For many women, swimsuit shopping can be about as much fun as a root canal, but there are a few tips that can take the stress out of shopping for swimwear.
Shelby Biggs, assistant buyer for Sublime Swim and Sunwear suggests leaving at least an hour to shop, and shopping solo. Sometimes a well-meaning friend will choose styles that just don’t work and this can lead to frustration.
“The staff here knows what will work once they take a look at you and once they ask you some key questions like your bra size, what size are you in clothing? Are you open to colours and patterns?” Biggs says.
It also helps to be aware that sizing for swimsuits is different from most women’s clothing. While many clothing lines start at size zero and one, Biggs says the smallest sizes for swimwear are typically six and eight.
“There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re a size eight in a bathing suit when you’re clearly a size twelve, and pulling all the eights and getting frustrated because nothing is fitting.”
If your suit does feel a touch too snug in the fitting room, it’s probably the perfect size.
“We always want to make sure the suits are a little more snug than more loose,” says Biggs. “Because keep in mind when you’re going into the water suits always stretch out at least a half a size, especially in the bottom.”
There are lots of current styles and trends that are flattering for every body type.
Biggs says ruching is excellent for hiding a multitude of flaws, and the versatility of roll top bottoms are great for everyone.
“If you’re 17, you can roll them down,” she says. “Or if you’re 47 and you want a little bit more coverage, then you can just roll them up.”
While fringe is popular again this season, Biggs says flouncy, fluttery tops are overtaking the fringe as a style for every age group.
“What’s really nice about them is that you’re able to wear them if you’re a smaller bust, because they kind of enhance you a little bit,” Biggs says. “And if you’re a bigger bust, it ends up kind of hiding that a bit.”
Along with fun vibrant hues like coral and lapis blue, Biggs says florals are huge this season. But these prints aren’t those found on your grandma’s Hawaiian shirt.
“We’re still seeing a lot of florals, and florals done the right way,” She says. “It’s more updated; it looks more fun and vintage.”
One-piece bathing suits have been updated as well. Biggs says there are a lot of one-pieces that are sexy and classy.
“A lot of younger girls are wearing them if they’re going on vacation with their families or their boyfriend’s family, and they don’t want to necessarily be in a bikini all the time.”
