Shopping can be a stressful endeavor if you don’t know how to properly seek out your size. This is especially true of swimsuit shopping. Swimsuit sizes are different compared to garments like t-shirts, where blindly grabbing a size medium will often work out for you.
Swimsuit sizes can vary depending on the brand, style, and fit. Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the swimsuit shopping process and explain how sizing works. After reading this article, you’ll be able to properly measure your body to ensure you buy the best-fitting swimwear possible to stun on the beach this summer!
Sizing Varies by Brand
If you hop around from store to store, you’ll find that each brand’s sizing guidelines are different. For starters, many different brands choose to use different metrics for labeling size. While some retailers might opt for the more vague small, medium, and large labels, other retailers might go by waist size or standard US sizing (which typically ranges from size 0 through 14 and higher).
The issue, however, is that one store’s size small might fit differently than another store’s size small. Even brands that use numerical metric sizing guides can have different fits at different stores.
Because there’s so much variety, it’s important to take your specific body measurements so you can easily find swimsuits that fit your body type. Knowing your measurements will make swimsuit shopping quick and easy — and prevent you from feeling the dread that can accompany trying on ill-fitting bathing suits.
Keep reading to learn more about the exact measurements you’ll need to properly shop for swimwear going forward!
Take Your Measurements
Taking your measurements is necessary to understand swimsuit sizes. The tags on swimwear can vary drastically between retailers. Having your measurements on hand makes it easy to look up the exact sizing guidelines of that particular brand and compare the store’s guide with your own size.
It’s helpful to record your measurements and keep them with you when you head out to look for new clothes. Looking for new swimsuits, new jeans, new blouses, or new bras? Knowing your measurements can help you locate the best sizes for all garments.
Here are the measurements you need when swimsuit shopping: your bust, waist, hips, and torso. Whether you want a bikini, a one piece, or even a rashguard, these numerical measurements will help you find the perfect size for your body. Continue to learn how to measure each area of your body accurately.
For each measurement you take, you’ll need a measuring tape. Be sure to use inches, especially if you are shopping in the US.
Measuring Your Bust
Your bust is one of the easiest measurements that can help pinpoint your correct swimsuit size, especially if you’re purchasing a bikini. This process will also be the same if you’re measuring your bra size!
To measure your bust, wrap the tape under your arms and across the fullest area of your bust. Make sure the tape is straight and parallel around your back. This measurement might be easier with a bra on since it will be easier to locate the fullest part of your bust.
Take down your measurement in inches. For example, you might have a 36” bust.
Measuring Your Waist
Your waist is the space of your torso between your hips and your bust. In order to accurately measure the width of your waist, you should wrap the tape around your natural waistline (not necessarily where your jeans or pants end).
Loosely and gently wrap the measuring tape for a more comfortable fit. Don’t wrap it too tightly, as that may lead to a swimsuit that squeezes your waist too hard. Take down this measurement in inches.
Measuring Your Hips
Your hips are just below your waist. To accurately measure the width of your hips, put your feet together and wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips.
Again, we recommend holding the tape comfortably and loosely, so you can get the most accurate and comfortable size. Take down this measurement in inches.
Measuring Your Torso
For your torso, you need to measure the length of your frame. To accomplish this accurately, we recommend looping the measuring tape from your shoulder and in between your legs, then bringing it back around to the back of your shoulder. It’s an awkward maneuver, but it will provide the most accurate measurement for the length of your torso. As always, take down your measurement in inches.
Once you have all your measurements accurately recorded, all you need to do when you shop from different retailers is check their size charts and locate the swimsuit size that best correlates with your own personal measurements.
La Blanca Sizing
At La Blanca, we use standard US sizing metrics and have diverse sizing that goes up to plus sizes. Typically, our swimsuits range from size 0 through size 22W.
Your measurements will absolutely come in handy when purchasing swimsuits from La Blanca. We use the TrueFit size guidance feature on the website, so you can input your measurements and even compare your fit at other stores to better help you choose the right size for you.
Keep in mind while purchasing swimsuits from La Blanca or any other retailer that different styles of swimsuits offer different levels of support. For instance, plunge one piece swimsuits often offer less support for your bust than a lingerie-styled one piece, so keep this in mind while shopping!
La Blanca aims to be size inclusive and accurate for your body type and measurements. Use your personal metrics to accurately find the perfect suit for you to lounge by the pool!
Swimsuit Shopping Has Never Been Easier!
Knowing how to accurately take your measurements and find swimsuits that fit you can make the shopping experience simple and fun! You can avoid the hassle of trying on multiple sizes and instead focus on choosing your favorite styles and patterns so you can show off your beachy fashion this summer!
Sources:
Clothing Sizes: How Vanity Sizing Made Shopping Impossible | TIME