One size does NOT fit all (body parts)

When your chest and waist are one size; and your hips (okay…butt 😂) are another, it’s hard to know what size tri suit to order.  That was my quandary today because I can't try this one on.  In the end, I let the centimeters decide: only  1-2cm off the butt if I went with the smaller size but 5-6cm off my chest and waist if I went for the larger size.  The boobs and waist won; I ordered the smaller size.  

Why wouldn’t I just go with the larger size?  Because I’ve found that if the tri suit is too big, it moves - and that can cause chafe.  Owww.  In addition, I don’t want to drag around any extra fabric on the swim. Fingers crossed I don’t regret my decision on race day and split a seam!  😂

If you’re going to buy a tri suit, I definitely recommend trying it on - preferably with your sports bra - before buying it.  Move around in it.  Do some freestyle in the changing room; jog around the store.  Besides thinking about the fit and your range of motion in it, check to see if any of the internal seams chafe.  I have to use Glide with one of mine for that very reason.
 
If you’ve never bought a tri suit, the “Women’s tri-suit buyer’s guide” written by Alison Hamlett a couple years ago at www.220triathlon.com/gear/gear-guides/womens-tri-suit-buyers-guide/8603.html has some other points to consider, especially if you think you might need to go to the bathroom on course 😉.  (Hint: think two-piece suit and not one)