Holiday booked but my bikini days are long gone. Swimsuit help required!

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Think it's safe to say that twins and a CS have put paid to my bikini days, but we've just booked a beach holiday so I need something, ideally not a Nigella burkini.

I would quite like a retro swimming costume, nautical style, that's low on the legs and has underwiring or a bit of support around the boob region.

Best I can find is this from Boden but I don't really like the prints. Can you help me, o wise SnB shoppers?!

[Isandri]

Depending on your budget there's always bill it's the red swimsuit Miranda wore in the first satc movie. They do a $98 dollar version too $98 Or for Luna do a very good copy and are UK based for Luna

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

You know swimsuits by name, this is why I need you!!

Ok, I liked the red Bill in SATC bit not convinced byt he current colours enough to consider a major splurge. Quite like the Luna ones though. Is there anything else anyone can recommend in a similar vein?!

[Fab41]

I thought this before a recent holiday, and opted for a boden tankini. I was half the size of some women on the beach and they looked happy and relaxed in their bikini. I came home with a very pale stomach and back for my vanity. Relax and enjoy the sun.

[gindrinker]

New looks kelly brook range has done some vintage swimsuits previously? Not sure what they're doing this year though.

[gindrinker]

Next have a red 50s type one. Looks quite cute www.next.co.uk/g382170s6

[Graceparkhill]

Land's End do a good range- one piece costumes ( as my mother would say) plus lots of top and bottom options. Good quality too

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

I don't find the Boden costumes very supportive but it really depends if you have much of a cleavage. My friend looks great in them but she is a size 10 and I'm a size 14.

I have bought a nice Fantasie one piece in the sale, a great Gottex one piece from Tk Maxx and a nice spotty John lewis number that they don't stock any more.

[Loveleopardprint]

Cath Kidston have some pretty costumes.

[landofsoapandglory]

I have absolutely no experience of Boden swimwear, but last year on holiday there was a young teenaged girl who had Boden swimsuits on and they looked lovely. She was about a size 12, but quite busty and they held her boobs really well when she was in the pool swimming and playing with her siblings.

I came home and googled the print and it was Boden. I actually wish I had bought some in the sale last year, but am going to invest in some of their bikins for our holiday this year. Her mum was wearing bikini bottoms from Boden in this style and they had good coverage, so I am going to try them.

[Mewsical]

Figleaves Santa Maria twist is nice,also the Panache Lucille which is a red,white and blue retro style..... bikini. I really would take at least one away with you as when you get there you might regret it.
Boden wrap swimsuits don't have underwires but I find them strangely supportive and very flattering over the stomach with lowish legs.I'm an E cup and have always needed support and the Asda illusion suit is the best fit ever,not for holidays though.

[dozily]

I have a Boden one from 18 months ago which I still like but the new ones look a bit frumpy to me - I think they were slightly higher cut at the legs before but could be wrong...

I'm wondering about the Fat Face ones this year - perhaps this butterfly print one

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

Mewsical is right about the bikinis. When we went to portugal I only took my swimsuits as I felt a bit blobby and past it. I looked around and only the grannies were wearing swimsuits, everyone else under the age of 70 was in bikinis and sometimes just bikini bottoms.

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

I took a mix of bikinis and tankinis on my last hol as I was still carry baby weight and visibke stretchmarks. Of all the lovely costumes I had a basic tankini was worn the most. It wasn't even a set! Padded bust halter top was from primark and very tummy flattening and I had short style bottoms from Asda with a roll top. I pulled the shorts up and the top down for swimming so it looked like a 50s style cossie but could roll the shorts waist ovet and tuck the top in on itself for a flattering bikini.

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Oh bless you all. It's not so much that I'm a heifer well I am a bit it's more that thanks to the CS scar underwear seems to roll up and twist and generally not sit properly, so I don't think a bikini will work very well on my lower stomach. I'll probably still wear some of my old bikinis with board shorts, but I need something for - hopefully - going in the water. Will take alook at some more of your suggestions now.

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

What size are you twelveleggedwalk - if you don't mind me asking?

Thing is you probably look a lot better than you think you do and tbh you are going to look a bit odd if you wear bikini tops with board shorts.

When are you going? If you have more than 6 weeks then you could get an exercise DVD and make an impact CS pouch bit.

Also I have bikinis that have a rolly bit at the top of the bottoms and they work quite well. I will see if I can find any links to demonstrate what I mean.

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

I'm sort of 14-16, depending on where I'm shopping, but its all on my stomach - always has been, but now with added wonky overhang! The twins are active toddlers now so I'm not going to be lazing on the beach anyhow, so suspect shorts will be necessary while wrestling/chasing them anyhow.
I did wonder about roll top bikini bottoms, but didn't know if they were likey to just mean even MORE fabric rolled down and wedged around the top of my pubes!!

[theoriginalandbestrookie]

The roll top shouldn't be anywhere near your pubes unless you have them on upside down .

I got a great t-shirt throwover thing from Boden a couple of years ago and its great when I need to pull something on and run after DS.

I have found as I get older and my flesh a little less firm that it is worth spending a little more on swimwear ( which I usually do by getting premium brands in the sale)

Have a great holiday and when you get there women will only notice your swimwear if you have great matching sets - I still remember a nice lady on holiday who had a sarong that matched her bikini, I thought that was very sophisticated! Men will only notice if it enhances your boobs, or I guess if you had your roll top bikini bottoms on upside down and your pubes were on show they might notice that as well!

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Frankly, after 18mo of no sleep I an probably capable of putting it in upside down and not noticing.
An getting flashbacks of the 'your minge!' classic thread...

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Putting it ON, iPhone fail

[BanoffeeSplitz]

Seafolly (especially the Goddess range) do some lovely retro-ish separates & boylegs and seem really supportive. They are eyewateringly expensive (mine came from TKMaxx & was as much as I'd normally spend on a full price one) but worth looking out for.

I have a tankini top that never rolls up - they do a ruched high waist bikini pant that looks like it wouldn't roll down .

[BanoffeeSplitz]

Seafolly Goddess boyleg

nautical version

ruched front bikini pants

[41notTrendy]

I have a similar tummy issue
I got a costume from marks and spencer last year that has a great tummy holding panel (sure that's not what they call it!). It's the most flattering costume I've had since ds. It's bright pink with white polka dots. I got it when they had 20% off, I think I paid about £25.

[41notTrendy]

I think it's this but mine is pink
www.marksandspencer.com/Swimwear-Beachwear-Womens/b/43167030#rh=n%3A736024031&page=4&sort=-product_site_launch_date&size=12&lo_binKey=n&lo_binValue=736024031&categoryMultiSelection=true
I've never sussed out how to do links, so hope that works! I don't know what smocked means in the description though, I've never noticed any smocking!

[41notTrendy]

Hmm, that doesn't appear to have worked, try this
www.marksandspencer.com/Tummy-Control-Smocked-Spotted-Swimsuit/dp/B009GDFB8S?rrClickthru=Browse

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

The Seafolly links are gorgeous, thank you for that! I have some much loved seafolly bikinis so I will definitely try that link I think.
Off to browse scaffolding bikini pants too!