Bikini help needed, please.

[KeepServingTheDrinks]

Ok. Been bracing myself to do this for a few days.

Hello lovely stylish beautiful MNers.

You've given me advice before which has always been very helpful, but it's been for DD. This one's for me.

I'm big (size 18) and old (47) and tall (5'8"). But I do exercise a lot, so REASONABLY toned (very, very big belly though. Think 7 or 8 months pg). Relatively small boobed for my size (38C ish).

Going away this summer, and I know I won't be any smaller by the time we go.

I need a bikini I don't feel absolutely horrible in. I don't want to look like I think I'm a model. But I don't want to look like I think I'm my granny either.

I think it might be about the shape of the bottoms. Do I get ones that come up almost to my belly button? I think my stomach's so big, it's either that or small ones which go underneath it. (sorry, that's so hideous. I apologise for picture that might have flashed through your minds if you're still reading. The real-life version is worse).

I went to the 'fat woman are us' shop. And they were lovely. But they mostly had one piece swimming costumes with clever rouching down them. I don't want a 1 piece because I want to tan. So I do want a bikini.

Can anyone clever and kind please give me some dos and don'ts, and maybe some places to shop?

I generally wear dark colours, so I'm not a yellow polka dot bikini type.

Thanks in advance.

[BusterGonad]

Pour Moi do nice ones, I can't really suggest any but the selection is big and lots of plain but pretty ones.

[Hunter007]

Try //www.forluna.co.uk The bikinis are great. Love the quality and nice high waisted pants to hold things in. :)

[KeepServingTheDrinks]

Thank you very much. I'll check these out.

[tierraJ]

Figleaves

[DianaT1969]

Have you looked at Panache? Really good quality IMO. This store doesn't have your top size, unless you want to go down in band to 36 E. but do have 18 bottoms. airymary.com/products/panache-leila-balconnet-bikini-top-non-wired
Or just google Panache swimwear.

Have you checked your bra size on the MN calculator? Might be wise before buying bikini tops online.
. Personally, I love Freya and they go up to 18 bottoms I think.
Also try Brastop for reduced Curvy Kate bikinis.

[specialsubject]

no adult woman of any size looks good in knickers of any size. boardshorts - practical ( dry quickly and cover the pubic hair you need to prevent chafe and camel toe) and look good on everyone. choose your length.

bra top up to you, but remember the rash vest to keep the sun off!

[BusterGonad]

I disagree Special I personally think board shorts are unflattering and dare I say it, frumpy. I'm not sure why you are mentioning pubic hair tbh, surely a bit of grooming and you're sorted??? I for one wouldn't be seen dead (on the beach NOT surfing) in board shorts!

[BusterGonad]

And what's with the rash vest??? Stick s bit of sun lotion on and get your bikini top on. A little ott for a lazy day in the beach!

[KeepServingTheDrinks]

eeek. What are broadshorts? (sorry, excuse my ignorance).

Do you all think big pants (coming up to almost belly button) are the way to go? I think they're the thing that make me feel like I'm dressing like my granny. But I'm not sure what 'style' of bottom I could get away with.

Thank you all for taking the time to comment.

[namechangedtoday15]

Have to say, board shorts look ridiculous on anyone other than pin-thin teens who are actually surfing. I share Busters approach - even if I were, perish the thought, to contemplate board shorts, my H and 13yr old twins would lock me in the hotel room to avoid public humiliation

I agree with Pour Moi - website is great and you can try on at home and send it all back if you hate it all.

[Atalune]

Board shorts- jeeez no way!! Midlife crisis look!

I like the big up to belly button pants with a big waist band that can also be folded down. I think for your shape go for a classic bikini bottom shape, not hipster or boyfriend shape. Fault high legs. Then get a plunge top with wide straps and some detailing to balance it.

Will have a look, but be prepared to spend some ££

[Atalune]

*Fairly

[PlaymobilPirate]

These bikini bottoms are bloody marvellous

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/magisculpt-body-sculpting-control-brief-medium-control-level-2/RO991/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=7205&ifpla:&ci_sku=RO99109&ci_src=18615224&ifdyn:&promo=6230&cm_mmc=Googlebase--Simplybe--Product%20Feeds-_-na&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_7UjrrW2gIVS7DtCh1xKgdREAQYAiABEgLsIfD_BwE&dclid=CMb73JC61toCFZEx0wod8hkHPA#colour:Black,size:28

[specialsubject]

cobblers. damp saggy knickers look a joke and are useless anyway. boardies keep the sun off and dry quickly, also practical for the reaspns above.

but of course this is mn and you are female. yo u must wear ugly impractical clothes because it is fashion.

[specialsubject]

like those godawful tight frumpy giant knickers in the link. soggy for hours and painfully tight. yuk.

[tierraJ]

When I was bigger I just wore normal bikins.

I wore small briefs as I felt that large briefs made my bottom look bigger.

As I have a large chest I always wear halterneck underwired cup size bikin tops.

I get them from figleaves - I've seen a pretty pour moi bikini on there I want to get.

[rubybleu]

Board shorts and rash vests really don’t dry faster than a bikini. Rash vests are gross and damp in particular.

I spent my childhood wearing them. Much more comfortable in a well fitting bikini.

[IJustNeedAUserName]

I'm not sure why, and I seem to be out of step with most posters, but I reckon the "big, 1950s, disguise a tummy" bikini bottoms actually make everyone's tummy/hips/bum look bigger than they really are.

I'm a 16 myself and I'm a big fan of normal bikini bottoms - they have to fit, sadly no aspirational sizing down - and I'd never be brave enough (or warm enough!) to wear them in this country, but I reckon they're a better bet

[verite]

Think we have had similar discussions about bikini bottoms. I think the retro 50s big knickers are very cute. But not the most flattering. I only wear them at my slimmest. If I’m not, I wear mid level briefs. So below my belly button but not super skimpy (or I feel too exposed).

[BusterGonad]

Special I don't want to be practical.....I actually enjoy looking pretty on the beach, and enjoy the sun on my skin....and guess what my husband wears short shorts on the beach, because, Shock horror, he also enjoys looking nice and getting a bit of sun on his skin too!
Fair play to you though Special you go for it!

[specialsubject]

bollocks, (for want of the equivalent female term) boardies dry much quicker than knickers. Rash vests come off after swimming, rinse off the salt and dry in minutes. Keep the salt on and they stay clammy. Science 101.

It's a free country, those who wish to sit around in soggy knickers with the associated issues may do so. I don't suffer for fashion, apparently I missed the memo that says you must.

those huge granny "tummy tamers" are obviously quite horrible but so are most fashion garments. Let's face, it, whatever you wear on the beach apart from a tent your shape will show. So what?

enjoy the trip. No-one is looking which is why I think comfort is so important. Or even if they are looking, it is still important.

[Tinkobell]

Lots of people have the belly dilemma...myself included. I personally think if you go high waisted it's unflattering. I like slightly lower but not hipstery but with those thick contrasting hip band which sort of folds over ....will try and find a pic. Xxxx

[Tinkobell]

Look up figleaves Panache bikini briefs .....they're flattering. Most of mine are a bit like that.

[Roussette]

keepserving I am a biggish girl and believe me when I say the bottoms that come up to your waist are not the way to go! My friend who is a size 10 looks fabulous in them, sort of betty boo type thing, whereas I think bigger women look like they have incontinence pants on.

The best to suit me are as the picture here with the foldover bit on them that you can pull up as far as you like, or not. They suit me anyway and I am no shrimp .

I've just bought a bikini in matalan that had perfect size bottoms and an even better one in Tesco with bottoms just like the picture but in a print.

[Oldraver]

I would get some bottoms like These

Pour Moi have some lovely sets but you have to search it out from the newer cut away pornalike stuff