How to Buy a Swimsuit Online: Find the Right Fit

Shopping for swimwear online gives you more styles, colors, and sizes to choose from, but finding the right fit can feel a little harder when you can’t try a swimsuit on first. The good news is that a few simple steps can make buying a swimsuit online much easier.

From taking your measurements and understanding swimsuit sizing to choosing the right coverage and support, here’s what to look for before ordering your next bikini or one-piece swimsuit.

How to Buy a Swimsuit Online

The best way to buy a swimsuit online is to start with your current body measurements, compare them with the swimsuit’s size chart, and choose a style based on the fit, coverage, and support you prefer. Because swimsuit sizing can vary between styles and brands, don’t rely only on your usual clothing size.

Before ordering, look closely at the swimsuit’s fabric, straps, neckline, bottom coverage, padding or support, and product photos. These details can tell you much more about how a swimsuit will fit and feel.

1. Take Your Measurements Before Choosing a Size

One of the most important steps when shopping for a swimsuit online is knowing your measurements.

Use a soft measuring tape to measure your:

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
• Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist.
• Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.

Keep the measuring tape comfortably snug without pulling it too tight.

Once you have your measurements, compare them with the size chart provided for the swimsuit you’re considering. Don’t automatically order the same size you wear in jeans, dresses, or tops.

2. Always Check the Swimsuit Size Chart

Swimsuit sizing isn’t necessarily identical from one style to another. A size medium in one swimsuit may fit differently from a medium in another.

That’s why the individual swimsuit size chart should be your starting point.

If your measurements fall between two sizes, look at the design and fit of the swimsuit before deciding. Adjustable straps, ties, stretch, smocking, and other flexible details may give you more room to customize the fit.

3. Decide How Much Coverage You Want

Before falling in love with a print or color, think about how much coverage makes you feel comfortable.

A bikini can range from minimal to fuller coverage, while one-piece swimsuits can offer anything from plunging necklines and cutouts to more covered silhouettes.

For the bottoms, look closely at the rise and back coverage. For the top, consider the neckline, straps, cups, padding, and overall support.

There’s no universally “right” amount of coverage—the best swimsuit is one you feel comfortable wearing.

4. Choose a Swimsuit for What You’ll Be Doing

Think about where and how you plan to wear your swimsuit.

If you’re swimming, paddle-boarding, playing beach volleyball, or spending an active day near the water, a secure swimsuit that stays comfortably in place may be your priority.

For lounging by the pool, relaxing at the beach, or heading on vacation, you may care more about the silhouette, print, color, and how easily your swimsuit pairs with a beach cover-up.

5. One-Piece Swimsuit or Bikini?

Both can be great choices—the difference comes down to the look, fit, and coverage you prefer.

A one-piece swimsuit generally provides more torso coverage and can be a convenient option when you want one complete piece.

A boho bikini gives you separate top and bottom pieces, which can make it easier to choose the coverage and silhouette you prefer.

Don’t choose based on what you’re “supposed” to wear for your body type. Choose the swimsuit that makes you feel comfortable and fits the way you want it to.

6. Look for Adjustable Details

When buying a swimsuit online, adjustable features can make finding a comfortable fit easier.

Look for details such as adjustable shoulder straps, tie-back tops, side ties, drawstrings, smocked sections, or other flexible design elements.

These features can give you more control over how the swimsuit sits on your body.

7. Pay Attention to Fabric and Stretch

Swimwear fabric can affect both comfort and fit.

Most swimsuits contain stretchy synthetic fibers designed to move with your body. Check the product details for fabric information and look closely at whether the material is described as stretchy, smocked, ruched, lined, padded, or textured.

Remember that a swimsuit should feel secure, but it shouldn’t be painfully tight.

8. Study the Product Photos

Product photos are especially helpful when shopping for swimwear online.

Look at the swimsuit from the front, back, and side whenever those images are available. Pay attention to where the bottoms sit on the hips, how high the waist rises, the depth of the neckline, back coverage, strap placement, and any cutouts or open-back details.

These visual clues can help you decide whether the style offers the fit and coverage you’re looking for.

9. Read the Product Description Carefully

Don’t shop from the product title alone.

The description and style details may tell you whether a swimsuit has removable padding, adjustable straps, a high or low waist, cheeky or fuller bottom coverage, stretch, lining, ties, or other features that aren’t immediately obvious in the main photograph.

The more you know before ordering, the easier it is to choose a swimsuit that matches what you actually want.

10. Complete Your Beach Look

Your swimsuit doesn’t have to do all the work.

A breezy beach cover-up, kimono, caftan, crochet cover-up, or beach skirt can take you from the water to lunch, a resort pool, or a walk along the beach.

Add sandals, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a beach bag for an easy vacation-ready look.

Find a Swimsuit That Feels Like You

The best swimsuit isn’t determined by a trend or a particular body type. It’s the one that gives you the combination of fit, coverage, support, and style that makes you comfortable.

Taking a few minutes to measure yourself, study the size chart, review the product details, and think about how you’ll wear your swimsuit can make shopping for swimsuits online much easier, and help you find swimwear you’ll be excited to wear.

FAQs About Buying a Swimsuit Online

How do I buy a swimsuit online that actually fits?

Start by measuring your bust, waist, and hips and comparing those measurements with the swimsuit’s size chart. Then consider the swimsuit’s stretch, coverage, straps, support, and adjustable features rather than relying only on your normal clothing size.

How do I know what swimsuit size to buy online?

Use your current body measurements and the size chart provided for the particular swimsuit you’re considering. Swimwear sizing can vary, so your usual clothing size shouldn’t be your only guide.

What measurements do I need for a swimsuit?

The three primary measurements you’ll usually need are your bust, waist, and hips. Take your measurements while wearing minimal clothing and keep the measuring tape level and comfortably snug.

Should I size up or down when buying a swimsuit?

Don’t automatically size up or down. Compare your measurements with the swimsuit’s size chart first. Fabric stretch, adjustable features, and the intended fit can also affect which size works best.

How should a swimsuit fit?

A swimsuit should feel secure and stay in place without uncomfortable digging, pinching, sagging, or gaping. Straps should stay comfortably on your shoulders, and the bottoms should remain in place while you move.

Is a one-piece swimsuit or bikini better?

Neither is inherently better. A one-piece generally provides more torso coverage, while a bikini allows you to wear separate top and bottom pieces. Choose based on your preferred fit, coverage, activities, and personal style.

What type of swimsuit is best for swimming?

For active swimming, look for a secure fit with straps and bottoms that stay comfortably in place while you move. For lounging or casual beach days, you may prefer to prioritize style, coverage, and comfort.

Can I wear a swimsuit as part of an outfit?

Yes. One-piece swimsuits can sometimes be styled like bodysuits with shorts, skirts, or wide-leg pants, while bikinis can be paired with beach skirts, shorts, kimonos, caftans, and other cover-ups.

Is buying a swimsuit online a good idea?

Shopping online can give you access to a much larger selection of swimsuit styles, colors, sizes, bikinis, one-pieces, and cover-ups. Taking accurate measurements and reviewing the size chart and product details before ordering makes it much easier to narrow down your choices.