We've all been there: you order three swimsuits online in two sizes each, wait for the box, try them on in your bedroom, and end up mailing most of them back. Swimsuits may be the hardest thing in your closet to buy sight unseen.
That's exactly why specialty swim stores exist. Swim City has been part of Sarasota's beach life for decades, and here are nine reasons we think shopping a specialty swim store beats guessing online.
1. Real Help Finding the Right Fit
Our motto is simple: we fit customers, not labels. Swim City's fit specialists help customers find suits that flatter every shape and size. Whether you want to flaunt, minimize or emphasize, they know which brands run small, which cuts offer more support and which styles work for your body.
They also know things a size chart won't tell you. For example, most swimsuits that don't list a cup size are built for a B–C cup, so if you're spilling out of the top or constantly adjusting, you may need a D/DD or bra-sized style instead of a bigger size. No appointment needed: just stop in, and our team will be happy to help you find the right fit. Want the details? See our swimsuit fit guide here on the Swim City blog.
2. Bra-Sized Suits and Separates in Different Sizes
Very few of us are the same size on top and bottom. Many of the swimsuits we carry, including tankini tops, underwire bikini tops, skirted bottoms and more, are sold as separates, so you can mix sizes and styles. In the store, it's easy to grab a top in one size and a bottom in another and get a perfect fit.
For fuller busts, we carry bra-sized and D/DD swimwear from brands like Sunsets, Coco Reef, Bleu|Rod Beattie, Anne Cole and more, so you get real support instead of just sizing up. Browse women's swim tops, swim bottoms and more.
3. Specialty Fits All Under One Roof
Some fit needs are hard to shop for online. We carry swimwear for a wide range of needs, all in one place:
- Post-mastectomy swimwear with pockets designed to hold a prosthesis
- Plus-size swimwear
- Long-torso one-pieces from brands like Longitude
- Shaping and tummy-control suits from Miraclesuit, Magicsuit and more
- Men's swimwear, kids' swimwear and more
Trying these on with someone who understands how they're built makes all the difference.
4. Over 100 Brands, From Authorized Dealers to Local Makers
Instead of jumping between a dozen websites, you can compare brands in one visit. Our stores carry over 100 brands, including Bleu|Rod Beattie, La Blanca, Kulani Kinis, Jantzen, Anne Cole, Vuori, Fair Harbor, Free Fly, OluKai, Costa and more. Our website shows only a portion of what we carry, and our stores have far more styles than you'll find online. Feeling fabrics and comparing fits in person helps you decide faster.
As an authorized dealer for brands like Patagonia, Costa, Maui Jim and more, we sell authentic products, so you can count on the real thing and the brand's own warranty where one applies. You'll also find local and Florida favorites you won't see in a big-box store, like Solar Recover after-sun care, made in Fort Myers, Beaver Wicks candles from a Sarasota maker, and more.
5. Everything You Need for the Beach in One Stop, With Personal Styling
A swimsuit is just the start. Our stores are stocked with beach hats, totes, cover-ups, sunglasses and more, so you can put together the whole look in one trip. Not sure what goes with your new suit? Ask, and our team will pull coordinating cover-ups, sarongs, hats and more for you to try. Explore cover-ups, hats, polarized sunglasses, beach bags, towels, sun care and more.
6. We'll Hold It, and We'll Call You When Your Favorite Arrives
Found the perfect suit but need to grab your wallet, check with a friend or come back after the beach? Just ask, and we can hold items for you.
Have a favorite brand, style, size or color? Ask to join our VIP call list. When it arrives, we'll give you a call so you get first pick before it sells out. A website can't do that.
7. Special Orders and Store Transfers
Love a style but your size isn't on the shelf? We can often get it for you. If another Swim City location has it, we can transfer it to the store most convenient for you. If none of our stores has it but the brand does, we can place a special order. Transfers and special orders can take a few days or more, depending on the item, and we'll let you know when it's ready.
8. Shop Online, Pick Up in Store, or Have It Shipped Home
Prefer to browse at home? Order at swimcity.com and choose in-store pickup at your nearest Swim City. Visiting from out of town, or don't want to pack it? We can ship items to your home. And if an online order isn't quite right, online purchases can be returned to one of our stores or through our online return portal. See our Exchanges & Returns page for details, since online and in-store policies differ. (For hygiene reasons, swimwear can't be returned once it's been worn, soiled or washed.) Join our loyalty program, too: you earn 1 point for every $1 you spend in our stores, and every 100 points is worth $1 off a future purchase. Points are earned and redeemed in our stores (not online). To sign up, text SWIM to 87573 and you'll get 1,000 bonus points ($10 off your next purchase). You can track your points and rewards in the free AppCard app. Message and data rates may apply.
9. Local, Family-Owned Experts Who Live the Gulf Coast Life
Swim City is a family-owned business, not a big-box chain, and our team lives where you vacation. We know what holds up to salt water and chlorine, what works for a day on the boat and what will still look great at dinner on the water. Swim City has been on Stickney Point Road, the gateway to Siesta Key, since 1968, and we've been #1 Best Swimwear in Sarasota Magazine's Best of Sarasota since 1999. This year is no different: Swim City was voted #1 Best Swimwear in Sarasota Magazine's Best of Sarasota 2026. Thank you, Sarasota!
Visit a Swim City Store
Ready to skip the guesswork? Stop by and let us help you find your perfect suit:
Swim City – Siesta Key (Stickney Point)
1960 Stickney Point Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 922-4545 · 9am–6pm every day
Swim City – Downtown Sarasota
50 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 954-8800 · 9am–6pm every day
Swim City – Longboat Key
3170 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228
(941) 383-2288 · 8:30am–5pm Mon–Sat; 9am–5pm Sun
Swim City – Englewood (formerly Swim Mart)
1500 Placida Rd., Suite D-8, Englewood, FL 34223
(941) 474-4088 · 10am–5pm Mon–Sat; closed Sun
Questions? Call our customer service line at 1-800-210-6221 or visit our store locator. We can't wait to see you!
