Should You Get A Swimsuit A Size Bigger?

Buying a new swimsuit can be a stressful experience for many of us. It needs to hide certain features, show off others, cover enough skin without looking frumpy, yet still be comfortable enough to instill confidence. That is a big ask for such a tiny garment.

Choose a swimsuit that fits comfortably without gaping or sagging. Swimsuit fabric stretches slightly when it gets wet, so if you will be swimming, stay true to size to avoid loose bulges. If you stay dry most of the time, you can size up if the suit feels more comfortable in a larger size.

The quest to purchase the perfect swimsuit for the summer doesn’t have to be an anxiety-ridden experience. Let’s find out how to choose the correct size in a suitable design to complement your body so you can feel confident at the beach and the pool throughout the glorious summer months ahead.

Should You Buy A Swimsuit One Size Bigger?

The size of the swimsuit you select should match the type of activities you plan to do while wearing it. If you will be hopping in and out of water a lot, it is advisable to stick with your true size or even size down slightly.

If a bathing suit is too big, the danger is that it can bag up and collect water between the fabric and your skin while you are swimming. This will not only be uncomfortable because a swimsuit should feel like a second skin while you are gliding through the water, but at the same time, the fabric will be stretching, so when it dries, it may appear baggy.

A stretched swimsuit, especially when it is wet, never looks good. Instead of fitting snuggly over your curves, extra bags of fabric tend to sag loosely over the skin, which isn’t comfortable and won’t make you feel confident.

Bathing suits are typically made from stretchy materials like spandex, nylon, and polyester blends. The result is a stretchable, durable, water resilient fabric that dries quickly after each refreshing dip. It should also be attractive and cling comfortably to the wearer’s body without riding up or cutting in across the straps.

However, not all swimsuits are the same, and two-piece suits can usually be bought as mix-and-match-sized items. This is the ideal situation to tailor a swimsuit specifically for your body shape.

Even if you usually choose one-piece swimsuits, it is worth looking through the two-piece options. A range of two-piece swimsuits are available for every body shape, making finding a top and bottom that fit perfectly much easier.

While you should never purchase a swimsuit that is a little too big unless you never plan to swim, always try on a few different sizes. Select a design and size that stays put when you move around (yes, that may mean doing a few wild dance moves inside the fitting cubicle) and looks good on your body so that you will feel confident this summer.

Take note of the measurements instead of focusing on the size when choosing a new swimsuit. Not all sizing is accurate, and we all know the horror of selecting our regular size only to find a garment too small!

How To Select A New Swimsuit

Choosing the cut and color of a new swimsuit is just the first hurdle toward striding out confidently and looking gorgeous this summer. Often the way the garment fits is even more important than the design because even the cutest two-piece won’t look good if the backside is sagging.

8 Things To Keep In Mind When Selecting A Swimsuit

Let’s go through some useful things to keep in mind when buying a new swimsuit this summer:

Will you spend a lot of time in the water?

When shopping, keep in mind how much time you will be using the swimsuit in water or if it is simply a garment you will use to lounge around in the backyard. Swimwear that will be used for swimming should always be true or even a size down (without being uncomfortable) because the fabric tends to stretch in the water.

Make sure that the bottom fits snuggly.

No matter your shape, the bottom of any swimsuit is usually the first to perish and become thin. This is inevitable because it is the area that has to stretch the most from sitting and standing and is constantly rubbing against various surfaces.

Is The Design Flattering For Your Body?

Before looking at any swimsuits this season, take a notepad and pen and jot down what features you want to show off and which you would prefer to downplay. Next, note which areas may need a little extra support, for example, if you have a large bust or across the tummy.

How Will It Look When It Is Wet?

Of course, you won’t be able to check how well it will fare in the pool before purchasing, but you can remain aware of this point while selecting a new swimsuit. Some suits are lined, so check that the top layer and the lining will likely stay together when the swimsuit is wet.

Thick swimsuit linings may become water-logged and swell faster than the outside layer, resulting in a lumpy appearance.

Take Note Of The Color

It is often better to avoid light colors or shades close to your skin tone. There are two very practical reasons for this, and you don’t want to get this wrong:

Light colors are more likely to become transparent when they get wet. If you love the look of a white or yellow swimsuit, make sure it is made from a thick fabric or is adequately lined.

If you select a color close to your own skin tone, you may appear naked at first glance, especially from a slight distance. Swimsuits are often figure-hugging garments, so keep the color in mind when choosing your next swimsuit.

Will The Swimsuit Stay Securely In Place?

If you only intend to lounge quietly by the pool in your backyard in your swimsuit, you may not need to worry a lot about this point. However, trips to the ocean, waterparks, games, slip ‘n slides, and diving into pools can become nerve-wracking if your swimsuit straps keep falling.

When trying on a swimsuit, stretch your arms above your head, check that the fabric on the bottom fits over your butt, and imagine yourself sunbathing lying on your back. Ensure that everything will stay where it should and you can relax and enjoy the warm weather.

Swimsuit Size Matters – A Lot!

Even the most beautiful swimsuit design will look and feel uncomfortable if it is hanging like a sack on your body, or even worse, you feel like you’ve been stuck inside a sausage casing. When selecting a swimsuit, work on measurements, not on sizes.

Measure your body accurately before you start swimsuit shopping, especially when you are shopping online. Different ranges vary considerably in sizing, so a Large in one brand may very well be a Medium or Extra Large in others.

Use The Swimsuit Model Depicted As a Guideline Only

Swimsuit models are generally gorgeous and confident, making every design look absolutely perfect. Also, they are usually photographed posing serenely in a magnificent setting – keep in mind while the swimsuit depicted may be lovely, you might have small kids that you need to carry, or you may want to dive enthusiastically through the waves.

Therefore, when selecting a swimsuit, you must keep yourself and your situation in mind. Consider the shape of your body and choose a style that will boost your confidence so you can enjoy every moment of the warm weather without worrying about any garment malfunctions.

How To Know That A Swimsuit Is Too Big

Purchasing a swimsuit that is a size too big can also be risky because it may not hold in what it should. An impromptu volleyball match on the beach or reaching up to set up your umbrella could have embarrassing consequences, especially if the bra section is too big and doesn’t have enough support to keep things covered.

Swimsuits stretch over time, and the elastic component that gives the fabric its slinky appeal breaks down. It is an excellent idea to check your swimsuits from previous seasons before planning to wear them to ensure that the material is still in good condition.

Here are some ways you will know that your swimsuit is too big.

The bottom at the back sags – The fabric over your bottom should be thick and elastic to ensure a snug fit that doesn’t move around during activities.

Your swimsuit bottom keeps creating a wedgie – while this is often expected with swimwear, it will happen more frequently if there is too much loose fabric on the bottom section.

The straps can’t be tightened – If you have to adjust the straps to their highest setting to get them to stay on your shoulders, the swimsuit is too big.

Too much space inside the straps – You should not be able to fit more than three fingers between your back and the outside of the bathing suit strap.

It rises easily – If you raise your arms and the top of your swimsuit lifts to reveal the bottom of your boobs, it’s too big.

Visible gaping around the openings – If there is any gapping on any edges, either the fabric is disintegrating or the swimsuit is too big.

How You Can Tell If Your Swimsuit Is Too Small

While it is important to avoid buying a baggy swimsuit, an uncomfortably tight garment can be equally unpleasant. A swimsuit should cover your body like a second skin without making it difficult to move or cutting into you.

These are some clues that the swimsuit you are trying on is too small:

Straps that dig into your skin – This may be difficult to detect while trying on for a few minutes, but run your fingers under the shoulder straps to ensure that they are not pulling down too tightly. A tight swimsuit will cause red marks in places where it is pulling.

The back strap pulls higher than the front – The band that runs around the front of the swimsuit below your bust line should usually (if it is a bra-like design) fall horizontal all the way around.

Wedgies – unless it is a thong design, a properly fitting swimsuit will cover your bottom snuggly. The fabric should sit flush against your butt cheeks without any danger of the sides moving north because the material is under too much tension.

It reveals too much – swimsuits are notoriously tiny garments. However, they should be sized correctly to cover as much or as little as was intended by the wearer. A swimsuit that is too small may not be big enough to wear confidently, or you may find yourself hunching over slightly to keep everything covered.

Feels tight and constrictive – When trying on a new swimsuit, the fabric is new, and it may look gorgeous in the fitting room. While it is never a good idea to buy a swimsuit that is too big, if it feels tight when fitting it on inside, it will be even worse if you are outside in the summer heat.

The fabric is pulling – examine the material while trying on new swimsuits. Although the fabric should always be stretchy so you get a comfortable fit against your body, check if there are areas where you can notice visible stretching of the material.

Check the areas of most concern, across the tummy, buttocks, and the straps under your arms. Swimsuit fabric is prone to perish after a while, and the first places to go will be the areas that are stretched out.

Conclusion

Summer is the perfect season for plenty of fun in the sun, and you want to be able to wear your swimsuit confidently. Ideally, a swimsuit should feel comfortable and fit snuggly. Swimwear tends to stretch slightly when it is wet, so it is not a good idea to buy a swimsuit that is a size bigger, especially if you intend to get wet.

References

Chrissie Smuts

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