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.