Read my detailed review of the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini in Red size 1X/20. Get insights on fit and sizing, and see how it looks on me in multiple unedited photos.
Next in my series of reviews of swimwear from Forever 21+ is the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini Top and Side-Tie Bikini Bottoms in Red.
Image courtesy of Forever 21
I loved the look of the ties on the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini when I saw it on the website – so cute! I tried both the top and the bottoms in a 1X, which is labelled as a UK size 20 but in my opinion it’s more like a UK 16.
To put the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini top on you put your arms into the armholes and then fasten the top at the front with the tie. The tie effect is fully functional so you can wear it as tightly or as loosely as you wish. The top is smooth on the back with no clasp or any other features.
The Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini top does not have any underwires, hidden support or side boning.
The Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini is made from soft, ribbed, jersey-like fabric. It’s quite different from most other bikinis and swimsuits I have tried. The ribbed fabric shows up much better in real life than in these photos, but you can see it more clearly in the above picture.
The ties on the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini bottoms are for aesthetic purposes only and cannot be adjusted. That is probably a good thing, all things considered!!
I like the rise height of the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini bottoms as they are high enough to feel comfortable but low enough to ensure my tummy gets to see some daylight.
The 1X/20 Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini was a good fit for me overall but as usual there isn’t enough boob room for my ample breasts. In contrast, I am pleased to report that the fit on the bottoms was spot on.
After taking these pictures and seeing how well the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini suited me I did reorder the top in a 2X and even a 3X to see if there was any way of making it work but sadly it still had insufficient depth for my boobs. I had major quadboob going on in all three of the sizes I tried, so it is safe to say that this top is not cut for proportionately large breasts.
That said, I was still glad I tried, and the fact these photos helped me realise that it was worth trying some other sizes just in case they might work was a really valuable experience for me.
Do you ever take photos of yourself when trying things on? It can be so useful to help see yourself and the garment(s) from a different perspective, especially if you don’t look at/judge the photos straight away and instead wait until the following day so that your perception is not needlessly skewed.
From the back the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini briefs have good butt coverage but I was pleased to find that they are also cut to maximise skin exposure. I didn’t get a wedgie or feel like I had to keep adjusting them so I would say they are true to size, and they were very comfortable to wear.
Something about the Forever 21 Plus Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini makes me so joyful, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the bright tomato red colour, or perhaps it’s the cute design with its playful ties. Whatever it is, I love it!
I was so sad that I couldn’t get the Forever 21+ Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini to work for me. Forever 21+, please, PLEASE make more boob room in your bikini tops because I would have truly loved to keep this one. I can’t explain how heartbroken I was to have to return it.
Despite my own fit issues, I would still highly recommend this bikini to anyone who is less busty than me. It has a great retro-inspired look and is bound to be a head-turner wherever it is worn, be that on the beach, by the pool, or elsewhere. It is available on the Forever 21+ website.
What do you think of the Forever 21+ Ribbed Tie-Front Bikini? Let me know in the comments.
You can see my other Forever 21+ swimwear reviews here.
Reading this post makes me feel a mixture of happiness and sadness. I am happy that it looks so incredible on you but I am sad that it doesn't fit properly. Honestly these brands need to up their fitting game, it's really not good enough that they don't cater for more bust sizes. I am a bit less busty than you and have a few F21+ swimming costumes that I love but they need to make them more accessible to others. Here's hoping they soon sort out their sizing! Btw I'd recommend the brand to less booby women, like you say. Angela x
Hi Angela, I completely agree. I was so heartbroken that it didn't work on me due to the lack of boob room, but I am pleased that it WILL work on countless other women who are not as busty as me. That's the story of my life!
I have been eyeing this up on the website wondering if it would look good on me. Wow it looks SO GOOD on you, you have tempted me to try it! Placing my order as soon as I get paid. Thanks for the useful details you include in all your posts XX
No problem at all – thanks for your kind words! I hope you love this bikini as much as I did. Do let me know how you get on with it.
I decided not to wait for payday as some of the sizes were already sold out and I didn’t want to miss out. I absolutely love it! Thanks again for your helpful reviews XX
Seriously woman this is FIRE on you!!!!!!! And its another swimsuit that I NEEEEEED. I think I need to remortgage my house in order to buy all this fabulous swimwear you keep sharing with us <3
Haha, sorry not sorry! I suppose the upshot is that F21's swimwear isn't overly expensive so it could be much worse!
And thank you for your kind compliment.