How to Buy the Right Size Swimsuit

Buying the right size swimsuit will ensure that it fits you comfortably.

Since women's clothing sizes vary from company to company, it can be difficult to find the right size swimsuit. If you calculate your measurements, however, you can compare those to sizing charts to determine the right size. Taking care to buy the right size swimsuit will help you save time shopping and returning things, as well as ensure that your bathing suit fits comfortably when you're at the pool or the beach.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Mirror

Instructions

1. Stand in front of a mirror, wearing only your underwear, with your feet flat on the floor. Measuring over your clothing can give you inaccurate measurements.

2. Measure your chest around the fullest part of your bustline. Make sure the measuring tape lies flat against your body and parallel to the floor.

3. Bend to the side to find your waist, then measure its circumference.

4. Place one end of the measuring tape on your shoulder, then bring the tape down between your legs and up again to the same shoulder. This is the measurement of your torso.

5. Find sizing charts for different swimsuits by talking to a sales associate, if you're shopping in person, or looking it up on the brand's website, if you're shopping online.

6. Compare your measurements to the sizing charts, then try on swimsuits in that size. If your measurements seem to fall between sizes, try both to see which one feels more comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• Swimsuits in different styles, even if they are the same brand, may fit you differently. It's always best to try on a swimsuit before you buy it.

• If you're shopping online, make sure the site has a reasonable return policy in case the swimsuit isn't the right size.

References

• Swimsuits Just for Us: Sizing
• CBS Sports Store: How to Buy Women's Swimsuits