At Outplay, we designed and created our unique compression swim tops for anyone who wants to hold, flatten, compress, or just be. To better understand what compression level is best for you, we'll explain how we make them and what each level of compression can accomplish.

Our compression tops are made with several layers of fabric: the basic outer spandex layer, the lining, and then there’s the special mesh material between these two that creates the compression. The difference is where the compressing mesh material is placed, creating different compression levels.

On the low compression tops you only have the compressing mesh material in the front of the top giving you support and some compression but not compressing you from all ends.

On the high compression tops you have the mesh material in both the front and the back, creating what we could compare to (but not exactly the same as) Spanx, where you are being compressed and held tight all around.

If you're not looking for any compression, just a comfortable look and feel of an androgynous-cut swim top, then there's the no-compression option on some of our tops. These tops are made like traditional swimwear or sportswear with the outer spandex fabric and the lining, and nothing in between.

In the low and high compression tops the compressing mesh material is found throughout the entire top, evenly. When you're looking at the full coverage tops, this means it would compress your chest as well as your stomach. Of course, all bodies are different so how and how much it compresses your stomach and chest depends on your personal experience and shape. It also depends on the size and cut of the top you choose.

To give you an idea of what a low compression Swimmee and a high compression Swimmee in the same size would look on someone, we asked our friend Soli to help us.

Soli is wearing a red Swimmee in low compression in size small in the first picture.

In this second picture Soli is wearing a navy high compression Swimmee in size small. She personally felt much more comfortable in a low compression, she did not need the additional compression the high compression or flattened look Swimmee was giving her.

We've now added another compression level, the S level. We created after listing to our amazing customers and came up with the Flatsea S. This compression level is created by adding an additional and tighter knit mesh material only around the chest area and across the back for more pull.

That brings us to 3 different compression levels so far, and an option for no compression at all.

The size you choose has a lot to do with how the compression material acts on your body. In order to get the most out of any level of compression in any of the Outplay tops, it is very important you know your measurements. Once you have your measurements, please always refer to our size chart as Outplay measurements are not exactly like those used by other brands; we came up with our own size chart to better fit our customer base. Its a special size chart just for you.

If your chest measurements fall between sizes and you chose to go for the smaller size, the top will fit much more snug, closer to your body, and the higher the compression, the tighter it will feel allowing for the compression material to do its job and hold everything in. It will create a flatter look all around. If you go for the larger size in your range, you may have some extra space between you and your top so it would look more like a tank top that happens to be made out of swimwear or sportswear material. The compressing materials won't be able to do their job fully or at all. It all depends on what you want it to look and feel like.

Please remember our compression tops are not binders. Depending on the size and fit you choose, they can serve very closely to a binder, but because of the materials we use in order for you to move, be active in, and swim in these tops comfortably, they are never going to do the same thing a binder does.

If you have any questions regarding how to pick the right compression level for yourself, please feel free to leave us a comment below or reach out to us by writing to us at hello@shopoutplay.com