As a Fashion Editor, I have written about the valuable importance of women attending regular bra fittings countless times, so when I was invited to try out Bravissimo’s swimwear fitting service it suddenly dawned on me, why have I never thought about going to a professional swimwear fitting just like I had my undies? And surely it seems even more crucial to have form-fitting swimwear, considering it’s actually worn to be seen- we all want to look and feel our best on the beach right?
The fact is, if you have swimwear that is tailored to your specific body shape or needs, whether that be a larger chest (or a smaller one), you want to tame lumps and bumps or maybe emphasise hourglass curves, it will give you the ultimate body confidence boost and you can hit the beach knowing you are fully supported. Trust me when I say, that after my fitting, I much to my surprise, left the store feeling pretty good about my body.
But what makes Bravissimo one of the top brands offering the service? Well, their swimwear is made by bra experts, so they know a thing or two about designing for real women. As a woman with a 32F bra size, I was curious to find the perfect swimwear to flatter my bust- and I was surprised by what I found out during the experience.
“Not every shape is for you, explained my expert fitter. Just like you would try on many styles of jeans, not everything is going to suit you. Especially when we are talking about breasts as they are all different shapes, volumes and sizes- so you have to be willing to try on different styles”
After fitting my bust, she recommended I try a 32GG, and also explained that in terms of my body shape, I have a high-set waist and bust which would therefore determine the styles that would suit me best. I then noted some of my swimwear likes, dislikes and personal needs and the Bravissimo expert headed to the shop floor to find me a wide range of styles to try on- I was ready to take the plunge.
I had heard about Bravissimo’s genius Pollenca swimsuit with ‘hidden bra’ and with the crinkle fabric offering up Hunza G vibes I was curious to see what the fit would be like, so this was my first try-on. However, despite the excellent wired support around my bust, due to the non-adjustable straps and square neckline, it wasn’t quite right for my shape. I suggest trying this trending style if you are longer in the torso or want a cleavage boost.
After trying on a few different swimsuit designs that weren’t quite right for me, I was surprised to find my fabulous fitter had found me the perfect bikinis to flatter my figure. The Miss Mandalay Boudoir beach bikini, top £48 and briefs from £31 here and the red Barbados design, top £42, briefs from £26 here were by far the most suited for my shape and bust size.
She explained that as I am an hourglass shape separates would be a better option for me, and a plunge-style bra most suited to high-set boobs. Initially, I went into the experience thinking I wanted a swimsuit to provide more coverage but I was shocked to find with the right fit advice, I fact looked better in a bikini.
Of course, everyone’s swim-fitting experience will be unique and the great thing about Bravissimo is that they have designed their swimwear ranges will a wide range of bra sizes in mind (28D-42HH) so with the help of an expert you are sure to find your perfect fit. I’ll see you poolside!
{For more information on Bravissimo’s swimwear fitting service (available in stores and virtually online) visit Bravissimo.com} For other figure-flattering swimwear options this summer you could also visit Marks & Spencer’s holiday shop here.