Buying a bikini should be exciting. After all, you're probably shopping because you've got a holiday, a spa break or a sunny weekend away to look forward to. Yet for so many women, buying swimwear becomes one of the most stressful shopping experiences of the year.
After nearly 20 years of helping women find swimwear they feel fantastic in, I've learnt that the biggest obstacle isn't usually finding the right bikini. It's the assumptions people make before they've even stepped into the fitting room.
Here's what I've learnt.
Don't Judge a Bikini on the Hanger
The biggest mistake I see customers make is deciding what they won't wear before they've tried anything on.
"I don't wear patterns." "I'd never wear that colour." "I couldn't possibly wear that style." I hear some version of this almost every day.
The reality is that bikinis look completely different on your body than they do hanging on a rail. A print that looks overwhelming on a hanger can be incredibly flattering when it's worn. Likewise, a style you would normally walk straight past could end up becoming your favourite.
Of course, if you genuinely hate orange, no bikini is ever going to change your mind. But keeping an open mind gives you a far better chance of finding something you absolutely love.
Start With How You'll Actually Wear It
When I'm helping someone choose a bikini, I don't immediately think about body shape. I start by asking questions.
- What size are you, and do you usually wear bra-sized swimwear?
- Are you planning to sunbathe all day with the occasional dip in the pool?
- Will you be chasing small children around?
- Do you enjoy water sports?
- Are you heading somewhere tropical where you might fancy brighter colours, or are you looking for something more understated?
All of these things influence what will work best. Once we've narrowed down a few styles that catch your eye, we try those first. From there it's easy to work out what works, what doesn't, and refine the options until we find the right bikini. You can browse our full range of bikinis online to get a feel for what's available before you come in for a fitting.
Why Bra-Sized Swimwear Makes Such a Difference
One of the biggest advantages of buying premium swimwear is that many bikinis are available in proper bra sizes rather than simply small, medium or large.
For women with fuller busts especially, having both a cup size and a back size allows for a much better fit and much better support. Many premium swimwear brands are also lingerie manufacturers. They already understand how to fit and support a bust properly, so they bring exactly the same expertise to their swimwear collections.
The result is a bikini that feels secure, fits beautifully and remains comfortable throughout the day.
Understanding the Different Bikini Top Styles
There isn't one bikini style that's right for everyone. It all comes down to what feels comfortable and suits your lifestyle.
Full Cup
Full cup bikini tops usually have three-part cups and provide excellent support and coverage without adding padding. They're ideal for women who like a secure fit or have a fuller bust.
Balcony
Balcony bikini tops offer slightly less coverage while still providing great support. They create a more open neckline without sacrificing comfort.
Triangle
Triangle styles can be either underwired or non-wired. Underwired versions often come in bra sizes and offer much better support than people expect, while non-wired versions are usually available in standard clothing sizes.
Padded Styles
Padding in premium swimwear isn't designed to make your bust look bigger. Instead, it's usually a thin layer of foam that simply gives the cups a smoother, more rounded shape.
Bandeau
Bandeau bikinis remain incredibly popular, especially for holidays where tanning is a priority. They're available in padded or non-padded versions and with or without underwires.
The truth is, there's no substitute for trying different styles on. The bikini that surprises you is often the one you end up buying.
The Biggest Myth About Wearing Bikinis
One of the saddest things I hear is women telling me they're "too old" to wear a bikini. Apparently someone, somewhere, has decided there's an age limit. There isn't.
I regularly hear women in their forties, fifties, sixties and beyond saying they should probably stop wearing bikinis. Honestly, it's nonsense.
When you're sitting on a beach, everyone else is far too busy enjoying their own holiday to analyse your body. If someone notices your bikini at all, they're far more likely to be thinking "that's a lovely bikini" than critiquing your stomach, your hips or your age. Wear what makes you feel comfortable.
More Coverage Isn't Always More Flattering
Many women automatically assume they should cover more as they get older or if they're self-conscious about certain areas. That's often not the most flattering choice.
I frequently meet women who think they need very high-waisted, full-coverage bikini bottoms because they're worried about a caesarean scar, carrying extra weight around their middle or simply getting older. Ironically, those fuller styles can sometimes make you look shorter through the body.
Likewise, women with curvier figures often assume they need the biggest bikini bottoms available when a slightly narrower cut can actually create a much more balanced shape. There are no universal rules. The only way to know is to try different styles.
Choosing the Right Bikini Bottom
Bikini bottoms are incredibly personal. Some women love full coverage, others prefer mid-rise styles, and current fashion has moved towards much skimpier cuts, including Brazilian and tanga styles.
Personally, I'm probably a little old-fashioned. I prefer something with a little more elegance and coverage. But that's simply my preference. Fashion trends come and go. We've seen retro high-waisted styles become hugely popular before, we've seen boy shorts, and now we're seeing much skimpier cuts.
The important thing isn't following fashion. It's finding the style that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Life isn't a fashion magazine. It doesn't matter what's trending if it isn't right for you.
Don't Be Afraid of Colour
One thing I encourage almost every customer to do is try on colours they wouldn't normally choose. Many women automatically reach for plain, dark colours because they think they'll blend into the background.
The funny thing is, bright colours look completely different once you're outside in sunshine. Changing rooms are often dark with artificial lighting, so a bright coral or vibrant turquoise can feel very bold under shop lights, but look beautifully natural on a beach in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Don't let the changing room make the decision for you.
Is Premium Swimwear Worth It?
In my opinion, absolutely.
The biggest difference is the fabric. High-quality Lycra retains its shape, colour and support for far longer than cheaper alternatives. Premium swimwear is also much better designed, and many luxury collections are created in-house rather than following mass-market trends, so you're buying something distinctive as well as beautifully made.
If you rinse your swimwear after every wear and ideally hand wash it, a quality bikini can last for years. When you spread that cost over several holidays, it often works out to be far better value than replacing cheaper swimwear every season. If you want the full rundown on keeping yours in shape, I've written a separate guide on how to care for your bikini so it actually lasts.
My Best Advice Before You Buy a Bikini
If I could give every customer just one piece of advice, it would be this: keep an open mind.
- Take two or three different styles into the fitting room.
- Don't overload yourself with dozens of options.
- Try something slightly outside your comfort zone.
- Don't attach so much emotional weight to buying a bikini.
You're buying it because you're about to go somewhere lovely. It should be exciting, not traumatic.
The Best Part of My Job
I always know when someone has found the right bikini. You can almost see them mentally stepping onto the beach. They start smiling. They stop criticising themselves. Instead of worrying about how they look, they begin talking about their holiday.
That's one of the reasons I genuinely love selling swimwear. Unlike bras, which are part of everyday life, bikinis are tied to happy memories, sunshine and time away.
Helping someone find a bikini they feel amazing in isn't just about selling swimwear. It's about helping them look forward to making those memories with confidence. And that's always worth seeing.
