https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:55:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1568065 Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:57:38 +0000 Laurinda 1568065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b><i>Note: Year-old thread.</i></b></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1288152 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:03:35 +0000 MRL 1288152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always had to go up 1-2 sizes in swimwear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1288126 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:51:24 +0000 VernieJane 1288126@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I also think it is some kind of cruel joke to hold an office party at a pool or lake... we don't need people from work seeing our wobbly parts, and we don't need to see theirs either! LOL</p> <p>For the swimsuit, have you looked into any of the vintage models that you can find easily online now? There are some cute ones out now that have a high waisted tummy and shorts that are somewhat flattering on fuller figures. Also, a skirt or maxi dress goes great over a swimsuit for these types of occasions. </p> <p>Try to have fun and I'm sure you will look just fine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1288122 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 08:38:21 +0000 gradfashionista 1288122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Office get-together? Ugh. I don't believe in mixing dressed and undressed in professional settings.</p> <p>Something else to consider would be a rashguard with shorts or a skirted bikini bottom. J.Crew has both, and they'll protect you more from the sun. I bought a rash guard as a replacement for sunscreen and thought I would hate swimming with it, but I after the initial shock of getting in the water, I don't notice that I'm wearing it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1288040 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 04:06:34 +0000 Neel 1288040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awwwww thank you girls :). I am feeling so much better reading the responses. I am going to wear the swimsuit with my shorts. I realized the discomfort came from wearing a swimsuit for the first time (!!) and showing my entire legs (wobbly and not nearly toned or strong!).</p> <p>I know I won't be able to get into a lot of rides (its a water based theme park) but at least I won't feel shy (with DH's staff). Ack why do office get togethers have to happen in water parks?? Boo </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1288000 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 02:48:10 +0000 Echo 1288000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This depends on the style and the maker, and whether they tend to run long or short in the body, I find. I generally size up one in a one-piece suit, but any more than that and they bag in the bum. I also prefer a long, as I have a long torso, so suits that are built shorter in the torso simply do not work because as I size up they become baggy by the time they are long enough in the body.</p> <p>Don't second-guess yourself, Neel. You bought the best of the bunch, and sometimes that's the best we can do. Wear it proudly, test it out, and you will know better next time based on how this one fit in the water and out. Everyone has the right to swim, so don't be shy. And while halter styles may not be the most comfortable for many people, they generally are quite flattering, so you will likely look great!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287977 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 02:16:39 +0000 elpgal 1287977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like TExstyle, I don't size up in swimsuits because I like loose fitting regular clothes. </p> <p>Shiny, i bought the exact same suit yesterday after trying on gazillions. Should have checked here first. Amazon has it for a lower price, so I will end up buying from them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287563 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 18:15:47 +0000 Anonymous 1287563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just bought a two-piece from Lands' End and went&nbsp;<i>exactly&nbsp;</i>by the size chart. It fits snugly, but that's what I want. I'm in the water a lot and I want my suit to fit well for an entire year before it bags out and falls apart. When I have sized up, I've been more comfortable on the short term, but then after a few weeks I'm always sorry.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287540 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:55:16 +0000 gradfashionista 1287540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I recently bought bathing suits from J.Crew and had to size down because while they fit comfortably on land, in water, they became too loose. Are you long-waisted? Some companies, including J.Crew iirc, offer a long-waisted version of the suit, which might not make sizing up necessary. My bathing suit size in Speedos and TTY is also the same as my hip size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287500 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:19:05 +0000 shiny 1287500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's really kind of a crap shoot, isn't it?&nbsp;</p> <p>I usually steer away from halters but I did once have a halter tankini that was awesome. Not sure why it worked so well, when others didn't.&nbsp;</p> <p>Swim suit shopping is my most dreaded activity. &nbsp;This is my swim suit -- it was an Angie pick years ago. Each year it comes out again in different colors and patterns.&nbsp;I now have it in turquoise, black, and a pattern:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la-blanca-sweetheart-one-piece-swimsuit/3065998?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=Guava&amp;resultback=961&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_D">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....y-personal</a></p> <p>This is the patterned one I added this year:<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la-blanca-santorini-one-piece-swimsuit/3543368?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;contextualcategoryid=0&amp;fashionColor=&amp;resultback=1466&amp;cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_4_D">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....-personali</a></p> <p>Your post made me realize they've added yet more colors and another pattern... so I may go ahead and buy yet another one... just in case they decide to discontinue! I hope they don't ever discontinue this swim suit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287474 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:35:12 +0000 Neel 1287474@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your inputs. I was buying 2 sizes up when the SA told me that the material would sag in water and I should size down oh well mistakes made lessons learnt. I am not sure if I should wear it tomorrow </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287429 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:13:50 +0000 texstyle 1287429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Neel - I'll bet it will be fine. Halter tops are just not the most comfortable, but I have worn plenty of them over the years because they are very popular by the swim makers. Bra style tops are great so maybe if you buy another one down the line you can consider that style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287418 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:00:21 +0000 Angie 1287418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Size up. Sometimes two sizes - UNLESS you are buying a bikini based on your bra size. Those run TTS.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287390 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:13:21 +0000 Neel 1287390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And Suz, funny I don't have time (I need it for tomorrow) Doesnt that always happen? Lol. I just bought the best out of the bunch o_O And now I am sat here wondering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287383 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:02:24 +0000 Suz 1287383@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it may depend some on the type of suit. The usual rule is size up, but not if it is done by bra size, and the fabrication/ style make a big difference also. Lap swimming suits are different than bikinis or fashion one piece suits.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sadly, it may mean a lot of trying on. &nbsp;:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287382 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:01:58 +0000 Neel 1287382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK .. So I need to tell you guys what I finally bought. I am sure its a fail.</p> <p>I bought my regular size and a halter neck kind of thing. I am feeling a bit blah wearing it. Oh well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287369 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:51:21 +0000 texstyle 1287369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I guess I'm in the other camp on this - I almost never size up on a swimsuit as they seem to get droopy when wet if I do. I wear size 8-10 in clothing and I wear size 8-10 in swimsuits (or Medium). Bra size is true to bra size for me. I buy multiple suits every year as swimming/lakeside is a big part of Texas summer. </p> <p>Edit: some women might wear their clothing bottoms tighter than I do&nbsp;- I like a fairly roomy fit so maybe I'm sizing up on everything by default? I don't like things to feel tight at all. And try not to buy a halter style top - they pull terribly on your neck.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287356 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:32:53 +0000 carambola 1287356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always size up, unless as Lyn mentioned, it's based on bra size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287347 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:13:21 +0000 Kimberley 1287347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The short answer is it depends on the suit.&nbsp; You may have to try many suits in many sizes to achieve the fit you desire.&nbsp; Generally speaking, I find most suits require sizing up.&nbsp; Not sure why that is, but it is.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287346 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:12:41 +0000 Anonymous 1287346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Most of the time, you will need to size up. However, last summer I discovered an exception to the rule. I was between sizes in a top and went with the larger size because it was a little bit snug across my stomach. Well, bad idea - when the fabric gets wet, it stretches and bags out a lot. (So much so that I'm using it as a maternity swimsuit at 6.5-7 months pregnant!) Some swimsuits are made of an extremely tight-weave fabric, and with those, I think it makes good sense to size up. But if it's a very soft, stretchy fabric, I wouldn't. Unless you need maternity swimwear! ;)&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287339 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:00:14 +0000 shiny 1287339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a size 2-4p but I take a 6 in a bathing suit. Sometimes I can wear a 4, but these are so rare to find in one piece, and sometimes the size 4's are too short in the torso (vertical length), which is odd, because I'm only 5' tall.&nbsp;</p> <p>This year I duplicated the same swim suit (La Bianca)&nbsp;in size 4 and size 6. I've had the same swim suit for the past several years, I just keep buying a new one and sometimes different color. I find with this suit that over time the suit, especially the straps, stretch out. Just like a bra does. So I bought the size 4 as well to see if it would stretch less. Also simply because I so rarely see size 4 one pieces!!&nbsp;</p> <p>I think bathing suit manufacturers assume if you can wear a size 4 you want a bikini, which I absolutely do not want.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287321 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:30:52 +0000 Jaime 1287321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Size up in my experience with swimsuit shopping&nbsp;- which is as little as possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287320 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:15:34 +0000 Joyce B 1287320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie says to size up. I think bathing suits don't go by vanity sizing, I usually go up two sizes (from my clothing size) for a good fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287304 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:38:21 +0000 lyn67 1287304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>She often says to size up for swimsuits but if it were sizes based on bra size I would rather not! But, it all depends on the speciffic item and your own prefferences, too. </p> <p>Oh, and here is my own thread with the same dilema from last summer.</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/swimwear-sizing-need-your-help-pls" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-help-pls</a> </p> <p>Hope it helps:-)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-you-size-up-or-down-in-swimsuits#post-1287299 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:21:30 +0000 Neel 1287299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to buy one and I have no clue. This will be my first.</p> <p>Or should I go for my regular size? It will be a one piece swimwear with some kind of tummy control in it, if it helps.</p> <p>I know Angie has said something about this, but for the life of me I am unable to recollect or find the blog post </p>