Bathing Suit Anxiety

[CandleontheWater]

Thanks for the funny story! I'm cringing at the thought of maternity bathing suits all summer, but I know from experience that the summer you are pregnant sure beats that first post-partum summer!

Am I the only one who votes to go back to old fashioned swimming costumes!

Not only would they cover all my bumps and lumps, but it would cut down on sunburn risk too!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

NO ONE looks perfect in a bathing suit. No one. Show off what you like (your chest, your booty) and just deal with whatever you don't. Everyone is in the same boat.

Here's a recent pic of VS models....pre-photoshop:

I would say pretty close to perfect and why I hate putting on a bathing suit.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I would say pretty close to perfect and why I hate putting on a bathing suit.

Yes, especially the girl on the far left. Her ribs are showing, even. How much skinnier could she possibly want to look?

 

[hsmamato2]

Lands End...ugh I used to like their suits, but the last one I had was so weird,and thick. yes,thick it was so odd,and took forever to dry,I finally threw it out....I like tankini tops with a coordinating shorts bottom personally,I am not the same size on top and bottom, so separates work better I think my last set came from JcPenny...... and yes,I do have anxiety....always have! there are things you can....cover in regular clothing....but a bathing suit with pants is just not fashionable.....

 

[mom2ohc]

buying a bathing suit.. I can not bear it .. my body is ridiculous, I will probably just wear a bag over my head

 

[capegirl]

The last person who saw me in a bathing suit went blind.

 

[badblackpug]

This is not a budget friendly option, but for bra-sized swimsuits I love Freya. I am ridiculously tall so I always buy 2 piece.

 

[Patience]

I bought a Lands End tankini yesterday at the mall for 30% off plus I used a $10 off coupon. The suit still cost about $80 but I am replacing a suit I have worn for the last 4 or 5 years so I know I will keep this one for a long time.

I despise trying on bathing suits! We are members at a swim club that just opened for the summer yesterday and my 5 year old always wants to go to the pool and the little water park there. I feel so self-conscious but, as another poster said, I refuse to be the mother who won't swim or play in the water with her kids. So I am sucking it up (literally! ) for her sake.

 

[Lucky4me]

I had severe bathing suit anxiety when I was 19, weighed 115 pounds and did not have an ounce of fat on my body. What a fool I was. I wouldn't be seen in public in a suit.
The older I got, the less I cared.
Now that I am truly appalling in a swimsuit, I care even less.
I wear a modest once piece and don't let it stop me from doing anything I want. Pools, beaches, water parks, anywhere everyone else is wearing one, I will be too.
I wish I had the same confidence in my own skin when I looked really fantastic, but at least I figured it out before it was too late and I missed out on all that fun!

 

[Princess Dolly]

Swimsuit shopping is the worst! I look terrible in once pieces or a tankini (anything that covers up my waist), but then I hate I haved to get a small top and then a large bottom. And yes dressing room lights do not help at all, you see every cellulite dimple. UGH.

 

[RabFlmom]

If I looked like any of those girls I would live in my bikini 24/7. But since I weigh about 100-lbs more than they do, I will refrain in public. I find shopping in general to be completely humiliating, to the point that i have spent 20 minutes holed up in a dressing room crying. I tried looking for a bathing suit last year and it was such a crushing experience I just didn't want to live. I HATE my body. HATE it. I dont' want to look at it and nobody else wants to look at it, thats for dang sure!

Here's my biggest beef with most bathing suits--they leave way too much uncovered. Even the most modest suits are way to low cut--I dont wear anything that shows cleavage. I'm sorry, but at age 55 that ship has SAILED. Why can't someone make a well-fitting suit which doesn't let it all hang out in a size that a queen size woman can wear and not feel like jumping off a bridge? I'm not an enormously morbidly obese woman. I'm probably 30-lbs overweight. But put me in a bathing suit and I swear, I could be a Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon!

Have you tried a swim dress. I bought one because my retired sister who is plus size had one when she came to Florida to see us last year. Hers was a tiger stripe black and white. It had a good bra for a bathing suit, covered her to just about 3 or 4 inches above the knee. She looked fantastic on the beach. It looked like she was wearing a cover up or sundress instead of a suit.
I'm smaller than she is and found one in regular sizes. It is the most comfortable suit I have ever owned. The top is more a scoop neck that fits so that when I bend down to pick up shells it doesn't expose cleavage. LOL I would not wear it on a day I really want to swim,because I think the dress part would be heavy; but it makes a great suit to wear for our daily walks.
Amazingly, I bought it at K-Mart for less than $25. I have even worn it into a store on the way home from the beach and no one even knew I was in a suit.
http://www.kmart.com/jaclyn-smith-w...027VA47829801P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

 

[Reddy]

I like the swim shorts & very glad that is in style now
I don't like skirts - had one that every time I got out of the water at the pool, I had to bring it up - seemed like the skirt pulls down - maybe if it was attach it would had helped

I"m size 6/8/10 depending on what store I"m at - the higher dollar the lower the size (even have one pair of size 4 pants)

 

[daisyduck123]

two words.............Lands End

Yep - I have about 7 or 8 of their suits. Love them!

 

[minkydog]

I'm going to look online and see if Lands End has anything. i went to the mall today and LE didn't have one single thing that would fit a buxom size L/XL woman without her bits hanging out. Not even worth trying on. Tried Macy's--they had 3-4 suits, none of which would I be caught dead in. My 77yo mom would probably like them, though. Sears had a huge selection, but the suits just didn't look good. Penney's has a few Women's size suits but none that cover the girls well enough to suit me. Looked at Lane Bryant too, but all their suits have this deep plunging neckline. I'd probably like them if was in my 30s, but at 55...just...no...

Then I went to Belk--no Women's size suits AT ALL>that will be my LAST trip to Belk. They obviously don't think real women should dare put on a bathing suit.

If Lands End online doesn't have anything, then I give up.I'm at that weird place where a plus size is too loose, but some 16/18s can be too tight so I have to try on literally dozens to find even one suit that works. I tryed on about 30 today and had no luck. I will buy some kind of cheap flimsy suit, put on a coverup and leave it at that. I can't take much more humiliation.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Have you tried a swim dress. I bought one because my retired sister who is plus size had one when she came to Florida to see us last year. Hers was a tiger stripe black and white. It had a good bra for a bathing suit, covered her to just about 3 or 4 inches above the knee. She looked fantastic on the beach. It looked like she was wearing a cover up or sundress instead of a suit.
I'm smaller than she is and found one in regular sizes. It is the most comfortable suit I have ever owned. The top is more a scoop neck that fits so that when I bend down to pick up shells it doesn't expose cleavage. LOL I would not wear it on a day I really want to swim,because I think the dress part would be heavy; but it makes a great suit to wear for our daily walks.
Amazingly, I bought it at K-Mart for less than $25. I have even worn it into a store on the way home from the beach and no one even knew I was in a suit.
http://www.kmart.com/jaclyn-smith-w...027VA47829801P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

I love the swimdress I bought - it is really comfy to wear. I wore it around for a little while yesterday to get used to it. It is shorter than what you're describing, but I don't feel overexposed in it at all.

 

[sunshinehighway]

The thing I hate most about buying bathing suits is the cost. I usually have to buy separates because I'm different sizes on top and bottom. I like wearing a two piece. I hate that each piece is usually a minimum of $30. In my mind, its like buying a $30 pair of underwear.

 

[RabFlmom]

I love the swimdress I bought - it is really comfy to wear. I wore it around for a little while yesterday to get used to it. It is shorter than what you're describing, but I don't feel overexposed in it at all.

I only wear it when walking on the beach because I think the dress would be too heavy to swim in when wet. I throw a blouse on and can walk into any store or restaurant beachside and no one even knows I am still in my suit. <g>

For regular play in the water and swim, boogey boarding etc. at the beach or pool I wear a regular suit. I have a matching little skirt that gets me into other places like the tiki bar at the hotels, tourist shops, and pizza places on the beach by just throwing on a top and wearing the little skirt.

Then I have my hanging out just on the beach to walk in the morning suits. LOL I usually just wear a big t-shirt or shorts and t over them to not have to keep changing out of the suit. LOL

I am a firm believer that everyone-no matter what size you are should be able to look beautiful in a suit. Just need to make sure the suit fits and covers the parts that need covering and that you are comfortable in it. The important thing is to get out there with your loved ones and have fun. That will make you beautiful because everyone loves a smile. My other theory is anyone petty enough to make a comment or make fun of another human being is an idiot anyway and they are the ones we should feel sorry for. So try on those suits and go for the one that is most comfortable for you. Have fun this summer!