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- Verified Buyer
I saw these advertised in the midst of CoViD when there was no way I could afford an impulse purchase. And I marveled at the pricetag I was seeing: at the time they were about $80--about twice the price I would typically pay for competition-grade swimwear. Since I had nothing better to due while being unemployable during CoViD, I poked the owners of Bang! about their prices. I received a very polite, cordial and respectable reply explaining that they source their textiles from very specific, vetted manufacturers and that the tailoring on the final products are--in their opinion--superior to what buyers would find in most stores. Bang! products are designed with consideration for different body types, while also being mindful to be as flattering as possible. Post-CoViD, I decided to bite and ordered the 8-bit Tiger swim-shorts, along with the 8-bit Zebra flex-shorts. And you know what? The sizing chart was spot-on in it's recommendation--a rarity here on Amazon--and the fit was drastically superior to any casual beachwear I've ever previously tried. Are they as form-fitting as my Arena Italian- and Japanese-made competition briefs? No. But these are not designed to be tech sportswear: they're well-tailored beachwear with a clear vision toward catering to aesthetic. Worth the price? Well... now that the price has dropped a bit, post-CoViD... yes!While my body is nowhere like those of the models in the pictures, it is an athletic body.I normally buy American designer brands like Tommy, Nautica, 2xist, and specially Polo/Ralph Loren, and their stuff fits me in a super flattering way highlighting all my assets.NOT THESE:To start, they use REAL MEASUREMENTS - meaning when they say SMALL = 28-30”, it means that the GARMENT ITSELF actually measures that at the waist, which is unlike all American clothing where when they say size 30”, it means garment has at least 2 more inches & thus it really measures 32-33”. And while there’s nothing wrong with garment actually measuring exact sizes, this goes against the norm in an unexpected way bc we are already conditioned to know what ‘our’ size is based on 2-3 extra inches.Thus, all seller needed to have said is that these are not typical sizes but ACTUAL garment measurements. However, I didn’t see that in the SIZE CHART they have posted.I purchased 10 different models to try, all in small, and the ones without elastic wouldn’t close (2-3 inches short at the waist - obviously).The ones with elastic would fit at the waist, but an overall horrible fit in general. And no, I didn’t have a muffin top.Also, note that while there ‘IS’ GIVE to the fabric, it’s not a generous one - I’d said it’s bt minimal & moderate, so u can’t relay on STRETCH to enhance fit. Of course, stretch level varied by fabric type.Lastly, they DONT PROVIDE ROOM FOR MALE ANATOMY. And yes, I’m aware that having gotten a size smaller than I needed would create pressure there, but because they are NOT ANATOMICALLY DESIGNED to accommodate the front parts, these shorts are literally PAINFUL.Even if I got correct size, there’s no front room in the design, period. Notice that on almost all pictures, models are tight and FLAT in the ‘pouch’ area - this is exactly the same issue w all Asian-patterned/designed clothing here on Amazon or any social media site; except this is supposed to be a Miami company (I’m from Miami).If you buy these in the right size, I can’t imagine the thighs fitting nicely as shown on the models. And if I wanted loosely fitted shorts I would NOT have bought these.While fabric and finish quality IS there, FIT QUALITY is missing for the front side.Rear side did fit very nicely, but not sure that would still be the case if I go 1 or 2 sizes up as my waist actually measures about 34.5”. Consider that w the aforementioned American designers, I buy either small or extra small.I weigh 185 lbs, measure 5’11” tall and ‘regular’ American waist size I buy 30-31”; a 32” waist is normal large/loose on me.PS: these charge a return cost - not free to return even with Prime.This swimsuit fit perfectly and looked so good, a little too good I had to return it because my partner said it was "too sexy."Fit perfectly! I wear it for working out and beach!Firstly, these run small. I initially ordered a medium but that was tight so I exchanged for the large and that was perfect.But then I wore them in the pool a total of three times and today I noticed that the fabric in the front is tearing!At such a high price point, I expected more from these. Very bummed.
