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Original poster

Swimsuit sizing ... wtf? Also, help?

74 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 19:59

Ok, I want a swimsuit. Neither of my current swimsuits actually fit, and they're old, and I only kinda like them.

I have been looking 610 (26) here for example, and finding swimsuits I like, but what are the sizing numbers? What do they mean? Are they under-bust? Or what?

(And are Tyr swimsuits any good? I'm torn between them and Maru, nobody else seems to do a swimsuit I like - I'm after racer back, for actually swimming in, and looking like it's for swimming in. And I'm tempted by the whole 'chlorine-resistant' thing, although I do always wash my swimsuit after wearing it.)

OP posts:
brimfull · 02/02/2008 20:05

not sure really

my dd was wearing a 28 when she was about 12 I think though.

Must be the under bust or like european sizing maybe.

Sorry not much help.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:08

There are sizing information pages, like this. Which make no sense at all to me. What are 'D', 'F', and 'I'? What number is the actual size? Is it UK inches?

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:12

I can't open your first link. Can't you go from the 'ladies size chart waist' which does make sense?

I find those Speedo sizes aren't very generous at all. I have fairly large shoulders/upper body and have to wear a 36'' though I'm not a size 14 in clothes.

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:12

I mean 'chest' not 'waist'

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:13

I think D F I is German, French, Italian

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:15

Ah, yes, I thought it might be that. Do you think it's bra measurement really?

Arse, then, as I am a 12/14 (12 in M+S etc, 14 in Topshop), I definately have a decent-sized arse and large shoulders. But small norks. I guess I have to go try things on, really, don't I? Gah.

OP posts:
brimfull · 02/02/2008 20:16

yes foxinsocks is right

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:18

yes, costumes are a pain aren't they. I'm never quite happy with mine but have gone for plain ones for proper swimming - normally from a sports shop - just because they last so much longer if you're regularly swimming in chlorinated pools.

Link to the one you like again, if you don't mind?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:20

This one. I'm not that bothered, actually, I want something that is:

  • durable
  • low leg, or at least not high
  • interesting-looking
  • racer back (non-negotiable!)

Tyr and Maru ones look nice to me.

But the one linked to above only comes in up to a 34, and I suspect I might be a 36? I wear a 36B bra. Who knows.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 02/02/2008 20:20

your first link tells me my arguments are conflicting with each other

it's hard buying swimsuits i agree. i once bought a 14 (thinking it was size 14) and it was obviously for a 14 year old. think i wore it too as i'd promised to take sons swimming.

tissy · 02/02/2008 20:21

same as foxinsocks, I have a size 14 Speedo (got it from J Lewis and it was labelled size 14) and there is NO WAY I'm a 14! Bought a 10, took it back, same with size 12!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:28

What size are you then, tissy?

Sounds like I have to go try some on then. I have a speedo already, but it's ancient, and quite saggy and god knows what size it is.

I don't want to go swimsuit shopping!

Oh, maybe our local John Lewis has some I can try, to work out what size I am?

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:29
OP posts:
foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:29

yes, JL has some. They have quite a nice sports bit (but you can get a better range elsewhere...).

You are a similar size (upper body) to me NQC.

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:31

although, having said that, it's been a long time since I went and looked at them in there (I was looking in Sports World last week but didn't find anything in my size). Figleaves has a lot of costumes on their site.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:32

FIS, what size are you, if you don't mind me asking? And is that in M+S type shops, or in Topshop?

I'd love to just buy the one they say is a 14, and be done with it, tbh ...

OP posts:
brimfull · 02/02/2008 20:33

this is nice it says a 36 is a 12

brimfull · 02/02/2008 20:34

size 12

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:35

I'm a 12 at M&S.

I'm a 36B (sometimes a 38) and I bought a size 12 shirt from H&M last week for work that, on me, has my breasts screaming at the buttons to escape (I didn't try it on, wore it to work and I honestly felt like I should have turned up to the set of a porno) so I suspect, I'm actually a 14 top in shops other than M&S iyswim.

I wear 12 petite trousers though because I have short legs .

brimfull · 02/02/2008 20:35

look loads !

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:36

but I have a long body...which is why I suspect, more than anything else, I need a size 36'' in the costumes (I'm 5'6'' but with short legs iyswim so my body is longer than average).

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:37

They're not as busy as the ones I'm admiring. Figleaves seems to only have Speedo in the 'for swimming' category.

Actually, this is the one I think is nicest, only a) narrow straps don't suit my hulking shoulders imo, b) it isn't chlorine-resistant, c) it's a high leg.

Other than that, it's perfect.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:40

H+M sizing, Dotty P sizing, Topshop sizing are all, for me anyway, a 14. Well, I could probably get away with a 12 on top as I'm not busty, as long as it's not fitted at the shoulders.

While I'm a 12 at M+S. So you are maybe equivalent? I'm 5'6" or 7", I think my legs are not notably long or short? No idea.

So I might be a 36" (14) in costumes, that's fairly reassuring ... maybe I will just give up and buy a 36".

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:43

Oooh, ggirl, I like this one. Well, I like the pattern and the cut, but it looks really high cut. I love the fabric on this one, but the lowcut thing doesn't appeal at all.

I'll keep looking ...

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:44

That website says you can return. Maybe you should order a 34 and a 36 and return one.

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