How Tight is Too Tight: Swimsuit Sizing Tips

Everyone has that one bathing suit that they’ve held onto for years. You know, the one you can’t let go of no matter how many times you put it in the donation pile? There’s nothing wrong with vintage; timeless garments are what keep generational style alive. But understanding how tight a swimming suit should be can help you decide whether to continue sporting the trendy piece or say goodbye to it for good.

Even if you’re in the market for a new bathing suit, understanding how to tell if your swimsuit is too small can help you save time, money, and effort in the long run. The last thing you want to do is purchase a new suit only to find it ill-fitting a few days later.

Are swimsuits supposed to be tight, or should they provide more breathing room? The balance all depends on your comfort levels.

How Tight is Too Tight? 

When it comes to choosing the right fit, it’s all about comfort, flexibility, and functionality. You want your swimsuit to grip to your body, but you don’t want it to be so tight that it’s restricting and distressing. You want to create a smooth shape out of your body and avoid options that may pull on the skin or make you feel trapped in the suit.

In short, your bathing should be snug, but not confining. Here are a few helpful scenarios figuring out if your two piece or one piece swimsuit is too tight:

• Your Straps Dig Into Your Shoulders

Let’s start from the top.

Take a look in the mirror with your bathing suit on and glance at your shoulders. Better yet, close your eyes completely and think about how the top part of the suit feels. If it feels overly constricting and gripping around your neck, it’s too small. You should be able to easily slide two fingers under the straps.

If you have adjustable straps, this can be an easy fix. Otherwise, it may be time to shop for a new one-piece.

• Your Cups Have Limited Coverage

Do you find yourself constantly stuffing your chest back into your one piece? This can make mobility, on land and in the water, hard to achieve. Even if you spend most of your time in your bathing suit lounging around, more coverage means greater protection from the sun.

To avoid limited coverage, we suggest investing in a one-piece bathing suit that uses cup sizes. Your proper fit will match your bra size and ensure you stay covered throughout the day.

• Your Bottoms Are Uncomfortable

Adjusting a one-piece swimsuit when the bottom half is too tight can be bothersome, annoying, and embarrassing. If you find yourself constantly picking at the bottoms of your bathing suit, you may need to try a different style swimsuit or go up a size.

A high-cut leg style in a one-piece can lead to showing off more skin than you anticipated. A lower-rise option can give you the coverage and comfort you need while spending time on the beach or sunbathing by the pool.