Built In Underwire Swimsuit

About the Underwire

Love them or hate them, underwire bras really do offer more support for the full-figured woman. The idea of running a wire through a bra cup is to reinforce the material and redistribute the weight load it has to bear.

Unfortunately, these feats of engineering can be somewhat uncomfortable when not properly fitted, prompting some women to believe that they could only have been designed by a man.

In fact, underwires were actually the idea of a very famous man, billionaire Howard Hughes. According to legend, Hughes set his aeronautical design team to work on creating a bra that would be strong enough to support the bosom of actress Jane Russell, and the rest is history.

Advent of the Built-In Underwire Swimsuit

As always, innovations in lingerie are usually carried over into swimsuit design, so it didn't take long for Mr. Hughes' invention to begin showing up in the swimsuit market as well. Full figured swim fashions not only featured the built-in underwire swimsuit, but also included the full-girdle control panel bathing suit.

Although these features did do quite a bit to shape up a woman's figure, the suits were rather binding. Women tended to just grin and bear it, since in those days we believed we had to make sacrifices for fashion. Thankfully, fresh thinking and new technology eventually replaced the original designs with suits that were far more comfortable, yet still provided the extra support some women need.

Do You Need an Underwire?

Not everyone truly needs an underwire bra or swimsuit. Typically, the style isn't offered in anything below a C-cup.

The best way to decide if you should purchase an underwire swimsuit is to go try on a few. First, try on a swimsuit in your size that doesn't have underwires, then try on one that does. Is there a marked difference in the lift you get from the underwire? If so, and you like the way the suit looks and feels, then by all means go with the underwire.

On the other hand, if there is little or no difference between the support you get from either suit, then you're probably on the borderline of needing an underwire, and you can choose to go without one if you like.

For many women, comfort is the deciding factor. If the wire presses uncomfortably against your breasts, ribs or underarms then you should try to find a more accurate size or skip an underwire altogether. When in doubt, ask a professional for help.

Finding a Proper Fit

A proper fit is essential for any underwire swimsuit to feel comfortable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you try suits on.

• Accurate cup size is essential. Your breasts should neither spill over the top nor out the sides of the cups. Conversely, if your cups wrinkles a bit then you're not fully filling them out. Try the next cup size down.
• If you feel the wire poking into your armpit, then the underwire is too large for you.
• If you can feel the wire cutting into the outsides of your breasts, then you've chosen a suit that is too small.
• The best fit and comfort are usually found in underwires that span the full length of your cup size, ending right at the outermost portion of your breasts.

Shopping

Let's take a look at some of the underwire swimsuits currently available.

• A TrimShaper® one piece swimsuit with underwire bra makes a wonderful difference in your shape from the moment you put it on. The secret: the wires are concealed inside foam cups, so you get the shape and support you want, but no one realizes you're wearing an underwire. The criss-cross design of the suit back also adds superior lift.
• The Captiva from Miraclesuit offers overall control with hidden tummy control panels and underwires. Unlike some underwire suits, the straps on this design are thin and adjustable, so you don't need to look like you're wearing a heavy-duty swimsuit.
• Do you dare to go strapless? You can in the All Things Bright and Beautiful Avanti strapless one piece, also from Miraclesuit. Shaping panels in the mid-section and hidden underwires add up to great fit and control.
• Bikinis come with built-in underwires too. Solstrom offers a fabulous yellow and blue floral bikini especially for women who wear a DD-cup. The matching tonga bottoms make this one sexy swimsuit!

Conclusion

With the correct fit, a built-in underwire swimsuit can still be comfortable and sexy, so never feel you have to sacrifice one advantage for the other. Take your time trying on suits, ask for professional help if you need it and you're bound to find a swimsuit that will serve you well this season.