Swimwear that’s not revealing…

[MagnoliaStory]

Just to start by saying that I haven’t been swimming for 8 years after putting on a ton of weight after having my babies. Totally my issue, but I didn’t feel comfortable wearing swimwear.

I’ve worked hard on my diet and fitness and recently lost 4.5 stone and I’m back to a size 10 and happy with how I look, but I’m still struggling with the idea of wearing a swimming costume.

I’ve booked to take my DC to a swimming pool water park with slides next week for half term. They’re very excited!! They’ve both had swimming lessons with instructors, but they’ve never been for a fun swim because of my worries about how I looked 🤦🏼‍♀️

Ive ordered a nice swimming costume from M&S, it’s a kind of magic pull in at the waist and a bright, flattering colour etc. I like it…but it feels revealing. I then ordered some swimming shorts online and they’re like hot pants!! Nothing like I would wear.

So I obviously have a mental block. I wouldn’t wear my underwear around strangers and swimwear is pretty much like underwear.

I’m fine with the top half of the swimsuit, but want to find something like trunks. Has anyone seen swimming shorts for women that look like trunks? I may just go back to M&S and head to the men’s section.

Advice welcome please. I know someone will say that no one else cares what other people look like, but I care and I need to somehow find a solution that means my children don’t miss out. Thank you 🙏

you want board shorts rather than swimming shorts.

As PP said board shorts .. I pair with tankini as am very tall so rarely find a swimsuit I feel totally comfortable with .. the m and a ones are very nice though

Look for board shorts or surf shorts. Brands like Roxy have lots of bright, fun ones if that’s your thing!

Try searching online for 'swimsuit with legs', 'boy leg swimsuit' or 'leg suit' or look at sports supplier websites. There are usually sports options that have a cycle-short type leg. Things like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/swimsuit-legs/s?k=swimsuit+with+legs

Or if you want something that's not tight on the leg, look for surf shorts or board shorts.

These are great : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BMLG5PQP/?coliid=I1STGHZCOPXDAD&colid=1S0PMOUKCDEW3&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

More board short style so not so tight. Still quite short though!

I recently got some 'shorta' from Decathlon which go just above my knee and look like leggings. Really comfy!

Yes I do this too. I hate swimsuits. Men don't walk around with their arse hanging out the back of their costume so why should women?

Almost all swimsuits are too high cut and demeaning imo.

Have you considered a swim skirt?I've bought a couple of plain ones like this over the years from Lands End;they're good quality ;they last and you can mix and match tops.They cover a fair amount and look decent for walking around and about;
https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Chlorine_Resistant_Tummy_Control_SwimMini_/pp/P_41937.html?dwvar_P__41937_sizeVariation=59&dwvar_P__41937_color=HME

I’m a size 10 too but really don’t like showing my cleavage or bum cheeks. The only label I can find that does straight highish necklines, wide straps and a bit of tummy control is Bondi Born but they are £££.

I do some aqua fit classes and have some costumes with short legs, they don't shift around either.

And one with longer legs if you look for aqua cycling or aqua fitness costumes you might find what you're looking for

Look at Lands End for swimming shorts

This isn’t much help as I can’t remember the name, but an ad pops up several times a day on my Facebook timeline for a swimsuit with built-in skirt with shorts underneath. And pockets! It’s quite cute, like a play suit.

i wear some like @MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira with the short legs for proper swimming, you can also get them with longer length legs as I think was also posted.
i do wear a high waisted bikini for regular holiday swimming etc but that’s because my stomach looks like a deflated balloon after having dc and I prefer it hidden!

Men's swim shorts, wear over your costume. Make sure they are ones designed for swimming so you can wear them in the pool though you may find once you are there and everyone else of all sizes are in swim wear you loose your gear

Have a look at decathlon. My swimming costume is an all in one like this one. I've had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. So I like something that covers around all my scars under my armpits, the stretch marks on my stomach and the cellulite on my thighs.

I'm flat as a pancake and honestly I don't think anyone has stared. I just try and concentrate on my kids and blot out everyone else to be honest

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-1-piece-shorty-swimsuit-heva-navy-blue/_/R-p-333276?mc=8646176&c=steel%20blue

I have a couple of pairs of these swim skirts with leggings:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecupper-Womens-Length-Boardshorts-Swimming/dp/B08SQH8JY8/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1VXKU8CRC4U7T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bo3gK_sytV2bs70xidQ6cxPPIll_iMIuz8i91FThM-ZZxaQ1nI3BF8UpNRLbHYfKCkGDWO8rbxCnlzDe1xSBaR0nT-HyWzagcjcQmhGA-yZPZtGPY6WwtZbuGTNbpAjkz9kBwpxUfO695Aj2pWro-p4h71VrIkCO6ALuSt1jH85JpUlXa7XKQlMYx53B1axy_rEaPkEAiFShjCI9L1X9VSOsvhTbKRoe0PJHsS2ys_x26OGvVZ0peA9ImQl9Kt3dpKtVONOxEhS8gNS2BOgxim02v8MIk44ki6EqgU3LJ00.lQWwNBhdnOpFsWXzeV4I2p4arqdu5_GqxLuowXfmdP4&dib_tag=se&keywords=swim%2Bskirt%2Bwith%2Bleggings&qid=1716381731&sprefix=swim%2Bskirt%2Bwith%2B%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-5&th=1

Just bought some shorts swimming bottoms from Mountain Warehouse, weren't expensive either.

Another vote for board shorts.

https://www.mandmdirect.com/01/details/FQ30783/Board-Angels-Womens-Board-Shorts-Black

My dd is at that teenage super awkward phase she does 1 piece swimming suit for support, board shorts and a swim shirt like this.

White Stuff have a couple of swim short/rash vest combos that might be good?
[[https://www.whitestuff.com/p/3892/bay-printed-swim-short/NAVY_MULTI

and the black version:

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/3987/bay-print-rash-vest/BLK_PR

I think that might be Meet Curve. They got terrible reviews on here last summer, about random sizing and being difficult/lengthy/impossible to exchange or refund.

I don’t think so, as they’re not marketed at curvy women. I’m trawling Facebook and Instagram …

I second decathlon. I have this is both colour options and I love it. Stays put and very flattering.