7 Smart Ways to Shop For Swimwear This Season

7 smart ways to shop for swimwear this season

Smart ways to shop for swimwear

No more playing around, now we are officially in the summer season which means, whether you like it or not, you are probably going to end up near a body of water soon which means you need a swimsuit. Yes, some people would literally rather get a lobotomy than go swimsuit shopping. After all, the lighting is bad and frankly you are spending a lot of money on a small amount of material you only wear for a few months out of the year. But that’s why we have some great tips for winning swimsuit season and it has nothing to do with getting in bikini shape. These ideas from money saving expert Andrea Woroch will help you get a beautiful suit and hit the beach in style!

Mix and Match

Who actually wears a matching suit these days?! Woroch says instead of buying the set, look for different colours, sizes and styles to create the perfect bikini or tankini for you. Don’t forget to include the sale and clearance each in your search, either; you may pay £30 for a top but find a clearance bottom for just £7.

mix and match bikinis from Victoria's Secret

 

Take Advantage of Retail Sales

With Sports Authority is going out of business and Victoria’s Secret is discounting its swimwear line after this season, bathing suits are practically free. Woroch says Sports Authority is currently offering up to 40% off everything in stores and online, while Victoria’s Secret shoppers can save up to 60% on swimwear styles. Everything from Sports Authority is final sale, so keep this in mind while browsing their collections.

Try Now, Buy Later

Shopping for swimwear at the beginning of the season means you’ll pay full price. Within a few weeks, however, these items will go on sale and you can snag them for less. Try to hold out until mid-summer to buy and the sales will be worth it. Then use digital tools like MyAlerts by TrachIf.com to monitor the price of your favourite look and get notified when it goes on sale so you know when to snatch it up for less.

Go with Generic

Yes, we all want Mara Hoffman and Tory Burch bathing suits but you can get equally great and stylish pieces at brands like Target, ASOS, Old Navy and Forever 21 where you can find similar looks for a fraction of the cost. For example, Target’s Xhilaration brand has a collection of bikinis for £20 very similar to those produced by Triangl, the high-end designer of bold swimsuits for £89. Save even more on these trendy styles with promo codes from sites like Coupon Sherpa, where you can currently apply a Target coupon to save £5 off your £50 purchase.

Shop Online

Shopping online is just the best! After all, online means no fitting rooms and terrible lighting.If you dread fitting rooms, ordering swimsuits online gives you the option of trying different looks from the comfort of home. Make sure you review return policies though and opt for sites that offer free shipping both ways so you don’t get stuck with something that doesn’t fit nor have to pay return shipping costs. According to Woroch, ASOS, Zappos and Nordstrom are popular brands that provide this perk, while SwimsuitsDirect is a great outlet for a multitude of swimsuit styles for women of all sizes and ages.

Lear what Works for your Body Type

To know what kind of swimsuit looks good, you have to know what looks good on your body. Try using this guide to determine what styles and cuts flatter you and refine your search accordingly.

Take Care of your Swimsuit

It’s annoying to have to buy a new suit every summer so why not take really good care of the ones you already have and love? Try to remove as much of the chlorine as you can and avoid throwing your suit in the dryer which will cause a loss of elasticity. If you follow simple techniques to keep your suit in top condition you’ll save money in the long run and you’ll hang onto your suit longer.

Meredith Lepore

Meredith is the former editor in chief of the women's career site, The Grindstone. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire @ Work, The Jane Dough, DailyWorth, SheKnows.com, Business Insider and Learnvest. She earned her Masters in Magazine, Newspaper and Online journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Meredith resides in New York full time and enjoys reading, jogging, SoulCycle and playing with her small dog, Otis.