New Zealand made swimwear long before it bought it in An Australian shopper might call them bathers or swimmers; a New Zealander packs togs, and often buys them from a local label. The short list is Moontide for fit and support, Lonely for design, and Covertogs if you want a suit that is still made in New Zealand. …

Cross one bridge and the word changes Linguists mapping Australian English found that the word for a swimsuit can change within a single short walk. Jill Vaughan, Katie Jepson and Rosey Billington point to Albury and Wodonga, on opposite banks of the Murray River in New South Wales and Victoria, as their clearest …

September to April: the togs months are the UV months From September to April, New Zealand's SunSmart programme says UV radiation is "damaging to skin and eyes", "especially between 10am - 4pm". Those are also the months when girls' togs come out of the drawer for school swimming, the beach and the lake. So choosing …

One word, two very different things In Brisbane, "grab your togs" means find your swimsuit before you head to the pool. In Manchester, "what tog is it?" means check the number on the duvet label before winter sets in. The same four letters do two jobs, and which one you mean depends on where you grew up. Both meanings …

Two Sydney labels, two different businesses Seafolly was born on Bondi Beach in 1975; Zimmermann began at the Paddington markets in 1991. The choice between them depends on what you want the togs to do. Both labels started in Sydney and both are known around the world, but they are different kinds of business. Seafolly …

Buying togs at the beach chain: now or later? Deciding whether to buy togs at City Beach now or wait for a sale comes down to how replaceable the item is. A plain one-piece will still be there in the next clearance. This season's standout print in a popular size probably will not. City Beach sells many brands under one …