How to shop for swimwear, according to 3 fashion experts

group of women in swimwear

Credit: You Swim

Fashion


How to shop for swimwear, according to 3 fashion experts

By Lauren Cunningham

2 years ago

4 min read

Separate sizing, comfort and colour are all key considerations.


Much like jeans, for many of us, shopping for swimwear isn’t easy. Our tops aren’t always the same size as our bottoms, although they may be sold as such; fabrics often become see-through; and the cut of a cossie can hugely impact our comfort and confidence levels. So, with the last stretch of summer up ahead, we sat down with three fashion experts who shared their secrets to shopping for swimwear.

Size inclusivity, fabric quality and bright and bold colours come top of the agenda, with a core focus on comfort. “As a curvy girl my top size is different to my bottom size, so the ability to buy swimwear as separates is a must for me,” says fashion stylist Karina Marriott

Stylist Seun Ogunsola seconds this point: “I have to hunt for a G-cup bra top then hope there are matching bottoms in a size 10! A very rare combination, so I first have to find a bikini top that fits, then I figure out the rest.” However, she notes, this can often be more expensive. 

“Anything that feels too restricting for my curves or can’t withstand a cannonball is a big no for me,” Marriott adds. We’ll be adopting the cannonball test into our own swimwear checklist – although as this isn’t exactly something you can try before you buy, it simply means assessing whether a bikini top is supportive enough to withstand a no-holds-barred leap into the pool.

woman holding surf board

Credit: Free People

Get the right support 

For swimwear to offer a high amount of support, it needs to check a number of boxes. “Adjustable straps and a supportive underband really help,” says Marriott. 

Chest size is also important to consider when choosing swimwear. While anyone can rock tiny triangles or tie-up straps if that’s their preferred aesthetic, Ogunsola observes that these tend not to be designed “for people with large busts and large areolas”. For a bigger bust, stylist Anna Cascarina recommends trying “a sports style top that will give extra support. A wider bikini band and halter styles can also help to give support.”

Pay attention to the fastening, too: a sturdy hook and eye may be more trustworthy than a plastic clip or tie back. And buying swimwear sold in bra-like sizing will also be beneficial, allowing you to choose a more comfortable, accurate size of top that truly fits.

Cascarina also focuses on bum coverage. After all, we want to walk, swim, maybe even surf or just simply bend down in our swimwear, without worrying about baring all to the rest of the beach. High-waisted, fuller-coverage styles can help ensure you’re covered, no matter how much you move. Some of these are even made with ‘tummy control’ materials that feel a little more like Spanx, if that makes you more comfortable.

The rise in ‘one size fits all’ swimwear hasn’t gone unnoticed by these fashion experts, either. Marriott praises Youswim and Hunza G for creating swim pieces that “are made to fit our fluctuating bodies”. Both brands offer crinkle-cut swimsuits that run from a UK 6 to 28 (in Youswim’s case) or 6 to 16 (Hunza G). Of course, not everyone fits within those size ranges, but if you do, this swimwear is fantastic at adapting to your body shape throughout the days and weeks while you’re on holiday.

Make sure it isn’t see-through

Once the support and shape of your swimwear is right, the next port of call is making sure it isn’t see-through. “Good material is so important,” says Marriott. “If it’s got a buttery feel but a firm fit, I’m sold.” 

Cascarina has a thorough testing process to ensure she never purchases see-through swimwear, particularly when considering notoriously transparent white options. “You want to make sure a white swimsuit is properly lined. It’s worth investing in one that is double-lined if possible,” she explains, adding that good swimwear “will have the lining stitched in so it doesn’t move”. 

To test fabric to make sure it’s thick and good quality, “stretch the material over your hand to see if you can see through it,” Cascarina advises. “This will give you an idea of whether you’ll be safe in the water.”

woman in pink bikini and woman in brown bikini

Credit: Whistles

Colour is key

When it comes to aesthetics, experts emphasise the importance of having fun with colour. “I do love a black or a brown swimsuit, however, I find that swimwear is a good way to add a bit of colour if you don’t normally wear it. I love bright red, green, blue and orange suits,” says Cascarina.

Similarly, Ogunsola believes “you can never go wrong with black swimwear”, but says a bikini is a great excuse to mix and match bright and bold colours alongside darker separates.

So when shopping for swimwear, remember to keep these expert tips in mind: many people will benefit from buying different-sized tops and bottoms; seek out supportive styles if you need them; pay attention to materials; and don’t be afraid to experiment with colour. And, above all, comfort is key.

Images: courtesy of Youswim, Free People and Whistles

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