[Workout Wednesday] Coolibar Swimwear + GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago, I posted about Coolibar, a swimwear company that promotes safe sun exposure. Company founder, John Barrow, named the company after an Australian tree in the outback that provides shelter from the sweltering sun.

While Coolibar's focus is on safe sun exposure, their designs are fall into the modest swimwear category. I tried and tested two items: the Ruche Swim Top in Aquatic Paisley and Active Swim Tights in Graphite.



To say I loved my Coolibar items is an understatement. It's rare that modest swimwear looks cute and covetable. Usually in dark, sun-absorbing black and navy, the paisley print and light grey made me feel less conscious about my choice of swimwear.

My friend Sarah, who was graciously gave up a Sunday morning to meet me at her neighborhood pool and then proceeded to be my photographer (thank you Sarah!), said over and over how much she liked my top, and I COULD NOT AGREE MORE.

Design-wise, it's incredibly cute, with a loose fit and shape. It fell well beyond my waistline, a true tunic length. The top gives the option to wear it as an A-line tunic, or to pull the side ties to ruche it an inch or so. I personally liked the ruched look, but it was a very sporty look overall.

Pulling the sides to ruche the top

Tying the ties

This top was functionally fantastic. I personally love to swim laps so having swimwear made of material that releases water allows for a smoother pool experience. Think any Olympic swimmer: they choose their swimwear based on drag and the more the drag, the heavier you feel in the pool. I felt light and it was easy to move around in the water.

I personally would not swim in the top without ruching it, because it did float up a little. Thankfully the tights felt high enough on my waist that I didn't feel exposure, but it could be an improvement in the design.

As soon as I got out of the water, I could already tell how "dry" I was - which meant for less shivering by the pool. Many women who try to find modest swimwear end up wearing long cotton tops, which tend to hold much water while swimming.

Feeling dry even though I'm dripping wet after a few laps and a game of pool basketball with Sarah.

Coolibar's clothing also guarantees UPF protection of 50+ for the life of the garment, so while you're sitting poolside waiting to dry, you're also protected from the sun's harmful and damaging UVA and UVB rays. Their SUNTECT fabrics are embedded with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the same minerals used in sunscreen, that won't wash out or fade away.

After my swimming adventure, I ran both items through the wash very easily and they held their shape and size - definitely quality products. Their price point is about the same as you would find for other performance swimwear, but right now Coolibar is holding a summer sale special - 25% off plus free shipping on all items, so all the clothes you see here are on sale for 25%!

ALSO, the most exciting thing is that Coolibar is doing a giveaway with Greater Lengths readers! 1 Greater Lengths reader will receive a ruched top of their choice! More details on that here.

Loving this look!

If you're looking for modest swimwear for your next beach trip or even just to hang out with your friends at the pool, head to Coolibar's website and buy buy buy! (and enter the Coolibar giveaway here!)