How to Buy a Bikini on a Budget

Bikini season is right around the corner, and you have a lot of work to do. You've got to get in shape, plan your vacation and stick to your budget. Designer swimwear can be quite expensive, but it's not impossible to find a great bikini if you know where to look and when to shop.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Wait for the end of bikini season and swoop in on the closeout sales. Top retailers sell last year's designs for up to 50 percent off regular prices at the end of the summer. If you can't find complete bikini sets, buy solid-colored separates, keeping in mind that dark bottoms help to balance out larger hips.
2. Hit a budget store, like Target or Wal Mart, where you should be able to find low-cost separates. Many manufacturers produce budget bikinis using lower-quality fabrics. Your budget bikini may not last long, but you should be able to buy more than one.
3. Skip one latte a week during the winter months and put the money into a bikini fund. Then, when swimsuit season comes around, splurge on a new, show stopper of a designer bikini.
4. Buy bikinis online, but select labels you're familiar with, as you won't be able to try them on until they arrive at your home. Take your measurements and compare them to the sizing charts for the best possible fit.
5. Drive to the edge of town and hit the factory outlets. Most factory-outlet stores offer women's swimwear at savings of up to 60 percent. Try on a bunch of different suits to get a great deal and an optimal fit.
6. Make your own swimsuit. Just pick a pattern, buy some Lycra or Spandex fabric and get out your sewing machine. If you're a good seamstress, you may save a ton of money.

Tips & Warnings

• When you're looking for a cheap bikini for the summer, don't overlook the possibility of finding one on an online-auction site. Some online auctions even feature brand-new suits.
• Don't wear a designer bikini into a hot tub, as the unusually high chlorine content and heat may cause it to stretch out and fade quickly.
• Avoid thrift stores and hand-me-down suits when shopping for a budget bikini. You never know where a swimsuit has been.