Post CS bikinis

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Hi lovely Style and Beauty-ers.

I am going to be brave this year and get a bikini or two. I'm struggling with the bottoms after 2 C sections, though - please can anyone recommend bikinis that don't have super-low mini briefs? I don't think really high-waisted vintage styles are that flattering either on me picky but what I really want is something that comes about midway between my bikini line/CS scar and my tummy button. Low-rise briefs either sit in my scar or continually roll down into it. I have tested this with pants and medium rise pants seem best. I'm struggling to find bikinis like this, though - they all seem to be either really high or really low!

I'm a 30H top and my tummy is pretty wobbly and stretch-marked, but I would think fuck it if I could find a relatively flattering bikini. Tummy control would be a plus, but not essential. Help!

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Somewhat obsessive examination of bikinis online is making me think that I like bikinis where the tummy button is showing. Has anyone tried Fantasie bikinis with a Deep Brief style? They look good - not cheap, though!

[katienana]

I had a really nice pair from Freya turquoise with white polka dots and the bottoms had a foldover band around the top that was really flattering. I'll have a look for something similar

[katienana]

www.lazeme.co.uk/freya-eden-uw-balcony-bikini-top?utm_source=google_shopping&136=264&gclid=CjwKEAjw55K4BRC53L6x9pyDzl4SJAD_21V1mwuAmfz_A9I2JNlf_E9Oc5iajoT6lBlPcZEegHYH-xoCJ1Lw_wcB

No idea how to make link clicky but bottoms were a bit like this

[Onamissionfor2015]

I found really nice bottoms in asda of all places last week.

I'm a 34j on top so buy all my bikini tops from bravissimo which I don't mind forking out for but grudge paying £25 for bottoms when the shops are full of cheaper ones.

Asda had a nice black pair that have a thick fold over waistband that you can wear either folded down or "flip" it up over your belly.

[fruitpastille]

Bravissimo bikinis usually have a choice of different style bottoms. I quite like the little shorts. They often have sale items although still not that cheap!

[bialystockandbloom]

I agree with Freya ones. I have a few pairs, mainly the kind of textured ones, halterneck, which are really pretty, and have nice straps and tassle type details. Sorry, can't remember the name, but I think they do them every year. They're low cut enough to avoid the mumsy look but high enough to cover the c-section overhang (I share your pain, I had two CSs too!).

[bialystockandbloom]

Have remembered, I think the Freya ones I have are called Spirit.

[Thefitfatty]

Just posting to follow. I've always loved Victoria Secrets suits in the past, but the pictures they post are absolutely useless in telling me if the bikini will cover my c-section scar and slight bloop over the scar. Would love to get back into a bikini. :(

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Oooh, thank you! I like those Freya ones and I haven't come across that Lazeme website before, Katienana, brilliant!

Onamission, yes, bloody bikini bottoms are so expensive! They're just pants, fgs, how can companies charge £25 for them? Buying plain black would be a good plan for sourcing cheaper bikini bottoms, good thinking.

Bialy, glad to hear from someone else who has looked for CS-friendly bikinis! My tummy is really not in great shape but I am on a pre-holiday diet and keep meaning to start Shredding. Past experience tells me that the sodding overhang won't go, though, grr! At least, I have never made it go - I still cling to the faint hope that if I diet and exercise like a mad thing it will go eventually. I've never got lower than a BMI of 25 post-kids, so in my head, if I got down to BMI 22, it would work miracles in that department. Doubt that's going to happen in the next 7.5 weeks, though.

[bialystockandbloom]

Hmm I'm 9 years on and even though weigh the same now as pre-pg, the overhang but remains (grr). But I've never had a totally flat tummy, ever, even when I was 8 stone (I'm now over 9st). Think it's just my shape. I know a good few women who've had CS and though the scar is still visible, it doesn't have the same pulling-in thing that mine does, and none of them have the overhang as much as me.

[Haggisfish]

This thread makes me chuckle-I tried on a bikini the summer after Cs and thought 'oh. Yes. I'd forgotten about that' and the resulting effects on my tummy! I put it back that year but might try a new style this year, inspired by this thread.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Just Googled Freya Spirit, Bialy - do they really cover scar plus overhang? The pants look quite skimpy!

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Do you think that if I sewed a wide elastic bit into the top of bikini bottoms it would work as DIY tummy control? I ask this because I have stupidly just remembered that I do have a Freya bikini - the top is a bit small, which is why I forgot about it and the pants do cover my overhang but somehow still look terrible and highlight it. They have very thin elastic at the top which just digs in.

[feesh]

M&S have some good ones in stock at the moment with roll tops. They are surprisingly tasteful and nice quality, and it's taken a LOT to get me back in a bikini again!

[KateSpadeAddict]

What about this?
www.figleaves.com/uk/product/FE-006727/Fantasie-Sardinia-Underwired-Gathered-Full-Cup-Bikini-Top/?size=30H&colour=Multicoloured

I don’t think I’m super keen on floral bikinis, prefer this style but they might be too low rise?
www.figleaves.com/uk/product/PA-004832/Panache-Britt-Stripe-Halter-Bikini-Top/?size=30H&colour=Blues

[Heavenscent86]

I just ordered this which I'm really hoping will be suitable after a cs. The briefs look like they sit a bit higher and provide more coverage.

www.bravissimo.com/m/#products/sale/swimwear/bikinis/bon-bon-bikini-top/multi-stripe/hs103mst/

[Heavenscent86]

Oh I ordered it with the shorts option not the tie side briefs.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Oooh, I love that navy Panache bikini, Kate! I agree with you about the floral pattern - some are good and some scream MIL at me. I've seen some plain pink/orange Fantasie bikinis on Ebay with the same shape pants, though, and they look good.

Heavenscent, those shorts look good too.

I have ordered some 3 inch wide elastic tape to try to fix my Freya bikini bottoms. Not sure if this will work or not - I have a sad history of trying to sew/adjust things to improve them with about a 40% success rate.

[DianaT1969]

Basic black fold down briefs with tummy control. Could be worn with most tops and doesn't have that scuptured retro high waisted look that you are trying to avoid - much softer styling.

[salsamad]

I have bought my last 3 bikinis from Por Moi, I'm a 34E and they do a huge array of colours and styles, with a variety of tops and bottoms. They have several styles on sale at the moment and I just purchased a bikini and sleeveless matching dress for £40. They supply lingerie and beachwear to Figleaves, Brastop, Asos and Bravissimo etc but you can buy directly from them - //www.shoppormoi.co.uk.

[salsamad]

Sorry that should read - //www.shoppourmoi.co.uk

[DianaT1969]

These look nice for £10. Could be worn with a plain top.
www.brastop.com/gossard-hot-tropic-bikini-short-print

[Haggisfish]

Thanks for that link salsa-just ordered loads of stuff! Whoops!

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Shop Pour Moi looks good but doesn't currently have any 30H bikinis in stock, grr!

Those plain black bikini pants look good, Diana.

[DianaT1969]

Try Brastop, Leia, Airy Mary, Bravissimo, Figleaves and Simply Beach for 30H tops. They are my go-to places for cup sized swimwear (34G) I think you have to shop early in the season to catch unusual sizes, or suffer less choice later. I wait for free shipping weekends at Figleaves though as I begrudge paying £4ish for a £20 top. The others are free over a certain amount I think, except Airy Mary which is always free.