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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you slightly larger or maybe less confident women what you wear.to swimming pool? :(

91 replies

floatyflo · 26/07/2013 22:30

Going away in a week. There will be a fab swimming pool, with huge flumes and slides.
Went two years ago with dp but was slimmer then :(

Really want to go again this year, especially as ds is old enough to go too :)

Thing is I am dreading it. Feel huge in all the wrong places and swimwear is not my friend. Its just all the getting in and out of the pool and walking around to go from one jacuzzi or slide or pool to the next. And other members of our family are going this year. If it were just dp, I might've been ok!

Anyway I am rambling now. Reason for posting is if anyone has any good tips/ideas on what I could wear so am covered up without looking obviously fat and self conscious iyswim?!

OP posts:
Original poster
floatyflo · 26/07/2013 23:02

Boardshorts look like a fab idea. Can cover upper leg, and not skin tight like cycling shorts!

And when the inevitable losing costume up my big bum after shooting down a flume happens, no-one shall view my shame Blush Grin

I've got that excited feeling back now. Thank you everyone :)

OP posts:
Original poster
floatyflo · 26/07/2013 23:07

zzzzz I wouldn't walk around in front of my poor ol' Dad in my undies so why a swimsuit?!

When I was a teen, I was so slim, but thought I was huge and I incredibly self conscious. The amount of trips to the pool or swims in the sea I missed out on, its unreal. If I could go back and tell my 17yr old self something...

But its funny really, because I think even if I was slim, toned gorgeous size 10, I still would be on the low self esteem train.

OP posts:
Juustanothermnetter · 26/07/2013 23:07

Floaty me too! Am off next week with my 2 babies, dh, then dh's mum, dad, 2 brothers (and gorgeous size 6 wives) and sister in law... Am terrified after 2 babies in 2 years my body is not what it used to be :(

My compromise has been - lovely 1 piece with bold prints for pool (plus hat/sunnies/wrap). And for walking/beach etc a tankini top and short board shorts.

Good luck!

EweHaveGoatToBeKiddin · 26/07/2013 23:14

Hello.

I'm a size 10 but incredibly body conscious. I have cellulite and very untoned legs. And a tummy that seems to be constantly bloated.

Anyway, due to my stretchmarked tummy (which looks like it's been scratched by a wild cat) i only ever wear a one piece. I bought a plain cheapo one from george/asda and then bought these shorts from New Look. www.newlook.com/shop/womens/trousers-and-shorts/miss-real-light-green-and-black-leather-look-cut-out-shorts_269755931

Because of them being 'leather' they look like swim-wear material and don't go see through in the water either. So i just fired them over my swimsuit to cover my bum cheeks and my upper thigh.

But, really, you can wear whatever you like. When i was on holiday i saw a woman wearing a cardigan - just a normal, full sleeved cardigan - atop her swimming costume in the pool.

SuperiorCat · 26/07/2013 23:15

You might be better posting in S&B - you'll get some fab advice and suggestions

Putthechocolatedownandbackaway · 26/07/2013 23:16

If you're looking for something more covering than a tankini, try googling 'modest swimwear' - comes up with loads of results from swimdresses to burkinis. I found a great site that sold swim t shirts and shorts in uv-protecting swimsuit fabric, and now can't find it, grr.

defineme · 26/07/2013 23:16

I really rate Resort swimwear.
When I'm on holiday I wear a pull on strapless maxi dress as a cover up and get to the edge of the pool in a towel and just leave it at the edge.
However, at somewhere like Splash Landings the alton towers swim park or center parcs I just have to think sod it and remember to hold my tummy in. I've seen women wearing swim burkhas in those places so I don't feel silly in cover up swimsuits.
Swim shorts are great.

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 26/07/2013 23:17

Thanks for the links! :)

Putthechocolatedownandbackaway · 26/07/2013 23:22

Ooh, found it

ukswimstore.com/product-category/cover-up-swimwear/

TwinkleSparkleBling · 26/07/2013 23:22

I have adopted the approach that I know I am fat, different styles of swimsuit etc will not hide this fact. Therefore I am going to wear what I want to not what I think I should.

I know when I wear my bikini on holiday some people will look and judge but do you know what? That's their issue, I don't give a fig and intend to have a fab time with my family.

Remember that's what's important.

On a practical note, I have found isme have a good range of styles & sizes.

ArtyFartyQueen · 26/07/2013 23:22

I have a couple of swim dresses from Simply Be which are really comfortable and quite flattering (I think!) because the sight of me in a swimming costume is not the best sight but once I'm actually in the swimming pool, I don't care as can't really tell what people are wearing/look like can you and I think especially on holiday, people are relaxed and just having fun.

Hope you can find something to make you feel comfortable :)

Jinty64 · 26/07/2013 23:29

I have the same one as Jeee and ThePortlyPinUp and I love it!

PostmanPatAlwaysRingsTwice · 26/07/2013 23:42

I've just bought that sports direct boy leg suit now!

Am fancying board shorts for going on holiday, just need to find some bigger than a 14...

Beastofburden · 26/07/2013 23:58

Floaty flo, your family love you though. If anything happened to you, they would care. I bet if they thought that you were worried about wobbling in front of them, to the point of it spoiling your holiday, they would be upset.

It's not a competition, being a bit larger than you were two years ago is not a moral failing. Especially as you have ds.

Most of the time you will be underwater, or going past very fast on a flume. Or covered in spray from ds. They will looking at you having fun with your lovely ds and thinking didnt she do well to be such a good mum. And they probably won't have their contact lenses in anyway.

Wear something that won't ride up and that your boobs don't fall out of when you move, and then forget about it.

ribena71 · 26/07/2013 23:58

I bought these... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Missy-Board-Shorts-UK-6-8-10-12-14-16-18-4-Cols-/350329969550?pt=UK_Women_s_Shorts&var=&hash=item51914b1b8e and they're a lot nicer than they look in the picture! They're not as ''puffy' as other board shorts that I've had and they look okay with a tankini top. :)

ribena71 · 27/07/2013 00:00

Just to add, this says that they come up small but I'm a 16/18 and the size 16/18 fits me perfectly. :)

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 27/07/2013 00:03

I wear an ordinary one piece swimsuit - I have one that is black with a blue stripe up each side and a blue "wave pattern" one and I wear a t-shirt over them.
I have lots of tattoos so have always tended to get stared at regardless of how large I have been (am currently of beached whale proportions) but I find that my boobs float out of the top of my swimsuit so I wear a t-shirt just in case I pop right out, so as not to scare anyone! My cossies are both size 24, one from ASDA and one from Evans iirc and just to say go round me - I wear a 26/28 in trousers and am a 54-56 inch chest so bigger than a 24, but couldn't afford "posh" big cossies.
I think though that I have long ago gone past caring what anyone else thinks of how I look - I just don't care anymore Grin
Wear what you want to wear, and have a lovely time and bollox to anyone else Grin Enjoy you holiday!

sweetestcup · 27/07/2013 00:04

I couldn't care less what folk think of me, normally I just wear a normal swimsuit but for this years holiday Ive treated myself to a swimdress from Simply Be because Im fed up with it riding up and showing my tummy, so at least the skirt bit will cover that! Im a size 22 and have came down from a size 26/28 so feel positively slim! But seriously as folk say its all about confidence,why shouldn't you enjoy swimming and the water just because you are large, that's my attitude.

sweetestcup · 27/07/2013 00:05

Cant link to it as Im on my phone but its lovely, red and red gingham.

IneedAyoniNickname · 27/07/2013 00:47

I.bought a cheap swimsuit from simply be, its so short in the body, that even on my 5ft1 person, if I make it fit on the leg my boobs fall out the top,.and if I pull it up my hanging gut practically falls out the leg holes :( last time I wore it I had leggings underneath.

However. I saw those boy short ones when someone on here linked them a couple of weeks ago

IneedAyoniNickname · 27/07/2013 00:48

Sorry hit post

And am buying one next week.

uselessinformation · 27/07/2013 02:02

Swimming costume with men's flowery swim shorts and uv rash vest on top whether indoor or out. The rash vest adds a bit of warmth too. I have decided not to bother about what others think about me as I won't be seeing them again.

MorganMummy · 27/07/2013 02:10

Saw the aqua aerobics leader in costume and board shorts today at the pool and she looked great (although of course as a fitness instructor was thin too).

Personally, I wear a one piece and tell myself:

A) people aren't noticing/caring about you
B) if anyone is thinking I look bad, it probably makes them feel better about themselves so no problem.

I used to care but then I had DS, put on three dress sizes, and am generally too busy with him to feel as self-conscious as before. I swear knowing you are doing the snooty ones a favour by giving them something to look down on really actually works; though it sounds negative, it makes me really confident.

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