Franco Marine Swimwear Size Guide: How to Choose Your Perfect Fit
Choosing the right size in luxury swimwear is one of the most important decisions you'll make before your purchase — and with Franco Marine, the rules are slightly different from standard clothing sizing. This guide covers everything you need to know: how to measure yourself, how to size by collection, how to choose based on your usage scenario, and answers to the most common sizing questions.
The Golden Rule: Size Down One Size
Franco Marine swimwear is crafted from premium high-stretch nylon-spandex — a performance-grade fabric that expands significantly when worn and recovers fully to its original shape after each use. Because of this, you should order one size smaller than your usual clothing size across almost all Franco Marine collections.
A Franco Marine piece that looks small on the hanger will expand to fit your body perfectly when worn — delivering the sculpting, second-skin silhouette the brand is designed to create. Ordering your usual size will result in a looser fit with less support, less tummy control, and a shorter lifespan for the piece.
How to Measure Yourself for Franco Marine Swimwear
Use a soft measuring tape and measure over bare skin for the most accurate results.
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. For underwire styles (RUFF), use your bra size as the primary reference.
- Waist: Measure around your natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, typically just above the navel.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Once you have your measurements, refer to the Franco Marine EU size chart below and then order one size down from your result.
| EU Size | Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS / 34 | 80–83 | 60–63 | 86–89 |
| S / 36 | 84–87 | 64–67 | 90–93 |
| M / 38 | 88–91 | 68–71 | 94–97 |
| L / 40 | 92–95 | 72–75 | 98–101 |
| XL / 42 | 96–99 | 76–79 | 102–105 |
Example: If your measurements correspond to EU 38 (M), order EU 36 (S) in Franco Marine.
Size Guide by Collection
YARA Triangle Bikini Sets
YARA's shiny nylon-spandex has excellent four-way stretch and recovery. Size down one full EU size. The adjustable ties on both the top and bottoms allow you to fine-tune the fit once on — making YARA one of the most forgiving styles in the collection for first-time buyers.
Best for: Beach holidays, Mediterranean travel, resort pools, sunbathing, water sports.
ALTO High-Waist Bikini Sets
ALTO's tummy control high-waist bottoms rely on elastic tension to sculpt and smooth the waist and abdomen. Size down one full EU size to ensure the waistband sits correctly and delivers its full shaping effect. The plunge V-neck top also benefits from a snugger fit for security during swimming and active movement.
Best for: Pool days, beach holidays, post-partum confidence, tummy control, resort wear, travel.
BUCO Bikini Sets
BUCO's sculpting design works best when the fabric is under correct elastic tension. Size down one full EU size for the most flattering tummy control and silhouette-defining fit.
Best for: Beach holidays, pool parties, resort wear, body confidence, Mediterranean travel.
TIO Triangle Bikini Sets (Crochet Lace & Jacquard)
TIO's jacquard and crochet lace fabric has slightly less stretch than standard nylon-spandex due to its woven structure. Size down half a size if possible, or order your exact EU measurement if you are between sizes. The adjustable ties provide additional fit flexibility.
Best for: Beach holidays, resort dinners, editorial looks, luxury travel, slow fashion occasions.
RUFF Push-Up Bikini Sets
RUFF's underwire construction is sized similarly to a bra. Size down one size in the bottoms. For the top, use your bust measurement as the primary guide — the underwire provides structure that limits stretch in the cup area. If you are between cup sizes, size up in the top.
Best for: Pool days, beach holidays, push-up support, active swimming, water sports.
MASSIMA Belted One-Pieces
MASSIMA's jacquard fabric has moderate stretch. Size down one full EU size. The adjustable belt allows you to define the waist independently, giving you additional fit flexibility even after sizing down — making MASSIMA one of the most versatile one-pieces in the collection.
Best for: Resort wear, beach-to-dinner transitions, luxury travel, editorial styling, Mediterranean holidays.
MARE One-Pieces
MARE's shiny nylon-spandex has excellent stretch. Size down one full EU size confidently. The adjustable metal straps and leather hardware allow you to fine-tune the fit once on. MARE is available in Deep V, Open Back, and Evening Gown silhouettes — all follow the same sizing rule.
Best for: Beach holidays, pool days, resort evenings, luxury travel, editorial looks, water sports.
KAREEN One-Pieces
KAREEN's ruching and cutout design works best when the fabric is under correct elastic tension. Size down one full EU size for the most flattering sculpting effect and the most secure fit around the cutout areas.
Best for: Beach holidays, pool parties, body confidence, resort wear, Mediterranean travel.
TIA Collection (Bandeau, Sporty, Reversible Bottoms)
TIA's nylon-spandex has excellent stretch. Size down one full EU size across all TIA styles. For the TIA Bandeau, a snugger fit is especially important — a strapless style needs correct elastic tension to stay securely in place during movement and swimming.
Best for: Active beach days, water sports, snorkelling, pool laps, travel, reversible styling.
Sizing by Usage Scenario
Beach Holiday & Mediterranean Travel
For a beach holiday, prioritise fit and security over comfort when choosing your size. A correctly sized Franco Marine piece will feel snug initially but will mould to your body within minutes — and will stay securely in place through swimming, sunbathing, and active movement. Size down one size across all styles.
Pool Days & Water Sports
For pool use and water sports, a snug fit is essential. The elastic tension that comes from sizing down ensures the piece stays in place during diving, swimming, and active movement. RUFF (underwire) and TIA (sporty) are particularly well-suited for active water use.
Resort Wear & Beach-to-Dinner
For resort wear and beach-to-dinner transitions, MASSIMA (belted one-piece) and MARE (evening gown silhouette) offer the most versatility. Both size down one EU size and can be styled with a sarong, linen trousers, or a blazer for an elevated resort look.
Body Confidence & Tummy Control
For tummy control and body confidence, ALTO and BUCO high-waist bikini sets are the strongest performers. Sizing down ensures the high-waist panel sits correctly and delivers its full sculpting and smoothing effect. KAREEN's ruching also provides excellent visual slimming at the waist.
Luxury Travel & Editorial Styling
For luxury travel and editorial looks, TIO (jacquard and crochet lace) and MASSIMA offer the most distinctive aesthetic. These styles photograph beautifully and transition effortlessly from beach to resort setting.
International Size Conversion
| Franco Marine EU | UK Size | US Size | IT Size | FR Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS / 34 | 6 | 2 | 38 | 34 |
| S / 36 | 8 | 4 | 40 | 36 |
| M / 38 | 10 | 6 | 42 | 38 |
| L / 40 | 12 | 8 | 44 | 40 |
| XL / 42 | 14 | 10 | 46 | 42 |
Remember: always order one EU size smaller than your usual clothing size in Franco Marine.
Still Unsure? Tips for Getting It Right
- Between two sizes? Size down to the smaller one — the high-stretch fabric will accommodate.
- Larger bust, smaller waist? For triangle tops (YARA, TIO), size for your bust and use the ties to adjust. For underwire tops (RUFF), size for your bust measurement.
- Ordering XS already? Order your true EU 34 size — XS is the smallest in the range and is designed to fit EU 34 bodies with correct elastic tension.
- Jacquard or crochet styles? Size down half a size or order your exact EU measurement — these fabrics have slightly less stretch.
- First Franco Marine purchase? Start with YARA or TIA — both have adjustable ties that give you the most flexibility to fine-tune the fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should I order in Franco Marine swimwear?
Order one EU size smaller than your usual clothing size. Franco Marine's premium nylon-spandex fabric stretches approximately one full EU size when worn, so a sized-down piece will expand to fit your body perfectly and deliver the sculpting, second-skin silhouette the brand is designed to create.
Does Franco Marine swimwear run small?
Franco Marine swimwear is intentionally designed to be worn one size smaller than your usual clothing size. This is not a manufacturing inconsistency — it is a deliberate design choice that allows the high-stretch nylon-spandex to work correctly, delivering tummy control, sculpting, and shape retention as intended.
How do I convert my UK or US size to Franco Marine EU sizing?
Use the international size conversion table above to find your EU equivalent, then order one size down. For example, a UK 10 (EU 38 / M) should order EU 36 (S) in Franco Marine.
What if I am between sizes in Franco Marine?
If you are between two sizes, order the smaller one. The high-stretch nylon-spandex will accommodate the difference and deliver a better fit than the larger size, which may feel loose and less supportive.
Which Franco Marine style is best for tummy control?
ALTO and BUCO high-waist bikini sets offer the strongest tummy control, thanks to their high-waist panel construction and the elastic tension of the nylon-spandex fabric. KAREEN one-pieces also provide excellent waist definition through ruching. All three require sizing down one EU size to deliver their full sculpting effect.
Which Franco Marine style is best for active swimming and water sports?
TIA (sporty and bandeau styles) and RUFF (underwire push-up) are the strongest performers for active water use. TIA's nylon-spandex has excellent stretch and recovery, while RUFF's underwire provides additional support during movement. Both should be sized down one EU size.
Can I wear Franco Marine swimwear as resort wear or for beach-to-dinner?
Yes — MASSIMA (belted one-piece) and MARE (evening gown silhouette) are specifically designed for beach-to-dinner transitions. Both can be styled with resort separates for an elevated look. MASSIMA's adjustable belt and MARE's adjustable metal straps allow you to refine the fit and silhouette for different settings.
How do I care for my Franco Marine swimwear to maintain the fit?
Rinse in cold water immediately after each use to remove chlorine, salt, and sunscreen. Hand wash with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Lay flat to dry in the shade — never wring, tumble dry, or expose to direct heat. With proper care, Franco Marine nylon-spandex swimwear is designed to maintain its fit and shape for three to five seasons.
Is Franco Marine swimwear true to size?
Franco Marine swimwear is not true to standard clothing size — it is designed to be worn one EU size smaller. This is a deliberate feature of the high-stretch nylon-spandex construction, not a sizing error. Customers who order their usual clothing size typically find the fit looser than intended, with less support and tummy control than the piece was designed to deliver.
Ready to find your perfect fit? Explore the full Franco Marine collection — bikini tops, bikini bottoms, and one-piece swimsuits — all crafted from premium European high-stretch fabrics designed to sculpt, support, and flatter.
Questions about sizing? Contact the Franco Marine team for personalised fit advice.