Imagine you’re excited about summer and can’t wait to hit the beach or pool. You go shopping for a new swimsuit but can’t find anything that fits or makes you feel confident. You’re frustrated and disappointed. This is a common experience for plus-size women.
Even though plus-size women make up a significant portion of the population and contribute about 19 percent of U.S. women’s apparel sales, the fashion industry still lags when offering stylish and flattering swimsuits.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s so hard to find good plus-sized swimsuits and what we can do about it.
Challenges Faced by Plus-Size Women
- Limited Options: There’s a significant misunderstanding among the plus-size swimsuit designers and retailers about their target audience. The selection is often very limited compared to straight-sized offerings.
The swimsuits rarely come in the same styles and prints, even when plus sizes are available. They also have less stretch and structure, resulting in poor fit and less support.
Plus-size shoppers are forced to sort through racks of ill-fitting options to find something that covers them up. This lack of choice limits self-expression and the ability to find a suit that flatters their unique body shape.
The experience often leaves plus-size women feeling unsupported and undeserving of feeling stylish.
- Poor Online Shopping Experience: The horrors of plus-size swimsuit shopping continue even when it comes to online shopping. Online plus-sized swimsuits are modeled on a person several sizes smaller than the ideal target audience. Thus making it difficult for plus-size women to imagine themselves in a swimsuit.
Another issue is the lack of try-on and return/exchange options. The swimsuits are sold only by a handful of online retailers, leaving no room for an in-person trial. More often than not, the retailers refuse return/exchange requests.
If you’re buying expensive clothes online, at the very least, you deserve to try it on, which brings us to the next point.
- High Prices: Plus-size swimsuits are often more expensive than straight-size swimsuits as they require more fabric and construction and are produced in smaller quantities.
Another reason why plus-size swimsuits may be more expensive is due to the lack of competition in the market. Fewer brands offer plus-size swimwear, and this lack of competition can lead to higher prices.
Solutions to the Problem
- Supporting plus-size swimwear brands: A growing number of plus-size swimwear brands are creating stylish and flattering swimsuits for all body types. Shopping from such brands also helps make the world more inclusive for all body types.
And with so many stylish swim bottoms and tops on the market today, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to find the perfect one to show off your curves.
- Shopping at stores that offer a wide size range: More and more stores offer swimsuits in a wider range of sizes. When shopping for swimsuits, look for stores with sizes up to 24 or 26.
You can also shop online at retailers that specialize in plus-size swimwear.
- Wearing swimsuits that you feel confident in: The most important thing is to wear a swimsuit that makes you feel confident. Don’t worry about what other people think.
If you feel good in your swimsuit, you’ll look good too.
Bonus Tips for Finding Good Plus-Sized Swimsuits
- Consider Your Body Type: Not all plus-size bodies are the same.
Know your best features. What areas of your body do you want to highlight? Consider your body shape when choosing the right swimsuit style for you.
High-waisted bottoms, one-pieces, and tankinis can be great picks, depending on your preferences. Choose a swimsuit that flatters your body type.
- Don’t Compare Yourself To Others: As the brand Lime Ricki notes, you are right just the way you are. Each body is different. Focus on finding a swimsuit that makes you feel good about yourself. It may take trying on many suits, but the right one is worth it.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Try On Different Styles: There are so many different styles of swimsuits available, so feel free to experiment until you find one you love. Look for suits with tummy control panels, underwire, and bra cups for support and lift.
Most importantly, have fun! Summer is a time to relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t let the stress of finding a swimsuit ruin your day.
Final Thoughts
The problem of finding good plus-sized swimsuits is a complex one. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. There are millions of plus-size women who face the same challenges.
While options are still limited, you can find a plus-sized swimsuit that helps you confidently rock your curves. By supporting plus-size swimwear brands, shopping at stores that offer a wide size range, and wearing swimsuits that you feel confident in, you can help make the world more inclusive for all body types.
Collectively, we can push brands to expand offerings so all women have stylish choices that empower them at the beach. Remember, you deserve to feel comfortable, supported, and beautiful, no matter your size!