The Dictator | How to choose the right bikini for your body type, and where to buy them
Plus, dresses that are literally like works of art
Where can I buy bikinis in Hong Kong? I am a C to D cup, so I need a larger size top, but not one for old ladies or too big on the bottom! Shopping for them online has not worked out well for me. I Can C Clearly Now, Mid-Levels
The Dictator rules: Oh, cry me a river. No, jump in it. I suspect some readers hope you never find the right fit (miaow). Search for shops that sell tops and bottoms separately, then visit to try them on.
Ozzie Cozzie, a long-standing hidden gem, stocks Seafolly, Baku and Moontide, although not all its bikinis are sold as separates. What’s more, the store offers personal consultations by appointment, to help you find the best fit. Private appointments are also provided at lingerie stores such as Sheer, which sells bikinis by Stella McCartney (HK$1,100 and up for tops and HK$670 up for bottoms). Rigby & Peller offers them, too. We’d opt for the exquisite bikini separates at Eres, which come in timeless cuts and colours (HK$1,000 and up).
J. Crew acknowledged the discrepancy between top and bottom sizes decades ago, and has lovely pieces this summer (HK$250 and up). Lane Crawford’s selection includes separates by Solid & Striped, Vix and Kiini (HK$700 and up). Here’s a tip: if you find something you like on the website but it isn’t hanging on the racks, you can order the item to the store and try it on there. Calzedonia has begun selling affordable bikinis with bottoms for as little as HK$229, and tops starting at HK$329.
Finally, don’t waste your time trying to decipher size conversions between S, M, L, and chest circumference, and, if you’re lucky, cup size. Bikini sizing is all over the place, so brave the neon lights and put it on.