Designer Swimwear Sizing Guide

As with any designer label, each designer has its own measuring guide. You know that from designer “X” you always buy a certain size, while from designer “Y”, the size may be smaller or bigger than your “regular” size. This is also true with swimwear. But let’s be honest, how many of you don’t just buy a certain size because you are “normally” that size? How many of you actually look to see what size you should actually buy, check out the size chart, or read the disclaimer that says “runs small”?

Now that we have experienced first hand a variety of brands, both European as well as American and South American, we can tell you that there is in general one size difference between the swimsuits that “run small” and the “true to size” ones. What this means is that a swimsuit in small from a brand that runs small is actually an extra small in “true to size” or regular ones. To make it even more difficult to choose the best fitting, sometimes there are size differences within the same designer, depending on the style: bandeau, halter, triangle….

We at Elite Fashion Swimwear have measured all the swimsuits we receive from different swimwear manufacturer and tried to standardize the sizes so as to fit the American sizing. For swimsuits that in general run small, we already list them as XS if the swimsuit is small. We have also required our manufacturers to add a label that specifies the American size.  In an effort to make your shopping experience easier and to help you find the best fitting swimsuit for you, we tried to take the guessing out of the question. You can feel totally comfortable that if you are generally a size Medium, you will get a swimsuit that actually fits a medium.

Many people don’t know how to properly care for their designer swimwear. While it is very common that people disregard the washing instructions and small print found on the inside tags, there are a few simple rules that need to be followed to ensure your designer swimwear will last for many seasons to come.

First, we’ll start off with some general tips.  Try to avoid prolonged sun exposure as this can actually accelerate the fading of your designer swimwear.  In addition, make sure your pool or hot tub’s chlorine content isn’t too excessive, as this can diminish the overall durability of the delicate designer swimwear fabrics; too much chlorine can ruin the overall shape of your designer swimwear.  Other things you need to avoid are rough surfaces, such as coarse textured pool decks, as these can also ruin the smooth texture and delicate nature of designer swimwear fabrics.  Finally, try to avoid getting oils, lotions, or any other cosmetic products on your swimsuits, which can be very harmful to the luxurious fabrics.

Although there are many things that need to be avoided when wearing designer swimwear, there are improvements in the designer industry related to the fabrics used. The latest designer swimwear trends point to new fabrics used: Folie and Sensitive. Folie is a label that shows that the product is made from a special material. Folie is a refined fabric, glossy, light, fine but at the same time resistant. Folie’s main attributes are protection against UV rays, resistance to piling, ultra fine, soft and pleasant to touch, quick drying, absorbs sweat and lets the skin breathe, gives maximum comfort and a perfect fit. “Sensitive” fabric is a label that shows that the swimsuit is made of a material with special attributes (patented by Lycra and Meryl): lets the skin breathe, gives maximum comfort, has great resistance to chlorine, quick drying and protection against UV rays. Despite all these improvements, there are still some rules to be followed when caring for your designer swimwear.

Next let’s talk about washing your swimsuits.  Never, I repeat never, wash your designer swimwear in a washing machine. While it would be easy to just let the washing machine do the job, even on the gentlest of cycles, washing machines are too rough and can ruin the fabric, shape, and any detailed embellishments; washing machines accelerate the breakdown of Lycra Spandex and can also ruin any bra inserts or padding.  Always wash your designer swimwear gently by hand after every wear, and make sure that the water is cold or warm, not too hot.  To remove all of the salt and chlorine, use mild soaps, rather than ordinary laundry detergents, that are specifically meant for delicate fabrics. Do NOT leave your designer swimwear in a towel till your next wear as this will definitely accelerate the breakdown of the fabric and the swimsuit will get ruined.

After washing you swimwear, make sure to remove any excess water by squeezing gently. Do not twist the swimsuit, as this motion will ruin the shape and fabric of your designer swimwear.  Avoid using a dryer to dry your swimsuits.  Instead, lay your swimwear flat in a shaded and ventilated area.  Since irons are way too hot for delicate designer swimwear fabrics, laying your swimsuits flat to dry will help reduce any wrinkles or creasing.

Caring for your designer swimwear at a glace:

When wearing your designer swimwear, please AVOID:

• prolonged sun exposure
• excess chlorinated water
• rough surfaces

When laundering your designer swimwear, please AVOID:

• washing machines
• dryers
• irons

To ensure your designer swimwear lasts a long time:

• wash your swimsuit after every use
• gently wash your swimsuits by hand
• use warm or cold water
• use mild soaps
• gently squeeze excess water
• lay your swimwear flat in a shaded or ventilated area

Taking care of your swimsuits is really very simple.  Just remember that too much chlorine and washers/dryers/irons are your biggest enemies.  Just follow these simple tips and you’ll have sexy designer swimwear styles for many seasons to come!

Not everybody is built to have the “celebrity” figure. We’re all struggling either because our bodies resemble a pear or an apple… While these fruits are appetizing in themselves, we need to make our bodies look equally appetizing, especially when wearing swimwear.

We’ll discuss how to better choose your swimsuit based on the “fruit” your body resembles.

Apple Shaped Bodies

If you have slim legs and arms and carry your weight on your tummy then you are a classic apple shape, and it is easy to find swimwear to flatter your figure. The best way to highlight your curves and emphasize your best feature: your slender legs, is to choose swimwear bottoms that are cut high or string styles which tie on the sides. This way you will make your legs appear even longer. A good choice are tankinis! It seems that tankinis were especially designed for the apple shape. With the ability to cover your tummy when you want to, you have the option to roll it up while you sunbathe to get that all over bronzed color!

For the best tummy slimming effects, get a tankini which is long enough to meet the top of your bikini bottoms. Any flesh revealing gap will only catch people’s eye and get people to look at the area you were hoping to distract them from. A patterned tankini top is also great for hiding any lumps and bumps. But there are other choices than tankinis! You could always choose a one piece swimsuit that has vertical lines (really, you need to avoid horizontal lines as much as possible). The vertical lines will help create the illusion of longevity. Designer one piece swimsuits are of high quality, the fabric is durable and aids in the slimming effects one so much desires.

Earth Tone One Piece Swimsuit

Pear Shaped Bodies

A pear shaped body is one where the hips are wider than the shoulders, or where you carry more of your weight around your hips and thighs. In order to balance out your proportions, you need to make careful swimwear choices so you can flatter your figure and slim the bottom half while adding some volume to the top. To do this is easy once you know the tricks!

First, please resist the urge to cover a fuller bottom with boy short bikini bottoms, as more fabric just means that there is more to cover! Instead go for a high cut leg as this will make your leg look longer and leaner, and go for a regular cut across the bottom as this will be most flattering for a pear shape.

Second, color does matter! Avoid choosing same color top and bottom as there is nothing to attract the eyes from your bottom. Instead, choose a patterned or bright bikini top and a darker or plain swimwear bottom. This is the best way to visually balance your proportions, as it boosts your bust and slims your thighs beautifully. Wearing horizontal stripes on your top half is also a great way to look gorgeous in your swimwear! If you have a wider body, you need to choose swimwear with vertical stripes (if you’re into stripes), as the horizontal stripes just make you look even wider. The whole idea is to look slimmer, not wider!

Halter Swimsuit

If you want to enhance your bust further, you may want to choose swimsuits with horizontal stripes on the top as they make your bust look fuller, or swimsuits with attention grabbing trims or central accessories which will draw attention to your bust.

Wearing a darker color on the bottom half of your swimwear can also make your small bust seem bigger, or if you are after a real boost, go for underwire swimsuits or push-up bikini tops. The recent swimwear trends have unveiled monokinis that are lighter on the top and darker on the bottom. These trendy monokinis are a great choice for women with smaller busts who want to create the illusion of  a fuller bust. Plus the monokinis are perfect to hide the “problem” areas around your tummy.

Monokinis

Big busted beauties need swimwear that offer plenty of support and highlight your shape at the beach. You can find plenty of stylish swimwear that are made exactly for that: to offer good support to the ones that need it the most. The most important aspect is to always get the best fit from your bikini or swimsuit. Swimwear with underwires are essential for ensuring comfortable lift and proper support for the larger bust.

If you want to flaunt your curves, then halter bikinis or swimwear are a great way to do this. But just because a swimsuit is a halter style it doesn’t mean it will accomplish what you’re expecting. The swimwear has to be cut well, with a thick neck band and well structured supporting cups.  This Fashion Halter Bikini offers a perfect visual of what you should be looking for in a swimsuit for your larger bust.

Fashion Halter Bikini

OK, you know you need a halter or underwire swimsuit, but what about color? Well, color is extremely important especially for women with big busts. Colorful fabrics can add a youthful look and are a fun way of attracting attention! If you want to look more in proportion and minimize your larger bust, we suggest you go for swimwear with darker shade on top and a lighter bottom. This will achieve the balance you need!