Swim dresses - just another way to show off how fat you are?

[ShotsFired]

I'm well overweight (edging towards size 26 ) but working on it and hope to lose a bit by the time I have to go on an enforced and unavoidable villa/pool-based holiday. To make it worse, a couple of the party really don't like me very much (and are normal sized and toned).

Anyway, I tried this on yesterday and liked it, but do swimdresses in fat sizes basically scream Hattie Jacques or can they work?

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Spotty-Skirty-Suit/130566424-Blue?searchTerm=:relevance:type:Swimsuits&searchProduct=

[Thanksforasking]

It's ok. I would have to see it on to be sure. It does look as if you are deliberately trying to cover up.

I wear a tankini with short shaped bottoms which I find flattering.

[sparklefarts]

Oh I hope not, I'm an 18/20 and I love this! May get one myself.

Screw the other people, wear what you're comfortable in and like. If you don't you'll o my end up feeling paranoid about how you look anyway.

I think it can work.

[Titsywoo]

I think they tend to make people's thighs look fat, sorry. I'd stick with a structured black or navy suit (or maybe an all over pattern but in a similar colour scheme) with a nice beach dress to go over the top.

[FellOutOfBed2wice]

I've got one similar and really like it. I'm a size 14/16 but with INSANELY large boobs (talking an M cup here) and I chose it because it had super sturdy underwiring in an M cup (and that's hard to find) however I genuinely like it now, especially the silhouette it gives me.

[yorkshirepuddingandroastbeef]

That's really pretty. I have no idea what it would look like on a larger lady though.

I think your best best would be to invest in a good quality cozzie with plenty of support that doesn't cut into your bum/back. The cut of clothes can have a massive impact on what you look like.

Maybe do some googling and look at bigger size model in swimming costumes and see what looks flattering?

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

I'm a size 10 and I wear swim dresses, so I don't know what's Hattie Jacques about them. What are you expecting to "work"? It's pretty. and not available in a size 10, damn

[GirlElephant]

I had a similar idea with tanking bottoms that had a skirt over. Good for feeling less self-conscious but a while ages to dry even on a hot summer day in Mexico

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

I think it's a bit flimsy. Spend a bit more for something more structured and supportive

[highinthesky]

Its a nice style but I also think its very girly / young and not sure it would scale up particularly well. I can't see it looking good on all but the cutest slip of a thing!

I personally wouldn't wear it as I consider myself to be a sophisticated mature lady. For me its strictly function over style, I go for speedos with a firm supportive back.

[highinthesky]

Just read this bit: To make it worse, a couple of the party really don't like me very much (and are normal sized and toned)

Fuck them, wear what you want!

Although it beats me why you would want to spend your precious holiday time with haters. Hire a car and have a fun adventure instead.

[bangbangprettypretty]

I think it's nice and would wear it BUT I will share my recent experience of Centreparcs...

I noticed that lots (as in, nearly all) of the bigger women were wearing swim dresses and none of the slimmer ones were. So it made it look as though swim dresses were used as a 'cover up' for being larger.

I'm not exactly sylphlike myself but I felt it drew attention to the self-consciousness of the women wearing them. I just went for a well-supporting swimsuit that held in my norks rather than something to hide my bum and stomach.

[RJnomore1]

I love that.

It's fun op. It's quite young and playful in style - don't condemn yourself to a plain black structured suck em in style. Wear something that feels like you and you will relax more.

I think I'm going to get myself one for my holiday.

[Bluntness100]

I have a friend who is a size eighteen and about five foot tall and she wears swim shorts and a swim bra than looks like a sports bra and it's really flattering on her.

I'd agree that swim dresses do tend to be worn by women who are a larger size, however it's really irrelevant, it's absolutely about what makes you feel good and comfortable. As because you feel good and comfy you will look great. It's when you are uncomfortable and don't feel good the issues arise.

[ElspethFlashman]

I'm really not enthused about swim dresses, sorry. Tbh, I would go straight over to Modcloth. Their swimsuits are divine, very retro and cute.

[ShotsFired]

Hmmm. Mixed opinions.

The spotty print was what initially caught my eye. I have had plain black or navy for so long this was fun.

I really don't want a tankini/bikin as I have never tried one that didn't roll up and expose my flabby tummy (stretchmarked to fuck and not even because of babies, just cake!).

I also have massive thighs from years of spin and cycling so I am just very big from tum to knee.

At least with this I feel like I could walk round scuttle to the nearest coverup and not feel entirely naked.

[ShotsFired]

@highinthesky Although it beats me why you would want to spend your precious holiday time with haters. Hire a car and have a fun adventure instead.

I know... I really don't want to go, but you know how in real life it's not that easy to dish up the standard MN answer of "no", because the repercussions are just too much.

I have to suck it up for the sake of familial/OH harmony. It's only 6 days, it could be worse! And we'll have a car and take ourselves off as well.

[Zoflorabore]

I'm a size 20 and going away in may and after vowing to lose weight from last years holiday I've actually put it on due to one of my many medications.

To be fair, whilst on holiday i do tend to lose some inhibitions when it comes to swimwear and wouldn't dream of a tankini due to the stomach exposure so think a swim dress is perfect.

I found Asda of all places to have great swimwear for bigger women and they go up to size 24.
I secretly do think though that people are too concerned with how they look themselves to worry about what anyone else looks like and I think there are always going to be people bigger/smaller than yourself so no point in worrying.

[Nettletheelf]

It's a Hattie Jacques verdict from me too, I'm afraid.

But, as others have remarked, wear what you sodding well like and don't worry about the people who dislike you.

[magicstar1]

If you're going to be swimming they're rubbish...the skirt but floats up in the pool and then sticks to you when you get out.

[sparklefarts]

Shots your last sentence seems like you really would be more comfy in this. We can all give you our opinions, but I've always found that how comfortable I feel makes a huge different how I look. X

[SharkBastard]

I wear a swim dress but also wear a bikini halter top to hold the boobs in. I find it flatters my shape and I'm a fat bint.

Wear whatever you're comfortable in. There is no way I'd be comfortable in a tankini, whilst others would.

Go and enjoy yourself in your swim dress!

[sparklefarts]

X post I meant your sentence 'at least with this...'

[ShotsFired]

OK, well I won't be swimming properly as such, just splashing about in the water enjoying the sun.

I think I will go for it, but also buy 1-2-3 other types/colours/styles - at £16 it's hardly going to break the bank. The 24 fitted perfectly, so I'll go for a 22 and if it fits by the time holiday comes, then I'll take it as a sign from above!

There are also some styles on ebay that are more of a dress dress, than swimsuit with attached skirt: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-red-Striped-One-piece-Swimdress-swimsuit-swimwear-18-20-22-/272575256357?hash=item3f76c05725:g:GIYAAOSwHMJYKN6N

[ShotsFired]

Thanks for all the comments too, much appreciated.

[PhyllisNefler]

I am 18-20 and tbh I don't think any swimwear is slimming on me, so I go for something that I am comfy in. I have bikini tops that I never wear, I feel too exposed. And I know other holiday makers don't give a stuff what I look like- but I won't be relaxed pulling at something that basically feels the same as going out in my bra and pants 🙈

I am most comfortable in longer leg styles of swimsuits. I have a couple from Debenhams. My ass and thighs aren't pretty, and I have to inject them regularly too so there is often a fetching bruise. Something like the attached is supportive of nork and doesn't wedge up my bum.