I’ve been an avid Chromat fan for longer than I’ve been blogging (I think I first read about the brand on Man Repeller back in 2012), and my love for the brand has only grown over the years as I’ve seen founder and designer Becca McCharen-Tran’s devotion to diversity in representation on the NYFW runway – well before it was considered trendy to do so.  McCharen-Tran has been trying to expand the size range to more fully represent all types of #ChromatBabe, and earlier this year during a panel at FIT, she announced that Nordstrom would be carrying Chromat suits in sizes up to a 3XL.  I literally did a little happy dance when I heard the news, because though I love my Saldana suit, it was previously only available up to an XL, and I want to be able to share the Chromat goodness with all my readers.

On the road in the Alva bikini top and bottom

I stopped by the Chromat studio right before my Joshua Tree trip to try a few suits on, where McCharen-Tran told me these first extended size suits are just the beginning – they are currently holding fit tests with plus customers to improve the sizing and get feedback on the fit across body types.  I ended up wearing two suits: The Alva bikini set and the Delta X one piece.  The Alva top definitely ran small – the style is meant to be bare and minimal, and I needed to size up to the 3XL to accommodate my bust.  After sizing up, the fit worked well enough for sunbathing and relaxing, but did not offer tons of support (aka I would not jump into the waves with this top).  The bottom fit perfectly in the 2XL, and I can’t get over how cute the little back cutout is.  I’ve seen some smaller-chested babes rock this suit during the fit tests, and I’d definitely recommend trying this style if that is you!

The Delta X one piece was a much better fit for me.  I tried on the XL and 2XL, and both fit and looked good through the body, but the 2XL was more comfortable through the bust.

The quality on the Delta X is fantastic.  I’m not wearing a bra underneath it here, and there is not a built in cup system; this support is all from the excellent fabric and construction.

I am so into this bold neon orange – not a color I used to think I could pull off!  It actually looks great on a range of skin tones, even my un-tanned paleness.

I felt like a damn superhero in this suit, and I am here for it.  

The mesh insets on the legs are such a fun detail, and a great mix of form and function: Sexiness and a bit of added coverage in one.

I was so comfortable in this suit that I ended up just throwing on my cutoff shorts and wearing it for our little hikes through Joshua Tree after this shoot, and out to dinner and drinks at Pappy & Harriets in Pioneertown afterwards.  You will definitely see a lot of me in this suit this summer.

You can shop the Alva suit at Nordstrom and Chromat, and the Delta X suit at Chromat in neon and Nordstrom in a rich blue.  If you want more fit info on the new Chromat Curve sizing, check out my IG Story In the Fitting Room highlights – I have #ChromatSwim fit videos there too.