Are high wasted bikini briefs flattering?

[Roobix04]

I'm looking for a new swimsuit and really wish I was confident enough to wear a bikini and it's much easier to get a bikini with proper bust support than a costume/tankini. The problem is I don't have a flat stomach by any stretch of the imagination and my skin is a bit loose and has stretch marks (I have a 1yo). The high waisted ones seem the way to go but I've always found high waisted jeans very unflattering especially on the bum so I dunno if they look any good on someone who isn't super skinny or toned.
I'm 5ft 3 and a size 14/16. I'm working on losing weight but it's a slow process. Any advice?

[cogitosum]

M&s high waisted bikini is the most flattering thing I have ever worn on a beach

[Aridane]

As a fellow shortie - 5'1"- TBH I have found high waisted ones surprisingly unflattering. Sounds completely counterintuitive but the high cut ones worded best. Otherwise I seemed to be all granny pants and boobs. What a lovely picture I'm painting

[MamaMary]

Even with a flabby tummy, I personally think normal briefs look best, not high waisted.

I've tried on both and went for the normal shaped ones, as overall the bikini looked better

But everyone is a different shape. What I recommend is going to a department store or somewhere with a good selection of bikinis and trying loads on.

[Roobix04]

Haha Aridane I get what you mean. I suppose I'll just have to try some different stuff on. You'd recommend a high cut one for shorties then? Forgot to mention I am quite busy. 34 FF

[MamaMary]

Aridane is describing how high waisted ones make me look too. I'm also short.

[Leviticus]

I think high waisted seems like the logical choice on paper but it doesn't work like that in real life. I agree with a PP that normal briefs are better for every size of stomach.

The only time I've seen high waisted look really good is on the size 6 models in magazines, which defeats the object really.

[meglet]

no. I'm fairly slim and they made my hips and stomach look much bigger.

[AdventureBe]

I think high wasted ones look great on those who would look great in any bikini, otherwise they just draw attention to the bit you're trying to hide.

Tankini's are worse though!

[AmberNectarine]

No no no no no.

I foolishly tried one on last week. I am 5'4 and a size 8. Christ I looked awful. I took a photo and did a side by side comparison with a bikini I already owned. Tempted to post the result on here just to save you all from the horrors.

[Aridane]

OP - one word for where to look for the high cut ones (says the 5'1" G cupper

BRAVISSIMO

Lots of choice - or last time I looked there was. If you're not within striking distance of a store, their phone assistants know the products well. (And of course it's fine to buy loads and loads of bikinis in different surprises for comparison purposes and then return freepost)

[SinglePringle]

Normal bikini with a tie sided brief is the way - you can adjust it so theres no digging in to 'loose' skin.

[MixedMessages]

Normal bikini a million times better than huge pants which amplify all but the skinniest of arses to epic proportions.

[Polarbearcub]

Just to agree with the general opinions above - high waisted is not flattering!

[Greengardenpixie]

I looked awful in them but...i reckon they have a kind of shorts cut at the legs. This is so unflattering for me and really draws attention to my flabby inner thighs! [which made me get my but into gear and sort them out and after many squats are now looking better] but at the time horror of horrors!! Looked like big mahoosive granny pants! Definetly not a look i was after!
I have bought two gorgeous swim dresses. So flattering.

[legolegolego]

I have a friend who is a size 20 and she looks amazing in a high waisted bikini. I'm a size 6/8 and I look absolutely horrendous in them.
The only thing I can think is, it depends on if you've got long body/short legs or short body/long legs.
I'm mostly just legs with a strip of torso on top, so it just made my legs look even longer and my body look even shorter. Whereas if you've got a long body, I would imagine they would be really good at evening out the proportions.

[noddyholder]

Tie side ones look good high waist I think are very unflattering. I always wear a bikini and I'm 50 but have just bought a plain black strapless one piece and it's the most flattering I've ever had

[batteryparkbride]

It's down to body length. I have a very looong body and short legs so I need something to break up the space and high waisted abything looks good on me.

My leggy sister looks crap in them - they're nearly under her boobs and her arse looks like it is visible from space.

[averythinline]

I think sorting out your top half will be harder if you're a 34ff- most high street tops or swimming costumes just dont work (If you've found some let me know I tried 100's and got now where)

so would suggest Bravissimo or whichever bra maker you prefer (Fantasie (new on ebay) in my case) and get a top/costume from them..I buy separates tankini/bottoms - I have short legs long body so high waist/shorts ok for me

[VirginiaTonic]

I would go for a full swimsuit over a high waist bikini. I have both and a good swimsuit is so much more elegant and you won't feel as self conscious in it either.

[Hoppinggreen]

I'm a similar size and shape to you Op and I wondered about high waist bikini briefs as well but they seem to just shout " I think I'm too fat for a normal bikini"!!!
I have bought some black shorts style ones, not the ones that cut off low on your legs but more shaped, a bit like the Brazillian style knickers that M&S do along with a patterned black and white top. You are more busty than me so you might not want to draw attention upwards but it works for me.
Along with a good coverup and a healthy dose of not giving a shit I think I will look fine.

[Roobix04]

Definitely sounds like high waisted is not for me then. I like the idea of one's that tie at the sides so I can adjust for flab. My little sister got me a boux avenue voucher so I'd looked on their website which is where I saw the high wasted pants. I've been trying to care a lot less about what other people think of me and I've made some positive steps. Having a daughter really makes you think about how you want them to perceive beauty.

[Marmaladybird]

I have a big behind and saddlebag thighs but an athletic top half with average boobs (34DD) and broad shoulders which balance my hips. I'm a 12-14 and 5'8".

High waist anything looks horrendous on me, tankinis look okay, hipster shorts look okay, most bikinis look foul and just enhance all the wobble on the bottom half by digging in like string around pork. One piece only fits okay if I buy a 16 (I've spent the past week trying on and researching). I also have a size 12 cropped rash vest (which suits my athletic upper half) which I'll wear with my adjustable leg bikini bottoms/shorts.

Swimwear shopping sucks.

[Roobix04]

I don't think there's many people who enjoy trying to find skimpy skin tight clothes to wear in public. It's a form of modern day torture.

[leedy]

As someone suggested above, high waisted bikini bottoms work really well if you have a long torso (which I do), not so much otherwise.