Burkini Swimwear: What It Is and How to Choose the Right One

Burkini swimwear is modest swimwear designed to give you full, comfortable coverage while you swim, float and enjoy every water activity with complete peace of mind. It blends everything you love about good swimwear — stretchy, quick-drying fabrics and easy, flattering cuts — with the generous coverage that lets you feel both protected and beautifully yourself at the beach or poolside. For many women, choosing a burkini isn’t about hiding; it’s about freedom: the freedom to dive in, play with your children and walk along the shore feeling elegant, at ease and fully you.

In this guide, we’ll explain what burkini swimwear really is, how it differs from conventional swimwear, the fabrics and details that make a difference, the styles available, and the simple criteria that help you choose the right one. If you’d like a deeper dive afterwards, our complete burkini buying guide goes even further.

What is burkini swimwear?

A burkini is a type of modest swimwear that typically combines a longer tunic top with loose-fitting or fitted leggings, and often a matching head covering. Together, these pieces create a full-coverage swim outfit that still moves with you in the water. The word itself is a blend of « burqa » and « bikini », but the reality is far simpler and far more joyful: it’s elegant swimwear for women who want coverage without compromise.

Burkinis come in a wide range of styles to suit personal taste and cultural preferences. You’ll find long-sleeve designs for maximum coverage and short-sleeve or sleeveless options for warmer days and a lighter feel. Some pair a tunic with cropped leggings, others with full-length swim leggings; some add a little integrated skirt for an extra touch of femininity. Whatever the combination, the goal is the same — a swimsuit that feels modest, comfortable and genuinely lovely to wear.

How a burkini differs from conventional swimwear

If you’ve only ever shopped for a bikini, a two-piece, a tankini, a monokini or a classic one-piece swimsuit, the burkini will feel like a breath of fresh air. Where a string bikini or a bandeau leaves most of the body exposed, a burkini covers the arms, torso and legs while keeping that same easy, water-ready feel. It’s swimwear built around coverage rather than exposure. (If you’re curious how it compares to a mastour swimsuit, we explain the difference between a mastour and a classic burkini in detail.)

That doesn’t mean giving up on style. A modern burkini can be just as feminine and fashionable as any conventional swim suit — only the silhouette is fuller and the cut more generous. Think of it as the difference between a swimming costume designed to reveal and one designed to let you relax. Many women who once felt they had to choose between a modest bathing suit and a flattering one are delighted to discover they no longer have to.

Fabrics and features that make a difference

The fabric is the heart of a good burkini, because it has to do a lot of work: stretch with you, dry fast, resist pool chemicals and protect your skin from the sun.

Most quality burkinis are made from technical blends of lycra, spandex (also called elastane) and nylon. These materials give the suit its stretch and support, so it follows your movements instead of restricting them. Look for fabric that is chlorine-resistant and quick-drying — this is what keeps your burkini comfortable through repeated swims and helps it last season after season. Some sportier designs even borrow from neoprene or rash guard construction for extra durability and warmth. To go further on this, see our guide to the best fabrics for an all-day comfortable burkini.

A feature worth seeking out is built-in UV protection. Because a burkini already shields most of your skin, a fabric with a high UPF rating turns your swimwear into genuine sun protection — a real advantage for long days outdoors. Combined with quick-drying performance, it means less time worrying and more time enjoying the water.

Styles, silhouettes and prints

One of the loveliest surprises about burkini swimwear is just how much variety exists. You are not limited to a single look.

In terms of silhouette, you’ll find everything from a fluid swim dress and a graceful swim skirt (or skort) over leggings, to a streamlined tunic-and-legging set for active swimming. Necklines vary too — a high neck for more coverage, a softer round neck for an everyday feel — and practical touches like a zip-up front, adjustable straps and an elastic waistband make a burkini genuinely easy to put on and take off.

When it comes to colour and pattern, the choice is wonderfully wide. Alongside timeless solids, you can pick a floral print, a tropical print, polka dot, a clean stripe, paisley, geometric or even leopard motifs, as well as elegant color block combinations, subtle metallic accents, embroidered details or richly textured fabrics. Pretty finishing touches such as ruffle and ruching, a soft flounce, a delicate frill, scalloped edges or a little fringe add personality while keeping the overall look modest and refined.

A few of our favourites ✦

Burkinis our customers love

How to choose the right burkini

With so many options, choosing the right burkini comes down to a handful of simple questions. Take a moment to think about each one and the decision becomes easy.

1. Fit and coverage

First, decide how much coverage feels right for you. Some women prefer the fullest possible coverage with long sleeves and full-length leggings; others are happy with a short-sleeve top and cropped leggings. Pay attention to the waistline — a high-waisted cut sits comfortably and offers a lovely, slimming line over the tummy and hips. The choice between a closer and a roomier shape matters too: we compare them in our article on fitted vs. loose cuts by body shape, and you can browse each directly — our fitted-cut burkinis and our loose / relaxed-cut burkinis.

2. Material

Choose fabrics that offer both stretch and support. A blend of polyester or nylon with spandex tends to be ideal for swimwear because it is water-resistant, quick-drying and holds its shape. Prioritise chlorine-resistant, UV-protective fabric so your burkini stays beautiful and protective for many summers.

3. Style preferences

Think about the look you love. Do you prefer a flowing swim dress, a tunic with a little skirt, or a sleeker active set? Would you like sleeveless arms, short sleeves or long sleeves? Details like a zip-up front or adjustable straps can make a real difference to comfort and ease of wear, so let your personal style guide you.

4. Functionality

Match the burkini to your activities. For relaxed days lounging poolside, a softer swim dress is perfect. For active water sports — swimming lengths, surf, paddle or aqua fitness — look for sportier burkinis with a closer fit, rash guard properties and freedom of movement, sometimes paired with swim shorts or board shorts for an athletic feel. If you’ll be very active, activewear-grade fabric is worth the investment.

5. Size, shape and special needs

A great burkini should flatter every body. Look for brands that offer plus-size swimwear and a full range of sizes, with cuts designed to suit different shapes — a high-waisted bottom to balance the waist and hips, a fuller tunic for extra comfort, or a more fitted line if you prefer. Our guide to finding a flattering, comfortable plus-size burkini walks you through it. If you are expecting, maternity-friendly burkinis give you room and support exactly where you need it.

6. Mix and match

Some collections let you mix and match tops and bottoms, so you can build the swim outfit that suits each occasion — a relaxed set for the beach, a more structured one for serious swimming. This flexibility means one wardrobe of pieces can carry you through very different days by the water.

A burkini for every woman

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about burkini swimwear is that it is genuinely for everyone. Whatever your age, your shape or your reason for choosing coverage — faith, sun protection, comfort, or simply preference — there is a modest swimsuit that will make you feel confident and feminine. Coverage and elegance are not opposites; the right burkini proves they belong together. Many women complete their look with a matching swim hijab for a fully coordinated, head-to-toe feel.

Completing your look

Once you’ve found your burkini, a few well-chosen accessories complete the picture. A light cover up or swim cover up, a flowing sarong, a kaftan or a soft kimono slips on easily for the walk from the water to your towel. Add a sun hat and sunglasses, and you have an effortless, polished beachwear look that feels put-together from the first dip to the last.

In summary

Burkini swimwear is an elegant, comfortable answer for any woman who wants modesty without giving up style, freedom or the simple pleasure of the water. When you’re choosing yours, keep four things in mind: the coverage that feels right for you, a fabric that is stretchy, quick-drying, chlorine-resistant and UV-protective, a style and print you genuinely love, and a cut suited to your body and your favourite activities. Get those right, and you’ll find a burkini that lets you step onto the sand and into the sea feeling free, beautiful and entirely yourself.