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Bikini season often makes women cringe in fear, but this year you got the jump on flab and your body is firm, tight and ready to rock that body-bearing bikini you've had your eye on. But, you haven't purchased any clothing since you shed those stubborn pounds, so you have no idea what size bikini to buy. Give your bestie a call and tell her to bring her tape measure!
1.
Strip down to your skivvies. Sure, it may be embarrassing to parade around in next to nothing, but measuring over clothes will leave you with a too-big bikini on beach day.
2.
Stand with your arms lifted slightly away from your sides, and have your friend wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust. For most women, it's the area directly over the nipple. Snug the tape up and record the bust measurement in inches on a notebook.
3.
Slide the tape down under your breasts to your ribcage to get your band size. The band should be measured at the widest part of your ribcage. The band size for a bikini will be approximately the same size around as the band for your bra.
4.
Use the bust and band size to determine your cup size. Every inch of difference between the band and the bust is one cup size. If your band size is 36 inches and your bust is 39 inches, then your bikini top size will be a 36C. If your bust size isn't an even inch measurement, move up to the next cup size to keep your girls from being smashed in a tiny top.
5.
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips and jot down the measurement. Bikini bottoms are normally measured in inches, so finding the right bottom is as simple as finding a style you like with your measurement on the tag. If your chosen bikini is sold in pants sizes rather than inches, check the manufacturer's fitting guidelines to match your hip measurement to the appropriate bottom.
Things You'll Need
1.Tape measure
3.Notebook
2.Pen
Tips & Tricks
Don't try and measure for your own bikini top. Moving your arms up and down and sliding the tape back and forth results in inaccurate sizes.
Related Videos
References
Dick's Sporting Goods: How to Buy Women's Swimsuits
Pualani: White Bikini Sizing Tips
Venus: Women's Clothing and Swimwear Size Information
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