How To Tell If Your Swimsuit Fits
Last year I wrote about buying a swimsuit in your bra size. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is a game-changer. It’s wonderful to wear a suit that does its job without any squishing or wardrobe malfunctions. To get there, you’ll need to make sure that swimsuit fits properly. Here’s what to look for.
It’s like a bra.
Bra-sized swimsuits often have built in bras, complete with underwire and adjustable straps and band. So it makes sense to start with the same fit checklist we’d use for a bra.
Fantasie’s Lanai plunge suit
The band. When done up on the loosest set of hooks, it should be snug enough to stay put – but not so snug that it hurts or you can’t breathe comfortably. You should be able to fit a couple of fingers between your back and the band, but not your entire hand.
The underwire. Between your boobs, the wires should lie reasonably flat against your sternum rather than floating away or poking you. At the sides, the wires should sit just outside breast tissue instead of on it or way out on your back. Good wire placement means better support and comfort.
The straps. These should sit far enough in on your shoulders that they’re not in danger of slipping off. When properly adjusted, straps should be snug enough to fit just a couple of fingers under and lift about an inch away from your shoulders.
The cups. The top of cup should lie more or less flat against your boobs, rather than pressing into them (creating a double-boob effect) or gaping.
Freya’s Storm bikini
But a swimsuit is not a bra.
Like I said, that checklist is a good starting point. But when it comes to swimsuits, there’s a little more room for compromise. Your bra has a job to do, and it’s working hard for you all day. A swimsuit is usually only worn for a few hours at a time, so while it should still be supportive, it doesn’t quite need to meet the same fit standards as a bra. To know where to compromise, ask yourself this question:
What’s your swimsuit for?
Are you actually going in the water or just sunbathing? This matters when it comes to the fit of your suit! As anyone who’s lost a bikini bottom in the waves can tell you, swimsuits loosen up a bit when wet. This means that if your swimsuit is actually for swimming, it’s smart to err on the side of a smidge snug. For example, a slight press at the top of the cup isn’t a big deal – you’ll probably find it’s more secure than the bigger size once you hit the water. More of a book-under-the-beach-umbrella type? You won’t need that security factor as much.
Choose the right suit.
Freya’s Zoom suit is a great sport suit!
Consider a two piece for the best fit. Tops and bottoms sold separately let you get exactly the size you need for your bust and your buns. No more saggy bottoms! If you’re not into bikinis, try a tankini. They’ve come a long way since 2003. These days it’s easy to find a tank with longer, adjustable sides, so you’ll get the support & coverage of a one-piece with a more customizable fit.
If you’re an athletic swimmer – whether you dive, take Aquafit classes, or swim laps – it makes sense to wear a sport-style swimsuit. These will have fuller coverage, keeping everything under control so you can focus on your strokes.
And once you’ve found the perfect fit, take care of your suit! Wash (or at least rinse) it after a swim. Try a swimsuit wash like Splash. These are formulated especially to minimize the effects of salt and chlorine on your suit.
Swimsuit shopping doesn’t have to be the worst. Now that you know what to look for, take control! And enjoy the heck out of this summer.
