Ladies - Some Bathing Suit Help, PLEASE!

[Withacy]

I hope this isn't too OT, but with my trip coming up this is the one thing I'm getting desparate about!

I'm taking my DGS in December, and I promised if it was above 70 I'd take him swimming - and even to BB. Right now, I'm praying for snow.

In the last year I've lost over 100 lbs (yes, that's a good thing - even with the loose skin...I won't get into that). I'm about a 14-16 right now. I've always been "blessed" (or "cursed"), in that I'm WELL over a DD. Even after the weight loss - though I've lost quite a bit of weight there too...

The thing is, every suit I've tried on, even if it otherwise fits, gives me so little support that 90 year old women are pointing and laughing at me. And the ones with "built in bras" are totally useless if you're over a "C". I need some MAJOR support, and I can't find it anywhere! Especially now that I'm getting into the "normal" sizes.

Look, I'm not looking to pick up men (God forbid). I've accepted that the sight of me in a bathingsuit isn't going to be pretty. But I don't want to scare small children, or have any "malfunctions" either. I've looked everywhere - does anyone have any ideas?

Everyone else at BB will thank you!

 

[areno79]

Congrats on your weight loss!
Have you tried on any 2 piece tankini's? My bottom is bigger than my top, so I don't have any luck with 1 piece bathing suits, but find that the tankini's allow me to have different sizes that keep everything covered.

 

[fairestoneofall]

Have you checked Lands End? They sell separates and have suits for larger-chested women.

 

[Withacy]

Congrats on your weight loss!
Have you tried on any 2 piece tankini's? My bottom is bigger than my top, so I don't have any luck with 1 piece bathing suits, but find that the tankini's allow me to have different sizes that keep everything covered.

Thanks. And it is an idea - in that I'm definitely different sizes. But I still have the "support" problem. I'm not much of a sewer, but I've even considered trying to create something of my own...

I've even considered wearing a bra under a bathingsuit and putting a T-shirt over the whole thing.

Gravity is cruel.

 

[williamson_ja]

This is what I wear http://www.swimmodest.com

 

[loritemp]

I agree with the Lands End idea. I got a tankini from them this past summer and I absolutely love it!!!! There are different styles depending on what supoprt you need (I am also a bit on the well endowed side and I don't feel exposed at all in my suit!) I also bought the regular bottoms and the skirted bottom for variety. The price was definately more than what I had hoped to spend but the suit is flattering and the qulaity is fabulous, I think it is a suit that will last me a long time!

Oh and major kudos on the weight loss!!

 

[wheezy19]

I wear a size 14 and am between D/DD. I had very good luck with Carribean Joe tankinis (in addition to a supportive top, they have nice high bottoms that look much more flattering than the low ones). I also found this one by Fantasizer that is seriously the most structured bathing suit I've ever seen (also a tankini). This thing held me in place better than my wedding dress.

Congratulations on your amazing weight loss and good luck!

 

[Withacy]

Thank you ladies SO MUCH!

I was a little worried about asking here (since I didn't want to be indelicate) - but you've given me the best advice I've gotten so far! And who better to ask than people in a Florida-vacation state of mind?

I just checked out Land's End - yes a little expensive (and only up to a DDD - but that's SO MUCH better than a C), but there are some clearance items. And now I'm going to check out the other suggestions too.

Again THANKS! (And any more suggestions, still welcome...)

 

[badblackpug]

Okay, I can help here. Freya, Fantasie, and Panache (European lingerie designers) make swimsuits in larger cup sizes. Specifically you order the top in your bra size. They are all underwired, so they offer excellent support. They are a little costly, but then, so are Lands End. Try www.theundiebox.com They are in European sizes so you will have to find the conversion chart. (European bra sizes differ from U.S.) I think they go up to about an "H" which would be an "I" or "J" in U.S.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Try a tankini that is designed for sports (speedo) that comes in your size. Sports brand ones usually have alot more support on top.

 

[Withacy]

Okay, I can help here. Freya, Fantasie, and Panache (European lingerie designers) make swimsuits in larger cup sizes. Specifically you order the top in your bra size. They are all underwired, so they offer excellent support. They are a little costly, but then, so are Lands End. Try www.theundiebox.com They are in European sizes so you will have to find the conversion chart. (European bra sizes differ from U.S.) I think they go up to about an "H" which would be an "I" or "J" in U.S.

I'll have to check that when I get home (my work server is blocking it - and lunch is about over anyway). But THANK you. DDD is a great improvement (at Land's End), but I'm between "H" & "I" in US sizes. And as I said before, gravity is not kind.

 

[HollyP]

First off congrats on your weight loss. It's hard work and you did awesome!!!


I have been "blessed" too (until my recent 50lbs weight loss I was a 42DD now down to a 38C and lovin it) and I like activities that require support like waterslides and white water rafting. What works for me is women's board shorts for the bottoms and sports bra type workout tanks from the athletic dept. Those really hold you together, although it takes some effort to get them on.

 

[Withacy]

I was actually looking at some of the Speedo suits. I'm thinking the "Smash them in" with a heavy, strong fabric might work better than trying to defy gravity. The reason is my rib cage is actually relatively small (believe it or not). My chest measurement may be a 44, but my ribcage is only a 35. And my over-the-shoulder measurement is also pretty short (which does me no favors with sports bras - I usually have to cinch the straps up several inches).

My worry is even if something fits, if it doesn't fit snuggly around the chest, once it gets wet - especially on the slides at BB - I might end up putting on more of a show than I intend. The slides also make me worry a little about the tankinis. Though I like the idea of a tankini & board shorts...if the tankini fits well enough.

Like the PP, I want something that's functional for activities, but doesn't leave me looking like an escaped circus freak.

 

[badblackpug]

I am small around, a 34, but my cup size is above DD (I won't go into details) I will also suggest Freya bras. Pretty, great support NO PADDING. I order my undies from wwwbelle-lingerie.uk They don't have a ton of swimsuits, though.

Sorry, my bad. it is www.undiebox.com

 

[DisTwix]

I have always been pretty busty (at least a DDD, regardless of the rest of me) and into getting out into the great outdoors. For real efforts at swimming support, I used to get the tank style sports bra in a cute color @ Target (never the cottony ones, always the nylonie ones) and then a sport tank with a built in bra... then I wear men's swim trunks. It is perhaps not as flattering as some other looks, but I've been lucky in finding things that will coordinate and fit pretty well --- and it's comfortable enough that I've worn it hikin', jumpin' in the river to swim, then hikin' back....

 

[merryweather20]

I was actually looking at some of the Speedo suits. I'm thinking the "Smash them in" with a heavy, strong fabric might work better than trying to defy gravity. The reason is my rib cage is actually relatively small (believe it or not). My chest measurement may be a 44, but my ribcage is only a 35. And my over-the-shoulder measurement is also pretty short (which does me no favors with sports bras - I usually have to cinch the straps up several inches).

My worry is even if something fits, if it doesn't fit snuggly around the chest, once it gets wet - especially on the slides at BB - I might end up putting on more of a show than I intend. The slides also make me worry a little about the tankinis. Though I like the idea of a tankini & board shorts...if the tankini fits well enough.

Like the PP, I want something that's functional for activities, but doesn't leave me looking like an escaped circus freak.

I used to teach elderly men and women how to swim and generally what worked best for the ladies was a very utilitarian Speedo. They come in ANY size although you might have to look around to find one for you (or use the internet), buy one where the straps are sewn together in the centre of the back.

Your "Smash them in" comment was dead on, the Speedo suits seem to be alot more heavy duty/stretchy than the fabric on the more fashion type suits. Despite the fact they don't have cups, they seem to be able to hold it all together. You might end up with some sagging skin on you back, but after working at a pool for so many years, I found that the eye seems to 'excuse' someone in a no frills, utilitarian, swimsuit like a ladies Speedo.

I also think board shorts are a great idea.

I hope you have lots of fun

 

[DannysMom]

I agree w/ checking out Land's End swimwear. I've gotten decently supportive swimwear from them. Another site to check is www.junonia.com -- they can be kind of pricey, but some of the styles look more supportive.

 

[DizBelle]

Try the It Figures! line at qvc.com. They have an unconditional money back guarantee. Get it. Wear it. Wash it multiple times. You get your money back plus the original shipping if you send it back within 30 days of receiving it.

 

[acwsmom]

I am "blessed" as well (thanks, Mom!) and have always had a hard time finding a good swimsuit. I also don't want any two-piece kinds because of the "blessings" of stretch marks from my babies. But it's really hard to find a good, supportive one-piece anymore that doesn't cost as much as a car payment. I finally found a WONDERFUL and affordable one-piece swimsuit at Stein Mart. I don't remember the brand (I'm at work right now but can get it when I get home tonight if you want), but it was specifically made for larger women. It's actually the first swimsuit I've ever worn where I'm not embarrased by my body in public. It sucks in what it needs to without making me look strange, and it holds everything in place just perfectly. If you have a Stein Mart anywhere near you, I highly recommend you check there.

 

[Withacy]

More good ideas!

Unfortunately, Junonia is now too big for me (boy, I love saying that!) - I just looked at their size chart. It Figures! seems to be for "C cup and above". The difference between an "A" and a "C" is about 2 inches. The difference between a "C" and an "I" is about 6 inches. Which is very frustrating for those of us trying to find support! Maybe I'm just missing the ones for fuller figured women.