Don’t be intimidated about buying a swimsuit online – especially with such a wide offering of styles, brands and great prices!
Start out with measuring yourself wearing just your underwear (enlisting the help of a friend will help you maintain good posture). Make sure you measure the fullest part of your breast and hip. To measure your torso, run the measuring tape from your shoulder, and take it down diagonally over your front, between your legs and then back up to your shoulder again. The thinnest part of your waist should be measured at the spot where it bends. Then just follow the chart below and start shopping!
General rule of thumb for purchasing a swimsuit online is if you’re “on the fence” about your size go for the next size up. Materials now used in swimwear (such as lycra and spandex) are designed to form fit the body and not stretch out once you hit the water.
Misses' Swimsuits Size Chart
Size Chart Bust Waist Hips Torso
8 35" 27.5" 37.5 61 -62"
10 36" 28.5" 38.5" 62.5" - 63.5"
12 37.5" 30" 40" 64 - 65"
14 39" 31.5" 41.5" 65.5" - 66.5"
16 40.5" 33" 43" 67 - 68"
18 42.5" 35" 45" 68.5" - 69.5"
20 44" 36.5" 46.5" 70" - 71.5"
D-Cup Swimsuits
Size Chart Bust Waist Hips Torso
8 36" 27.5" 37.5" 62 - 63"
10 37" 28.5" 38.5" 63.5" - 64.5"
12 38.5" 30" 40" 65 - 66"
14 40" 31.5" 41.5" 66.5" - 67.5"
16 41.5" 33" 43" 68 - 69"
18 43.5" 35" 45" 69.5" - 70.5
DD-Cup Swimsuits
Size Chart Bust Waist Hips Torso
8 37" 27.5" 37.5" 63 - 64"
10 38" 28.5" 38.5" 64.5-65.5
12 39.5 30" 40" 66 - 67"
14 41" 31.5" 41.5" 67.5 - 68.5"
16 42.5" 33" 43" 69 - 70"
18 44.5" 35" 45" 70.5 - 71.5"
Plus-size/Women's Swimsuits
Size Chart Bust Waist Hips Torso
16W 42.5" 34.5" 45" 65"
18W 44.5" 36.5" 47" 66"
20W 46.5" 38.5" 49" 68"
22W 4 8.5" 40.5" 51" 70"
24W 50.5" 42.5" 53" 72"
Long Torso Swimsuits
Size Chart Bust Waist Hips Torso
8 35" 27.5" 37.5" 63 - 64"
10 36" 28.5" 38.5" 64.5" - 65.5"
12 37.5" 30" 40" 66 - 67"
14 39" 31.5" 41.5" 67.5" - 68.5"
16 40.5" 33" 43" 69 - 70"
18 42.5" 35" 45" 70.5" - 71.5"
International Size Conversion Guide
Misses and Womens
US 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20W 22W 24W
UK 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26
Germany 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
Europe 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
Mexico 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
Swimsuit Style Guide
Want to expand your swimwear vocabulary? The glossary below helps describe what those fashion designers are talking about.
Maillot: traditional one piece swimsuit normally features scoop neck and two tank straps
Racerback or Sports Bra: allows full movement of arms, best suit for competitive swimmers
Bandeau: Both one piece and two piece suits can be bandeau style. Bandeau is a strapless style which the fabric can is pleated and gathered in the middle. Oftentimes, bandeau swimsuits offer detachable straps that you can attach in different manners - spaghetti, halter or criss-cross style.
Swim Dress: This one-piece swimming suit has a built in skirt that provides extra coverage of your stomach, butt and upper thighs. It's a common swimsuit style that is normally available in plus-sizes and maternity wear.
Bikini: A classic bikini top is shaped very similar to a traditional bra. It features two cups (which can have underwire support) and straps that go over the shoulders and connect to the band across the back. The classic bikini bottom offers complete coverage of the groin and buttocks. The legs are cut high. This swimsuit style is similar to a high-cut panty.
String Bikini: Your traditional string bikini features a two triangle shaped pieces of fabric that cover the breasts. The triangles are connected with three strings. One string runs through the bottom of each triangle with the ends tying in the back to create the band. The other two strings come out of the top of each triangle and tie at the back of the neck. On the string bikini bottom, the triangle front and triangle back are connected with a strip of fabric at the crotch. The bottom is tied at the hips with strings.
Halter Bikini: The halter bikini top features a plunging neckline and straps that tie around the back of the neck. This lifting top is great for women who want to appear as if they have bigger breasts
Tankini: The tankini is a new twist on the classic bikini. This swimsuit style has been popular for the last four or five years and will continue to be so this season. Instead of a bikini top, this two-piece suit features a tank top instead. This is a great option for women who want the flexibility of a two piece suit without revealing their stomach
Boy Shorts: This bikini bottom resembles very short shorts. It gives women a little extra coverage of the upper thighs and hips. Boy shorts make the legs appear shorter, therefore they are not ideal for petites.
What to wear, where:
For laps or racing - Look for a one-piece polyester swimsuit with a high percentage of spandex or Lycra. The spandex will ensure that the swimsuit stays in place, while the polyester will hold up longer under the destructive powers of chlorine. Try for a racer back style, and look for brands like Speedo, Jag, Reebok and Jantzen.
For beach sports and surfing - To find a style that won’t gap or give when you are spiking a ball or riding the waves, try a halter bikini top paired with boy shorts or full bikini briefs. This type of swimsuit will offer an adequate amount of coverage and stay in place. However, if you choose to wear boy shorts, be aware that they will shorten the appearance of the legs and widen the hips and thighs. Quiksilver lines such as Roxy, Leilani, Raisins and Radio Fiji were designed for “daring, confident, and fun” active girls. Hobie and Hurley are also known for their surfing/skateboarding roots.
For looking your best lounging by the pool – string bikinis are fun and sexy while allowing for that overall sun-kissed glow. Becca, Island Soul, Guess, Be Creative and Coco Reef are some brands that are stylish and fun. For the more modest, Miraclesuit, whose motto “look 10 lbs lighter in 10 seconds” will boost your confidence with their form-fitting styles.
For that country club or yacht party – couture swimwear is the way to go. Tasteful, sexy, high fashion accessorized with stylish wraps, bags and footwear will make you the belle of the ball! Try St. John, Betsey Johnson, Shoshanna, Burberry, Juicy Couture or Lilly Pulitzer. For a more subdued, classic look, try Kenneth Cole, Anne Cole, INC or Body I.D.
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Buying a Swimsuit Online 
