Sizing is so important when buying a swimsuit. A suit that is too large may sag or gap when wet, leaving you exposed and self-conscious. Too-large suits also don't offer the support you likely want and need. A suit that's too small is not much better. It may ride up or feel constricting. But how, exactly, do you go about buying a correctly sized bathing suit, especially when shopping online? Actually, it's not as hard as you might think. We recommend following these tips and guidelines.
Start by measuring.
As you probably already know, clothing sizes are not very standardized and are not consistent from brand to brand. So, it's not very reliable to buy your bathing suit based on your pant's size or even your bra size. You might wear a size 12 pants in one brand, but a size 8 in another!
A more reliable way to select swimsuit sizes is to take your body measurements. Generally, you need four measurements to effectively shop for a swimsuit.
1. Bust
To obtain this measurement, measure around the widest part of your chest. It is best to do this while wearing a bra. Pull the tape measure taut, but not so tight that your flesh is compressed underneath it.
2. Waist
Your natural waistline is the narrowest part of your midsection. Again, pull the tape snug, but not too tight.
3. Hips
Measure around the widest point of your hips, being sure to keep the tape level and straight.
4. Torso
This measurement is a little more complicated to obtain. You want to loop the measurement tape between your legs and over one shoulder, passing it over your natural bustline. Preferably, you should wear a bra for this measurement, too.
With these four measurements, in inches, you are prepared to use size charts to select your best swimsuit size.
Use the brand's own size chart.
Do not rely on any generic swimsuit size charts you find online. They may not be accurate for the particular brand you're buying. Instead, look for a brand-specific size chart. If you're shopping from H2O Wear, we offer one on our website. It lists all of our swimsuit sizes and the corresponding measurements.
Choose a suit style based partially on your sizes.
As you look down the size chart, try to select the size that encompasses your bust, waist, and hips measurement. Then, select the torso length based on your torso measurement. For example, if you have a 36.5 inch bust, 27.7 inch waist, and 38.5 inch hips, then the size chart would specify you need a size 10. If your torso is 61 inches, then you need a size 10, regular torso. If your torso is 63 inches, then you need a 64 long torso.
But what if your measurements do not quite line up with one size? What if your waist and hip measurements say you need a size 12, but your bust measurement falls within the size 8 parameters? Then, you are best off looking at two-piece swimsuits.
Don't worry — if you want a modest suit, there are plenty of separates and two-piece options that offer just as much coverage as a one-piece. H2O Wear offers tankinis, shorts bottoms, and even workout-style tops.
No matter what size you are, you will feel most comfortable and confident in a swimsuit that is sized for you. Taking your own measurements and relying on a brand-specific size chart will allow you to select the right swimsuit sizes, even when buying online.
Check Out our Sizing Chart
