Summer is just around the corner, and after working for many months to achieve a beach-ready body, it’s finally time to start bikini shopping. Some women enjoy this experience, but the majority find it can be extremely stressful. Finding the right fit and suit to flatter your shape and size can be difficult – no matter what size or body type you might be.
But keeping a positive frame of mind and remembering a few crucial tips can help make the experience much more relaxing. It can also allow you to find the ideal bikini that inspires self-confidence and ensures you’ll have fun whether relaxing poolside or on sandy beaches.
1. Have Fun!
Fun and bikini shopping aren’t often synonymous – but that doesn’t mean they can’t be. It’s worth exploring your comfort level and trying new things. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to color, styles, and prints. You can also explore with mixing and matching bikini pieces to make your swimwear stand out even more.
After all, bikinis are meant to be fun and to be worn while you are having fun, which means they are a perfect medium for you to get expressive. Even if you are fairly conservative in your other wardrobe selections, bikinis have much more versatility and allowance for creativity.
Tons of unique bikinis can be found in retail shops, but even more from boutique online vendors, so it’s worth checking out what they have. You’re likely to find something no one else has even seen if you browse the online offerings. While most of our other tips are related to the logistics of how to find an ideal bikini, let’s face it – if you’re not having fun in the process, it’s unlikely you’ll select the best choice to make you feel confident and comfortable.
2. Know Your Body Shape
Understanding your body shape and size is the crux of finding the right bikini for you. Unlike other pieces of clothing, many bikinis can’t be altered. And a poor fit can often work against the look you are trying to achieve.
You may look frumpy or be accentuating assets you would like to minimize. The bottom line is that if it isn’t fitting right and can’t be altered, keep looking. There are so many options that no shopper should ever settle for something that isn’t fitting right. If you are ordering online, you can still achieve getting a great fit. As long as you have accurate measurements that you can check against the company’s sizing chart, you should be in good shape. But even if you have additional questions, you can always call the retailer for clarification.
3. Know What Makes You Feel Confident
Take stock of your current bikini selections and rate them by identifying your favorites. This process will give you a great idea of the things you look for in a bikini that makes you look great and feel confident. Also, if you know you need extra support, be sure to order a bikini with an underwire. And if you know a specific cut or style really accentuates your body’s assets in a flattering way, be sure to look for those elements when you are bikini shopping.
Having said that, there’s no harm in trying something new. Having a selection of almost-the-same bikinis can get boring quickly. So, if you’ve never worked on a bandeau or triangle bikini top, or high-waisted bottoms, and don’t have at least one polka-dot bikini print in your arsenal, it’s time to consider how these selections might work for you. Even though they are new, you can still look for the suits that incorporate some of the elements you know make you feel comfortable and confident.
4. Understand All of Your Options
Don’t settle for a big box bikini. This is one sure way to make sure you’re wearing the same style bikini as everyone else. To find the perfect suit, you have many different options. Not just online suits from major retailers that may not be in-stock (but could be ordered), but also boutique retailers, sporting goods stores, vintage shops, and even online-only retailers.
The fact of the matter is that there are many options to choose from, each with a unique selection. Taking a little bit of time to explore retailers you don’t generally shop from could expose you to options you never knew existed. Some retailers, such as Strange Bikinis, offer unique design elements such as fabric made from recycled plastics, which could help you align your goal of having an amazing bikini with less eco-concerns that you may have. This is just one example, but the sky is the limit – you really won’t know what all your options are until you spend some time looking!
5. Know How to Spot Quality
The truth of the matter is that many inexpensive bikinis are priced that way simply because they lack quality. While you might not be able to tell initially, anyone who spends a significant of time in swimwear can tell you that quality can go downhill quickly – colors fade, fabric distorts, and tears and holes become common. So that suit that looked great on wear 1 might be a train wreck on wear 10.
In many instances, the wearer is then forced to purchase another suit, canceling out any savings there might have been. One of the best moves you can make is to invest in a quality-made bikini. This move will ensure you can enjoy it for many summers to come – and it often leads to overall cost savings.
6. Know Retailer Return Policies and Promotions
Since shopping online offers so many additional selections, it is quickly becoming the preferred method for finding an ideal bikini for many women. There are some additional benefits. If you are questioning whether a suit might work for you or not, some retailers let you order it, try it on (using proper hygienic standards), and return it if you don’t like it. Not all of them do, though, so it’s worth spending some time checking this out beforehand.
Additionally, a lot of retailers have sales and promotions, particularly at the outset and end of bikini season. If you can find a great deal or promotion, you may be able to score a perfect bikini at an unbelievable price – which is a great way to kick off the summer season!