How to size a plus size tankini
A tankini is two garments, not one: size the top by overbust, underbust and length, the bottom by your waist and hip. Check it still covers when you sit.
Can you buy a tankini top and bottom in different sizes?
Yes! A tankini top and bottom are separate garments, sized and sold independently, so you order each half to fit that part of your body. Size the top to your bust and length; size the bottom to your waist, hips and bottom. The sizes don't have to match, and for a lot of body shapes, they won't.
The one thing to check beyond bust, waist and hip: the top's length. It needs to ideally cover your swim bottom's waistband when you're sitting and when you raise your arms, not only when you're standing still at the mirror. A top that's the right bust size but cut short, could still ride up.
How to measure yourself for a tankini top and bottom
Measure your bust at its fullest point, your underbust and your length from the top of one shoulder down to your natural waist to size the top. Measure your waist and hips at their widest point to size the bottom. Compare both numbers to the Size Chart on each product page — not your usual clothing size, which can run differently between brands and styles.
- Overbust & Underbust: wrap the tape around the fullest part for your overbust, and your ribcage, keeping it level across your back.
- Waist and Hips: bend at your waist to one side, and measure where your body creases for your waist. Standing with feet together, measure over the widest part of your hips, including the fullest part of your rear.
Woman Within's swimwear sizing spans 10W–44W, so measure first and choose your size from that range rather than guessing from a shirt or pants size.
What to do if you're between sizes
Size up on the top if the fabric is shorter — a snug swim top will pull upward at the waistband the moment you sit down. Size down on the bottom only if your measurements call for that. Look for longer bottoms like our high-waist full-coverage swim bike short, if you want more coverage and anti-chafing comfort built-in.
If you'd rather skip the two-size math altogether, a one-piece silhouette in a swim dress or a full-coverage swim shirt paired with swim shorts removes the top-length question, since both are cut as one continuous piece or worn over a short.
What a built-in tankini bra actually does when you're wet
A built-in bra's construction, not a fabric claim, is what determines how it holds once you're in the water. A built-in shelf bra gives light, wirefree bust shaping. Tankinis with separate underwire cups and adjustable straps offer maxiumum support and stay in place through movement best.
We can't promise a specific level of coverage once a suit is wet — check each product's description for shelf bra support versus bra/cup-sized underwire bra construction, and choose adjustable straps if support through movement matters most to you. Reviews on bra-style swim tops skew true to size when you order according to our swimwear Size Chart, so always measure yourself rather than ordering your top size in another brand.
Browse the full range of tankini tops to compare bra construction and length before you build your swimsuit pair.
| Swim Bra Style | How It Holds |
|---|---|
| Shelf bra | Wireless bra shelf bra; light shaping, modesty |
| Bra and cup-sized bra tops | Separate underwire cups offer maximum bust support and lift |
Frequently asked questions
If I wear a 2X on top and a size 16 on the bottom, what size tankini do I need?
Take your measurements and order the top size based on your bust, and the bottoms based on your waist and hips. A tankini top and bottom are separate garments, so buying two different sizes is exactly how a tankini set is meant to be sized.
Does the built-in bra provide coverage when the suit is wet?
Yes! Check the product page for shelf-bra versus bra-sized underwire bra construction designs. Most all of our tankini tops are created with adjustable straps, which generally offer more support than wide, non-adjustable straps.
What size is the model wearing, and how tall is she?
Model sizing and height aren't listed on our tankini product pages. Use your own bust, waist, and hip measurements against our Size Chart instead of the model's fit as your guide.