Custom vs Ready-to-Wear Competition Bikinis | Which Is Best?
Custom, Ready-to-Wear or Rental Competition Bikini?
There is a common assumption in bodybuilding that you have to order a custom bikini.
You don't.
There are three very good ways to get onto stage:
Custom. Ready-to-wear. Rental.
The right choice depends on your competition, your timeline, your budget and what you want from your stagewear.
Here is how we look at each option.
Option 1: Custom competition bikini
Custom gives you the greatest level of control.
Instead of choosing a completed design, we can work through decisions including your:
- fabric
- colour
- crystal combination
- bikini cut
- coverage
- cup style
- connectors
- embellishment
- overall aesthetic.
This option works particularly well for athletes who have a clear vision or who want help creating a stage look around their physique.
Custom may be best for you if:
- You have enough time before your show.
- You want something individual.
- Fit is particularly important to you.
- You want your suit designed as part of your complete stage presentation.
- You enjoy the design process.
For many competitors, choosing fabrics, crystals and design details is one of the enjoyable parts of prep.
Option 2: Ready-to-wear competition bikini
Ready-to-wear is exactly what it sounds like: the stagewear has already been designed.
That doesn't make it the inferior option.
Sometimes the perfect bikini already exists. It's just waiting for it's owner!
Ready-to-wear is particularly useful if your competition is close, you know what colour you want or you prefer to see the finished costume before purchasing.
Koko Australia currently stocks ready-to-wear competition bikinis, one-pieces and other competition garments across several price points.
KoKo Australia Ready-to-wear may be best if:
- Your show is relatively soon.
- You don't want to go through a full custom-design process.
- You have found a suit you love.
- The measurements work for you.
- You prefer knowing exactly what your final design looks like before buying.
Option 3: Rental competition stagewear
Rental is one of the most under-utilised options available to competitors.
It can be particularly useful if you are entering more than one category.
You might purchase your primary bikini but rent a swimsuit or theme wear costume for an additional division.
It can also make sense for a first-time competitor who does not yet know whether they will compete again.
Koko has selected bikinis, swimsuits and theme wear available for rental, including options for Melbourne athletes and postal enquiries.
KoKo Australia Rental may be best if:
- You're competing for the first time.
- You're entering an extra division.
- You want a more elaborate second costume without buying one.
- You compete infrequently.
- You want to allocate more of your prep budget elsewhere.
So which should you choose?
There isn't one correct answer.
Choose custom when individuality, design control and fit are priorities.
Choose ready-to-wear when speed and certainty are priorities.
Choose rental when flexibility and budget efficiency are priorities.
And sometimes the smartest answer is a combination.
For example:
Custom bikini + rental swimsuit.
Or:
Ready-to-wear figure suit + custom fitness bikini.
Competition prep is expensive enough without automatically selecting the most expensive option in every category.
Need help deciding?
Tell us your federation, division, show date and budget.
We can help you work out which Koko Australia option makes the most sense for your prep.