The difference between the burkini and swimming harem trousers

Burkini or swim harem trousers: many people confuse the two, or think they are the same thing with different names. Both cover the body, and both are worn on the beach, but they are not intended for the same people and do not cover the same awra. The burkini is women’s swimwear, designed to cover a woman’s body from head to toe. Swim harem trousers are men’s swimwear, designed to cover a man’s awra between the navel and the knees. Two distinct garments, two distinct target audiences.

The burkini: swimwear for Muslim women

The burkini, sometimes spelled burqini, was created in 2004 by Aheda Zanetti, an Australian of Lebanese origin. Originally, she wanted to enable her niece to take part in sport without her hijab getting in the way. And so this portmanteau of «burqa» and «bikini» was born.

In practical terms, The burkini is a one-piece women’s swimsuit. It covers a woman’s entire body, with the exception of her face, hands and feet, in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence regarding a woman’s awrah in public. It is available in several versions:

• Two-piece burkini : a tunic and harem trousers. Suitable for swimming amongst women, with the family or in the presence of mahrams.
• 3-piece burkini : tunic, harem trousers and swimming cap. For women who prefer extra protection for their hair.
• Swim jilbab : the most modest option. A long cape with a built-in hijab, worn with harem trousers. Recommended when in the presence of non-mahram men and in public places such as the beach.

Burkini fabric is made from materials such as Lycra, elastane, polyester or polyamide. These materials dry quickly, do not retain water and allow complete freedom of movement. They are resistant to chlorine and sea water.

The cut is just as important as the fabric. A burkini that’s too tight will reveal your figure once it gets wet, even if it’s made from technical fabric. Styles designed for modesty feature an inner lining or fabric that is thick enough to prevent this problem. Before buying, check the fabric composition and, if possible, read reviews from other customers specifically on this point.

For municipal swimming pools, always check the rules and regulations before you go. Some facilities allow burkinis provided they are made of technical fabric (not cotton).

Swim harem trousers: Islamic swimwear for men

The swimming sarouel is primarily a garment for men. Its purpose is to cover a man’s awrah, which lies between the navel and the knees. A hadith narrated by At-Tabaranî and deemed sahîh states: «The area between the navel and the knees is awrah».

Classic swimming shorts are not in keeping with Islam as they often reveal the lower abdomen and are tight around the thighs, especially when wet. Everyday harem trousers are not a solution either, as they would become heavy and clingy when you get out of the water. Swim harem trousers are the perfect solution to this problem.

It is characterised by:

• A loose, flowing fit that doesn’t cling to the body, even when wet
• A length that reaches from the navel to the knees
• A quick-drying technical fabric (polyester, elastane)
• Styles with a built-in awra cover for greater opacity

Some styles are worn on their own. Others, designed for maximum coverage, can be worn with a technical T-shirt or a swim tunic. They should not be confused with surf shorts or sports shorts: swim harem trousers are cut to preserve modesty, even when moving and in the water.

Some swim harem trousers feature an awra cover sewn into the lining. This extra layer ensures opacity even if the outer fabric becomes slightly see-through when wet. For men who swim regularly or take part in water sports, this is a key factor to bear in mind when choosing swimwear.

Comparison table

Women’s swim harem trousers as part of a burkini: just one item among many

The women’s burkini includes a pair of harem trousers, which form the lower part. However, these harem trousers are nothing like men’s swim harem trousers, neither in cut nor in function.

The burkini is part of a set. Worn on its own, it does not sufficiently cover a woman’s awra. She needs the tunic, the hood – the full set.

The men's swim harem trousers is a stand-alone garment. It has a loose, flowing fit, designed to cover from the navel to the knees, even when wet and in motion. Some styles have an awra cover sewn into the lining. It can be worn on its own, or with a T-shirt if required. No matching set required.

What sort of burkini should you choose depending on the situation?

Islamic shops stock dozens of different styles. Here’s how to choose the right one depending on the swimming situation:

With the family or women only

A two- or three-piece burkini is suitable. The tunic covers the figure, the harem trousers cover the legs, and the hood protects the hair if necessary. Women can swim comfortably without any additional constraints. Some still prefer the swimming jilbab out of habit or for peace of mind; both options are acceptable in this context.

In a public place with men you don’t know (beach, water park)

The swim jilbab is the most suitable choice. Its loose-fitting design, with a long cape and integrated hijab, provides full coverage and better adheres to the requirements of the Islamic jilbab when outside the home. Some sisters tie the cape to the harem trousers using the built-in ties to prevent the outfit from riding up in the water. If you swim a lot, check that the style you choose is designed for active swimming; some swim jilbabs are designed more for lounging by the sea than for swimming several lengths.

At the local swimming pool

Check first. Some swimming pools allow burkinis made from technical fabric, whilst others have restrictions on full-length swimwear. If the facility allows them, a burkini made from polyamide and elastane generally meets hygiene standards. Give them a call before you go: a quick enquiry at reception will save you from any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.

Why aren’t there any burkinis for men?

The a man’s awra applies only to the area between the navel and the knees. Men do not need to cover their shoulders, arms or heads to swim in accordance with Islam. Loose-fitting swimming trousers are sufficient, possibly worn with a technical T-shirt if they wish. No three-piece swimsuit with an integrated hood is required.

If you’re looking for Islamic swimwear for men, the correct term is swim harem trousers or Islamic swimwear for men.

Subjects: what really matters

Whether it’s a burkini or swim harem trousers, the fabric makes all the difference. The best fabrics to choose are:

• Polyamide + elastane (e.g. 82%/18%) : the classic swimwear set. Lightweight, stretchy and chlorine-resistant.
• Polyester : more affordable, durable and quick-drying.
• Lycra/spandex : highly stretchy; moves with you without clinging to the body if the cut is loose-fitting.

Avoid cotton. It gets heavy when wet and takes a long time to dry, so it’s not allowed in any swimming pool. And for women wondering about transparency: generally speaking, dark colours offer greater opacity, especially once the fabric is wet.

For men, opt for styles with flat seams and no seams on the inside of the legs. After several hours in the water, thick seams become uncomfortable. Manufacturers specialising in Islamic swimwear have often paid particular attention to this detail; this is one of the reasons why the swim harem trousers from Muslim shops outperform standard models in terms of actual comfort whilst swimming.