Ultimate Swimwear Shopping Guide: 7 Tips and Tricks for Your Perfect Swimsuit

While our favorite movies and shows may make shopping for clothing seem like a fun, easy day out, it can be pretty difficult in reality － and this goes double for swimwear. Inconsistent sizing, all the different cuts and materials, and just the sheer amount of choice can make finding the right bathing suit feel impossible. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be! Read along for seven tips that will improve the shopping experience and help you discover your next favorite swimsuit.

1. Shop online rather than in-store.

Shopping for any clothing can be stressful, but swimwear definitely tops the list. Perhaps one of the best things you can do to make it go smoother? Flat-out avoid the too-hot try-on room, unflattering mirror, and after-work/weekend rush by putting the internet to work. Shop online!

However, don’t forget: though shopping for a swimsuit online has many advantages, it still comes with its own trials and tribulations. Gauging fit and feel is definitely among the most problematic. To account for this, ask a friend or partner to help take your measurements and consult the size chart before purchasing.

If one thing is for certain, it’s that every brand/style will fit a little (or a lot!) differently. Buy more than you normally would and plan on returning what doesn’t work. And know going in that this will be most of what you buy － it’s just a part of swimsuit shopping.

2. Do a little research before you ever start shopping.

Like with any clothes shopping, going in without a plan will probably result in you leaving frustrated and empty-handed. So, get to Googling! Read a few articles (perhaps including ours on how to choose the right swimsuit to figure out your style preferences, what cut you want, and what material will work best before ever stepping foot in the store.

Research will save a whole lot of time and possible returns but do your best to avoid focusing too much on trends. They can be fun for supplemental pieces, though they’re not something that should determine your entire swim wardrobe. You’ll be far happier if you just pick what you like rather than what others claim is in style!

3. Keep in mind how active you plan to be.

Most people in the market for a new swimsuit mainly need it for chilling out at the beach or relaxing in the pool, though others need it for something far more active. If that’s you, be careful about the kind of swimwear you buy. Some styles of swimwear are more conducive to more movement or high-intensity water sports than others.

For instance, while bikinis look great and can work just fine for a couple hours at the beach, they’ll get uncomfortable and shift around with any high-intensity sports/swimming. Stretchy one-pieces, meanwhile, are a better match.

Rashguards are also an obvious choice, designed for performance, comfort, and sun protection. However, if you still prefer bikinis or other swimwear less ideal for activity, focus on finding styles that prioritize support with thicker straps and better compressing materials. 

4. Look into different swimsuit materials before making any purchases.

All swimsuits － even those available in the same cut or from the same brand － are a little different. Their materials are all pretty similar, however. Most will utilize elastane, polyester, nylon, or some combination of the three, with each swimwear material having its own benefits and disadvantages. Be sure to think about what will work best for you before making any spur-of-the-moment purchases.

Concerned more with comfort and maneuverability? Elastane-heavy blends are a great choice. Want something ultra quick-drying and durable? Nylon is a solid option. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a swimsuit that’s more chlorine-resistant and easy to maintain, then those comprised of polyester will likely be more up your alley.

5. Buy swim basics before investing in bolder, statement pieces.

Fabulous swimsuits and beachy outfits with flare are awesome. But for those who don’t have much of a swimwear wardrobe built up already or are exploring new styles, we’d highly encourage you to leave those for later. Focus on finding the right fit/cut before worrying too much about statement pieces.

Money is, of course, a big reason for this. You don’t want to buy tons of flashy, expensive bandeaus or tankinis, realize you don’t like any of them, then be out all that hard-earned cash! Sticking with the basics will ensure this doesn’t happen and keep costs down. It’s also just more practical as you’ll feel freer to swim around in comfy plain swimwear than something designed for show.

6. Set a budget and stick to it.

Speaking of costs, swimsuits really can get pricey fast. Hoping to avoid the sticker shock and post-purchase regret that often goes hand-in-hand? Sit down before heading to the store/shopping the swimwear deals online, come up with a comfortable (yet realistic!) budget, and don’t talk yourself out of it.

Now, how do you actually go about setting this budget? First thing’s first, break out your phone and compare prices across brands, styles, and stores. This will give you a good idea of average cost and ensure your budget’s genuinely realistic. It will also help you recognize if you’re getting a good deal on whatever you’re buying or if you’ll need to look elsewhere.  

Our second main tip: take into account how often you’ll swim before crunching the numbers. The more use you’ll get out of a bathing suit, the higher your budget should be. Already at the top of your spending limit? Glance around for swimsuit deals when out shopping or search online for ‘swimwear sales near me.’ Most brands will have solid Monday swimwear sales and discounts as the warmer months get closer!

7. Be kind to yourself.

Swimsuit shopping isn’t always easy, and not just because of the expense or that some brands’ size 14 fits like a 6. It’s because it can flare up self-confidence issues and body insecurities, make us feel less than some ideal that’s been sold to us. But the reality is, none of us should feel bad for buying clothes or going swimming or simply being ourselves.

So, if there’s only one thing you take away from this article, let it be this: be kind to yourself － both when shopping and just in general. You are a lot more than an arbitrary number on a tag and whatever that number is does not － not now or ever － determine your worth.

Having trouble with this when going shopping or wearing a swimsuit? Focus more on feel than fit. We promise, if you feel good, you’ll look good. Oh, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends, partners, or other loved ones when you’re struggling! They’ll surely be happy to give reassurance and feedback in the times your own judgement doesn’t feel so trustworthy.

Looking for swimwear can be challenging at the best of times, yet there are things you can do to make it better. Doing your research about fits and materials, setting a realistic budget, and being kind to yourself are just a few simple steps you can take, but they’re ones that will go a long way to turning the stress of swimsuit shopping into something positive again.

What did you think about our tips and tricks? Find any of them helpful, or already use something on our list to make shopping day easier? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to catch up with the other articles in our Shoplito swimwear hub  today!