Can You Alter A Swimsuit?

What can you do if your swimsuit doesn’t fit? Whether you lost some weight or that swimsuit you fell in love with doesn't fit like you'd hoped, sometimes you find yourself with a suit that simply isn't right. Swimwear should be fun and flattering, so what should you do with a swimsuit that lets you down? Can you alter a swimsuit?

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH SWIMSUITS FITTING

• Too large all over. If you've recently lost weight, you may pull on your favorite swimsuit to discover that it's suddenly baggy. This can be true even with a weight loss of about 6 pounds. Two things to keep in mind: Reducing a swimsuit by more than one size probably won't look right, and if your suit is baggy because the fabric has lost its stretch then no alteration is going to help.
• Too small. It may be from weight gain, or from a swimsuit manufacturer that simply didn't work for your exact curves, but sometimes you end up with a suit that is just too tight. Swimsuits don't have extra fabric to let out in the seam, but there are other ways of adding a little room, such as sewing in panels.
• Your size on top doesn't match your size on bottom. This is a very common issue for women. If you buy a two-piece suit as a set, it can be frustrating to find one that matches your proportions. 
• You want a change. Maybe you're just ready for a new look? Making your one-piece suit into a high-waisted bikini or adding fabric to make your bikini into a one-piece can change things up.

SEW IT YOURSELF

Whether you need to take in seams to make your suit snug again or to add some inches to make it fit without pulling, it is possible to do alterations yourself. If you're accomplished at sewing, this is something you can tackle. Taking in the suit a little on the sides is fairly straightforward but be sure you use polyester thread and a stretch stitch, so the seam can stretch without snapping. An overlock machine can give you an entwined stitch for extra stretch. If the bodice is too large for your chest, you may want to consider adding "enhancer" cups to the suit. Altering the bodice can get complicated because it requires adjusting straps as well as fitting the seams to the rest of the suit.

If you need a little extra room, consider adding panels. Sheer fabric or lace panels are a very pretty addition to a suit. It's important to select a fabric that has the same kind of stretch as your swimsuit (2-way or 4-way). You want to be extra careful with the seam between your new panel and the original suit, so you don't end up with puckers in the fabric as you move.

HAVE IT ALTERED – BATHING SUIT ALTERATION

If you have a tailor that you love, you may want to consider having your swimsuit professionally altered. Keep in mind that certain changes will be pricey. If your suit has a liner, that will have to be adjusted separately. Also, some bathing suit alterations are more complicated, such as restructuring the bodice to accommodate a different sized bust. In some cases, having a professional rework your swimsuit may cost more than a new one.

LET US TAKE CARE OF YOU AT SWIMSUITS DIRECT

Swimsuit problems? 99 problems but a swimsuit fit ain’t one with Swimsuits Direct. Getting the perfect swimsuit shouldn't be stressful. It's far easier to find the right suit the first time than to make one that's not right work for you. We love to help women find swimsuits they love. At Swimsuits Direct we have a wide selection of beautiful swimwear, and we provide as much information as possible to help you find the perfect fit. For example, we have detailed fit guides for different swimsuit lines. We also sell tops and bottoms separately, so that you can select the sizes that work for your shape. If you still find yourself with a swimsuit that you don't love or swimsuit fitting, we are happy to take returns, no questions asked. 

To find a suit you feel beautiful in, take a look at our swimsuit selection. Once you've found your perfect swimsuit you're ready to get out there and play and leave all worries about fit behind.