70% of women in the UK regularly wear the wrong size bra. If you're wearing an incorrectly sized bra, it's highly likely you'll pick incorrectly sized swimwear too. Poorly fitting swimwear can not only result in unsightly lumps and bumps but can also cause discomfort and back pain. If you are about to invest in some lovely new swimwear for your holiday, isn't worth making sure you are wearing the correct size? It only takes a few minutes to check your measurements and the result will be a smooth silhouette and comfort on the beach.
The Swimwear Size Guide
Most commonly, women wear a band size that is too big and a cup size that is too small. This may feel comfortable around the ribs but can lead to tension in the upper back and bad posture. Many high street stores offer a swimwear fitting service. Did you know that measuring yourself for swimwear is something you can quite easily do yourself? If you are unsure how to measure yourself properly for swimwear, follow our simple three-step guide to get an accurate, reliable measurement. It doesn't matter if you are buying a swimsuit, bikini or tankini, the principle is exactly the same.
Step 1: Measure Your Back Size
Take a soft tape measure and measure around your back and under your bust. Make sure that the tape sits parallel to the floor all the way around and feels secure. This will give you an accurate measurement across your back. Find your number, in either inches or centimetres and write it down. Be sure to round everything up to the nearest whole number.
Step 2: Measure Your Cup Size
Whilst wearing a non-padded bra, or in the nude, stand upright with your arms at your side and measure the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the measuring tape is parallel with the ground and not lose or too tight. Measure around your back as before and find your number, again round it up.
Step 3: Calculate Your Cup Size
- If there are 2 inches difference between the band and the cup measurements then you are a B cup. For example, 32 band and 34 cup you are a 32 B.
- If there are 3 inches then you are a C cup. 4 inches then a D cup, so on and so forth.
How Should A Correctly Sized Bikini Fit?
- Band Size (or back size): It is important to note that the band of your bikini should do all the work in supporting your breasts, the straps should only be there to offer extra security. On the loosest fitting, you should just be able to fit two fingers underneath the back. If your bikini is comfortable on the tightest fitting hooks you should consider wearing a smaller back size.
- Apex: The apex is the point at which the bottom of the strap joins the cup at the front of the bikini or swimsuit. When choosing swimwear, always make sure that this point is wide enough to support your breasts. For instance, if you have a C or D cup, you can get away with a narrower apex than if you have DD+. If you need a larger cup size E, F, G, H or more, then you will need to make sure that the apex is wide enough to give you good support and lift.
- Swimwear Straps: The straps of your swimwear should be both supportive and comfortable. Don't rely on your swimwear straps for support. Straps should fit comfortably but should not dig into your shoulders. Too-tight straps can cause the underwires to dig into your bust, while loose straps will slip off your shoulders as you walk around the beach.
- Wings: The bit that goes under your arms. The wings of your swimwear should fit snugly, but not too tight. If you bulge out above the wings, then you need a bigger cup size.
- Underwired Swimwear:The wires of an underwired swimsuit or bikini should not dig into you at any point. If this happens, you may choose a bigger cup size, rather than a bigger back size.
- Cup Sized Swimwear: Where no cup size is stated in swimwear, it will usually fit cup sizes B to D. So if you are ordinarily an E cup, you will need to choose cup sized swimwear or it will not fit you.
- Tank Style Swimwear: Non padded/non wired or soft cup swimwear will usually fit most cup sizes.
International Back Sizes
| UK | US | EU | FR | IT | AUS |
| 30 | 30 | 65 | 80 | - | 8 |
| 32 | 32 | 70 | 85 | 1 | 10 |
| 34 | 34 | 75 | 90 | 2 | 12 |
| 36 | 36 | 80 | 95 | 3 | 14 |
| 38 | 38 | 85 | 100 | 4 | 16 |
| 40 | 40 | 90 | 105 | 5 | 18 |
| 42 | 42 | 95 | 110 | 6 | 20 |
| 44 | 44 | 100 | 115 | 7 | 22 |
| 46 | 46 | 105 | 120 | 8 | 24 |
| 48 | 48 | 110 | 125 | 9 | 26 |
International Cup Sizes
| UK | US | EU | FR | IT | AUS |
| A | A | A | A | A | A |
| B | B | B | B | B | B |
| C | C | C | C | C | C |
| D | D | D | D | D | D |
| DD | DD/E | E | E | DD | DD |
| E | DDD/F | F | F | E | E |
| F | G | G | G | F | F |
| FF | H | H | H | FF | FF |
| G | I | J | J | G | G |
| GG | J | K | K | GG | GG |
| H | K | L | L | H | H |
| HH/I | L | M | M | HH | HH |
| J | M | N | N | J | J |
International Dress Sizes
| UK | US | Euro | French | Italian | Aus |
| 8 | 4 | 34 | 36 | 40 | 8 |
| 10 | 6 | 36 | 38 | 42 | 10 |
| 12 | 8 | 38 | 40 | 44 | 12 |
| 14 | 10 | 40 | 42 | 46 | 14 |
| 16 | 12 | 42 | 44 | 48 | 16 |
| 18 | 14 | 44 | 46 | 50 | 18 |
| 20 | 16 | 46 | 48 | 52 | 20 |
| 22 | 18 | 48 | 50 | 54 | 22 |
| 24 | 20 | 50 | 52 | 56 | 24 |
| 26 | 22 | 52 | 54 | 58 | 26 |
Notes On Size Charts
When purchasing Swimwear online, it's important to note that there are differences in sizing between different countries:
- French sizing is used in France, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
- EU sizing is used in most other European countries.
- China, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea also use the EU sizing system.
- India use the same sizing system as the UK.
- Occasionally, brands use may adopt a sizing system not currently used in that country. You should, therefore, always check the size chart for the particular brand of lingerie you are buying.
