It’s summer and that means long lazy days at the beach and poolside parties. What they both have in common, other than having fun, is that you need a swimsuit that looks good and makes you feel confident. That’s true for everybody! Luckily, the experts from the world of men’s shorts, underwear, and swimwear share their insights to keep things casual.
Lingerie industry innovator, Dora Lau, who is also the founder and president of Dora L International, shares her tips based on decades of experience in the lingerie industry. “For the last two years, we have valued the importance of comfort in everything we wear. That includes our bras and swimsuits too. The trending swim look has an emphasis on street to swim and swim to street styling. These pieces need to be snug throughout the day so you can go from lunch to the beach and back!
In particular, Lau really understands fit and style for plus sizes. “A good swimsuit is important, and it should feel good on the body,” she says. “Women of fuller stature often prefer some control or sculpting aspect to their swimwear, and therefore opt for strong mesh belly panels that can help soften the silhouette.”
Sabrina Childress-Miller is the Owner of KuteClassicswhose mission is “chate for some reason.” Every item they make and sell on the site benefits a charitable cause and currently the company supports: Sickle Cell Disease, Domestic Violence, Bullying, and Depression. Sabrina said to “try something new and bold. You’d be surprised how extremely versatile swimwear can be over the years. Body shaming in swimwear is sort of a thing of the past as designers create pieces that challenge norms and have a full personality.
Guys also need guidance when shopping for a swimsuit. Lee W Johnson, Inventor of Old Bull Leesaid that men shouldn’t buy based on inseams. “Buy by overall length. He explains that younger men tend to prefer shorter lengths (16”-18”) while older men tend to prefer above the knee or barely below (18” – 19”).” Explaining further, he said, “There is a lot of variation when it comes to belt sizes and sizes, even within brands. Big brands use multiple manufacturers, from different countries and what is missing is consistency. The 33” waistband you bought last year may be +/- an inch different when you buy it again. It’s less significant with drawstring, but for board shorts, which depend on friction an inch is the difference between something staying in the water and something dropping.
Echoing the call to wear what makes you feel confident is Jodie Filogomo from Jodie’s Touch of Style. He says, “My advice with any online ordering is to check the return policy FIRST. Once you find out that you can return items for free or to the shop in person then you’ll want to load up your shopping cart. I at all times recommend ordering lots of various suits and in a wide range of sizes. You never understand how the size goes even if you read the reviews.
If you are attempting to find one tip that can make a big difference, take it from Yulia Drummond, designer and creator Swim Voda. “Knowing your size is key to finding a bikini that fits well and won’t sag or lose its shape after one wear. There is no ‘body type’ rule for buying or wearing a swimsuit. If you’re more comfortable in full clothing, find a brand that offers support, coverage, and style. If you’re feeling sexy, radiant and ready to swim, you’re wearing the perfect swimsuit for your body!” he explained.
Drummond continues, “More and more women are loving bold colors, glitter, metallics and belted swimsuits! Even though bikinis are always in style, sexy cut swimwear are also very popular nowadays. My clients love cute swimsuits and skirts that are still flirty and fun, while offering a little more coverage. I find that many women also seek push-up support, regardless of their size or body type. Good bust support not only flatters every body, but is often more comfortable, especially if you plan to be very active or wear a swimsuit all day.”
