How Tight Should a Swimsuit Be?
It likely goes without saying that swimsuits are meant to be worn tight and fitted. They should have that second-skin feeling.
But in reality, there are degrees of tightness, so it’s natural to wonder: just how tight should your swimsuit be? Let’s explore!
What Are You Doing in Your Swimsuit?
The first thing that may influence the tightness of your swimsuit is what you’re doing in it. Athletic swimsuits fit differently than lifestyle swimwear or leisure fits.
Athletic Fit v Leisure Fit
If you’re a pro athlete, your number one concern is your ability to move fast in the water. Seconds - even milliseconds - can make a difference, so anything that reduces drag in the water is preferred. To ensure the sleekest possible fit, athletic or competitive swimsuits are usually tighter than regular swimwear.
Leisure or lifestyle swimsuits are designed to be worn both in and out of the water. They’re for swimming, lounging, sunbathing and more. They are not designed with the same single-minded focus on performance. Instead, the design emphasizes style, comfort, and body-flattering details.
These swimsuits are still tight, but not as tight as athletic or competitive swimwear.
Generally, Swimsuit Fits Should Feel “Nice Tight”
Assuming you’re not a pro-athlete, you’re looking for swimwear that’s “nice tight.” You should feel snug and secure, but not pinched or poked by seams or straps. There are a few things this could mean:
Smooth, With No Wrinkles
The bathing suit should sit smoothly against your body. We all have curves and our own unique shape, but ideally, your swimsuit hugs those curves smoothly; no bunching-up of the fabric, no bagginess in areas like the bottom or around the breasts.
Remember, when your swimsuit gets wet, it will stretch more due to the weight of the water. So that slight bagginess in the backside can become downright distracting once you’ve worn your swimsuit and gotten it wet a few times.
A Slight Feeling of Compression
Your swimsuit may be made of compression fabrics, but, regardless of that, look for a nice “held in” feeling. I often liken this sensation (in underwear, leggings, and swimsuits) to the feeling you get from a car seat belt. It’s a nice kind of tight that keeps you secure, but it shouldn’t dig in or hurt.
If you buy swimwear with actual compression, it may offer compression “all over” or in “zones.” Zones will usually include the tummy. Compression should make you feel even more held-in in those areas. But again, a bather with tummy compression, or a well fitted swimsuit bottom, shouldn’t hurt or be uncomfortable.
Breast Support
No matter what your breast size, you should feel supported in your swimsuit to the extent that you need it. This can come in the form of underwire, invisible bras (built into the lining), clever tailoring (like crossbody fits) and more.
Generally, a swimsuit should be tight enough to help contain your breasts and minimize unwanted movement. If you’re spilling out or not contained, your swimsuit might be too tight, too loose, or entirely the wrong fit for your shape.
Straps That Stay in Place (Whether It's a Bikini or a One Piece Swimsuit)
Your swimwear straps should be tight enough to stay in place without digging into your skin (nobody wants red marks!) If they’re loose, they’ll fall down and could lead to a major “wardrobe malfunction”. But if they’re too tight, they’ll feel uncomfortable and may even restrict movement.
If you have larger breasts, look for wider straps to offer more support. Thin straps or string straps will likely not suffice for the support you need.
Fabric That Stays Put (Especially Around the Butt)
Again, that perfect “nice tight” will mean that your swimsuit doesn’t sag or ride up around your bottom. If your swimsuit constantly gives you wedgies, you’ve likely gone too tight. If it’s sagging in the butt area, it’s not tight enough.
The design of each swimsuit will come into play here. Some swimsuits offer full butt coverage, while others are designed to show off more skin. But no matter where the design sits, it should stay put if you’re wearing the right size.
What a “Nice Tight” Bathing Suit Doesn’t Mean...
Okay, now we’ve gone over what “nice tight” means, you should have a fairly good idea how swimsuits you might try on would rank. But it might also be helpful to look at “nice tight” from the other side; what it isn’t...
You See Red Marks on the Skin Around Seams and Straps
If any of your clothing, including swimsuits, leaves painful red marks or indentations on your skin, it’s a sure sign you’re wearing the wrong size. “Nice tight” shouldn’t hurt. Size up instead!
Your Swimwear Impedes Movement
Even if you’re not an athlete, you want to be able to move comfortably in your swimsuit — both in and out of the water. If you find your swimsuit pinching you as you move, or you’re not able to move your arms properly when you’re swimming, it’s not the right size.
As mentioned previously, uncomfortable wedgies are also a giveaway sign that you’re wearing a too-tight swimsuit, so you’ll need to go for a larger size. If your swimsuit is constantly riding up, you’ll find yourself always adjusting it and feeling uncomfortable. Definitely not a look, or a feeling, any of us wants!
The Swimsuit Is Difficult to Put On or Get Off
Like leggings and underwear, skin-tight swimsuits require a little wriggling to get on and off easily. And granted, getting out of a wet swimsuit can be a little trickier too. However, getting into and out of your swimsuit shouldn’t lead to full-on contortions where you might injure yourself. If your swimsuit fits you properly, it should go on and come off with a reasonable amount of ease.
Swimsuit Features That Will Give You That Great Fit
It’s imperative to get the right size when you’re shopping for swimwear. But it’s also important to look at the style of the swimsuit to give you your desired look. Certain features can also make a big difference to how a swimsuit fits, including:
Straps: Consider Adjustable Straps or Wider Straps
Adjustable straps will help you tailor the swimsuit to offer you the right amount of support for your breast size and torso length. Swimsuits without adjustable straps assume a one-size-fits-all torso length that doesn’t apply to the vast majority of us.
More than that, adjustable straps will also allow you to tighten your swimsuit as it loses some of its elasticity, which will naturally happen over time.
If you have a larger bust, wider straps will give you greater bust support. So if you need additional support, stay away from string straps that you tie into a knot and opt for wide straps that will better distribute your breast weight across the shoulders.
Molded Cups and Hidden Support Will Give You a Better Fit
If you are looking for more lift and support in the bust area, also look at the construction of the suit. A basic maillot may look like it offers little breast support, but there may be hidden support. Some swimsuits also feature molded cups or underwire. This is a very personal choice - both aesthetic and pragmatic - but you have options when it comes to fit and support in the breast area.
Other Tips
At this point, you should have a really solid idea of what the right size swimsuit should feel like. But we all have very different bodies, so here are two other tips for those of us who don’t always conform to sizing charts:
If You’re Between Sizes: Size Down
It’s possible that you’ll feel you’re perfectly between two sizes. Both feel comfortable and wearable; both have the desired amount of tightness, one slightly tighter but still comfortable.
If this happens to you, choose the smaller size. Swimsuits will be less tight when they’re wet and will lose elasticity over time, so that smaller size will stretch out. Essentially, as long as it’s comfortable, size down when you’re faced with this dilemma.
If Your Top & Bottom Are Different Sizes: Try a Two-Piece (Or Bikini)
Some of us are two different sizes, and this can make buying one piece swimsuits, or even other one piece garments (like jumpsuits and dresses) incredibly hard.
Perhaps you have a thin, straight torso but a full bust? Or maybe you’re petite on top but wide-hipped? If these scenarios ring true for you, don’t despair.
A two-piece (or bikini) will allow you to mix-and-match sizes as well as styles. If you don’t feel comfortable showing your midriff, you can opt for a tankini, so you’ll get that one-piece look with the sizing flexibility of a two-piece.
Discover Knix Swimwear: Find That Perfect, Right-Amount-Of-Tight Bathing Suit
Knix has recently launched a fantastic range of swimwear and also period swimwear. If you’re worried about size, why not book a Virtual Fitting?
Related: What size swimsuit should I buy?
Written by Jane Flanagan — Updated on March 5, 2023.
We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.