While buying bikinis online, you must have accurate measurements of your body at hand. Otherwise, you will end up with an ill-fitting and unflattering bikini.
The best way to measure a bikini is to lay them down carefully on a flat surface, such as a table or floor, and smoothen out any wrinkles or folds. However, measuring a pre-existing bikini will only work for brands whose garments you already own. Otherwise, you will have to measure your own body and apply the measurements to the sizing guide given by the website or brand.
We’ve laid down a thorough guide on taking measurements for bikinis below. Read on to find out more.
Determining Your Bikini Size 👙
For measuring bikini sizes, you will have to measure the top and bottom separately since people are not perfectly proportionate and require different sizes for both.
Bikini tops cover the chest area and follow a similar sizing to that of bras. So they’re usually mentioned as 32A, 34B, 36C, and so on. The numbers represent the underbust measurement, whereas the letters refer to your cup size.
Bikini top measurement is simple — just wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust and note the measurement.
Make sure that you measure while wearing only your bra. Additional clothing can result in inaccurate measurements.
Bikini bottoms follow the standard sizing you’d follow for measuring jeans or pants. However, the kind of sizing that brands use for bottoms differs from brand to brand. For instance, some brands may use the US sizing of 6,8,10 whereas others use generic sizing labels of small, medium, large, etc.
Steps To Measure Your Body for A Bikini
Measuring your body for a bikini requires measuring both the bottom and the top of your body.
Measuring Bikini Tops
- Underbust Size – Your underbust is the area right under your bust, around your ribcage. Comfortably place the tap around that area and measure. Measure in inches and round off to the nearest whole number. For instance, a 32.5 size can be rounded off to 33.
- Cup Size – To measure your cup size, you have to find the difference between your bust and underbust measurement. Measure your bust by wrapping the tape around the thickest area of your chest for the most accurate measurement. Then, find the difference between bust and underbust measurements for your cup size. Every inch is one cup. So if your bust is 34 and your underbust is 33, the cup size is A. If your bust is 34, and your underbust is 32, the cup size is B, and so on.
Measuring Bikini Bottoms
To measure the bottoms of a bikini, firstly measure your waist as you would for any regular article of clothing.
Make sure to wrap the tape around your waist comfortably such that it fits your body well. Bottom sizings differ according to the sizing rules followed by the brand, so make sure to match your measurements with those provided by the brand.
For a step-by-step, visual guide, refer to this instructive video by Land’s End.
Tips For Making Measurements
- Ensure that all the measurements are made with the bikini placed on a smooth surface, like a table or floor, and all wrinkles smoothened out.
- Do not hold the tape measure too tightly or loose while measuring. It should wrap around your body well – wrap it just as tight as you’d like your bikini to fit you.
- Use a soft tape measure to take the following measurements:
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, making sure the tape measure is level with the floor.
- Hips: Measure the fullest part of your hips, around the top of your buttocks. You can read this for a complete hip measurement tutorial.
- Waist: Measure the narrowest part of your waist, typically just above your belly button.
- Make sure that all the measurements are as accurate as possible.
- Consult an international sizing chart as each country or region has its own sizing rules. Brands differ in sizing as well, and many companies are known for having garments that run a size larger. So it is important to match your measurements with their sizing guide.
- Always refer to the sizing guide mentioned by a brand/store.
Bikini Styles For Each Body Shape
- For Athletic Bodies – Opt for bikini sets with embellishments and ruffles that accentuate your body as much as possible, and go for prints on the top with solids below for balance.
- For Curvy/ Hourglass Shapes – For those who have a curvy or hourglass shape, higher leg openings and solid colors are most flattering. High-waisted bikinis will give you shape as well.
- For Pear Shapes – High-waist bottoms can help hide tummy problems, and light colors on the top can help accentuate the length of the body. Asymmetrical cuts can be flattering.
- For Carrot/Inverted Triangle Shapes – If you have an inverted triangle body shape, horizontal stripes and bold prints on the bottom with solids on top can help balance out the body.
Bikini Sizing Chart
| Size | Bust (in) | Bust (cm) | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | Hips (in) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 30-32 | 76-81 | 23-24 | 58-61 | 32-34 | 81-86 |
| S | 32-34 | 81-86 | 24-26 | 61-66 | 34-36 | 86-91 |
| M | 34-36 | 86-91 | 26-28 | 66-71 | 36-38 | 91-96 |
| L | 36-38 | 91-96 | 28-30 | 71-76 | 38-40 | 96-101 |
| XL | 38-40 | 96-101 | 30-32 | 76-81 | 40-42 | 101-106 |
| XXL | 40-42 | 101-106 | 32-34 | 81-86 | 42-44 | 106-111 |
FAQs
How to measure the torso for swimwear?
To measure your torso for swimwear, start by finding your natural waistline, which is typically at the narrowest point of your waist. Then, measure from your waistline to the base of your ribcage, using a flexible tape measure.
Should you buy a swimsuit a size bigger?
It’s generally better to stick to your natural sizes instead of going bigger. Swimsuits and bikinis perfectly fit your body and accentuate your curves. Going for a larger size can make them look baggy which won’t be flattering for bikinis.
What size is a small bikini?
A small bikini typically has a bust size of 32-34 inches and a waist size of 24-26 inches. However, sizes can vary between brands and styles, so it is important to refer to the sizing chart provided by the brand or retailer.
How do you measure for bikini bottoms?
To measure for bikini bottoms, start by measuring around the widest part of your hips, using a flexible tape measure. Then, measure the distance from your natural waistline to the fullest part of your hips, to determine the rise of the bottoms.
Flaunt the perfect bikini for your body
Finding the perfect bikini for your body doesn’t have to be stressful! By taking the time to measure your body and understand your measurements, you can easily find the perfect fit for your body and feel confident and beautiful on the beach. With the right bikini and the perfect fit, you can make a splash this summer!
If you sell bikinis online, using a size chart with unit conversion is an effective way to reduce the return rate for bikini retailers. Along with that, Kiwi Sizing’s AI Size Recommender is the perfect tool to help customers easily find the size that fits them best, resulting in fewer returns and more satisfied customers.
Not only does it help reduce return rates, but also helps Shopify stores save on costs associated with returns. Try Kiwi Sizing’s AI Size Recommender today and experience the benefits yourself.
