Secrets from our Fit Experts: How to Find the Perfect Fit

The secret to great swimwear? It starts with the fit.

Let’s be honest: swimsuit shopping can be a little dramatic.

There’s the swimsuit that looked incredible online but somehow feels like it was designed for a completely different human. The one piece swimsuit that fits perfectly everywhere except the torso. The bikini top that seems determined to make a break for it the second you move. The straps that just won’t stay where they need to. And, of course, the swimsuit that technically fits but somehow has you adjusting it every 14 seconds.

We’ve seen it all.

After more than 50 years of helping Canadians find swimwear, Swimco’s Fit Experts have learned something important: finding the perfect swimsuit fit has very little to do with chasing a particular size and everything to do with understanding how a swimsuit should fit your body.

Because the number on the tag? It’s just a number.

The right fit is about support, comfort, coverage, movement, and feeling confident in what you’re wearing.

So we asked our Fit Experts to share their best-kept secrets for finding a swimsuit that actually works for you, from the first try-on to the first jump in the water.

Secret #1: Your swimsuit size is not your clothing size.

This might be the most important thing to know before stepping into a fitting room.

Swimwear sizing is not standardized.

A size 10 swimsuit from one brand may fit completely differently from a size 10 in another brand. Even within the same category, different fabrics, cuts, construction, and intended uses can change how a swimsuit fits.

That means your usual dress size is a starting point, not a rule.

At Swimco, we recommend looking at the specific size chart for the swimsuit and brand you’re considering. Measurements give you much more useful information than the number printed on a tag.

And here’s a Fit Expert mindset worth remembering: The goal isn't to fit into the swimsuit. The goal is to find the swimsuit that fits you.

Secret #2: Know your four key measurements.

If you want to find the best swimsuit fit, measurements are your secret weapon.

For women’s swimwear, there are four key areas to consider:

Bust

Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the measuring tape straight across your back and standing naturally with your arms down.

Waist

Measure around your natural waistline. Your natural waist is generally a couple of inches above your belly button, just below your last rib.

Hips

Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips.

Torso

And then there’s the measurement many people forget: your torso.

For a one piece swimsuit, torso length can make a huge difference.

To measure your torso, run the tape measure in a full circle from a point on your shoulder midway between your neck and shoulder, over the fullest part of your bust, down between your legs and back up to where you started.

Why does this matter? Because two people can have the exact same bust, waist and hip measurements but completely different torso lengths so one may need a long torso swimsuit. Another may find a standard one piece fits perfectly.

If you’ve ever tried on a one piece and thought, “Why is this swimsuit trying to pull me down?” your torso length may be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Secret #3: A swimsuit should feel snug. Not suffocating.

Here’s where swimsuit shopping gets interesting. A well-fitting swimsuit should generally feel secure and comfortably snug, rather than loose. This is because swimwear is designed to move with your body and, depending on the fabric, may relax once you’re in the water.

Lycra, spandex, and elastane will stretch up to half a size once they’ve been in the water while 100% polyester swimwear does not stretch. If you’re between sizes, a snugger size may be appropriate; with 100% polyester, our Fit Experts recommend choosing the more comfortable fit rather than sizing down.

For more information on choosing the right swimwear for active use, explore Swimco’s fitness swimwear collection.

Secret #4: Your swimsuit should pass the movement test.

A swimsuit might look perfect while you're standing still in front of a mirror. But you don't spend your entire vacation standing perfectly still. You swim. You bend. You sit. You stretch. You reach for your beach bag. You chase children. You climb onto paddleboards. You jump into lakes. You dance at beach bars.

Your swimsuit needs to keep up.

When trying on a swimsuit, move around. Raise your arms. Bend forward. Twist from side to side. Sit down. Walk around.

If you're shopping for fitness swimwear, take this even further. Mimic the movements you’ll make in the pool.

If you can do these daily tasks comfortably, chances are you’ve found your fit. If you find yourself adjusting, consider a different size or style that better suits your needs.

Secret #5: Your straps should support you, not punish you.

Straps are small but mighty. If your swimsuit straps are constantly falling down, digging into your shoulders, or requiring endless adjustment, something may be off.

At Swimco, one of the Fit Expert checks is particularly simple: pull up on the straps.

If an adjustable strap can be lifted all the way over your ear, it likely needs to be tightened, or the swimsuit may be too large. If a fixed strap is excessively loose, trying a smaller size or another style may be the better option.

And remember tight does not automatically mean supportive.

A strap should help hold the swimsuit in position without digging painfully into your shoulders.

For larger busts, adjustable straps can also provide valuable flexibility when finding the right level of support and comfort. Explore D Cup & Up swimwear for styles designed with additional support features.

Secret #6: Underwire should sit under your bust, not on it.

If you’re shopping for an underwire swimsuit, this is one of the most important fit checks.

The underwire should sit comfortably underneath the bust and extend toward the sternum without lifting away from your body. It shouldn't sit on breast tissue. It shouldn't dig painfully into your side. And it shouldn't be floating away from your body.

A well-fitting underwire swimsuit should feel supportive without making you constantly aware of the wire.

If underwire isn't your thing, that's perfectly fine too.

There are plenty of other ways to achieve support, including structured cups, shelf bras, wide straps, moulded cups, adjustable straps, and supportive fabrications.

The perfect swimsuit is not necessarily the swimsuit with the most structure. It's the one that provides the right structure for you.

Secret #7: Your swimsuit bottoms should lie flat.

Let’s talk about your bottom.

Whether you’re shopping for a bikini bottom, or one piece, the fabric should sit comfortably against your body. You want a secure fit without excessive looseness, bunching, or gaping. A swimsuit bottom that is too loose may shift when you move or enter the water. A swimsuit bottom that is too tight may dig into the skin and create uncomfortable pressure.

The goal?

Snug. Secure. Comfortable.

And yes, this applies to every body.

There is no magical body shape that makes swimsuit bottoms easier to fit. Bodies have curves, proportions, different hip-to-waist ratios, and different preferences for coverage. That's why trying different cuts can be so valuable.

High waisted bikini bottoms, mid-rise bottoms, full coverage bottoms, cheeky bottoms, and skirted styles can all fit differently. Finding the right one is about discovering what works with your proportions and your comfort level.

Secret #8: Ruching isn't just pretty. It can be practical.

We love a little gathering magic. Ruching is one of those swimsuit details that can do more than add visual interest. Depending on where it’s placed, ruching can help create a softer, more forgiving appearance while adding texture and shaping to a swimsuit.

You'll find ruching on:

On a tankini, strategically placed ruching can help create coverage and a comfortable fit.

On a bikini bottom, ruched sides can add shape while allowing you to customize how the bottom sits on the hips.

And on a one piece, ruching can add texture through the midsection while creating a flattering visual effect.

The key is not to choose ruching simply because you think you "need to hide" something. Choose it because you like the way it looks and feels.

Secret #9: The perfect one piece depends on more than bust, waist and hips.

One piece swimsuits are classics for a reason. They offer coverage, support, and endless options for different body types, activities, and personal styles. But one piece swimsuits can also be some of the trickiest swimwear to fit because you're fitting one garment across your entire torso. That's why torso length matters so much.

If a one piece is too short through the torso, you may notice:

Straps pulling you down
The neckline sitting too low
The leg line hitting an uncomfortable position on the hip
Excess tension
The swimsuit feeling restrictive when you move

If it's too long, you may notice:

Excess fabric through the torso
Gaping
Wrinkling
A less supportive fit

If the bust, waist, and hips fit but the torso doesn't, don't automatically assume you've chosen the wrong size. You may simply need a different one piece swimsuit style or long torso swimwear.

This is exactly where working with a Fit Expert can make the process much easier. They are trained to spot the fit issue and find the right piece to correct it.

Secret #10: A tankini can be the best of both worlds.

Want the coverage of a one piece with the flexibility of a two piece? Enter the tankini.

Tankini swimwear can be a fantastic option for customers who want more coverage through the midsection while still enjoying the flexibility of separate tops and bottoms. And because the top and bottom are separate, you can often approach fit differently.

Need more room through the bust but a smaller bottom? No problem. Prefer a longer tankini top? There are options. Want to pair a supportive tankini top with a high waisted bikini bottom? Absolutely.

The important thing is to make sure the tankini top stays comfortably in place and doesn't constantly ride up when you move.

Secret #11: Don't forget what you're actually doing in the swimsuit.

This might be the biggest Fit Expert secret of all.

The "best" swimsuit depends on what you're doing in it.

A swimsuit for lounging on a resort beach doesn't necessarily need the same features as a swimsuit for swimming laps. Think about your lifestyle.

For swimming laps or aquatic fitness look for:

Secure straps
Supportive construction
Comfortable coverage
Chlorine-resistant or durable fabrications including polyester
A streamlined fit
A swimsuit that stays securely in place

For regular pool workouts, explore Swimco’s aquatic fitness swimwear, including durable styles designed for active water use.

For the beach you may prioritize:

Style
Coverage
Adjustable features
Comfortable fit
Mix-and-match options

For a tropical vacation you might want:

A flattering one piece swimsuit
A supportive bikini
A tankini
Mix-and-match swimwear
High waisted bottoms
Resortwear
Cover ups that take you from beach to lunch

For the lake you may want something that can handle movement, water activities and long days outside.

The perfect swimsuit isn't simply the one that looks good in a photo.

It's the one that works for the life you're actually living.

Secret #12: Your body isn't the problem. The swimsuit might be.

This one is worth repeating.

If a swimsuit doesn't fit, it doesn't mean your body is wrong for the swimsuit. It means the swimsuit isn't right for your body. There are so many different swimsuit cuts, fabrics, proportions, and construction techniques that expecting one style to work for everyone would be a little ridiculous.

That's why finding the perfect swimsuit fit is less about following a universal formula and more about understanding what your body needs from your swimwear.

The Fit Expert Final Checklist

Before you commit to a new swimsuit, give it the ultimate fitting-room test.

Bust

Does the bust feel comfortably supported without spilling, gaping, or feeling compressed?

Straps

Do the straps stay in place without digging into your shoulders?

Underwire

If the swimsuit has underwire, does it sit comfortably beneath the bust and against the sternum?

Torso

If it's a one piece, does the length feel comfortable when you stand, sit, and move?

Waist

Does the swimsuit sit securely without digging in or extra fabric hanging around?

Hips

Does the fabric lie flat without excessive gaping or uncomfortable compression?

Bottom

Does the bottom stay in place when you move?

Coverage

Does the swimsuit provide the amount of coverage you actually want?

Movement

Can you raise your arms, bend, twist, and sit comfortably?

Confidence

And perhaps most importantly: Do you feel good in it?

If the answer is yes across the board, you've got something special.

Still Not Sure? That's What Our Fit Experts Are For.

You shouldn't have to become a swimwear expert just to buy a swimsuit. That's our job.

Swimco's Fit Experts are here to help you navigate brands, styles, sizing, coverage, support, fabrics, and fit so you can find swimwear that works for your body and your lifestyle.

Whether you're looking for a supportive one piece swimsuit, D cup swimwear, plus size swimwear, tummy control swimsuit, tankini, bikini, fitness swimsuit, long torso swimsuit or the perfect vacation swimsuit, our team can help you explore the options.

And there is no "perfect body" required. Just your body.

Because at Swimco, we believe everybody and every body deserves swimwear that fits beautifully, feels comfortable and gives you the confidence to enjoy the moment.

Ready to become your own Fit Expert?

Start with our complete Fit Tips guide for measurement instructions, sizing information, and our team's tried-and-true swimsuit fitting tips.

Or visit a Swimco location and let one of our Fit Experts do what they do best: help you find the swimsuit that makes you want to stop adjusting and start enjoying.

Because the perfect swimsuit isn't the one you have to think about all day.

It's the one that lets you forget you're wearing one.

Feel Good Half Naked.