Swim Tops and Bra Size

Now that we're well into summer, I wanted to talk a little bit about swimwear. In particular, bikini tops and how to find one that fits, based on what usually fits well on you in bras. Swim tops are usually sized the same way that clothing is, although you can find the corresponding bra size for some of those. If the company also sells bras, which some do, you can check to see if they have a bra size chart... but even if they do have one, unfortunately it may not be correct. That's why all of this is such a guessing game.

Maybe some of you are already all set on bikini tops (or whatever else you wear at the beach or pool) for the summer, but I figure I can't be the only one who buys everything online last-minute and hopes it will arrive in time for me to go on vacation. Yeah... you know you do this. My sister is worse: she once had to have Amazon deliver underwear to where she was staying, because she forgot to pack any.

The most important thing to know, when shopping for a bikini top online, is first: what is its structure? Does it have an underwire? Most don't. But they may have an underband, which is likely to provide more support than you would get from one without that feature. If you're looking for a top that will lift your breasts from underneath, you'll want to check out that style, if you can't find one with an underwire. Straps at the shoulders that work like bra straps are also helpful for support, because they aren't tying around your neck. Halter tops that tie around the neck and back are going to be your least supportive option.

Another type of swim top you can look for, if you like the look and want to make sure it keeps your breasts in place, is a pull-on sports bra style. These usually don't have adjustable straps, but instead have wider and more secure straps that connect with the rest of the top and either work as a racerback (with a Y-shape in back), or a full-coverage swimsuit top with material over all of your chest and back. You'll be able to wear this type of bikini top just fine while swimming, although it may flatten you out a little.

Here was my experience recently: I bought a bikini top with an underband, that also had connected straps in back that laced across the back and then came over the shoulders. I thought this looked great, but the problem was that when I tied the straps tight enough in back for it to fit there, they were too tight and uncomfortable on my shoulders. I figured I'm going to need either adjustable straps, or a style that doesn't connect them to the back.. So, it was on to the next.

After that, I went for a traditional halter-style that ties around the neck and back. I can usually wear this without much trouble, although sometimes the sizing is confusing. In this case, I chose a size small. If you're okay with having bikini top cups that have minimal coverage, you'll be fine with the smallest size that will fit you. So, you can order according to your usual clothing size up top, unless your bra size is out of the standard range.

But, if your cup size is larger than DD or if you just want to make sure the cups cover more of your chest, ordering up one (or more) sizes from your usual clothing size might make sense. The way to tell for sure is to check the measurements of the cups, if that information is available, mainly for how tall they are but also for the width. Height is more important because that can't be adjusted, whereas most bikini tops have sliding cups that can be pulled out on the string from the bottom (but, always make sure it has that too).

Very petite women who also wear a small bra size may want to order down; for example, if your clothing size is a Small, see if the bikini comes in XS. Even if XS tops in clothes don't fit you, a bikini top in that size very well could, because you don't have to worry about shoulder width.