pre-teen swimsuit advice

[tink2]

My DD will be 12 in June. She is definitely 'developed' and can not wear the swimwuits in most 'girls' sections b/c the top only has a thin lining and no padding~ you can see through it now. I've looked in the juniors departments for swimsuits and honestly can not find anything that isn't held together by a string either up top or on the bottom. The suits are so 'cut' they just aren't appropriate in my opinion for a 12 year old. She has always worn bikinis from Justice~ but is thinking she's too 'old' for Justice now. While she may still have to get a Justice suit this year~ any suggestions on places to look for a decent/ appropriate bikini for a 12 year old???
Thanks! and yes, this is just one of many topics that is making my head hurt with my pre-teen these days! LOL

 

[Jessica527]

I would check out Old Navy - They have great tankinis for that age/body type!

 

[tink2]

I've tried on the ones in the girls section of Old Navy~ again, just a thin lining and needs more padding up top. I haven't tried on the ones in the 'juniors' section of Old Navy~ they looked to be all string. Someone did suggest trying on one in the 'women's' section though~ a small or x small... may try that. Just not sure they would fit~ she's only 12 and average size.

 

[robinsegg]

http://www.livingmodest.com/subcategory_details.asp?ID_subcategory=16
http://www.modestswimm.com/preteen/
http://www.worldswimwear.com/servlet/the-59/modesttankini-preteenswimsuits-juniorsswimsuits-tankinimodest/Detail
Maybe something like one of these would work?

 

[deegack]

lands end or llbean?

 

[bjscheel]

I am there with you. Girl sizes don't have the built in support. Juniors sizes are too skimpy. Womens sizes are not 12-year-old style.

My DD12 prefers to wear a rashguard and swim shorts. Now she needs to wear something under the rashguard. So, at the moment we have a couple of Land's End girls rashguard and short sets; a Justice bikini top to wear under that is currently too big; an LL Bean girls tankini top, rashguard, and regular swim bottom. All are aqua and lime green and can be mixed and matched. So between the two layers she is covered alright. Still not satisfied with the tops we have to wear under the rashguards though- they are loose on her skinny frame. A swim top that is more shaped like a sports bra and fits snugger would be ideal.

I haven't been successful finding an appropriate one-piece. As little as she swims, I probably won't. She and I both like having her fair shoulders covered anyway, so we will get along with the double layers on top.

 

[NotUrsula]

You might tray Land's End Canvas -- that is their more "youthful" cut stuff. The two-pieces are all sold as separates, so you can choose to fit the level of modesty that you want. All of the cups are at least lined, but not all have so-called "soft cups"-which is the thin foam filler type.

PS: For the PP looking for a sports-bra cut top, you can find them at LE; they are in the Aquaterra line. They have some tops in Overstock from last year, too.

 

[chris31997]

I feel your pain. Gotta 13yr old

That being said off the top of my head and no sure if they will have what you want. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Sears, and Roxy/Speedo. I used Amazon to give me an idea where I can look. If you order off amazon make sure you measure very well. Seperates is the way to go

Also, some encouragment, I live in HI and it took us several months to find the right one. Of course we did not go everyday.

 

[anotherdismom]

Speedo swimsuits tend to be modest... I think that Big5 carries them, but no idea on styles being appealing to a 13 year old... they are designed more for swimmers and less for fashion.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Could you go with a Justice suit for just one more year and hen she might fit better in the Misses xsmall next year? I got DD11's at Justice last week and there were some great ones with the padding

 

[mjkacmom]

Try Target juniors xleration (or whatever it's called) line. They have padded tankini and halter tops that are more modest. My dd14 will wear a large in Target jr.'s in suits, and Old Navy smalls fall off her. Even my youngest 2 balk at even a tankini - all of my girls are most comfortable in bikini's.

 

[ancestry]

Go to a sporting goods store -- such as Dick's Sporting Goods -- and look there. They tend to carry swimsuits for athletes (i.e. swimmers) which usually cover more and stay in place when diving, etc.

 

[imthatgirl]

What about JC penney? The juniors section will have tons to choose from. Target also sells tons of them in the juniors section. At 12 she would be able to find separates to fit her.

In fact I would think sears, macys...all of them would have plenty in the juniors sections. They are all padded.

 

[tink2]

Thanks guys! Looking at all these sites now! She does want a bikini and not a tankini, and I'm fine with that as long as it has something other than strings holding it together! LOL Really just trying to talk her into Justice one more year, but I know even if so, it will most definitely be the last. So I'll look and see if I can find anything to try to make her happy. We are at the lake most every weekend in the summers and have a beach trip planned, so she wears swimsuits a LOT in the summer and we need a few.
Keep the advice coming~ never knew there was a Lands End Canvas~ been a while since I shopped Lands End!

 

[mercydisney]

Please try Kohl's. I had the same problem w/DD she is slim but very well developed. Let's just say at the age of 14 she was wearing double letters (She didn't get that from me). They have great suits and they are stylish but modest. Believe it or not VS had some nice suits to that gave her coverage. I was very surprised. Her friend who is also Blessed got her suit at Aerie.

 

[sscassel]

Just saw a really cute bikini- more sports bra like in the Lands End catalog. My 12 yr old likes it.

 

[milfordplaza]

I had the same issue w/DD he is slim but well developed. Let's say at the age of 14 he was wearing double letters (He didn't get that from me). They have great suits and they are stylish but modest. Think it or not VS had some nice suits to that gave her coverage. I was surprised. Her mate who is also Lucky got her suit at Aerie.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Go to a sporting goods store -- such as Dick's Sporting Goods -- and look there. They tend to carry swimsuits for athletes (i.e. swimmers) which usually cover more and stay in place when diving, etc.

 

[dfchelbay]

I'll tell you which one to stay away from...the Abercrombie & Fitch little girl push up bathing suit. Marketed as a swim suit for little girls around 8-10 years old with a push up bra inside it.....WHAT...

What are they thinking...

 

[tlbwriter]

Kohls has some athletic-type bikinis in women's sizes that might work for her. And some of them are sold as separates so she can order different sizes if needed.