Who sells best tankini/swimsuit for flabby/wide hips and thighs?

[Marmaladybird]

I'm a 12-14, have a modest bust, shoulders balance thighs, but thighs are horrid. Flabby, cellulite, pale (I have a gap but no matter how much I exercise, they stay wobbly and lumpy). The main problem I have is that whichever swimsuit I buy it digs into my thighs and arse and creates that godawful bulge. If I buy an 18, it's baggy but the leg holes feel better. If I buy a 14, it fits but the leg hole tightness makes my face go purple, same with a 16. Is there anyone out there that can point me in the right direction?

I currently have a RoD swimsuit in a 16 (bust is huge on me), a Boden swimsuit in a 16 (great but leg holes kill me) an Ultimo in a 34DD (I'd rather not even talk about this one).

If I buy a Tankini with 18 bottoms, they are massive around the hips/waist and fall down when wet...

Gah! Please help me before I buy a knee length stripy 1920s number...

[MamaLazarou]

Why don't you buy differently sized top and bottoms? I am size 14 on the bottom and 20 on top so buy 14 bottoms and 20 top!

[Leviticus]

Bikini? Most places sell the top and bottoms separately.

I've just returned from my first post DC holiday abroad. I was so worried about showing my body but it was a revelation. I came back having realised that actually, with one or two exceptions, none of us have perfect bodies. Lots of wobbly tummies and thighs on show. You have nothing to worry about, honestly.

[defineme]

I find resort swimwear from Very is good and i always sew extra pads (john lewis haberdashery ) into the bust as i am a 16/10.

[Marmaladybird]

Its a leg hole problem - if I buy a 14, it will fit on the waist hips but the leg holes strangle me. If I buy an 18, leg holes are perfect but it falls down when I swim. If I try and combat that by buying an 18 swimsuit, chest is massive and baggy as I'm only a 34DD. It's a nightmare. I suppose what I'm asking is, does anyone know of a swimsuit maker who does bigger leg holes... :)

[defineme]

Next have some nice high waisted bikinis that might be better for not falling down.

[Marmaladybird]

Thanks, I'll have a look. Just looking at boy short bikini bottoms on M&S - I always wear shorts as underwear so maybe a better option for swimming too.

[defineme]

You could try snipping and hemming a little v in boy short style or doingsame with a skirted suit where it wouldn't show.

[Marmaladybird]

A skirted suit wouldn't work for me at all. Would definitely make me look bigger. I could try snipping the shorts though - thanks.

[Marmaladybird]

It's just occurred to me that maybe I need 'longer length' in a swimsuit. I didn't even know that was a 'thing'. I'm 5'8" and I'm sure the big bottom doesn't help...

[creamoftomato]

I've just bought some sort of baggy board shorts for pregnant swimming, which are basically like short men's trunks, plus separate tankini / bikini tops and am finding them fantastic. Just googled around and think I ended up buying from Surfdome website. No issue with trying to make legs fit because they are not meant to be completely snug if you see what I mean.

[SaulGood]

When I was pregnant I got so fed up with nothing fitting that I ended up wearing DH's board shorts and a tankini top. I inadvertently hit on the solution to all my swimming stuff dislikes. I still wear board shorts. You do have to be careful with women's board shorts as the cut is sometimes very odd, the legs too short, everything too low slung. I often buy the ones designed for men and they're perfect. I'm a size 8 and a normal-ish shape with nothing 'hard' to dress on paper. However, I still find that I'm often being cut in half or having to remove most of my body hair or unable to bend over without offending 47 separate religions.

[SaulGood]

If you like the seafolly ones, my Mum recently bought this which is almost identical, very flattering and a fraction of the price.

[Marmaladybird]

www.figleaves.com/uk/product/SF-003771/Seafolly-Inked-Stripe-Halter-Boyleg-Swimsuit/?size=&colour=Blues

I like patterns more than plain - just looked and I think I may give this one a go...

[lurkingaround]

I am pear shaped, long of body. Like others on this thread I buy bikinis. Much easier. Fig leaves are good for choice. As are (surprisingly) Next. Occasionally I have to dicky about with a needle and thread, but rarely.

I wouldn't wear the swimsuit you linked above. I have shortish legs and that type of leg makes them look even shorter. Also my best bit is my top half so I try to ahem, wanker fashion speak alert attract the eye to that and distract from my bad bits (hips and thighs).

[Behooven]

What about something retro like a swim dress or skirtini?
here

[lurkingaround]

I think all those vintage one just draw huge attention to legs. And seriously shorten them. Bit of fake tan, bikini, somewhat higher cut leg, and a feck the world attitude, and remember everyone is too bloody worried about how they look to really notice anything about you.

[Doza]

I got these recently:
www.landsend.co.uk/mProduct?cgid=Tab_2&pid=P_14242
Any use?

[herecomesthsun]

I got Landsend shorts also, wear with a Boden tankini top

[Marmaladybird]

I think I'll get some of those Landsend shorts for days on the beach. For around the pool though, I'd prefer a normal swimsuit/Tankini with bigger leg holes. I can't do high cut but I love the cut of the Boden swimsuits, they're just too bloody tight around my chunky thighs...

[Marmaladybird]

I'll givs that one I linked too earlier a miss, I think. I did order the similar one from Ebay though, at a tenner, what have I got to lose...I can have a good look in the privacy of my own bedroom as to whether it suits me or not too :D

[Marmaladybird]

SOLVED!

I bought a Seafolly one piece (not the shorts type leg, just a normal one) in a 16. It's got adjustable straps and the cups aren't big but they are padded. It doesn't dig in at all and I feel really comfortable in it.

I also bought two pairs of Fantasie bikini bottoms with an adjustable leg. I am blown away. They fit like a dream in an XL and I have lots of bikini tops to team with them (I can wear beandeau, tankini, crop or triangle but never the clasp/bra type - they look horrible on me).

It seems that the problem is that I'm led by my eyes with most things and buy what looks nice on the hanger rather than considering it from all angles...which is probably the reason for the horrible fitting/digging in and general unflattering-ness of it all. I have had an occasional nice tankini from Next, but these new ones are just better fitting and feel nicer on.

Thanks for the help and advice - just thought I'd update for any other larger-bottomed ladies.