Bikini Fit Guide to Find the Best Swimwear for Your Body Shape
Spend a session in the wrong bikini, and you'll know it — the cup shifts mid-paddle, the back rides up on every duck dive, and you're adjusting instead of surfing. The right fit fixes all of that. Your swimwear disappears, and the water's all you're thinking about. Rip Curl has been building swimwear for women since 1969, and this guide is a practical breakdown of what 55+ years of that looks like: support levels, coverage cuts, body shape styling, and how to measure yourself at home.
This guide covers everything — support levels for your top, coverage styles for your bottoms, and which cuts suit different shapes. Wherever The Search takes you this summer, the right bikini gets out of the way and lets you focus on the water.
How to Choose Your Bikini Top Support Level
Not all bikini tops are built the same. The right support level depends on your bust size and what you're doing in the water — and we design across five levels so you can match both. Here's how they break down.
Light Support — Best for A to C Cups
A classic beach silhouette. Our Light Support tops include triangle styles and bandeaus with sliding, moulded cups that offer a flattering shape without heavy structure. Tie-neck and tie-back design keeps the top fully adjustable, while light gathering underneath allows capacity in the cup.
Best for: Smaller busts looking for minimal tan lines and an easy, laid-back feel. Perfect for lounging, pool days, and light beach activity.
Good Support — Best for A to C Cups
A summer staple that offers real structure without losing style. Our Good Support tops feature fully fixed, fully moulded cups with zero movement in the surf. The wide underbust band is supportive and adjustable, boning at the side seam adds extra hold where it counts, and fully adjustable shoulder straps let you dial in the exact fit. Open back and a feminine neckline make this a top worth living in all summer.
Best for: Active beach days, light surfing, and anyone wanting the sweet spot between a laid-back triangle and a fully structured top. Mixes and matches with any of our bikini bottoms.
Full Support — Best for C to DD Cups
Built for C to DD cups who want full hold without giving up on style. Our Full Support tops deliver enough cup capacity to fit a D, with wide shoulder straps and an underbust band featuring internal wired elastic for a snug, secure feel. The open neckline flatters the chest, and a 3-slot adjuster at the back gives you total adjustability.
Best for: Surfing, swimming, and active days where you need your bikini to perform. Ideal for C to DD cups who want style and support in one.
D-DD Support & E Support — Designed for Larger Busts
Finding a bikini that fits a larger bust well comes down to engineering. Our D-DD and E Support tops carry the full toolkit: a concealed underwire for serious support, wide straps that distribute weight comfortably, no or removable padding to reduce bulk, and double lining for total security. The neckline opens up the décolletage for a flattering result, and a 3-slot back adjuster puts the fit entirely in your hands.
Best for: D cup and above. Designed specifically so bigger busts don't have to choose between style and support.
Bikini Bottom Coverage Guide
Coverage is personal. Some want minimal fabric and maximum tan; others want security and modest coverage. Our bikini bottoms come in five coverage levels — here's how to find yours.
Bare & Skimpy Coverage
Our Bare and Skimpy coverage bottoms offer micro to minimal fabric for maximum tan. Brief fit, thin side straps, a bold look — works beautifully on petite frames or anyone who wants to keep it minimal.
Cheeky Coverage — Our Best Seller
The Cheeky coverage fit is our best-selling bikini bottom. It features a hipster fit across the hip with a wide waistband that sits comfortably on your body. The 16cm coverage is lifted with a ruched detail up the centre back, offering a flattering and feminine shape. A baby-locked edge sits flush against your skin — nothing to adjust once you're in. The most popular mix-and-match bottom we make. Once you find yours, it tends to stick.
Good Coverage
Halfway between Cheeky and Full, the Good Coverage bottom is a reliable shape that looks right on nearly every body. The material is slightly skinnier on the side of the hip, offering a flattering leg line with 22cm of coverage across the back. Whether you're out in the surf or soaking up a summer afternoon, this easy mix-and-match shape keeps you comfortable and confident.
Full Coverage
Our longest-running bikini bottom. A stylish, modest cut with 25cm+ of coverage across the back — from teens to mums to everyone in between. A thin waistband accentuates your leg line without adding bulk, and it works just as well for an active day as it does for a slow afternoon on the sand.
High Waisted & High Cut
The high-waisted, high-cut bottom performs as well as it looks. A wider waistband with internal wired elastic hugs your body comfortably, while the high cut accentuates your shape in all the right places. A standout for surfing — the fit stays put through wipeouts and duck dives.
Best Bikini Styles for Every Body Shape
Every body is different. Knowing which cuts work with your shape takes the guesswork out of the fitting room — and gets you in the water faster. Here's how to pair Rip Curl styles with your silhouette.
Hourglass
Your proportions are naturally balanced, which means you've got plenty of options. High-waisted bottoms emphasise a defined waist, and supportive tops — halter styles or our Good Support range — keep everything sculpted. Bold prints and colour work well across the board when proportions are this balanced.
Pear Shape
If your hips are wider than your bust, draw the eye upward. Tops in bold prints, lighter colours, or embellished details do the job — pair them with solid or darker-toned bottoms in our Good or Full Coverage cuts for a balanced, flattering look. Side-tie bottoms also work well; they let you customise the fit around your hips.
Athletic / Straight Build
Tie-side bottoms, ruched details, and our Cheeky coverage cut add shape and dimension where you want it. Triangle tops with adjustable ties let you dial in your silhouette, while high-leg cuts elongate the leg line.
Apple Shape
If you carry weight through your midsection, high-waisted bottoms smooth the tummy area while sitting comfortably on your body. V-neckline tops draw the eye upward, and our one-piece swimsuits with ruching around the waist offer a flattering alternative.
Petite Frame
High-cut legs and V-front bottoms lengthen the leg line. Our Skimpy or Bare coverage styles work well on petite frames, and triangle tops in proportion keep everything balanced without overwhelming a smaller silhouette.
Curvy / Full-Figured
Full Support or D-DD Support tops give you the hold you need, while high-waisted or Full Coverage bottoms offer a secure, sculpted fit. Wider straps, underwire, and double lining — all engineered to support so you can focus on the session, not your swimwear. Our interactive Swimwear Fit Guide takes the guesswork out of it entirely. Choose your activity, body shape, and support level — it recommends the right styles for you.
Best Swimwear for Surfing & Active Days
If you're taking your bikini into the line-up, you need swimwear that performs. Duck dives, wipeouts, hours of paddling — these demand something built for purpose, with the fit to match.
That's where the Mirage Ultimate collection comes in. Our most technical swimwear, built specifically for surfers. Superior Glide Skin neoprene panels repel water and reduce wind chill. Two-way stretch and shape retention hold their form through a full session — well beyond what standard bikini fabrics can manage. The fit stays put from the first duck dive to the last wave.
The Rip Curl x Steph Gilmore collection reflects how Steph surfs — clean, precise, and unmistakably her own. When an 8x World Champion puts her name on a swimwear line, it gets tested in the world's heaviest line-ups.
What to look for in a surf bikini: a compression fit that stays put through duck dives, fast-drying fabric so you're not sitting in cold wet lycra, and secure coverage that won't budge when the waves get serious. Our surf suits are another solid option if you want more coverage in the water.
How to Measure & Size Your Bikini
Getting the right size is half the job. Here's how to measure yourself at home so you can order with confidence.
Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
Waist: Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of your natural waist, just above the belly button.
Hips: Stand with feet together and measure around the widest part of your hips and bum.
Fit Tips
Bikini tops: Should fit comfortably snug. No spillage or gaping from the cup, and the back should lay flat. Shoulder straps should hold the top securely without digging in.
Bikini bottoms: Shouldn't ride up, sag, or dig in. Too tight? Go up a size. Sagging when wet? Try a size down.
Pro tip: Your top and bottom sizes might not match — and that's completely normal. Mix and match to get the exact right fit for each piece.
Bikini Fabrics & Sustainability
The best bikini fabrics are durable, flexible, and fast-drying. We craft our swimwear from high-quality lycra and nylon for stretch and comfort, plus neoprene for performance pieces like our Mirage Ultimate range.
We're working to do better by the planet too. Some of our bikinis are made from ECONYL — a regenerated nylon produced from ocean waste, including discarded fishing nets. As a certified B Corp, we're open about where we are on this journey and honest about the work still ahead. The search for a more sustainable future is ongoing.
FAQ — Bikini Fit Questions Answered
How should a bikini top fit?
A bikini top should fit comfortably snug without squeezing. There shouldn't be any spillage or gaping from the cups, and the back band should sit flat across your back. Shoulder straps should hold the top securely without digging in or sliding off.
How should bikini bottoms fit?
Bikini bottoms should fit according to the cut and coverage you've chosen. They shouldn't ride up, sag, or dig into your skin. If they're too tight, go up a size. If they're sagging when wet, try sizing down.
What is the best bikini for a large bust?
Our Full Support, D-DD Support, and E Support bikini tops are designed specifically for larger busts. Look for wide shoulder straps, a supportive underbust band, hidden underwire, and a secure back fastening. Explore our full bikini top range to find the right fit.
Can you wear a bikini under a wetsuit?
Absolutely. Having that extra layer means you can take your wetsuit on and off without worrying. A dry bikini under your suit is the way to go for maximum comfort — swimming in your bikini first can trap moisture and feel chilly once you zip up.
What is the best bikini fabric?
Look for fabrics that are durable, flexible, and fast-drying. We use Lycra, nylon, and neoprene across our range, plus sustainably-minded regenerated materials like ECONYL for those who want their swimwear to sit lighter on the oceans they surf in.
How do I choose a bikini for surfing?
Look for a compression fit, fast-drying fabric, and secure coverage that won't shift during duck dives. Our Mirage Ultimate collection is built specifically for surfers, featuring Glide Skin neoprene panels and two-way stretch for maximum performance.
What coverage level is best for me?
It comes down to comfort and activity. Bare and Skimpy coverage suits tanning and petite frames. Cheeky is our best-seller — flatters nearly every shape. Good Coverage is the go-to for a modest, easy fit, and Full Coverage is ideal for active days or anyone who wants maximum security.
Find Your Perfect Fit
The best bikini is the one you stop thinking about — fits right, stays put, and gets out of the way so you can focus on the water. Whether you're paddling into a set at your local break or exploring a new coastline with the crew, that's what we've been building toward for 55+ years.
Our interactive Swimwear Fit Guide takes the guesswork out of it: choose your activity, body shape, and support level, and we'll point you to exactly the right styles.
Your Search for the perfect bikini starts here.
