and found a bikini far more comfortable (especially for swimming) and a one piece far more flattering (and also better for swimming!).
The general consensus of our customers choosing to wear a tankini seems to come down to one very common, very practical reason: It's easier to use the bathroom when wearing a 2 piece swimsuit than a one piece swimsuit and this is a very valid point. But for me, this is where my preference for a bikini would lie. And so, here are my top 3 reasons for choosing a bikini or one piece over a tankini.
1.Tankini tops seem to roll up and float in water
When I'm at the beach I spend the majority of my time in the water and every tankini top I have tried will not stay in place when I'm swimming. They roll up, they rise up and float on the surface and it's just really aggravating to have to keep pulling it down.
2. Tankini tops stretch so much when wet that they get long and heavy
Again, I love being in the water, but when my tankini top gets wet it tends to stretch out and become heavy and long, so much so that it then covers my bikini bottom and tends to look like I'm only wearing a wet tank top. I also don't like how long most of them are on those of us who are short waisted.
3. I just don't think they are flattering and find them kind of dated
So, real talk here. I am a size 12, so I understand why someone who is my size or larger might want to cover up more when it comes to swimwear and may not want to wear a bikini. I've been there and it took a lot of getting comfortable in my own skin to wear a bikini. However, there is something about the extra bulk that a tankini adds that I find unflattering on the body. The extra layer of fabric over the layer of the bottoms you're wearing just adds bulk. I find a one piece far more flattering and there are some fantastic styles right now that flattering the figure beautifully. But if I'm being honest, I prefer a bikini over all 3 styles! A bikini is so comfortable and so much easier to take on and off when it's wet and there are so many styles you can mix and match to find the ones most flattering and comfortable for you (high waisted bottoms can cover a tummy too!).
So the next time you're shopping online or in one of our Toronto boutiques with the goal of finding a tankini, consider trying on a one piece if your reason is coverage, or a bikini if your reason is ease of removal. We are here to help you find the swimsuit that flatters you and most of all, suits your needs. Thanks for stopping by!