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Taking my 13yr old dd shopping for her first bikini

17 replies

Fatmomma99 · 22/05/2015 20:29

She wants one this year. Trouble is she's probably the wrong shape. She's V tall, V thin (size 6 - 8), quite wide-hipped, big bum and, most importantly, NO BOOBS.
She's got the very smallest beginnings (buds), but prob still too small for a AA cup. And she's got a wide-ish back. Prob 30" - 32". All the rest of her friends are in proper bras now, but she's still in those bra tops they do nowadays.

I had no breasts either. My biggest bra before I got pregnant was an A cup. [and that was when I gave up smoking and ate to compensate]

So my worry is a bikini top that fits her (when I was flatchested I found that not having boobs meant that in some clothes, they weren't held in place because my chest wasn't substantial enough to do the job. A strapless dress, for example, just fell off me). It needs to be able to stay in place without exposing what chest she does have (she'd be mortified if it moved).

Has anyone else had this experience and can anyone recommend any shops/bikini types/styles that worked (or what didn't)?

And please don't say 'get a swimming costume' - she'd be heartbroken. Plus she's likely to have a similar shape for several years.

Many thanks for reading.

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SleeplessSeattle · 22/05/2015 20:31

How about a bandeau with fringing over the top? They can normally have a halter neck so that they don't fall down. I'm on my phone atm so can't link but will check later

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Fatmomma99 · 22/05/2015 20:38

Oh Wow! I'd not heard of those, so just googled [I'm a bit of a stranger to both beauty and style!].

They're GORGEOUS. And look like they'd disguise her lack of chest. Thanks, Sleepless Smile

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Marylou2 · 22/05/2015 20:55
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Marylou2 · 22/05/2015 20:56

Sorry I'm rubbish at links but easy to find on the Boden website.

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TheFairyCaravan · 22/05/2015 21:00

Primark had loads of bikinis in when I was in there a couple of weeks ago. IIRC they do seperates, too, which is handy when your top and bottom don't match size wise.

New Look is good for swimwear too, they do do seperates.

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Secretsout · 22/05/2015 21:42

Try New Look and Primark and possibly H&M they do plenty of fringe top type things, all suitable for teens so any shape combo is accomodated. Also, most shops these days will sell separate bottoms and tops so it doesn't matter what size she is, she will find a good fit.

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homebythesea · 22/05/2015 22:58

I was you this time last year

My DD got a lovely bikini from TopShop with a ruffle over the bandeau which disguised her then less than impressive enboinpoint. Fast forward a year and she is now boobalicious (not sure where those genes came from!) on a petite frame and I'm quite pleased she asked this year to get a tankini for holidays!

One tip- we found bikini sizing, tops and bottoms, to be very random. Also changing rooms are a source of much mortification. TopShop and ASOS do free returns so I would advise getting at least 3 sizes, the one you think will fit and bigger and smaller and let her try them on in the privacy of her own bedroom!

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Fatmomma99 · 22/05/2015 23:47

Thank you all SO MUCH!!!! Snorting at "Nip Slip", Skinhead (did it take me 3 paragraphs to do what you did in two words???!!!??) Grin

You're so right - Nip slip is my biggest fear for her!

Thank you all of you.

And interesting that you ALL recommend trying on at home and returning (I thought it was hard/impossible to return bikinis because of risk of... ahem... arisings...hurrumph, hurrmph... on the gussets? So thought it HAD to all be done in the changing rooms.

Also VERY interested that you're recommending (without sounding snobbish) the 'lower end' of high street? As in, you're telling me Primark, New Look (my dd LOVES New Look) etc good. Because I was thinking more of going to more teenager-y shops. So I was thinking Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Next.
But, actually, are the (sorry to sound snobbish again) the more 'lower end' shops the way to go?

My thought process was that she'll prob need a good elastic underneath (to avoid that nip slip, Skinhead!), so to make sure it's a GOOD elastic, go for a "better quality" shop. Is that wrong.

Agree tankinis could be a good solution, but she had one a couple of years ago, so she prob thinks they're babyish. I will try and steer her that way, though.

And think the bandeaus are AMAZING. They look great. And I bet they'd make big girls and small girls all feel equally equal and look good too. They weren't in my radar, so thank you so much for those.

Some Cake and at this time of night Wine to all of you for giving up your time to post - you've helped me out massively, and will make our expedition much easier and much more satisfactory for my dd. Thank you all so much.
(sorry if you don't DO cake and wine if you're into style and beauty... I don't venture here often because I'm ugly and unstylish!)

Have a good bank holiday, and my very sincere thanks.

G'night.

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homebythesea · 22/05/2015 23:58

Top shop is a teenager haunt like new look- not much difference between them really. Primark is fave for all my DD's friends and actually quality wise not much difference from the others in my experience

Now, Next on the other hand is as far as the teens I know go, the LEAST teenagery shop I'm afraid. It's for little girls and old farts Mums

Miss Selfridge doesn't really rate on the radar, we don't have one near so I can't comment!

And you don't want to be spending loads- as I have discovered bust sizes change rather quickly (new bras more often than new shoes here!)

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homebythesea · 22/05/2015 23:59

Oh and try on with knickers on obvs

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Blinkinwinkin · 23/05/2015 00:02

Have just treated my dd to an orange bandeau top bikini with fringing from Zara kids, size aged 13. She LOVES it!

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CointreauVersial · 23/05/2015 00:29

She sounds just the same shape as DD1 (also 13).

We found her a bikini in New Look in a Size 6; a simple triangle style bikini top, with a small amount of moulding/padding. Here. It gives her a little bit of shape but won't budge (she's been swimming in it already).

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Fatmomma99 · 23/05/2015 00:48

Thank you ladies - I KNEW there was a reason I lurked/joined. This is all massively useful

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Fatmomma99 · 26/05/2015 14:09

Hello S&B mn-ers.

Just got back from VERY successful shopping trip. Two bikinis. A bright orange one from Top Shop and a frilly pink one from New Look. Both appropriate, both securely fitted. Neither makes her look like a 6 yr old, nor does she look like she's trying to be sexy. She's thrilled - knows she looks ok, and is just looking forward to swimming in the sea now.

Thank you SO much!

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homebythesea · 26/05/2015 16:54

Hurrah!

I've had an opposite experience trying to find a Tankini for my now slightly self conscious previously quite happy to wear a bikini DD!

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Fatmomma99 · 26/05/2015 23:12

condolences. Hope you find something soon.

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