15 Common Swimsuit Fashion Mistakes

Bandeau and triangle bikinis look adorable, but they unfortunately just don’t work for women who have larger busts. If you actually want to feel comfortable in your swimsuit, look for a halter or underwire style.

If you only look for swimsuits at Kohl’s or Macy’s, you’re really missing out. Niche swimsuit brands like L*Space and Moeva London offer absolutely stunning swimsuit styles that will blow anything at a department store out of the water.

Sure, you can technically wear whatever swimsuit you please, but there are certain suits that will flatter your body shape more. For example, ladies with an athletic body look amazing in suits with ruffles, and pear-shaped ladies look phenomenal in high-waisted bikini bottoms.

If you’ve only ever purchased triangle bikinis, you’re missing out on a lot of other great styles! Branch out and choose pieces that are a little different, like a high-neck bikini or a low-back one piece. You never know what you’ll fall in love with!

Don’t forget to buy a chic cover-up to go along with your new swimsuit, otherwise you’ll regret it when you see that a lot of beachside restaurants don’t let you walk around in just your bathing suit. It can be sheer or revealing, but it has to cover up more than your swimsuit does.

For far too long, one pieces were seen as frumpy and old-fashioned, so young women avoided them. However, the current one piece offerings are even sexier and chicer than their bikini counterparts, so don’t rule them out!

Swimsuits are sized a little differently than regular clothes, so don’t get discouraged if you have to buy a bigger bottom/smaller top or vice versa. The sizing is more ambiguous, so grab a couple different sizes on your way to the dressing room. Remember, size is just a number.

If you want a suit that’s truly one-of-a-kind, you need to mix and match your tops and bottoms. Try out different combinations of colors and patterns until you find one that you’re in love with!

Retail store dressing rooms are notorious for having unflattering lighting and mirrors. So, if you find a suit you love on the hanger but don’t love how it looks on your body, buy it and try it on at home. If you find it really doesn’t look good, you can always return it.

You’re probably going to want a different swimsuit for a snorkeling excursion than a day lounging by the pool. Think about what you’re going to use your swimsuit for, because no matter how cute that velvet triangle bikini looks, its chic factor is going to vanish the instant it gets wet.

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We’re all guilty of buying something that’s a little too small as motivation to lose weight, but we’re here to tell you to stop doing that. More often than not, those too-small pieces sit in the closet with the tags still on.

If you tan easily, you’re going to end up with tan lines, no matter how much sunscreen you slather on. Think about those potential tan lines before you buy a suit that has a million straps in the back or a high neck.

If you’re too worried about covering up your tummy pooch or the cellulite on you backside, you’re going to miss out on showing off your best assets. For example, if you love your back, but are self-conscious of your stomach, go for a low-back one piece.

Lingerie-inspired fashion is big right now, but bikini bottoms that look like lacy underwear aren’t quite as chic as a pajama-inspired blazer. Keep the lingerie to the bedroom and find a swimsuit that actually looks like a swimsuit.

A swimsuit is an investment, and you should treat it as such. It’s better to spend $100 on a suit you’re going to love for years to come, rather than a cheap, ultra-trendy version that’s going to be out of style after one season.