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Original poster

Bikini sizing!!

23 replies

Justwishtherewasmoreeffort · 31/05/2023 20:37

And sizing in general!!!

Jeez!!! So to put it in context - I’m 5’7, 10st 10lbs and I’m roughly a size 10-12 (10 in dresses and 12 in well fitted jeans) Im inbetween on the fitness scale - run rarely, walk the dog. Slight mum tum from a cesarean

And I have just bought a pair of Figleaves bikini bottoms in a size 16!!! 😣Also bought the size 12 and 14 to try on but there’s no way!!!

I mean is there anymore of a reason to think why us ladies have serious issues with our size/self confidence?! I’m already fairly self conscious wearing a bikini as I’m 40 and definitely do not look like an Instagram ‘influencer’. Anyone else feeling the same???

Before anyone comments that swimsuits are way better - I agree - I’m having to look for a bikini bottoms only as I’m having reconstructive breast surgery in a few weeks and will be wearing a sports bra on holiday with the bikini bottoms. Also - utterly shit to find a sports bra that’s just a sports bra for post surgery support that fastens at the back without the extra straps!!! (Another post altogether!!) but if anyone has any hints that would be fab!!!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 31/05/2023 20:41

Panache does a no wired sports bra that just has a normal bra fastening. Try boobydoo website for a variety of sports bras

Think I have elomi bikini briefs and they are in my normal size (20)

mynameiscalypso · 31/05/2023 20:42

I think it's the same with swimming costumes too. I'm always at least two sizes bigger in them than I am in other clothes (ditto pants but that's partly personal preference).

ThatsNotGoodMelon · 31/05/2023 20:43

I've found this this year!!

I'm a size 10-12, I've recently bought size 12 jeans and dresses and they fit fine, size 12 swimming costumes wouldn't even go over my thighs.

I ended up buying 2 M&S size 16 swimming costumes. I'm 9st12.

Newname211 · 31/05/2023 20:44

No, I actually disagree. Most clothes are vanity sized and are actually way bigger than older equivalents in the same size.

My guess is you are actually closer to a size 16 and your other clothes are just really generously sized.

Stop worrying about what numbers are on the clothes and instead focus on what fits you.

IamChipmunk · 31/05/2023 20:48

I find this too! I normally wear size 8/10 top and 10/12 bottoms my bmi is about 23 so Im not particularly overweight.
I normally size up in pants to 12/14.
My current best fitting tankini is size 10 top and 16 bottoms.
I have a size 14 also for when im slimmer for holiday! It's madness!

In response to a PP i cant wear and entire wardrobe of vanity sized clot

IamChipmunk · 31/05/2023 20:49

Ffs
I cant have an entire wardrobe of vanity sized clothes but all bikinis are 'normal' sized...
And I've tried a lot on!

OpalescentFly · 31/05/2023 20:54

The sizing in knickers and bikini bottoms always seems way off kilter. I wear size 8 trousers but size 12 or medium in knickers and bikini bottoms.

LlynTegid · 31/05/2023 21:06

Sizing in general I agree with you.

Original poster
Justwishtherewasmoreeffort · 31/05/2023 21:31

IamChipmunk · 31/05/2023 20:48

I find this too! I normally wear size 8/10 top and 10/12 bottoms my bmi is about 23 so Im not particularly overweight.
I normally size up in pants to 12/14.
My current best fitting tankini is size 10 top and 16 bottoms.
I have a size 14 also for when im slimmer for holiday! It's madness!

In response to a PP i cant wear and entire wardrobe of vanity sized clot

I’m definitely not an actual size 16 - I used to be an actual size 16 around 25 years ago and know how big I was! I’m a 32 inch underbust measurement and back then at a size 16 I was a 38 underbust measurement

Swimsuit sizing is way off - for the majority of women wearing pretty much next to nothing in a swimsuit/bikini is probably where we feel most vulnerable so to have it that sizing is so off just is so so wrong! I buy a size 10/12/14 knickers - so why a size 16 in swimwear??!

OP posts:
hilbil21 · 31/05/2023 21:36

I'm glad to read this. I'm the exact same (dresses 10, jeans 12) bikini bottoms for this summer..... 16!

thelinkisdead · 31/05/2023 21:37

Also, the style of a lot of bikinis is very sparse so I find I often need to size up just so everything isn’t on display!!

RenoDakota · 31/05/2023 21:41

Freya are great and true to size.

BarbaraofSeville · 31/05/2023 22:03

ThatsNotGoodMelon · 31/05/2023 20:43

I've found this this year!!

I'm a size 10-12, I've recently bought size 12 jeans and dresses and they fit fine, size 12 swimming costumes wouldn't even go over my thighs.

I ended up buying 2 M&S size 16 swimming costumes. I'm 9st12.

Well that makes me feel better because I'm a 14-16 and tried on a size 18 M&S swimming costume because it was in the sale and the only size they had, so I thought at least it would allow me to gauge what size I might need if ordering online.

The 18 was a bit too small 😭

TheFairyCaravan · 31/05/2023 22:14

I wear a size 6/8 in clothes but have to buy a 10 in bikini bottoms and knickers. I tend to buy my swim wear from Next, it’s the only place where I know what I choose will fit. I spent a fortune on bikinis from Pour Moi last year but felt really uncomfortable all holiday.

lovemelongtime · 31/05/2023 22:39

Try Saintsbury zip fronted sports bra. I got one for after Mastectomy and it's great. The zip front is much easier to manage than a back fasting too. Good luck with the op

Divorcedalongtime · 31/05/2023 23:14

Bought from CUPSHE and they didn’t have the bikini I wanted in my size (10) so I bought a size 14, the bottoms are huge (the top is fine but I always need bigger tips anyway), so jo I haven’t found that.

IamChipmunk · 01/06/2023 07:34

@Justwishtherewasmoreeffort you have quoted my post but I was agreeing with you! I find exactly the same issues with bikini sizing.

It was the poster before me who mentioned vanity sizing.

Aprilx · 01/06/2023 07:40

Newname211 · 31/05/2023 20:44

No, I actually disagree. Most clothes are vanity sized and are actually way bigger than older equivalents in the same size.

My guess is you are actually closer to a size 16 and your other clothes are just really generously sized.

Stop worrying about what numbers are on the clothes and instead focus on what fits you.

I don’t think OP is closer to a size 16, although I do think her 10s and 12s must be generously sized. I am OPs height, actually I am an inch taller and at my now age of 53 I have weighed between 8 stone and 15 stone in my life! I was about 10 stone 10 during my late 20s and most of my 30s and was sometimes a 12 but more like a 14, definitely never went near a 16 and not a hope of getting into a 10!

CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/06/2023 07:45

I think it's body shape determined. I'm a short 12-14 (real size, not vanity sized, I'd be smaller in Next, M&S etc) and buy swimwear in my size. A tall friend has to size up in one pieces as she is long waisted. I'm apple shaped so a bikini doesn't need to fit my widest part as that's exposed whereas if you're pear shaped you need bottoms to fit.

Passthecake30 · 01/06/2023 07:47

I’m a size 10 in M&S knickers and buy a size 14 bikini knickers, the 12s did fit but I felt I had muffin tops overhanging. My bmi is 19.8ish so I don’t have that much spare fat!

RampantIvy · 01/06/2023 07:50

Newname211 · 31/05/2023 20:44

No, I actually disagree. Most clothes are vanity sized and are actually way bigger than older equivalents in the same size.

My guess is you are actually closer to a size 16 and your other clothes are just really generously sized.

Stop worrying about what numbers are on the clothes and instead focus on what fits you.

I'm inclined to agree. I am the same height and weigh less than the OP, and there is no way I am a 10 - 12 dress size.

mynameiscalypso · 01/06/2023 08:21

@RampantIvy whereas I am the same height and weight about 10 pounds more than the OP and I'm sitting here in size 12 jeans (which are a bit big) and a size 10 top. (And, if I were so inclined, a size 16 swimming costume. It doesn't really matter if clothes are subject to vanity sizing in the context of this conversation though, the point is inconsistency in sizing between clothes and swimwear.

DryIce · 01/06/2023 08:53

I've always bought bikini bottoms 1-2 sizes bigger than what I normally wear. Not sure if it's thr style being quite skimpy and I like more coverage or if I just have a proportionately bigger bum.

But I've been size 8-12 and the bigger bikini bottoms has always been the case for me

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