Shopping for the right swimwear is a challenge to women everywhere. It involves a lot of thinking over and fitting, looking at full-length mirrors and testing out the suit for possible malfunctions. Women make shopping mistakes when it comes to this as well, contributing to an awful swimsuit experience. To help avoid this, here’s a guide of the common mistakes women must avoid when it comes to shopping for swimsuits.

Buying cheap

When it comes to buying a swimsuit, it is best not to sacrifice quality for low cost. After all, no one wants to end up with a swimsuit that can’t be worn more than once, right? Be sure to only purchase swimwear that is of high quality material, giving you ample support and enabling you to wear it again for more beach or pool getaways. This gives you more value and lets you save more than having to repeatedly buy cheap swimsuits.

Buying too late in the season

Swimwear buying should be done early on. Leave it off till the last minute and you’re bound to end up with leftovers – styles and designs that just aren’t right anymore. Shop early and you’ll have lots of options available to you. Plus, if you shop late, remember that you may be trying on suits that have been tried by others for months.

All about sizes

Shops have a size chart in handy for you. Make sure to check it out and be sure to check beforehand what size you’re currently in. Designers and brands size their products differently so keep in mind that no standard sizing exists. Consult the relevant size chart and remember that if you’re at the top range of a size, be sure to opt for the next size up.

Not testing out the swimsuit for the right fit

Trying out your chosen swimsuit is a must. Make some stretches, jumps and bends to make sure that the swimsuit you chose has a good, overall fit for your body. This lets you make sure that you will have fewer worries of any embarrassing swimsuit malfunctions.

Swimsuit shopping may be stressful since many women are body-conscious, especially when it comes to the exposing themselves at the beach or pool. But with these things to keep in mind, there will be fewer things to worry about. Knowing how to shop for swimsuits the proper way lets you overcome your self-consciousness and get ready to have a fun time at the beach or pool.

Basing your purchases on pictures

It’s a universal woe for women all over the world who shop online – the actual fit of the swimwear on their bodies just looks nothing like the picture on the page. This is of course expected, since not everyone really looks like those models seen wearing the suit you just purchased.

To be sure of the suitability of the piece, make sure to know which style looks good on you and try it on for size. Don’t assume that you’ll instantly look like the woman on screen – it may not be a realistic mindset for you. Make sure to read the product description and familiarize yourself with the features of the garment before making your choice.

Sophie White is a fashion blogger based in Australia. She’s up to date with the latest trend in clothing, hairstyle, shoes and any apparel that can turn heads. Her passion for fashion has inspired her to lead the online marketing campaign for Swimsuits Direct, a women’s swimwear boutique in North Brunswick, NJ.