The Best Last-Minute Swimwear Tips Before Your Next Vacation

I have this bad habit of buying new swimwear only when I need it; by “only when I need it,” I mean just days before my next vacation or a summer’s day out with the family. This usually turns an exciting shopping experience into a stressful one, since I then have to settle for a piece quickly.

I know that it is much better to shop for swimwear during the off season, but this habit is a difficult one to shake off. If you need to find a piece of swimwear that suits you perfectly and you need to do so quickly, these next several tips will certainly help you shop for the best pieces in no time.

Pick a Style That Works

One of the first things you have to decide upon when shopping for swimwear is the style of swimwear you want. Are you getting a two-piece bikini? Have you considered Bandeau mix and match bikini tops? Does the halter one-piece suit your body shape better? Choosing a style and sticking with it will make the entire search easier to complete. There are a few aspects you can take into consideration too.

You can start by taking the shape of your body into consideration. If you have a pear-shaped body, for example, you want to find a swimwear style that is top-heavy and has flattering accents around the neck area. A one-piece tends to work better in this case.

You should also consider the style of swimwear you’re comfortable with the most. If you feel confident wearing a two-piece bikini and you know you will feel comfortable wearing one, then that is the style to go for.

Age is another factor to take into account. As we get older, our body reacts to food and exercise differently. For older women, browsing through catalogues of bathing suits for women over 50 is the best way to find pieces that are not just flattering, but also classy.

Limit Your Options

There is a good reason why you need to figure out the details we talked about above. By knowing exactly what you want, you can search for bikinis and swimwear more effectively. Instead of browsing through an entire catalogue of swimsuits, you can now set search parameters and instantly limit your options to pieces you know will work for the occasion.

Most online catalogues are already divided into categories; this is where you need to start. You can pick a category based on your body shape or size, and then refine your search by adding more parameters to the Advanced Search tool on the online store.

Of course, you can go straight to the Sale page to catch the latest special offers. This is a great way to save on your next piece of swimwear. The internet is your friend when it comes to getting great prices for the pieces you want to pick up. Even swimsuits from top brands such as Body Glove can be yours for less when shopping online.

Measure!

Shopping for swimwear last minute means you have no room for mistakes. Instead of guessing the right size to get, visit the online retailer’s Help or Size Chart page and get the exact measurements for the pieces they sell. The page should include a guide on how to take measurements at home; do it!

When shopping for two-piece bikinis, you may also find that you need different sizes for the top and bottom. This is a common occurrence since our bodies are seldom perfectly proportional. You can either set different sizes when checking out (if the site allows) or buy the same piece in two sizes just to be on the safe side.

It is also worth noting that while measurements are relatively standardized, different sites may use different size standards. I also find the size of my bikinis to be slightly larger – by one size in most cases – than my normal clothing. This is due to the way swimwear and bikinis are designed, so there is no need to be alarmed.

Check the Return Policy

Yes, I know I said there is no room for errors when shopping for swimwear last minute, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check the site’s return policy before finalizing your purchase decision. Should you end up with the wrong piece, you can still return it after you get back from vacation.

This is also a necessary step to take because not all online stores accept returns for swimwear. Some will accept returns only when all tags – including the hygiene strip – are in place.

As mentioned before, the best way to shop for swimwear is by doing it off season. If you have to make some last-minute purchases, however, these tips will help you spot the best piece to pick up in no time at all.