How to Convert Your Curvy Kate Bra Size to the Right Swimwear Top Size

Quick answer

Start with the bra size you actually wear in Curvy Kate most days, not the size you wish you wore. Then check the swimwear top's band, cup construction and clasp, because a bikini top can fit differently from a bra in the same size. If you are between band sizes, size up in the band and adjust the straps rather than sizing down in the cup.

Your bra size is the best starting point for a swimwear top, but it is not always the final answer. Swim fabric behaves differently from bra fabric, and a bikini top that fits well on land can feel loose once it is wet. The goal is a top that stays put, supports your bust and does not dig in.

This guide walks through a simple conversion process using your Curvy Kate bra size, then shows which details to check before you buy. It works for balcony bikini tops, tankini tops and any D+ swimwear top where support matters.

Why your bra size is the right starting point

Curvy Kate swimwear is designed for the same D+ busts as the bras, so your everyday bra size is the most reliable reference. If you normally wear a 34G in a Curvy Kate balcony bra, start your swimwear search around that size rather than guessing from a dress size. Dress sizes vary too much between brands to be useful for a supportive top.

The key difference is stretch. Swim fabric and linings have different recovery than bra fabric, so a top that fits perfectly in the fitting room can relax after a swim. That is why the conversion step is about confirming band, cup and support, not just matching a number.

• Use the size from a bra you already own and wear comfortably, not a measurement taken years ago.
• If your weight or band size has changed recently, recheck your bra size first.

Step 1: Confirm your current band and cup

Put on your best-fitting Curvy Kate bra and check the band first. It should sit level around your body and stay put when you lift your arms. If the band rides up at the back, it is too loose, and that same looseness will feel worse in a swimwear top. Next, check the cup: no overflow at the top, no empty space at the bottom, and the centre front should sit close to your chest.

Write down that band and cup size. This is your reference size for the rest of the process. If your bra size has changed since your last purchase, use the newer size, because swimwear sizing follows the same D+ fit logic.

• Common mistake: using a cup size from a bra that never fit well in the first place.
• Checkpoint: the band stays level and the wire sits flat against your ribcage.

Step 2: Match the size to the swimwear top

Most Curvy Kate swimwear tops are sold by bra size, so you can usually order the same band and cup you confirmed in Step 1. If you are between two band sizes, choose the larger band and tighten the straps or clasp rather than sizing down in the cup. A too-small cup will feel tight and can cause spillage, which is harder to fix than a slightly roomy band.

If you are between cup sizes, think about the fit you prefer. A firmer, more lifted fit usually means staying with your usual cup, while a softer, less compressed feel might mean trying the next cup up. If you cannot try both, order your usual size first and adjust the straps for lift.

• Common mistake: assuming a bikini top should be one size smaller for extra support.
• Checkpoint: you can breathe and move your shoulders without the band digging in.

Step 3: Check the support features

Support in a swimwear top comes from construction, not just size. Underwired styles with a scooped balcony neckline, like the Curvy Kate Sapphire Seas Balcony Bikini Top Blue Sparkle, are built to lift and shape, and the deeper branded swim clasp helps keep the fit secure at the back. Non-wired styles, like the Curvy Kate Wild Horizon Non-Wired Multiway Tankini Top Black Print, offer adjustable straps and a multiway fit with non-wired, non-padded cups, so they feel softer but rely more on the band for support.

Match the construction to what you need. If you want a rounded, lifted shape, look for underwires and seamed cups. If you want comfort and coverage for swimming or lounging, a non-wired tankini with adjustable drawstring sides can give you control over body length and ruching.

• Underwired balcony tops usually give more lift and shaping than non-wired styles.
• Adjustable straps and multiway options help you fine-tune the fit without changing size.

Step 4: Test the fit before you commit

Once the top arrives, try it on with the straps adjusted and do a few movements: reach overhead, twist your torso and bend forward. The band should stay in place and the cups should keep their shape. If the band rides up or the cups gap, the size is not right, even if the label matches your bra size.

If you can, wear the top in water before removing tags. Swim fabric can relax when wet, so a top that feels slightly firm when dry often settles into a better fit after a swim. If it feels tight or restrictive when dry, it will likely feel worse in the water.

• Common mistake: judging fit only while standing still in front of a mirror.
• Checkpoint: no red marks, no spillage and no gaping after movement.

Step 5: Adjust for the swimwear bottom separately

Your top size and bottom size do not have to match. Swimwear bottoms like the Curvy Kate Jet Set Bikini Brief Black are sold by size and use a quick-drying recycled fabric blend, so you can choose the bottom size that fits your hips and preferred coverage independently. This is useful if your top and bottom sizes differ, which is common for D+ figures.

If you are buying a matching set, order each piece in the size that fits that part of your body. A well-fitting top with a comfortable bottom will look better than a set that matches on the label but not on your body.

• Order top and bottom sizes separately when your proportions differ.
• Check the fabric content if quick-drying or recycled fibres matter to you.

Your size conversion checklist

1. Confirm your current bra size: Wear your best-fitting Curvy Kate bra and check that the band sits level and the cups contain your bust without overflow or gaping. Write down this band and cup size as your starting point.
2. Choose the same size in the swimwear top: Order the band and cup you confirmed. If between band sizes, go up in the band and adjust the straps rather than sizing down in the cup. A too-small cup is harder to fix than a slightly roomy band.
3. Match the support level to your needs: Underwired balcony styles give more lift; non-wired multiway styles feel softer and rely on the band. Pick the construction that suits how you will wear it. Support comes from design as much as from size.
4. Try it on with movement: Reach, twist and bend to check the band stays put and the cups keep their shape. If you can, test in water before removing tags. A top that feels slightly firm when dry often settles well after a swim.
5. Size the bottom separately: Choose your swimwear bottom by your hip and coverage preference, not by the top size on the label. Top and bottom sizes do not have to match.

Product facts that help with sizing

• Curvy Kate Sapphire Seas Balcony Bikini Top Blue Sparkle: Scooped balcony bikini top with underwired structure and a new deeper branded swim clasp for a secure fit. The underwires and deeper clasp give more lift and security, so you can often stay closer to your everyday bra size.
• Curvy Kate Wild Horizon Non-Wired Multiway Tankini Top Black Print: Non-wired, non-padded cups with adjustable straps, multiway fit and drawstring sides to control body length. If you prefer a softer feel without underwires, this style relies on the band and adjustable straps, so band fit matters most.
• Curvy Kate Jet Set Bikini Brief Black: Quick-drying fabric containing recycled fibres, sold by size as a swimwear bottom. You can choose the bottom size separately from the top, which helps when your top and bottom sizes differ.

Converting your Curvy Kate bra size to a swimwear top size is mostly about trusting your everyday fit and then checking construction and movement. Start with your usual band and cup, adjust for the style, and size the bottom separately. That way your D+ swimwear feels supportive in and out of the water.