SWIMSUIT SHOPPING? HOW DO YOU DO IT? DO YOU ACTUALLY BUY ONLINE?

I have bought a couple of suits online.  It is actually a little easier than in store for me, because I am a 4/6 on the bottom and a 36D on top.  So usually if I can find a suit that fits on top, I'm ok as long as the bottom is not a large.  Also, in my early 20's I met a good friend from Brazil and I fell in love with the bathing suits she would bring back.  So it is a lot easier to find a suit made in Brazil online.  I bought 2 suits last summer online, one from Brazil and one from the US,  and they both fit.

The bottoms usually ride a little lower, yet they cover a little less in the bum.  Not a thong, just not as wide as American bottoms.  They are much sexier and yet more flattering.

I bought mine last year when swim suit season was over and they were on clearance, I even bought a couple of them 'cuz they were so cheap.

Like Kate2004, I do the tape measure thing.  Then, I go to the website and order 2 tops and 2 bottoms. The size I think I am and the size closest to it. This is so helpful, invariably one size fits a little better than the other. Then I just ship the "mis-fits" back with the free shipping label.  Badda-Bing-Badda-Boom instant swimsuit.  Meg, I think it's totally worth it to invest in a great bathing suit.  Structurally, you get what you pay for AND because you are Meg, you must represent.  'nuff said.

I always try them on. I got the cutest swimsuit from H&M! VS swimsuits seem to be very popular among Megheads.

I've bought bikini tops from VS and they fit pretty good as long as the sizing indicates a cup size.  I wear a 38D so the ones that just come in S, M, L are a total crap shoot for me so I avoid those type of sizings. And for the bottoms.... well I don't want to talk about that right now!

I never buy a swimsuit without trying it on. I am very much pear shaped. I have wipe hips and a big butt. I need to try it on to make sure it doesn't make me look terribly oddly shaped. I can't stand the thought of buying and not being able to fix it. I did do something most women would shoot me for- I ordered my wedding dress online. I was able to get a 1.5K dress for 350 bucks! And it fit me like a GLOVE and was very high quality. No rips, tears, snags, popped stitches, or looking cheap here. What Kate said is exactly right when it comes to online shopping- know your EXACT measurements. It helps to have someone help you- and be honest with yourself. We all want to add an inch here, take a couple there, but it does no good and is pretty self sabotaging to try and fake your size and buy something that doesn't fit.

Meg...are you freakin' CUTE or what??? Barbie-Doll legs,I just wanna' put those lil' plastic stilletos on you and curl your hair,LOL! Darling picture of you...:)I need a new swimsuit...I am trying hard not to be so critical and accept but I'm SO hard to fit.Have had good luck with "Athleta" online: GREAT company,woman owned and lots of bra-sized suits,I also get my yoga clothing from them.:)They also have bra-sized yoga tops!!!http://athleta.gap.com/?tid=atgobue8t&kwid=1&ap=7&creative=3520088004&adid=nguyrgn&mkwid=695Mn4GZI can do a "tankini" if it fits right...agree that for me,it's easier to buy 2 sizes online and then pick the "best" one,I don't enjoy shopping and hate standing in a dressing room trying the things on!

uuhhh i only wish i had the boobs to fill out a VS swimsuit!!! I got mine from like old navy when they were on clearance...I am lucky to ever find one that fits me. i should just go around in swim trunks and pretend to be a boy haha. jk, i would say go to the store that carries one most like it and see how the fit looks :)

i really like the swimsuit that Meg has on a picture- it can be worn as a halter top or a swimsuit - great for a beach party, or poolside party :) I never bought a swimsuit online, I am size XS or 0 or even 00 so it is hard to figure out whether i can really fit into a swimsuit and not be afraid that it will fall off. I have a few bikinis that i bought at discount stores like Ross for under $10 and they look great. I would not recommend buying Victoria Secret online as their sizes are weird and i think, in general, they run really big.

it's important to buy from places that give you free return shipping OR let you exchange/return in the store

I've tried online, but being longwaisted isn't addressed online. Many suits later, I've determined that the rear view of a swimsuit riding up my behind is not pretty, nor is the necessary (embarrassingly awkward) tug in public.  So, it's to Ross, TJ Maxx, Target or Marshall's for me - for a great price and something that stays on in the pool during aqua class, when bending over to pick up a refreshing drink by the pool, and beyond.

i am definately one of those girls who cannot/will not order a swimsuit online... i have the curse of a rather large backside lol. ordering anything online is not even a question for me. but if anyone has any tips for me, i would love to hear!

I've tried online but they NEVER fit right. I'm fortunate to live near the beach where there are always deals on last season's Juicy Couture (my obsession!)

This year I thought I would buy a Longer fitting top ...it can cover my stomach and will match it with bathing suit boy shorts, love the cut! So I decided to go up in the top. Was so excited about my plan. Found the top in Dark Chocolate Brown with a Bright Turquoise Hawaiian Flower on it. Sounds "yuck" but really was a 'wow" colour.  The size they had was way to small...cleavage popped right out. ( so much for the boob reduction.) So off I went knowing it would only take a minute to get the size I wanted and for $99.00 with 60% it was a steal. I walked out of the fitting room grinning from ear to ear, I was on my way quickly to concur the size I required. 15 minutes later I must have had the look of exhaustion all over my face. I scavenged through every bathing suit possible to find the top I was looking for and didn't have any luck finding my size. In my next life I'm coming back as a bathing suit designer. lol. The looks are all in my head but is it out there? .....nope, and if it is I never get my size!Artcandy

I JUST bought a suit online from J Crew.  Let's hope it fits since it's final sale!

I always buy my swimsuits online! Mostly from Victoria's Secret & Newport News (love Shape FX). Most times I send them back, but occasionally I find one that I love! Doesn't stop me though, I keep on ordering!

I like delias and my american eagle bathing suits and of course my quiksilver board shorts and rashgaurds!

I bought a maternity swimsuit last year online.  I ordered a medium and it fit perfectly.  The seller had size guidelines next to the suit.  I went by those guidelines and bought it.However, I would not purchase a non-maternity swimsuit blindly.  When I was pregnant I really didn't care how I looked in the swim suit because everyone would be looking at the "about to pop" belly.  Swimsuits all fit so differently according to the design.  I would have to try on a "regular" swimsuit.  This was a very interesting question.  I asked my sister and she felt the same way about HAVING to try it on.  This is probably how the majority of women feel.

I wish I could have the luxury of buying suits in person, but it's sooo hard to find ones that will fit the "ladies" that aren't insanely expensive!  I've had very good luck with all the ones I've purchased online though, never had to make a return.

I have never bought a swimsuit online.  I have tried on enough to know that a nice looking suit can be deceptively tiny and over-exposing.  My mother did buy me a bathing suit for my birthday and mailed it to me at school, but she tried the bottoms on in her size to make sure they covered everything that needs to be covered.I usually end up in two pieces, as I am medium on the bottom and large on the top.  Even though I have DD if there is a bra size top usually a D is sufficient.  I would like a pretty one piece (and I had the perfect one!  But it disappeared, I think it got left behind in Florida one year) but most companies do not leave enough room for the girls.  I have also found that a lot of one piece bathing suits are very short waisted.  I consider myself short waisted, and when I tried on a really cute retro one pieces I couldn't even pull it up over the boobs!  Who has a torso that short?? 

i'm an avid online shopper and that extends to swimsuits.  however i must add the caveat that i have a MIL that's an amazing seamstress and she always customizes them for me (i.e. makes the so called bras actually DO something).  however i was a swimmer growing up and basically look for an athletic type swimsuit now as well - gotta move with me without exposing any of the outlying territories and not have a skirt!  lands end & eddie bauer fit my bill year after year.  wow i just realized that i sound just like my mom.  when did that happen and why wasn't i forewarned? 

I love online shopping but I will never buy a bathing suit online. I have to try on pretty much everything. The cloths always look so different, when they are on your body. I like to buy my bathing suits from Sears or Macys. (although I liked a couple from Kohls once). I try to go on a weekday because I don't like to shop for bathing suits with so many people around (I don't know why...i'm weird).  I also grab like 20 different ones to try on and if I am REALLY lucky, I will find one that I like.