SWIMSUIT
Q & A
SHOPPING
TIPS
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Fabric and Dressing Room
Q: What are the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for a swimsuit?
A: While many swimsuits may look very similar in style, cut, and color, there are a wide variety of factors that can impact both a swimsuit’s fit on the body and its overall lifetime. When shopping for a swimsuit, you should keep these factors in mind to ensure you receive the most overall satisfaction from your purchase.
First of all, you should look at the tag of the swimsuit to determine the type of fabric it is made from. While 100% cotton swimsuits may seem wonderfully light and very fashionable, they are quick to fray and sag when actually in use. The ideal fabric for a swimsuit is a cotton/Lycra mix. Lycra fabric will provide exceptional fit and limited chlorine resistance, while cotton will result in lightness and comfort in your swimsuit.
Secondly, you should look at the brand name of the swimsuit. While price and brand name should not be your first considerations, better-known brands do have a tendency to produce higher quality swimsuits that are guaranteed to last longer.
Once you have chosen a swimsuit and are ready to take it into the dressing room, you should look very critically at yourself in the swimsuit before deciding to purchase it. If the swimsuit is sagging, riding up, or bunching anywhere, you will probably want to try a smaller size. If the swimsuit is cutting into your skin or you are bulging out of it, you most likely will need a larger size.
When you have determined the right size for you, look closely at the color or print. Is this a color you will feel comfortable wearing in public? Will the color or print still look attractive when wet? All too often, a swimsuit that seemed perfect and sexy in the privacy of a fitting room seems far too scandalous and risqué for public exposure.
If you have determined that you like the color and/or print and have the right size, feel free to purchase the swimsuit. Still, be sure to keep the receipts. It is always best to try on a swimsuit or any other item of clothing in natural lighting. Fitting room lighting tends to accentuate different characteristics and aspects of the body than does natural lighting. When you get the swimsuit home, try it on again in a sunny room or outside to determine if you still like the color or print.
If you keep these factors in mind when shopping for a new swimsuit, you will be much less likely to face buyer’s regret at a later date.
*Note: If you choose to wear a white swimsuit, make sure it has double or even triple lining. A good rule to determine if the lining will allow too much exposure when the swimsuit is wet is to look at the swimsuit with your hand inside of it. If you can see your hand through the swimsuit when dry, it will most likely become quite sheer when wet.
Budget
Q: How do I shop for a swimsuit on a budget?
A: When shopping, practically every woman wants to be able to find the best clothing value and longest purchase satisfaction for the lowest amount of money. This general rule of shopping most certainly applies to swimsuits, as well. Yet, because a good swimsuit fit is already difficult enough to locate as it is, finding a good swimsuit fit at a low price is often nearly impossible. With a good set of swimsuit shopping strategies, however, you can find the perfect swimsuit for you, at a price that will leave you with enough money to pay for parking at the beach.
Tip #1: Shop for swimsuits during the months of July and August. While the initial excitement of the summer season will often tempt you to buy a swimsuit in March or April, when the stores are literally bursting with selection, the prices are bound to be higher during those pre-summer months. By July and August, storeowners are ready to clear their shelves and make room for autumn clothing and other merchandise. As a result of lower demand for swimsuits and the storeowners’ wishes to clear the shelves, quality swimsuits can be reduced to almost unheard-of prices. If you are really looking to hold onto your budget, but you do not want to sacrifice swimsuit quality, use last year’s swimsuit until July and then hit the stores in earnest.
Tip #2: Instead of falling for trends that may not last for more than one season, buy more classic swimsuit styles, such as a halter maillot or string bikini. While these styles are rarely high on the fashion trend scale, they are also never too low. When you go in for a more classic style, you can wear your new swimsuit purchase for several summer seasons without worry of embarrassment. In addition, there is a reason the halter maillot or string bikini are considered classic styles. These styles are more flattering for a larger number of women’s bodies. Trendy styles often fall quickly out of style precisely because they are flattering on only a very small percentage of women.
Tip #3: Do not underestimate consignment stores and outlet stores. While a swimsuit is not usually an item of clothing that you want to buy used, consignment stores tend to stock very gently used clothing from well-known designer brands. A purchase from a consignment store is generally a safe bet, and you can often find designer swimwear at a fraction of the original cost. If you are still not quite sure about purchasing a used swimsuit, try shopping at outlet stores, instead. Outlet stores carry new swimsuits from designer and other well-known brands that did not sell in the original stores for a variety of reasons. You may be able to find the perfect swimsuit for you at a much lower cost than you would have paid in the original store.
Tip #4: Enter the store informed about what it is you want in a swimsuit. If you know your desired fit, color, fabric, and style, you will be much more able to quickly identify your perfect swimsuit. You will also be much less likely to face buyer’s regret after purchasing a swimsuit you did not really want, at a price you could not really afford.
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. Style Tips .
. Shopping Tips .
. Swimsuit Shopping .
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