Bikini, Swimsuit and Swimming Costume fitting the correct way..

Summer is here and you have made the same swimsuit buying mistake as you did last year.

You have followed all the advice from the experts only to find that your new swimsuit or bikini bottom sags when wet in the lower Bum area or worse it creeps into the crack.

I do not know about you but I cringe when I am relaxing at beach or pool then seeing how unseemly it looks for women to be digging into her Bum crack to fold her suit into a comfortable position.

The resetting of the swimsuit or bikini bottom every few steps or that strategic sag that looks as if the wearer is carrying half the beach in her Britches. For the most part this is caused by the cut. Most do it on autopilot, without noticing, as if it a natural womanly function.


Some designer information no one dares mention.

Every Race has a different shaped Bum. You all of coarse know the famous Bubble Butt that almost every African woman has. Then you get the Classic South America Indian Square body little to no bum, How about that classic American sloped form or the rectangular Butt of the European.

Like Breast / Cup volumes each Country has a specific classic shape. It is therefore impossible to cater for all shapes when made in China. So what do the Branded Suppliers do? They design a general fit. That means that some 30% of women will have the problems outlined above. Sizing is also a problem as bulk bought suits are ordered on price not on fit or quality. Maybe look for the "Made in" label that is fixed to all garments to determine your best country fit. It may be VS J but made in China.

How to overcome

Right off you take a friend shopping when choosing a Swimsuit or that Bikini. The reason, you cannot see your back end in all its glory and you will need some honest advice.

Select the swimsuit you like. Now this is a tricky part because most women are afraid of this. You try it one without your underwear Panty.

AAAARH I hear you say. Do not worry because you would have taken a WP Wipe and a spare slim line liner. Using the WP wipe clean that “hygiene label” then fit your Slim line as normal.

Check yourself in the mirror as you always do. Mmmmmm, most pleasing to you, but wait! Now, place your feet about 500mm or 14 inches apart. Do a squat.

What is that you ask? Well simply put you bend at the knees and almost sit on your haunches.

Now stand and have your friend check your rear end for creep and sag. Do I hear, “But what has that got to with fitting a bikini or swimsuit”?

Believe it or not this will simulate a stride and general positions when sitting to standing.

Anymore than a slight crease into your crack may mean a too loose fit. Any more than a ½ inch movement of the sides around the Bum area may mean a suit that is far too small or too little free frabric for your Bum shape. Too much or too little, it all has to do with how the fabric will stretch to fit your unique form.

This simple test is guaranteed to ensure that you have a near perfect fit without creep of slack fit when wet.

Some tips:

1. When buying swimwear always ask about the return policy if you are not allowed to fit in store.
2. Too many Stores are hiding behind hygiene laws knowing full well the US$2.69 container + freight {I joke not} they paid for the bikini then sold to you for $38.00 may well not fit correctly or for that matter not fit at all because the Chinese are famous for incorrect sizing.
3. Even if you do have a store card rather move on next store rather than buy on the off chance.
4. Never wear your lingerie Bottom when fitting as the swimwear fabric will slip and distort the styling and fit.
5. Always hide your current Bathing suit tan lines well before you go new bikini or swimsuit shopping. Apply self-tan if required. The reason is that for the most part a woman cannot imagine what she can look with a new cut. Her eyes are drawn to the tan lines resulting in her rejection of what could be a new and complimenary look for her unique form.

About the author

Hugh Robinson is Special Projects Director of Xen swimwear. For the most part his tasks revolve around ensuring that sponsored pageant entrants and private customers receive the best fit swimwear possible. His other tasks involve that of fashion shows and promotional gigs for corporates who need unique flash.

Bikini Top and Swimsuit Brasierre fitting problems

The Biggest challenge facing women when purchasing Swimsuits or Bikinis online, and Retail, is determining the correct Cup and Band sizing. It is a serious challenge.

Free for all imports of Chinese origin and the lack of home grown manufacturers, as well as incorrect labels found on Bust Cup or Brassiere sizing is causing women untold problems.

The following article should be of help determining the best methods of finding your correct Bra size.



Internet purchasing

For the most part Owners of Swimwear or Lingerie sites selling on the Internet would not know the difference between Bikini clasp and slider. The reason being that they are resellers who display another’ s product on commission. His supplier / manufacture in turn delivers to your door. This is called drop ship marketing.

These resellers would not have a dedicated fitting department, rely on a common fit chart, usually charge extra for postage, and never accept return swimwear. So best you know what you sizes before you are too order.

Some things to look for when buying retail.

It is common for a manufacturer to attach either manufacturer specific sizing or mixed country size labels to their garments of which, some quote the equivalent sizes for different countries.

1. All countries require that a sizing label is fixed as specified by their import law. Be warned, for the most part, these are manufacturer best guess and are often inaccurate as they know that as long as they comply it does not mean they have to accurate.



2. A Brassiere made in Asia to the European size and EU specification say a 75B, it will almost always be labelled as 34B (USA) and 34B (UK) when exported to those countries.



3. The methods used to calculate cup size differ in each of these countries. You will likely find that the physical size or volume of the cup may differ. In some cases the band size may also differ, but if you buy without a test fit you have a problem.



4. In the US they use ½ inch measuring and in the UK nearest inch. You can relax a little because this only starts making the differences in cup sizes above D. A – C cup are fairly close fit, but there is a huge difference when you compare Asian and Australian fit in the same range.



5. Do I hear you say, “I heard that one before but it is still confusing when the Brassiere size says 30ddd and the Bra I am looking at says 34 DD and it does sill does not fit not fit”.



6. When you see these out of the ordinary Cup sizes in DDD. These are usually manufacturer specific and then you will wonder why you are unable to find the right top.



7. The Brassiere you are now wearing may not be correct sizing for you. It may a few years old and had stretched or is not American or UK made therefore has typical Chinese attributes. Narrow under wire that pinches the Bust sides and leaves marks together with a high volume almost conical cup. When what is needed is a wide under wire with less volume.

The reason is that in this example Western women have broader shoulders and the ratios applied to the East are a bit different.

What to watch for

1. Do not rely on manufacturers sizing when determining your Bra size if you do not live in the country of original manufacture.



2. Measure yourself correctly and know your real sizes before you buy.



3. Charts on most swimwear fitting pages are most times incorrect, and worse still confusing.



4. Never be afraid of writing to the seller asking for advice.



5. Provide your correct measurements and let them come back with the size they recommend



6. If you are big busted or on the plus side, or you have a soft bust structure be sure to adjust your Bra shoulder straps to Pert your Bust. This will ensure accurate sizing.



7. If you have one of those seamless stretch fabric form Bras older than I year rather find another or fit a Bra that supports your Breasts to pert when measuring over Bust
   

Our best advice
We suggest that you use what we at Xen swimwear use as a confirmation of size between countries. As Xen manufactures to Country specific methods, we have found it complimentary to our international sizing systems. We know it works because our end users are happy with size fit and you the reader will find the information provided more accurate than can be conveyed in a magazine article.
The 85B.org site is near as can be to true sizing http://www.85b.org/bra_size_info.php . Even if you have an imported Bra bought in France, Germany, Australia or Japan and you want to know its US size equivalent or international sizing Just click on 85b.org

About the Author.
Hugh Robinson is head of Special Projects at Xen swimwear. He provides useful hints and other fitting information to women with a problem under the name of xenswim1 in various forums. This has lead to a loyal following from women who even if they do not buy Xen product ask for advice. These range from "what do I look best in?" to where to by X style. Xen swimwear is proud to enhance the feminine mystique.