Everything You Need to Know About How to Buy and Save on Cupshe Swimwear

Full disclosure: I’m not a big fan of shopping for swimwear. Shimmying into a bathing suit in a cramped fitting room under fluorescent lights is just not appealing. So I do any necessary swimsuit shopping online. This way I can try it on in the comfort of my own home (after making sure all of my lighting is *chef’s kiss*). I run into Cupshe swimwear a lot during these shopping adventures. They’re an online brand that sells direct to consumers from their own website, but also sell through all the biggies like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Nordstrom Rack. It begs the question, is Cupshe legit?

Cupshe's biggest draw is its affordability. Bikini sets run from $30 to $43 at regular price, and you'll find one-pieces from $34 to $46 (also at regular price). But you can almost always get Cupshe coupons or sales, so you should never pay that much. Keep in mind, on average a piece of swimwear costs between $40 - $120, which puts Cupshe right up there on the lower-priced end in terms of swimwear deals.

Of course as a smart consumer, your antennae are bound to go up when you see cheap prices without a brick-and-mortar presence to touch and feel the product before buying. That's why I'm doing a deep dive into all-things Cupshe.

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Is Cupshe legit?

Absolutely, Cupshe is legit and a reputable brand. There's no con game going on here.

What is Cupshe swimwear?

Cupshe is an online swimwear brand that sells directly to consumers on their website, Cupshe.com. However, you'll also find their wares online at Target, Walmart, Nordstrom Rack, and Amazon.

The brand is actually more than just swimwear, though bathing suits and coverups are definitely what put them on the map. You'll also find sweaters, t-shirts, loungewear, dresses, skirts, and pants. And not surprisingly, they sell just about everything you need for the beach or pool to go with a swimsuit, like sun hats, sunglasses, and even pool floats.

Why is Cupshe so popular?

Their popularity namely stems from both their affordability and vast inventory. Whether you're shopping on the Cupshe site or Amazon, you'll see hundreds of options in each category, from swimwear to clothing. Seriously, the selection is pretty impressive and if you're asked yourself more than once, "Is Cupshe legit?" the offerings alone should quell those nerves.

Again, the price points are really alluring. Like I mention above, a two-piece set costs between $30 and $43, regular price. One-pieces typically range from $34 to $46 at regular price. Even at the high end of their regular-priced merch, $46 for a one-piece swimsuit is a decent deal, and that's before you knock that number lower with sales and promo codes.

Who sells Cupshe swimear?

Naturally, you can find their swimwear at Cupshe.com. However, you'll also find their bathing suits on Amazon, Target.com, Walmart.com, and NordstromRack.com.

Does Cupshe have any stores?

No, one downside to Cupshe is that they don't have any brick-and-mortar stores in which you can try on their swimwear or clothing before you buy. They're an online-only operation, which is probably why some people question their legitimacy. Even if you buy their suits from another retailer, like Target, you'll have to order them online (and then they'll still be shipped by Cupshe).

Does Cupshe swimwear run small?

Across the board, I find that Cupshe swimsuits run true to size. However, it's important to note that some of their bikini sets are just that — sets. Meaning that if you order a size medium, you're getting a medium in both the top and the bottom. There are some bikini sets that offer mix-and-match sizing, but that doesn't apply to all of them.

If your particular shape (hey, we're all unique) commands different sizing for tops and bottoms of bikinis or tankinis, or if you just prefer creating your own look, consider purchasing separates instead.

Ordering separates instead of a set will increase the price of your bikini, but not by much.

If you're more comfortable ordering separates than a set, Cupshe can do that for you. At regular price, their bikini tops range from $13 - $23. Bottoms, at regular price, run from $12 - $25. Let's say you order separate pieces each at the top of those ranges. That means you'll pay $48 for a bikini (and, again, that's at regular price, not accounting for Cupshe sales). That's just a $5 (or 10%) difference. Not too bad for a more customized size.

Does Cupshe carry plus-size swimwear?

Short answer — yes. Honestly, Cupshe's inclusive sizing is probably the third biggest factor in their popularity after affordability and range of offerings. You'll find their swimwear in plus sizes up to 4x, though, admittedly, I only found one style in 4x. However I did find over 60 bathing suit options in size 3x during my search.

How long does it take for Cupshe to arrive?

If you're ordering from Cupshe.com, that really depends on whether you choose Expedited Shipping or Express Shipping.

If you pick:

• Expedited Shipping, $5.99: Expect your order in 5 - 7 business days (however they do recommend you allow an additional 2 business days for shipping delays).

• Express Shipping, $13.99: Your order will arrive in 3 - 5 business days (with no suggested allowance for shipping delays)

Now you could order from Amazon and, in many cases, get free Prime One-Day delivery if you're a Prime member. However, Amazon may not have the same style, size, or price as Cupshe.com.

Get free shipping at Cupshe.com with $59+ orders.

If you want that sweet, sweet free shipping on Cupshe swimwear, you'll have to spend $59+ to get complimentary expedited shipping (that's the 5 - 7 business day variety). Big spenders who order $199+ at Cupshe.com get free express shipping (when it should arrive in 3 - 5 business days).

Additionally, if you sign up to receive emails from Cupshe, they'll send you a code for free shipping on your first order, no minimum spend required.

Does Cupshe have a good return policy?

I don't know that the Cupshe return policy qualifies as good, more so "meh."

As long as the item you want to return isn't on their "non-returnable" list (and, boy, is that list long), they will accept returns in their "original condition" within 30 days of delivery.

Cupshe defines original condition as an item being unworn, unwashed with product tags and hygiene liners attached.

Here's the rub: if you go ahead and send that item back after the 30-day window, there's a solid chance it's coming right back to your delivery address, with you on the hook for delivery costs. Seriously, send it back post haste before the 30 days post delivery is up.

Non-returnable items include:

• Beach blankets

• Swimming rings

• Sunglasses

• Jewelries

• Hair accessories

• Panties

• Lingeries

• Shapewear

• Pasties

• Items marked as flash sale and final sale 

• Anything worn, washed, or with the hygiene sticker removed

How much does it cost to return a Cupshe swimsuit?

You heard that right — returns cost at Cupshe. Here's the breakdown of what that looks like:

• 1-2 return items: $7.99

• 3-5 return items: $11.99

• 6+ return items: $15.99

If it stings just to read that, I feel you.

In order to process a return you'll need to:

1. Log into your account and click 'Order History.' If you checked out as a guest as opposed to a Cupshe account, you'll have to click on 'Start a Return' at the bottom of the Cupshe.com homepage under 'Service Center'.

2. Fill out the requested information and submit photos of the items you wish to return (a review of these is required before Cupshe will allow you to continue with your refund request).

3. Ship the items to the address provided, then submit the tracking number to Cupshe.

How to Save at Cupshe

It's actually really hard to pay full price at Cupshe. Between holiday sales, flash sales, and promo codes, I want to reiterate that you should never pay regular price on Cupshe swimwear or clothing.

Promotions like 'Take an extra 10% off 3+ pieces' are common.

While shopping on Cupshe.com, pay attention to items with tags like "Take an extra 10% off 3+ pieces." If you add three or more of these qualifying pieces to your cart, you'll get that 10% discount at checkout (it applies automatically, no code needed).

The Cupshe sale section includes Flash Sale and Final Sale categories, but neither of those items are returnable.

If you search through the site's sale section, you can find Cupshe swimwear and clothing for up to 79% off. Just remember that if it's labeled flash sale or final sale, you can't return or exchange it. This is a real "take your chances" situation but when you can get a two-piece swimsuit for $12.99, it might be worth a shot.

Note that regular sale items that aren't denoted as flash or final sale are, in fact, eligible for returns or exchanges.

Sign up for Cupshe emails to get either 10% off on your first order of $65+ or free shipping (no minimum spend).

From the jump Cupshe wants to offer you deals. Just for signing up for their emails, they'll send you codes for either 10% off your first order of $65+ or free shipping on your first order with no minimum spend.

They'll send you unique promo codes just for leaving stuff in your cart behind.

I was innocently "window shopping" on Cupshe.com and threw a couple of items in my cart just in case I decided to take the plunge and purchase. Not long after, I received an email from Cupshe with a unique code to take $20 off a $125+ purchase.

Join their Sunchasers loyalty program to earn points on purchases that can later be redeemed for rewards.

If you join Cupshe's free loyalty program, called Sunchaser Club, you'll get 300 points just for signing up. From there you'll earn 5 points per $1 spent as a Shore Tier member (that's the entry level tier), receive 500 points on your birthday, get 10 points for every "daily check-in" in the Sunchaser Center on Cupshe.com, and get exclusive members discounts.

If or when you spend $110+ at Cupshe.com, you'll advance to the Sand Tier upon which you'll be able to trade in those rewards to redeem coupons at checkout. At that point you also start earning 6 points on every $1 spent instead of 5 points, and get 600 points on your birthday instead of 500.