If you’ve lost a lot of weight…

[SesameSparkle]

...What style of swimsuit do you wear?

I’m now happy ish with my figure clothed, and I’m learning how get the best from my new shape. But finding a swimming cossie is an ordering, trying and sending-back disaster.

My problem areas are loose/flabby skin around my lower belly and empty boobs. I need low/brief-cut legs and something to contain the extra belly skin. Possibly a bit of ruching. I need some delineation between bust and belly, but overly supportive or push-up tops are problematic, as I often end up with empty cups or a weird shaped bust. I think I’m looking for a one-piece, though I’m not against trying a bikini if something flattering even exists (though not sure how that would contain the belly issue).

Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone found a style that works?

[Alcea]

I wear a tankini top and bikini bottoms, or briefs that are slightly bigger than bikini bottoms. I find the tankini much more flattering than a swimming costume.
I have one from Boden that I bought a few years ago, it gifts great support and looks really stylish.

I lost 4 stone a few years ago, and have loose tummy skin and stretch marks after 3 babies too. Not confident enough to wear a bikini 😭

[SesameSparkle]

Thanks Alcea, I hadn't been thinking of tankini.... Although this brings back memories of wearing a top that slides up and bottoms which slide down, leaving an exposed bit in the middle....

[Groupie123]

I had lower belly fat too. To be honest only the skirted suits/swim dresses looked any good when I was overweight.

[Bombardier25966]

I tried allsorts on and eventually went for a Speedo one. I didn't think they would be very supportive but it is. Practical rather than sexy, but it pulls in the right bits and pulls up the others!

[Mrsmaudwatts]

I have just the thing! I'll find a link, it's perfect, I tell you, perfect!

[SesameSparkle]

I have a speedo, a bit like this one, with an underbust seam. Mine's too big for me now, although I did end up wearing it again in desparation. I suppose I could replace with another one if I can work out the speedo sizing, but I think as I've lost quite a lot of bust volume since, I'd probably end up looking very flat chested.

I think the belly issue is just about having something that will hold everything in place, as I'm happy enough otherwise in tight leggings/trouser now.

The bust issue is making it all so much harder however.

[Mrsmaudwatts]

This!

http://www.mandco.com/hawaiian-jungle-print-frill-tankini-top-turq/2200872.html?cgid=10010990030&dwvar22008722_color=0190#start=11

There are about 10 different prints. I'm not a huge fan of the prints themselves but the top is The Most Flattering bikini top ever. I get asked about it whenever I wear mine (I have 6! Which I bought last year, I've saved 3 in case they stop selling them!)

[glastogal]

I lost 8 stone and just went bikini.. yes, I had lose skin on my belly, boobs and thighs but I braved it and felt great for being able to do it!!

(Now I'm pregnant and rapidly filling out all those areas so swimmers are a bit more complicated!!)

[SesameSparkle]

I also ordered this one the other day. The low cut legs and the ruching were perfect for me, but unfortunately just there wasn't enough fabric to contain my bust.

[SesameSparkle]

Mrsmaud thanks, I'm not crazy about the style, but I can see that this would be a flattering shape on the right person. I'm looking for something a bit tighter all over.

glasgo that's great to hear that you just went for it!

[ASDismynormality]

I bought myself this one, it's from Sainsbury's so very cheap but looks good.

[Mrsmaudwatts]

Honestly, it's really worth a try as it gives you a nice shape too. It's better irl, although the patterns are eye watering. They had a plain one and a giraffe print last year which are my faves.

For tight, with boob space - bravissimo? I have a beautiful one but I bloody shrunk it 😩

[SummerSazz]

I bought this one the other day(and the bra bikini top too)

[PhyllisWig]

I said fuck it and bought one from Asda with palm trees in my tits.

Not very helpful but cathartic

[SesameSparkle]

ASD thanks, that's a bit plain but might be worth a try. Also there looks like a few others on their website which look nice.

mrsm I haven't really got the bust volume for a bravissimo suit, just the skin unfortunately

summer that's lovely, but sadly I've already tried and returned a joules cossie - and they all seem pretty much the same fit on the cups.

[SesameSparkle]

Thanks Phyllis, I think this would be my fuck it swimsuit, if it wasn't for the dodgy tan lines and being sold out in my size ...

I've only just realised Sainsburys free delivery is only click and collect to a big store - if I've got to go to a big store, I might as well see what they have in real life. So that will have to wait for the weekend.

I've also just picked up 2 seafolly suits from asos. They have moulded cups that could stand up on their own, which are unfortunately completely different to the shape of my boobs.

[MiniCooperLover]

ASDismynormality, I have that black Sainsbury's swimsuit and while it looks plain it's so flattering on 👍

[delilahbucket]

I wear tankinis. I get the bottoms with either a high waist or fold up so if the top rides up (happens a lot to me as my waist is narrow compared to my hips) I'm still covered. I've bought halternecks this year and think they are far more comfortable and flattering.

[PorklessPie]

I lost 5st last year. I wear this one it has underwire and is the only suit I feel comfortable in.

[kneesupfatty]

I have recently bought this swimsuit and absolutely love it!
It is so flattering and, I think, looks quite glamorous in an understated, slightly retro way. It is pricey, but I bought with 40% off (which they do relatively regularly).

[SesameSparkle]

Ooh, interesting to see another vote for the Sainsbury's. I've just ordered it to try, along with this paisley halter neck.

Yesterday's delivery is already on its way back to ASOS and I've ordered 3 more swimsuits and also some big/high waist bikini bottoms - bit of a long shot, but I thought I saw the matching top in my local John Lewis.....

Also interesting to see tankinis are still very popular. I guess I'll see how I get on with the one pieces, but it's definitely worth bearing in mind.

Porkless, that's cute and I like the vintage style, but I need a brief-cut lower leg, not a shorts-cut which does strange things to my thigh flab.

Knees, that's also cute and I like the ruching, but a little pricey. That's not going to stop me browsing to see what else they have on offer....

[saoirse31]

I love that mrsmaud!

[SesameSparkle]

The new swimsuits have started to arrive...

I haven't picked up my sainsburys order yet, but I've been buying lots of seafolly to try, in the sale from various places.

This style looked right up my street, what with all the ruching, and the support in the chest area. But the moulded cups were a complete disaster, and the body of the suit looked very frumpy on.

This one piece, however was a nice surprise. The top part of the suit was lovely on. The bust gave a natural shape, without the padding taking over, and with good support. As I'd sized up, it didn't look as revealing as on the model. It also has a built in bra, which stopped my bust from merging with the rest of me. However the knicker part of the lining was too mobile and gave me a pot belly, so it's going back.

I would love to know if anyone has seen anything else similar in shape to the second one? I especially liked the softer in built bra and lower cut shape for sunbathing. I also thought maybe the style seemed flattering for drawing the eye upwards, away from my flabby middle and thighs.

[wiltingfast]

My two best togs are a tankini and a one piece from seafolly

Pricy, but worth it because you are comfortable in what you are wearing.

[Notagainmun]

I have lost four stone, am in my forties and braved a bikini. Mid hip, firm bottoms and strapless very supportive top and had a sheer sarong for walking around and drapped it across my tummy when sitting on the sun bed.