First measure using a tape measure 150 cm (59 inches) or longer. Start at the middle of the shoulder, move down across the high point of the bust, through the legs and up the back to the starting point. Repeat on the other side.
Now use the chart below to determine your size in AUS or USA measurements.
ie... Lets say your torso measurement was 170cm.
You can see that a measurement of 170cm equals a size 18 AUS or a size 16 USA.
| Centimetres | Size (AUS) | Inches | Size (USA) |
| 150 | 10 | 59 | 8 |
| 155 | 12 | 61 | 10 |
| 160 | 14 | 63 | 12 |
| 165 | 16 | 65 | 14 |
| 170 | 18 | 67 | 16 |
| 175 | 20 | 69 | 18 |
| 180 | 22 | 71 | 20 |
This measurement is not to be confused with your bra measurement below!!!
Bra sizes consist of two measurements - your body size and your cup size.
Your underbust measurement equals your body size, and your overbust
measurement minus your underbust measurement, which when calculated using the
chart provided, gives you your cup size.
First measure around the body under the breast, this is your underbust size.
Now use the chart below to determine your size in AUS or USA measurements.
ie... Lets say your underbust measurement was 80cm.
You can see that a measurement of 80cm equals a size 14 AUS or a size 12 USA.
| Centimetres | Size (AUS) | Inches | Size (USA) |
| 70 | 10 | 27.5 | 8 |
| 75 | 12 | 29.5 | 10 |
| 80 | 14 | 31.5 | 12 |
| 85 | 16 | 33.5 | 14 |
| 90 | 18 | 35.5 | 16 |
| 95 | 20 | 37.5 | 18 |
| 100 | 22 | 39.5 | 20 |
Measure around the body over the breast, this is your overbust size.
Now calculate the difference between your overbust and underbust measurements.
| Cup Size Calculation | Measurement |
| lets say your underbust measurement was | 80cm (Body Size 14 AUS) |
| and your overbust measurement was | 95cm |
| the difference is therefore | 15cm |
Now refer to the chart below:
You can see that a difference of 15cm equals a cup size of "B".
This together with your body size of 14 AUS means that you are a 14B AUS.
| Centimtres | Inches | Cup Sizes |
| 13 | 5.1 | A |
| 15 | 5.9 | B |
| 17 | 6.7 | C |
| 19 | 7.5 | D |
| 21 | 8.3 | DD |
Fold the suit halfway down and hold open. Step into the suit and ease it on gently.
After the suit is pulled up over the hips, the top should be drawn smoothly over the rest of the body.
Lean forward to allow the breasts to fall naturally into the bra. Secure the
fastenings, if any, adjusting the straps if required.
Bra
This must fit just under the bust, firm enough to support you.
Body
Your swimsuit should be long enough to stay put when you walk. It will ride up
if it is not long enough. Stand, sit, bend and walk to ensure that the suit is
comfortable.
Legs
Your swimsuit must fit comfortably right round each leg, cupping your bottom and
not riding up.
Straps
These must not cut in or sag.
Back, Crotch and Underarm
If the suit cuts, bulges or rides up, try a different style or larger size. If
it droops, try a smaller size.
Find the right style - one that flatters and enhances your looks. A suitable
silhouette can actually disguise figure problems.
Long Body
Choose styles with waist bust seams, high legs and low necklines to reduce body
length. Avoid verticals.
Tummies
Fool the eye with fabric or styling that pulls the eye away from the tummy. Look
for styles that have front power net lining.
No Waist
Look for styles that create an illusion of a waist. Try mitred vees, crossovers
or central panels. Avoid plains or bikinis.
Small Bust
Emphasising contours will visually enhance the bust-line. Bold prints or colours
will flatter. Avoid straight across bandeaux.
Large Hips
Draw attention away from the hips to the top half of your body. Choose styles
with bust details, vertical stripes or dark colours.
Short Body
Vertical stripes or prints will make the body look longer. Lower necklines and
plunging necklines will elongate the body.
Large Bust
Pay attention to support, comfort coverage and details that will deflect the eye
from the bust-line. Try underwires, cups, sweethearts and crossovers.
Large Sizes
Strong bold prints will break up the body line. Vertical and mitred stripes,
crossovers and skirts will help conceal. Use wide straps for support.
Swimwear is available in a variety of fabrics which all undergo a variety of
colour fastness tests to check their resistance to running or fading.
NYLON is used for most swimwear. Man-made, nylon is strong, abrasion-resistant and lightweight.
POLYESTER is also strong, resilient, wrinkle resistant and washes easily. Best when used in blends with cotton.
COTTON is a natural fibre which is strong, inexpensive and absorbent, and comfortable in hot weather.
ELASTANE is a synthetic stretch fibre which is present in most
swimwear, being blended with nylon, polyester or cotton. It gives swimwear its
stretch and resilience.
TRICOT is a technique of knit which produces adequate two-way stretch. Either smooth or structured, lustrous or matt, plain or printed.
JERSEY is used mainly in cotton and cotton polyester blends. Elastomeric is required to prevent sagging.
WOVENS are mainly used for coordinated beachwear items such as
sarongs, skirts and shirts.
ALWAYS
Warm hand wash with mild soap rinse after wear in cool water drip dry out of
direct sunlight.
DO NOT
Use strong detergents or bleach roll up when wet dry clean or iron tumble dry.
AVOID
Contact with rough surfaces excessive contact with suntan lotions and oils harsh
chemicals present in some pools and hot spas.
ELI Marketing
Eli Rabinowitz
Copyright © 1995 Eli Rabinowitz
This Home Page was created in July 1995
Most recent revision 10 December 2007
