FIND YOUR SWIMSUIT SIZE

Woman modeling black one-piece swimsuit Woman modeling black one-piece swimsuit

Find Your Swimsuit Size


Bra-Sized Swimwear


Select Your Band Size


Numeric Sizes


4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24

Basic S/M/L Sizes


XS
S
M
L
XL
1X
2X
3X

How to Find the Best-Fitting Swimsuit

When you’re wearing the absolute least, the best-fitting swimsuit is the one that makes you feel your most confident. Our Bra Fit Experts suggest solving for your trickiest fit issue first, be it bust support or a side of shaping. Adjustable details like tie straps and multiple closures may help, and there’s no getting around some trial and error. That said, getting into your best-fitting bathing suits becomes easier than ever with our selection that spans every silhouette, from timeless to trendy.

How to Measure for a Bathing Suit

Swimwear is sized multiple ways, so whether you’re looking for a bikini, tankini or one-piece, you’ll want to know your bust, waist and hip measurements, as well as your dress size. (Some designs give you more leeway, like a halter bikini or tie-side bottoms, and may go by sizes XS–4X.)

To shop bra-sized swim, find your bust size the same way you would measure your bra size: Use a soft tape measure and take a loose reading around the fullest part of your bust(generally right across the nipple) while wearing your best unpadded bra. When you’re shopping for bathing suits that fit like bras, you can go by your bra size if you’ve recently had a fitting. Take your waist measurement by wrapping the tape measure around the narrowest part of your mid-section. For your hips, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your backside.

Our Bra Fit Experts often get asked how to measure a torso for a swimsuit . If your upper body is on the longer side, go for a tankini or a bikini; in a one-piece, look for high-stretch fabrics, or try a bra-sized suit in your sister size (go up one size in the band and down one size in the cup) for more length.

Swimsuit Measurement Chart

While most of the swimwear we carry here at Bare Necessities runs true to size, it’s a good idea to check your measurements against each suit’s size chart on its product description page. Because some brands use numeric sizing (8, 10, 12, 14, etc.) and others use alpha sizing (XS–3X), you want to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples.

Use the below charts as a starting point. It’s always a good idea to check your measurements against each product description page chart, too.

Easiest of all: Call or chat with a Bra Fit Expert at 877.728.9272, who can easily sort through these nuances for you—especially handy when you’re pressed for time pre-vacay.

Letter Sizing
Size XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL
Bust (inches) 32 - 33" 34 - 35" 36 - 37" 38 - 39" 40 - 41" 43 - 44" 45 - 46"
Waist (inches) 25 - 26" 27 - 28" 29 - 30" 31 - 32" 33 - 34" 35 - 36" 37 - 38"
Hips (inches) 35 - 36" 37 - 38" 39 - 40" 41- 42" 43 - 44" 45 - 46" 47 - 48"

Numeric Sizing
Size 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Bust (inches) 34" 35.5" 36.5" 37.5" 39" 40.5" 42"
Waist (inches) 26" 27" 28" 29" 30.5" 32" 33.5"
Hips (inches) 36.5" 37" 38" 39" 40.5" 42" 43.5"

How to Know if a Bathing Suit Fits

Swim tends to run snug, so don’t lose any sleep over what the number or letter says compared to your clothing size.

As with bras, so it goes with bra-sized swimwear tops: Run through our Fit 5 checklist, assessing the band (it should be straight and level without riding up), cups (breasts should fill them without spilling out), center gore (it should lay flat between your breasts, not lift off the chest), underwire (you want it to surround each breast without pinching) and straps (they should stay in place without digging or slipping).

Swimwear retains water, so err on the side of smaller if you’re one to take a dip. A shapewear swimsuit should be a little work to get on (that’s how it works, after all), but not a lot. Should you find yourself breaking a sweat to get it on or off, size up. When it comes to how a bathing suit bottom should fit, check that the leg line is hitting your thighs and bottom where you want it to without digging in or hanging loose.

Whatever the type of suit, if you’re not totally sold on the way it fits, pick a different one! Swim tailored to your unique proportions can be tough to find, but you’re never out of options at Bare Necessities


ALL WOMEN'S SWIMWEAR



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