Burkini Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
The most common burkini-specific sizing mistake is measuring only bust, waist, and hip and forgetting arm and leg length, which a burkini's full-length sleeves and pants actually depend on. Assuming the same size number fits every style, ignoring a hood's adjustable elastic, and guessing between "tight for security" and "loose for comfort" are the other mistakes that trip up burkini shoppers specifically, beyond general online-sizing mistakes that apply to any garment.
What's the Most Common Burkini Sizing Mistake
Measuring only bust, waist, and hip and skipping arm and leg length. A regular swimsuit doesn't need those two measurements, but a burkini's full-length sleeves and pants do, and BAE Modest's own size chart is built around bust, waist, and hip only, with no arm or leg length column to check against.
Why Are Body Measurements Important
A burkini covers more of the body than standard swimwear, so more than 3 measurements may influence the overall fit. The most useful measurements include:
| Measurement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Bust | Helps choose the correct swim top size. |
| Waist | Affects overall comfort and support. |
| Hips | Helps determine the correct fit for leggings or swim pants. |
| Arm length | Ensures sleeves are not too short or too long. |
| Leg length | Helps full-length leggings fit correctly. |
Taking accurate measurements before ordering reduces the chance of choosing the wrong size. For step-by-step instructions, Read the guide How to Measure Yourself for Modest Swimwear for bust, waist, and hip technique, and size up if you're between sizes, since a slightly long sleeve or leg is a cheap tailoring fix while a too-tight fit isn't.
Do You Need to Size the Same Across Different Burkini Styles
No. Fabric stretch and cut vary by style, so the same size number in a fitted two-piece and a looser three-piece won't fit identically. See two-piece vs three-piece burkini for how construction differs between styles, and check each specific product's own size chart rather than assuming your usual size carries over.
What Role Do Drawstrings and Adjustable Features Play
A drawstring at the waist or an elastic tab at the hood can fix a borderline fit without needing a different size at all. Skipping over these adjustable features and ordering a size up or down instead, when the adjustment built into the garment would have solved it, is a common and avoidable mistake.
Is It Better to Size up or Down If You're Between Sizes
Size up. A burkini that's too tight can restrict movement and put pressure on the skin, while one that's too loose feels heavy and bulky once it's wet, but a slightly roomy fit is easier to adjust with a drawstring or tie than a too-tight one is to loosen. If the sleeves or legs run long after sizing up, a tailor can shorten cuffs for a small cost rather than needing a full size down. Read what to do if your order doesn't fit if sizing up still isn't enough once you've tried it on.
A burkini that is too small:
- Restrict arm and leg movement.
- Feel uncomfortable during swimming.
- Place extra tension on seams.
- Reduce overall comfort.
