How to Find Your Swimsuit Size

You’re no stranger to swimsuit shopping. At this point, you likely know your general size. Maybe you even measured your waist, hips, and bust to get the most accurate sizing possible.

Then why are you still having trouble finding a swimsuit that fits properly? Below, we give you tips for resolving some of the hidden frustrations of swimwear shopping.

Understanding How Swimsuit Fabric Fits

Most of us don’t pay much attention to the actual fabric our swimsuit is made from. But the unique qualities of swimwear fabric can actually make quite the impact on the fit of a bathing suit.

Nylon and Spandex

To achieve a flattering, comfortable swimsuit, swimwear designers strive to find the perfect balance between:

Being flexible but not too stretchy
Being comfortable yet not too saggy
Being strong enough to survive chlorine, UV rays, and salt while retaining bright colors

For women’s swimsuits at Hadley’s Bungalow, we’ve found that the sweet spot is around 80% nylon and 20% spandex. Each swimsuit company will have their own unique formula, which can affect the fit of the suit.

Before you try on a suit, look at the ratio of materials to get a sense of how the swimsuit will perform. For example, if there’s more spandex, you can expect the swimsuit to have more stretch.

Sizing According to Use

Swim fabric is designed to loosen when it gets wet, but you don’t ever want your swimsuit to become so loose in the water that it threatens to fall off or reveal something it shouldn’t. This means that when you’re trying on a dry swimsuit, you want it to feel tight—even a little too tight—so it’s an appropriate fit in the water.

However, if you’re planning to mostly sunbathe in your swimming suit rather than swim laps, you may want to choose swimwear that isn’t skin-tight while dry, so it’s comfortable the majority of the time you’re using it.

Also pay attention to the weight of the swimsuit. Are there special accents or beading that make the swimsuit feel heavy? Nylon can absorb up to 5% of its own weight in water, so that manageable dry top may feel too heavy in the water.

Consider where you’ll be wearing your swimsuit as well. For example, the steaming water in a hot tub is known to stretch out swim fabric more quickly than pools or saltwater. So if you’re purchasing a bikini or one-piece to primarily use in your Jacuzzi, you may want to choose a suit that is extra tight while dry to extend its lifespan.

Fitting Your Unique Body Type

In the United States, the average height for women is 5 feet 3.5 inches. Many swimsuit companies work off this metric when designing their swimwear, especially their one-piece swimsuits.

For women close to this height, a one-piece may fit them nicely. However, if you’re on the short or tall end of the height spectrum, a medium one-piece may not fit you properly—even if your waist, hip, and bust measurements classify you as a medium. If you’re curvy or heavy chested, you may also find that standard one-piece swimsuits aren’t always the best fit for helping you feel your most confident.

Buying Separates

If you’re finding that one-pieces tug or pool in all the wrong places, a two-piece may be a better option. With two-piece swimsuits or bikinis, you can customize your suit to your body, whether that’s a small top and large bottom or an XL top and medium bottom.

If you’re looking for the coverage of a one-piece but the custom sizing of separates, there are many modest styles to choose from, including tankinis.

Also look for separates that have adjustable straps and bands, like our Bermuda Bloom top, to add even more customization to the fit of your swimwear.

Finding the Right Swimsuit for You

Sometimes you have to try on a few swimsuits before finding the right one. To allow you to take the time to try on and consider each swimsuit, look for designers who offer a return policy. At Hadley’s Bungalow, we offer a 30-day return window, allowing you time to choose the perfect fit for you.

To learn about our comfortable, high-quality swimwear line full of two-piece and one-piece options, check out our sizing guide and full collection.