Finding the right plus size swimwear should be about more than choosing a number on a size chart. Your bust, waist, hips, torso length, preferred coverage and even the style of swimsuit can all affect how a swimsuit feels.
This guide walks you through how to measure yourself, how to read your measurements, how to choose the right swimsuit style, and how to select colors and coverage that make you feel comfortable and confident.
Two women can wear the same labeled size and need very different swimsuit shapes. That is especially true when bust, waist and hip proportions are different.
Take fresh measurements before shopping instead of relying only on the size you normally wear in jeans, dresses or bras.
Look at bust, waist and hip measurements together. For one-piece styles, also think about torso length and how the suit feels when you sit, bend and move.
A bikini, swim dress, tankini and one-piece can fit the same body differently. Your preferred coverage is just as important as the number on the label.
Use a soft measuring tape and measure your body without pulling the tape tightly. Wear lightweight clothing or measure directly over comfortable undergarments for the most consistent result.
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust. Keep it level across your back and avoid pulling the tape so tightly that it compresses your body.
Measure around your natural waist rather than automatically measuring where your jeans sit. Keep your stomach relaxed and breathe normally.
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Make sure the tape stays horizontal instead of dipping at the back.
If you are shopping for a one-piece swimsuit, consider your torso length as well. A suit that is too short can pull at the shoulders or feel uncomfortable when you sit down.
Once you have your measurements, compare them with the size chart provided for the swimsuit you want to purchase. Do not assume that the same size will fit every style in exactly the same way.
This is common and does not mean you measured incorrectly. Different swimsuit styles solve this problem in different ways.
Think about how you want the swimsuit to feel rather than treating the smaller size as automatically better.
Your measurements help you find the right size, but your lifestyle and preferred coverage help you find the right style. Here is how the most popular plus size swimsuit silhouettes compare.
A plus size bikini can give you more flexibility because the top and bottom can be selected around different parts of your body. High-waisted bottoms can provide additional midsection coverage, while adjustable tops can help personalize the fit.
A plus size swim dress combines a swimsuit base with a skirted silhouette. It can be a strong choice if you prefer additional coverage around the hips and thighs while still wanting a feminine swimwear style.
Plus size tankini swimwear gives you a longer top with a separate bottom. It is a useful middle ground if you want more torso coverage than a traditional bikini but prefer the flexibility of a two-piece.
A plus size one-piece swimsuit creates one continuous silhouette from bust through the torso and hips. When choosing one, pay special attention to bust support, torso length, stretch and leg openings.
Instead of trying to hide every part of your body, start with the areas where you want support, movement or coverage. The right plus size swimsuit should work with your body rather than make you constantly think about adjusting it.
Look for supportive construction, adjustable straps, a comfortable neckline and enough room across the bust. Avoid relying on a smaller size to create support.
High-waisted bottoms, longer tankini tops, supportive one-pieces and swim dresses can provide different ways to create the level of coverage you prefer.
Look for bottoms with comfortable leg openings and enough room through the hip. Swim dresses and higher-coverage bottoms are useful alternatives when you want additional coverage.
One-piece swimsuits should provide enough length from shoulder to hip. A longer tankini can also give you more flexibility.
Pay attention to where waist seams and high-rise bottoms sit. Adjustable straps can also help create a more comfortable proportion.
Separates can be especially useful when your bust and hips do not fall into the same size range. Explore individual swim tops and bottoms to create a more personalized fit.
Shop Swim Tops →Color is personal, and there is no single shade that every woman with a particular skin tone must wear. The easiest approach is to understand whether your skin reads more warm, cool or neutral, then experiment with colors that create the effect you like.
If your skin has golden, peachy or warm undertones, earthy and sun-inspired shades can create a naturally harmonious look.
Cooler skin undertones often pair beautifully with colors that have blue, pink or jewel-like qualities.
Neutral undertones give you room to experiment. Both warm and cool colors can work, so focus on the mood and contrast you prefer.
If you want your swimsuit to stand out, choose a color that creates noticeable contrast with your natural skin tone. If you prefer a softer appearance, try neighboring tones instead.
Coverage is not about what you should wear. It is about what makes you comfortable. Start with how you want to spend your day and choose the amount of coverage that supports that experience.
Consider bikinis and lower-coverage two-piece styles when you want maximum flexibility and less fabric.
High-waisted bikinis, tankinis and classic one-pieces can provide a balance between coverage and movement.
Longer tankini tops and fuller one-piece silhouettes can be useful when you prefer more coverage through the torso.
Swim dresses and skirted silhouettes can provide additional coverage around the hips and upper thighs.
If your bust, waist and hips do not fit neatly into one standard proportion, a two-piece swimsuit can make shopping easier because you can focus on each part separately.
Think about bust support, strap adjustability, neckline and the amount of coverage you want. A comfortable top should stay in place without creating uncomfortable pressure.
Explore Swim Tops →Decide where you want the waistband to sit and how much coverage you prefer around your hips and seat. Leg openings should feel secure without digging in.
Explore Swim Bottoms →If you want a coordinated set, explore two-piece swimwear. If you prefer more mix-and-match flexibility, individual tops and bottoms may be the better route.
Explore Two-Piece Swimwear →Before placing your order, run through these quick checks. They can help you avoid choosing a swimsuit based only on appearance.
Use the fullest part of your bust and keep the tape level.
Measure your natural waist rather than relying on your usual pants size.
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
Decide whether you prefer a bikini, tankini, swim dress or one-piece.
Look for the construction and adjustability you personally need.
This is particularly important when shopping for a one-piece swimsuit.
They should feel secure without painful digging or excessive looseness.
Skin-tone guidance is useful, but confidence and personal preference matter more than following a strict color rule.
Once you know your measurements and preferred coverage, browse CurvySwim's plus size swimwear collections to find the style that fits your plans.
Start by measuring your bust, waist and hips, then compare those measurements with the size chart provided for the swimsuit you are considering. Your usual clothing size is a useful reference, but body measurements are a better starting point.
There is no universal answer. Compare your measurements with the product's size chart and consider the swimsuit construction, stretch, coverage and how you want the suit to feel. A smaller swimsuit is not automatically a better fit.
This is common. Two-piece swimwear, bikinis, tankinis and separate swim tops and bottoms can give you more flexibility when your proportions do not fit one standard size.
The best option depends on the coverage and silhouette you prefer. High-waisted bikini bottoms, tankini tops, supportive one-piece swimsuits and swim dresses can all provide different approaches to midsection coverage.
A plus size swim dress can be a comfortable choice if you prefer additional coverage around the hips and thighs while still wanting a feminine swimsuit silhouette.
Skin undertone can help guide your color choices, but there is no single correct color for any skin tone. Warm undertones may pair well with earthy and golden shades, cool undertones can work well with jewel and blue-based shades, and neutral undertones can often wear both.
It should feel secure while allowing you to move comfortably. Watch for excessive pulling, painful digging, gaping, slipping or compression. You should be able to sit, bend and move without constantly adjusting the swimsuit.
Neither is universally better. A tankini gives you the flexibility of a two-piece with additional torso coverage, while a one-piece creates one continuous silhouette. Your preferred coverage and fit should determine the better choice.
Take your measurements, decide how much coverage you want, choose a silhouette that fits your lifestyle, and then find the color that makes you feel confident. Swimwear should support your body and your summer—not make you worry about a number on a label.
Explore CurvySwim Plus Size Swimwear →