swimsuit problem with DD#1

[Rock'n Robin]

I posted something similar to this on the theme parks board the other day. My DD#1 is very hard to fit for a one-piece suit. She is a size 2 jeans and a size 36D top. I went to a sporting goods store because she hadn't found anything at Kohls or Target, and the cheapest "real" suit (for real swimmers) was $40. I was looking for one so she could go to Typhoon Lagoon, but rather than spend that $, I decided to just have her wear a T shirt or maybe find her a tankini.
Well, today we got a letter about the mission trip she is going on after our WDW trip. They now have a dress code--no tank tops, no spaghetti straps, and only one-piece bathing suits. Shorts must be mid-thigh. I am worried about that too. She wears those "sofie" shorts all the time. She says if she doesn't roll them they hit mid-thigh, but I don't know. I don't have a problem with "no tank tops"--we have enough old T shirts for her to take. But also she now needs that darn one-piece suit! As you can imagine 5 days before our big trip, we don't have a lot of $ to throw around. Plus these clothes get grubby because they help disadvantaged people fix up their homes--don't want to buy shorts so she can ruin them. (BTW the bathing suit is because they go to a waterpark on their way home)
Anyone know where I can pick one up that won't break the bank or embarrass a 14 year old? (no granny suits need apply)
Robin M.

 

[Daxx]

How about hitting a Salvation Army or Am-Vets for shorts since she'll prob. end up tossing them at the end of camp, anyway? You said that they'll get nasty, so why not hit a second hand store for them!?

You could also check the second hand store for a bathing suit as well. Maybe she has a friend she can borrow one from?!

At this time in the season, most bathing suits should be on sale. Sorry I can't help more w/that. Good luck! Have a great vaca. and I hope your DD has fun at camp!

 

[redshoes]

I bought a nike one piece suit from TJ Max last year for $20, it's the type that you wear when your serious about swimming (I am NOT that person, but I wanted something that I could wear and not have things hanging out when my youngest DS tugged on me). I don't know if that would solve your problem but it might be worth a try.

 

[tkd lisa]

I posted on your thread over there too. Bummer! I'm sure you didn't need this!

The bathing suit is going to be a tough one. I did find some one pieces in size 4s on the Chadwick's catalog site. They're probably on clearance by now. But even full price was cheaper than some of the places.

For shorts, if it were me, I'd try thrift shops or garage sales. If your DD is picky about that kind of thing, just don't take her with you! It's not worth spending a lot of money for something she won't wear more than a couple of times. And if they get dirty, you can just trash them.

In fact, I'm probably doing that this weekend. I've got to get DD packed up for Girl Scout camp, and I think most of her shorts have disappeared. She wears jeans or capris normally, but she going to windsurfing camp, and it's HOT there, so she needs shorts. Again, they'll get nasty, and she won't wear them later so I'm not spending much money. I picked up a couple of pairs from Wal Mart on clearance too. They actually do have some that are longer in the girls' section. With your daughters' small lower half, she might get away with a pair of 14s or 16s. My DD's a pretty perfect 14, and she's a size 3 bottom.

Good luck!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Are you a member at a BJ's, Sams or Costco? Not sure how Speedo one pieces fit your daughter, but they usually have some good prices on those

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

The suits you saw at the sporting goods store will last forever if you take care of them. And if you look at the suits at Target and Kohls compared to the ones at the sporting goods store they aren't much cheaper.

You can find a good suit for less at sites like these: http://www.swimoutlet.com/ (google TYR or Speedo).

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We do have a Sam's card--I may have to head over there. That's a great idea. We are heading out this afternoon on our quest. I need to find 2 or 3 other small items (hand sanitizer, etc.) as well. I always forget to figure in the pre-trip spending $!
If I can't find her a decent one I'm just going to ask the youth pastor if she can wear a T-shirt at the water park. Or maybe I should explain it to his wife instead! They saw her at the city pool last week so they know what her 2 piece looks like.
Robin M.

 

[singingpixie]

If you explained the situation, maybe they'd let her wear a really modest 2-piece? I've seen tankinis that cover everything, they just happen to be two pieces, so you can buy each in the appropriate size. I'd think she'd be more modest in a tankini that fits than a one-piece that she's popping out of or that the bottom is so baggy it doesn't stay put.

 

[ChibiJones]

I think tankini separates are the way to go for the swimsuit. With her body shape, any suit that fits the bottom is probably going to be very immodest up top. To fit up top, would mean the bottom could be baggy.

Can you explain the situation to the camp group organizer and get permission for a slight deviation? Give them the option of a one-piece that she's falling out of or a tankini that fits properly and appropriately.

I would also take issue with them giving you this dress code at the last minute. Not many people can afford to run out and buy stuff at the last minute, not to mention the time it takes to go shopping.

 

[TerryKitten]

Rock'n Robin... I hope your hunt is sucessful. I can understand how hard it is to find the right suit.

WatchinCaptKangaroo... Cool site! My DH was looking for a pair of zoomers for lap swim. I may even pickup a couple suits too. My current one is dying

 

[golfgal]

I would also look at thrift stores for shorts, in dark colors if possible-will show the least amount of dirt. Pretty much everyone I know does this for "camp" shorts so if they get ruined no one minds throwing them away.

I can see where they don't want the girls wearing skimpy bikinis on a church trip but a full coverage tankini should be ok. I like the idea of talking to the pastor's wife, she will understand the issues.

It is kind of like the new choir teacher as DS13's school last year, wanted the boys in dress pants for concerts but no cargo pants. We all suggested she take the boys shopping for dress pants in town that were NOT cargo pants-there are NONE. She relaxed that one.

 

[Kimberly]

One thing I would ask is if your daughter can get away with a tankini (tank top with a bikini bottom), as if an exception could be made for her to still be able to go on this trip. I'm sure they would be more than understanding about her situation... we all go through awkward phases...

 

[bevtoy]

The Speedos at Sams Club are under 25 dollars and quite good, my 16 year old bought one, she loves it!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

We had a similar problem. DD is going to Europe and needed a one piece bathing suit. We looked everywhere and couldn't find anything! We had given up and ran across the Speedo suits at Sam's Club. She found a cute one piece that fits for less than $17.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

One Piece suits can be found cheaply at most outlet stores like Ross or Tj maxx. Hand Sanitizer at the dollar tree (a three pack no less) good luck!

 

[Hedy]

I'd try to explain it to the mission director. It's ridiculous that they expect you to be able to find there things that quickly, and some people can't wear one-piece suits. I'd suggest offering to cover the tankini with a t-shirt.

 

[Jpgirl]

I HATE swim suit shopping!! I'm built like you're daughter (not the size 2 part anymore ). Big on top and no hips athetlic build on the bottum. For one pieces I wear Speedos-they look good on my rear and thighs-no baggy rear and they cover my well endowed top-so I don't fall out the top. I also wear board shorts for a swim suit bottum and a sports bra-it makes a really cute 2 piece. The board shorts are shorter alomost like running shorts and I get the sports bras in different colors to match so it doesn't really look like a bra. I always hated swim suit season b/c if I bought a 2 piece to fit my top the bottum looked like I was carrying 3 days worth of diapers and if I got it to fit my bottum it was waaaaayyyyy tto obscene for public. ARRGGG!! Good luck-spend the money on the Speedo-they hold up for a long time.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I appreciate all the help so far. We tried Fashion Bug today--they only had one little rack of suits. Target only had black old lady suits (even I wouldn't buy them). Tomorrow Sam's and Kohls. I hear Kohls has all of their suits 55% off.
This trip is a really big deal to her. It is for kids who just finished grades 6,7 and 8--it is her 3rd and last year until she goes to "high school" trips. They spend 6 days in southern Ohio helping people out and they sleep in a church down there. I can see where they may have had issues before, because in the summer around her all the girls wear tanks and sofie shorts. But as someone said, I wish I'd had more notice. They leave the 24th, so I guess I do have almost 3 weeks--but then we don't get back from WDW until the 18th!
As you can imagine, in the age 12-14 girls at church she is the only one with her particular "problem". It's kind of funny to me. Growing up pretty flat-chested, I always wanted what she has--she would rather not have them because she stands out in a crowd of girls her age. So many of her friends are stick-thin from top to bottom, some don't even weigh 100 pounds.
Robin M.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I feel for your dd. I was also a size 2 bottom, 36D (except I was DD) in high school. Really 2 pieces are the answer to provide modest coverage up top and not have saggy rear end on the bottom. If it was my dd I'd look into getting a modest full coverage tankini. I had to find a one piece this year for my trip to Africa and was going to do just that. But I got lucky finding a cute one piece on sale for about $18 at Gap Body. Its black with a modest v-neck and sphagetti straps and for some reason fits just fine. Also its not old lady at all. In the past I have had luck with Speedo too. Good Luck.