Most swimwear is sized by bust and hip. Torso length. The distance from your shoulder to your crotch. Is rarely mentioned on a product page, and yet it is the measurement that most often determines whether a one-piece or a high-waist bikini fits correctly. A piece that is too short in the torso pulls down at the front and gaps at the back. A piece that is too long bunches at the crotch. Neither is comfortable.
How to measure your torso length ¶
Stand straight and measure from the top of your shoulder (at the base of your neck) over your bust, down your stomach, and through your crotch to the same point on your back. This is your full torso length. For swimwear, the relevant measurement is usually the front torso length: from the shoulder to the crotch, measured down the front of the body only. A tape measure and a second person make this easier.
What is a standard torso length and what is not ¶
Most swimwear patterns are drafted for a front torso length of approximately 60 to 63 cm. If your measurement is above 65 cm, you are likely to find that standard swimwear pulls. If your measurement is below 58 cm, you may find that pieces gap or bunch. Neither of these is unusual. The range of torso lengths in adult women is wide, and a single standard pattern cannot accommodate it.
How we handle torso length at Mind Flow Zone Grid ¶
Our ready-to-ship pieces include the front torso length in the flat measurement table on each product page. If your measurement is within 2 cm of the listed length, the piece will fit. If you are more than 2 cm outside the listed length, we recommend the made-to-measure service, which adjusts the pattern before cutting. The adjustment adds approximately one week to the lead time and is included in the made-to-measure price.
A note on high-waist bikini briefs ¶
High-waist briefs are particularly sensitive to torso length because the waistband position is fixed by the pattern. If the torso is too short, the waistband sits at the natural waist rather than above it, which changes the silhouette entirely. Our voile high-waist brief is drafted for a front torso length of 61 cm. If your measurement is significantly different, email us before ordering and we will advise.
Fit is the reason we publish flat measurements rather than just S/M/L. If the numbers on the page do not answer your question, email us at us with your measurements. We will give you a straight answer.