To think swimwear sizes are totally wrong?

[biscuitbrown]

I’m a standard size 10 in clothes, but swimwear... wtf? Does anyone else get this? H&M for example, I only ever order a small or extra small in clothes, but I was trying on bikinis and size 14 bottoms were tiny - left exasperated. On other end of the scale, I ordered a ridiculously expensive Melissa Odabash in size 12 and only the boobs of a (very small) gnat would have fitted it. I have tiny boobs (sadly). I am small framed, no lumpy bits. How does ANYONE normal get a bikini that fits and doesn’t make them feel terrible about themselves? shakes fist at entire swimwear industry

A size is just a label. There is no size standard. Each brand picks a set of measurements and labels it 10,12, etc because they have to start somewhere! Bodies are not standard though.

It takes the same amount of fabric to cover your body whether the garment is labelled elephant, 19, 10, whatever.

Try and put aside the side labels and buy what fits regardless. Find companies that give finished garment measurements - I think boden do.

I usually buy swimming costumes/bikinis in the same size (or one bigger) than my normal clothes.

Is it the style you are choosing maybe? The main reason I wear a swimming costume is to take DS swimming so I tend to choose quite 'sensible' tankinis rather than anything skimpy. Try somewhere like decathlon and I think the sizes will be better.

Given that i have a small back size and large cup, the only place i can shop is bravissimo.
Sometimes i buy plain bottoms to wear with my pattern tops . Buying seperates and my bikini top as a bra size is all i can do.
Ignore the lables and buy what you know will fit well.

I ordered my last bikinis from ASOS all size 8, which is what I wear generally. No problem. May be the brands you’re going for? I have smallish boobs but still size C/D so not minuscule. If anything I usually find anything bigger than an 8 I have space where the boobs should be, but again probs brand!

It could also be that the standard for what acceptable bum coverage is has shifted? If the H+M bottoms were string bikinis perhaps they are meant to be tiny over the bum and low on the front as is the fashion (but v hard to pull off for us mere mortals)

Like this

I’m a swimmer. I buy sport swimwear rather than fashion swimwear. It’s always been absolutely bang on.

Speedo are very good. Sports Direct are very good for Speedo.

God I could never wear bikini bottoms like that. Too much junk in the trunk 🍑

I get what you are all saying, but I still think the sizes are generally screwed up, which is why I gave two examples at the opposite end of the spectrum. Seafolly and the likes are also ridiculous. I’m used to ordering 2 or 3 sizes bigger than my clothes size but I just wonder why? I’m a swimmer too @BathshebaKnickerStickers, and a scuba diving instructor and paddle boarder and live in a wetsuit all year round, so I do go for function as well. It just annoys me that it’s so wildly inaccurate and younger girls have enough to make them feel rubbish about themselves without crazy inaccurate swimmers sizing!

Agree Nobody needs to see that. Unless it’s Love Island!

Checking size charts online, I am remarkably consistent (in theory). Always seems less consistent in store.

NEXT: top 14, bottom 8
M&S: top 14, bottom 10-12
Arcadia: top 10-12, bottom 8 (maybe 10)
Asda/George: top 14, bottom 10-12
Matalan: top 14, bottom 10
H&M: top 14, bottom 10

I swim a lot so I buy sports swimwear. I am size 10 in modern day vanity sizing, sometimes a 12, but my Speedo swimmy (which I love) is a 14. I bought a 12 and wore it a couple of times but my boobs kept popping out or nearly, so I gave it to DD who loves it and says it fits her well. She's an 8 btw.

So yes, op, you are right. Even tho I see a PP has totally the opposite experience with Speedo.

@PooWillyBumBum thanks for reminding me about ASOS own brand... I’ve had accurate sized bikini from there in the past, will head over there, thanks for reminding me! Need a bandeau as have horrific tan lines from the last couple of weeks in the south west.

I’ve found speedo sizing weird too as I used to buy them for under a wetsuit. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I agree , I alway but it at least a size bigger if not 2. Also knickers bigger too.

@gubbsywubbsy Me too, 2 sizes bigger for the bottoms, at least! But why? It’s just weird!

Honestly dont even get me started!! I have to pay extortionate amounts for decent bikinis! I only wish i could wear a size 10 bikini top!! Im a size 8-10 bottom but in bikinis im about a 12!! If going for an all in one... well im totally screwed! A size 10 would fit my ass and stomach but my boobs would have to be in a 14-16!! Swimwear and clothes sizes are all over the place these days

I'm a curvy size 32F with 14-16 bottoms and only buy bikini separates and proper bra sized tops from brands like Fantastie. It's a game changer as high Street store brands simply don't fit me. I sometimes save money by getting plain bottoms from anywhere and the tops from eBay.

Despite being far from skinny I feel so much more confident wearing decent well fitting bikinis. Well worth the cost if you can afford it and they literally last years of holiday wear despite going abroad 3 or 4 times a year and wearing them constantly as I usually scuba dive most days.

I gave up with trying to buy a measured bikini top -far too expensive for something I'd only wear for one or two weeks in the year, and again the sizings weren't standard- some gripped like steel, and some were ridiculously loose.

Now I buy a size 14 from wherever , which will fit my boobs (am a 32f) and just alter the band- it's very quick and easy to do. I've also been known to stretch bikini bottoms over the banister to make them fit more comfortably too...

Incidentally, I definitely think the fashion is for less bottom coverage at the moment. I went to Seville recently and I swear to god I've never seen so many bare bottoms in one place. If they weren't wearing a thong style (and many were!) they'd yanked the small amount of fabric they had right up their crack.

@biscuitbrown .. I don't know .. Im hourglass .. does that make a difference ?

I find Pour Moi have decent sizes