Swimsuit sizing help

[boston340]

Is your swimsuit for lap swimming supposed to be super tight or can it be looser?  I need to order a new suit as mine is getting SUPER faded and I'm nervous it might soon be see-through.     I'm not sure how tight a lap swimming suit should be though.  I am a size 4/small in regular clothes and my beach swim suit is a size 8.  My lap swimming suit (which is super old) is a size 12/38.  It seems to fit fine to me, but I'm wondering if it's supposed to be a little tighter.  

I feel so clueless about everything swimming related!

[Susie]

Generally you want to compare swimsuit size to bra band size. Most people size down from their band size, but how much you size down might depend on your body. My band size is 34; I race in 28 or 30 depending on brand and train in a 30. If you have a long torso and/or bigger boobs you might only size down 1 size (or not at all) instead of the 2 that I do. Personal preference is also a factor. If you like tight suits (I do; I hate suit fluttering) that would suggest sizing down more. If you hate tight suits, maybe don't size down.

Remember when you first put it on, that's the tightest it'll ever be, so you do want it to be snug at first. It will only stretch out from there.

When we were kids, the guide they gave parents for team suits was that if you could pull your straps up to your earlobes, it was too big. 

[centralperk]

In general, you want it to be tight, especially if you have bigger boobs. I have huge boobs and need it to be pretty tight, otherwise my boobs just flop all over the place, it's not fun! Can you go to a Sports Authority or something and try some on?

Since suits stretch, you want it to be tight when you buy it. But the amount of chest compression and how tight it feels is really up to you. You want to be comfortable but you also want everything to stay in place.

[boston340]

I am around a size 32B/C (small boobs and a big butt).

I was going to order from the Swimsuit Outlet online, but think you guys are right, I should head to Sports Authority and try a few on.

[katandkevin]

I would try some on and then order from swim outlet. I like to wear a tighter suit so it doesn't flutter or shift at all while I am swimming.

[Dory1988]

I'm a 34B and also have a bigger butt. I just bought my first suit for lap swimming. I got a 28 and didn't think I would like it at first because it was crazy tight. It has stretched out a little and I'm actually much more comfortable swimming in it than I was in looser stuff.

[mrs.jacinthe]

What Susie said, pretty much.

I'd like to add that different brands do fit differently, as well, so be sure to try on multiple brands and cuts if you aren't sure what kind you want. For example, I have a speedo endurance+ flyback in a 34 that takes some doing to crawl into or out of, it's so tight. But my size 34 speedo crossback lifeguard suit is WAY too big, even though it's the same size. Also, if you're not buying an endurance-type fabric, err on the side of too small, as those suits will sag and bag pretty quickly.

[arch01]

when you're looking-get a polyester suit if you're going to be swimming laps consistently. it's worth it. i'm in the water 3+ times/wk and my suits last 2 or more years.

err on the side of tight if you're buying lycra. i'm a 34D and fit perfectly in a 34 speedo, TYR is a 34, sometimes a 36.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 4, 2013 13:34:18 GMT -5 arch01 said:

when you're looking-get a polyester suit if you're going to be swimming laps consistently. it's worth it. i'm in the water 3+ times/wk and my suits last 2 or more years.

err on the side of tight if you're buying lycra. i'm a 34D and fit perfectly in a 34 speedo, TYR is a 34, sometimes a 36.

I would just say to feel the polyester first. It differs by brand and I know a lot of swimmers that don't like it. It makes my skin feel raw on some brands.