My plus-sized swimwear epiphany! Can I get away with it?

[llandb]

Once upon a time, I looked good in bikini. Didn't really know or appreciate it at the time.

Now I'm plus-sized. And soon I'm going to have to prance around on a beach chasing and splashing with DCs in public, in front of PIL. (And possibly breastfeeding).

So I've hit on a combo that covers the tum, bum and thighs (yay!), not to mention the chunky, varicose-veined legs. I think it looks more or less like normal beach clothes that I just happened to take a dip in.

Swim dress. Halter neck - I'd have gone for a more supportive style, but this had less foam than other styles, and easier to access for breastfeeding. They didn't have my size so I chose a size larger and it fits perfectly - either I've grown or it's sized small. To my surprise, it's a decent length - about 3" above knee. I don't think it's too Granny or Desperate Housewives. Is it?

Supportive bikini top underneath (two shoulder straps) - for support and because I like to do double-layer everything for BF. Any other bikini top would have done. I thought it would look trashy having two layers of top but actually it creates the illusion that am wearing a boho beach dress over a bikini, rather than just a swimdress.

Swim leggings for my chunky, varicose-veined legs - I chose the full-length ones, which to my surprise were a bit long and had to be rolled up to eliminate bagginess

What do you think - will it pass? Or will I be a freak? Do people do this all the time and nobody notices because it looks like normal clothing? Would you wear this?

[MadStaringEyes]

A lady at my local pool wears one of the dresses. It's lovely and she always looks very happy and confident playing with her smalls.

I'm not sure I would wear the leggins, but I wouldn't look twice at somebody wearing them.

[SazZaVoom]

i think the leggings might draw more attention than without. However if you are comfortable and confident then that is what counts

that you are going somewhere warm enough....

[StellaAndFries]

I love the swim dress, I would definitely wear one.

[llandb]

Ooh thanks for the yes votes (esp as I've already bought it :o). Yes, a confidence-booster is a must, isn't it?

SazZaVoom in two weeks from now, we're permanently moving back home to NZ and will be hanging around with the fam so DCs can get to know them, in a beachside holiday house (DP will have his 40th birthday two days after our jetlagged selves arrive). September is chancey in that part of the country but I'm hoping to get a dip in the water - and in the months after, of course it will be summer so I need this six months sooner than I otherwise would.

Thought the pool thing is a good point - one reason I haven't been taking DD (aged 3) swimming is that I had nothing to wear :)

Hmm, maybe lose the leggings for the beach but pull them on if I need to pop to a cafe and no time to change?

[llandb]

October. It'll be October by the time we get there (via visiting rellies in Sydney). Could still be chilly!

[SazZaVoom]

Even MORE now

Yes, i think I would reserve the leggings for if it cooler/going to a cafe etc

Enjoy it with your kids and do not fret over what some stranger might be thinking

[bamboobutton]

what a brilliant idea!

i've emailed myself a link to this thread so i have a permanant record of it.

[llandb]

Aw shucks, bamboobutton .

Just in case you are considering the exact same dress - please disregard my comment about having to go up one size. I now realise that although this makes it a perfect derriere-fit for me, there is no way that sizing up would provide sufficient bust support as the back is loose. (I am doing an odd thing whereby I wear a supportive bikini top underneath, so for me it doesn't matter).

If I were to wear leggings, 3/4 length would probably have been a better look (even though 3/4 generally is hideous on me).

SazZaVoom if I have any doubts about my attire, I'll lie back and think of Mumsnet :o

[Avinalarf]

The dress is lovely and the supportive top underneath is genius - but the leggings are awful. You cant wear leggings on the beach! Seriously! All sorts of shapes and sizes will be getting their bits out. Just get those pins out, you fruitcake!

[notyummy]

Agree with all the other comments - nice dress etc, but not the leggings as they will only draw more attention to you as people wonder what you have to hide! Hope you have a great time.

[LDNmummy]

You might as well get a Modestkini, swimwear designed for Muslim ladies.

You can buy them in a lot of places in the UK now and they don't all come with attached head covering or in singular colour.

I think the swim dress is lovely, might invest in one myself.

[UniS]

knee length lycra shorts ?
I love my legged swim suit, just above knees, from Maru IIRC . Fulll ength leggings looks a bit "pro swimmer" IMHO.

[FGM]

No!

How about board-shorts? They'll look much cooler- you could co-ordinate to your swimsuit. Or just get a supportive bikini and sling a big white T-shirt on top. Aussies are V sun-concsious and a T over your top half would not be looked askance at. You could go for the "just borrowed my DH's T-shirt 'cos I'm having too much of a good time with my gorgeous DCs to give a monkeys about not looking like a model being papped" look.

Also I'd hold off purchases until you get there. I know this may feel like a leap of faith but Aussies do swimwear like nowhere else in the world. Get thee to a shop called "Sunburn" and marvel at the range. The do plus-sizes and loads of sarong-type things that co-ordinate and look great. There will be loads of shops beach-side selling board-shorts too.

[plupervert]

This is a great look, though a bit too "printy" for me, and wouldn't accommodate my bosom! I have a combo of swimskirt from Lands' End and underwired tankini top from Figleaves.

[goingmadinthecountry]

To be honest, I think the more you cover up, the more you draw attention to yourself. I used to be really self conscious but started swimming quite regularly at a health club - all shapes and sizes go, and who really cares?

www.monsoon.co.uk/swimsuits/milan-swimsuit/invt/82300403/ is the swimsuit I have worn in various versions for the last couple of years. Best I've found for my shape.

[perfectstorm]

I wore this to take DS to baby swimming. I put on 6 stone when pregnant and my confidence was zero, but it was honestly light years more flattering than anything else I tried - it sort of made you look more Nigella Lawson than Waynetta Slob, if that makes sense, as the cut and ruching created a real hourglass effect, and it boosted the bust without smooshing it. DS has chronic eczema triggered by chlorine so it didn't get a whole lot of use but I swear I wouldn't wear anything else now. Mine is in pale blue, and is actually a lot more flattering than a bigger cover-up. Clever design.

[strawberrymivvi]

I've got this one and have had many compliments when wearing it

[JohnniesBitch]

I saw lots of plus size ladies wearing swim dresses pool side in Florida. Had never really seen them before. They looked much more flattering and easier to wear than a one piece or tankini. A site that seems to sell lots of differed styles is www.swimsuitsforall.com they ship internationally as well.

I would skip the leggings though.

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

I have just found this thread an am too in desperate need of a swimsuit as I am off to Spain in less than 5 weeks.
I never thought of a swim dress- I thought they might be a bit too old ladyish, but clearly they aren't judging by the comments on here
I like the John Lewis one but it is way out of my budget and tbh the ones on the simply yours website are too, I am not looking to spend more than £30 as I am losing weight (have lost 2.5stone since having DD 3mo ago) and so would hope to be getting a smaller size next year.
I was thinking a cross over style as I will need one I can breastfeed in for Spain, can anyone help?

[plupervert]

Only old ladyish in that it is a 50s look!

It's probably the sartorial equivalent of that aphorism: better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and confirm it. Same for wobbly bits!

[IestynOsian]

I have got a Joe Browns swim dress and it is fantastic!!! I was once able to wear bikinis but after having 3 children I wouldn't dare bare my flesh!!! Although at £48 (think its a bit cheaper this year) it was expensive for a swim suit, I bought it last year and took it on a family holiday to France and it was brilliant. I could wear it and walk around and not feel conscious about my flab and wobbly bits!!! I still wear it to my local swimming pool and tuck the dress into the swimsuit part otherwise the dress part tends to float about in the water. I would recommend this swimdress to any mum....

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

What about this? They even do it in my size!

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

Iestyn - is it suitable for large busted ladies? I am G cup and that swimdress didn't look like it offered a lot of support.

[goingmadinthecountry]

I've got that one Kara, but sadly the local sports centre objected.

[queenie53]

I tried this Joe Brown's one but found it wasn't that supportive for a large bust because of the stretchy halter neck ties, also was a bit long as I'm 5'2". I found one in Evans, all black or black with a big white flower print, it's really supportive and shorter so looks a bit less dress like. Best of all the top layer doesn't cling and hides the saggy, fold over belly, though I did find it was best to tuck it into the legs in the water as it did float up around me. I found the big pattern helped to disguise any lumpy bits which tend to show up with plain black. It dried quickly in the hotel bathroom overnight, too. Covered the worst parts well!