The Active Girl’s Guide to Finding the Perfect Bikini

Fact: Choosing swimwear is inherently more challenging than buying workout capris. But a new bathing suit company out of Los Angeles called Bikyni is trying to solve for some of the issues that come with covering things up just so and with keeping your two-piece in place while you're doing more than chaise lounging.

"We try to focus on giving options, and by that I mean things like adjustability, without compromising on design," says founder Jude Al-Khalil. Her line is currently making waves with minimalist, mix and match, classic styles like bandeau tops and string bikinis that won't completely break the bank (each piece is $50).

Al-Khalil was the COO at Reformation and consulted for cool indie brands like Dear Kate and S.W. Basics before dipping her toe into designing chic swimwear. And given her pedigree developing now beloved brands, she has an eye for what contemporary women want (and don't want).

"We understand that you want to be able to wear your bathing suits in versatile settings—from sunning to surfing—over the course of a beach day," she adds. Of course, more extreme water sports might require an ultra stay-put swimsuit, but bikinis, she says, can transition from lunging to lounging if you know what to look for.

Here are her tips for finding the perfect suit, for the active woman, who likes to split her time between surfing, beach bootcamps, and relaxing with a healthy cocktail by the pool. —Jamie McKillop

1. Look for adjustable straps. "If you're active, adjustable straps let you change it up depending on what you're doing," Al-Khalil says. "You can tie spaghetti straps tightly around your neck if you're playing beach volleyball, or take them off when you're just lounging." Plus they're reachable under a rash guard.

2. Think about the style. Al-Khalil says that halters or cropped bikini tops (which sort of look like high neck sports bras) are good if you're more active "so you don't pop out." And just to be clear, bandeau tops are just for lounging.

More reading: 9 stylish high-neck crop tops (or sports bras) to sweat in this season

 3. Avoid hardware. "You want to be able to wear your bikini in more versatile settings," Al-Khalil adds. "Hardware can definitely take away from that." AKA you don't want little dangling beads bashing into you as you dive for a volleyball or zippers or rings digging into you while paddling out on a surfboard.

More reading: Yes, your next vacation should be a surfing getaway

4. Don't get your bottoms too tight. It's a mistake women make when trying to keep their suits in place. But you definitely don't want your bottoms digging into your sides Al-Khalil explains. "If [your suit is] well made, it shouldn't stretch like leather. You should like the way it fits when you're in the store."

More reading: 5 tips to stand-up paddle like a pro this summer

5. Consider higher rise bottoms. Low-rise bottoms might ride down too far if you're splashing around, she adds (from experience).

For more information, visit www.bikyni.com

(Photos: Bikyni)