Swimwear Glossary - Bikini Tops

Shopping for the perfect bikini top? Knowing the following terms will help you find the right shape, fabric, cut and more.

Adjustable strap:
Elastic straps have a metal piece that slides along the strap to increase or decrease the length.
Bandeau:
A strapless style offering bare shoulders for no tan lines.
Bikini:
A swimsuit consisting of a top and a bottom.
Boning:
A fabric covered plastic or metal support that is sewn into garments to support or stabilize.
Bra top:
A swim style that has over the shoulder straps and looks like a bra.
Enhancer top:
A bikini top that adds cleavage, fullness, size and shape to the bustline with cups, wires or other functional components.
Enhancer triangle:
A triangle shaped bikini that uses a molded foam cup to add shape and fullness to the bust.
Floating underwire:
Underwire that is sewn into a shelf bra but is not secured to the frame of the exterior garment.
Full coverage:
Coverage that fully covers your bottom and no cheeks hanging out.
Full cut top:
A bikini top or one piece that offers better than average bust coverage and support.
Long triangle top:
A halter bikini top that has an elongated strap coming from the top of a standard triangle top.
Lycra®:
A Dupont registered product that is found in many Venus fabrics. Lycra® gives swimwear fabric its stretch and recovery.
Mitered stripe:
A stripe that is joined at an angle, usually to create a slimming, angular affect.
Mix and match:
Venus bikinis are designed to mix and match sizes, styles and colors in hundreds of combinations.
Molded cup:
A permanently shaped cup that is made of molded polyurethane foam covered in a tricot fabric.
Ombre:
The gradual blending of one color hue to another usually moving tints and shades from light to dark.
Perled hem:
Hemline created with very small stitches that cover the raw edge of the fabric. Often creates a rippled, ruffle look.
Push-up:
Provides a bust lift via molded cups, underwires or other features. Adds fullness and cleavage.
Removable push up pads:
Small oval shaped polyurethane pads that may be inserted into cup pockets for an added lift.
Removable shaping cups:
Thin foam cups that are contoured to fit the bust apex, providing a pleasing rounded shape and modesty.
Ruched (gathered, shirred):
Fabric is gathered and secured to maintain the gathered appearance.
Shelf bra:
A separate lining component that usually has soft plush elastic underneath and helps to support the bust.
Slider back strap:
A Venus exclusive! The back strap of a bikini top or one piece has a metal piece that slides along the strap to increase or decrease the total back length. This allows for increased adjustability in the width of the garment for a better fit.
Smocked:
Sewing technique using elastic to gather fabric to make it both form fitting and flexible.
Spaghetti straps:
Thin fabric strings on a swimsuit.
Spandex:
The generic equivalent of the component in swimwear fabric that gives it stretch and recovery.
Surplice:
Fabric of garment wraps across the body.
Tricot:
Tricot refers to the type of stretch that the knit fabric has. Most Venus swim fabrics have stretch in both horizontal and vertical directions for a better fit.
Underbust measurement:
The measurement directly under the breasts, going around the entire body.
Underwires:
Metal wires that are shaped to support the bust. May be used with a molded cup or inserted into a fabric cup.
Waistband:
Band of fabric found at the waist.
Wrap halter:
The bodice wraps or has the appearance of wrapping around the body and may criss-cross in front.