Plus size swimwear

[coneyislandoldspot]

I’m sat browsing for some swimwear for my upcoming holiday. I’ve gone onto yours as they have some lovely pieces usually, I’m a size 18-20 for context.

Of the first ten items on the page, only three are actually a swimming costume in the traditional sense. The rest are dresses, or shorts. AIBU to think this just isn’t fair?! The implication is that we should be hiding our bodies when we want to go swimming. It really annoys me that it’s 2026 and even when swimming we’re being told as plus size women we need to cover our bodies 😠

I buy mine from bravissimo as they sell ‘proper’ swimming costumes for swimming. But obviously for the bigger busted. They have a fairly good range of speedo costumes but also more beach friendly costumes (d cup upwards). Not cheap though.

Bloomchic look like they have some nice ones. But my issue is that yours are meant to be a plus size retailer who champion body confidence, but their swimming suit collection is the exact opposite! Scrolling a little further down they had a full wetsuit ffs

I'm the opposite to you because I prefer the cover ups and get irritated that the default when searching online for women's swimming costumes feels like basically walking round in your knickers. But I did get a proper swimming costume from Miss Mary of Sweden - I looked there because I buy their bras, so I know they fit OK.

(Having said that, I wear swim shorts over it anyway. 😀)

Edit - have just seen your post about Yours being for plus sized people so should be building their confidence - yes, fair point!

It just feels like we’re going backwards, with all the celebrities on GLP-1s (I am too, but I was dangerously obese), I’m just starting to get some confidence in my body and then to see that feels like a knock back

I know.

I don’t want to wear a granny costume or cover up as I don’t really get embarrassed about my body.

Plus my issue is my bust (and tummy) so I’m not that big but the options in normal shops are awful.

Just seen your message about wetsuits - I might check it out as I really struggled to buy a wetsuit that actually fitted my body but didn’t swamp
my arms and legs. I am not designed for a wetsuit.

I do understand they need to be sold, but putting them front and centre when you’re meant to be all about body positivity is a slap in the face

No it isn't. You're taking this far more personally than is necessary.

There are plenty of size 18 / 20 traditional swimsuits available.

Pour moi do some lovely costumes. I’m a 18-20 and really love their colour block swimsuits - I have various colours. I have different colour ways from previous summers. I have the black and white one tho and the fit is great and it looks lovely on.

It absolutely is to fill your first page of “plus size swimwear” with dresses, shorts and a wetsuit. The implication is that you should be wearing those, not a swimming costume. If you’ve never struggled with body confidence/weight I don’t think you’d understand.

Have you tried simply be?

I am also large but I don’t feel the same as you. I started getting the more cover up ones as I was swimming in an outdoor pool, so for warmth, but I’ve decided I much prefer them. I don’t see why I should have to show more of my body than I’m happy with, shave bits and pieces etc just to go swimming.

OP- I'm not sure if you are looking for recommendations or just a rant but I've posted this one many times. I have it in a size 20. I have H cup boobs and its the only suit I've worn without wires! I have the bikini pants but it used to have a swim short option too. Also very reasonably priced!

www.matalan.co.uk/p/clothing/black-tummy-control-wrap-front-tankini-top/14307768/?switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=14307772&creative=756575473826&keyword=&matchtype=&network=g&device=c&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22642683506&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22642683506&gbraid=0AAAAADw_vh0vNmtybfbPIy52mWaRBBSUY&gclid=Cj0KCQjww8rQBhDjARIsAE43KPMObdCvRBCR_5dVJMtuSk78rKwYI8UJsQCVGizevVLADMnY0tL0rNIaApSSEALw_wcB

That’s lovely!

I really like this one, but it’s on the expensive side!

https://bloomchic.co.uk/products/ruffled-trim-ruched-one-piece-swimsuit-1?variant=61534405525874&feed_id=gg51703460&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=22149567050&utm_term=177452597447&utm_content=730052786867&_tgid=pla-2477900885213&_nwid=g&_dv=m&_gclid=Cj0KCQjww8rQBhDjARIsAE43KPM7A8823Dbv96cDyhgcBnAsqG8MIHXizZkgh9Am4eV0NI11Jno2l8caAn12EALw_wcB&_kw=&bc_id=52881101&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22149567050&gbraid=0AAAAABp8iy2nKI-ozsQCIQ3_nkcRlY9FO&gclid=Cj0KCQjww8rQBhDjARIsAE43KPM7A8823Dbv96cDyhgcBnAsqG8MIHXizZkgh9Am4eV0NI11Jno2l8caAn12EALw_wcB

I totally get that! I just wanted to find a nice swimming costume and it felt a bit like they were saying “you have to cover up”

Here are some of the Miss Mary ones - I think I've got the Riviera one but can't remember now. Hope you find something nice OP!

Swimwear for women - Shop at Miss Mary

It's because even the plus size clothes are designed based on patterns that were based on much smaller body sizes and just sized up.

This doesn't alter the dimensions to account for bigger belly coverage where as shorts and dresses cover everything they're supposed to, it's nothing more than industry cost cutting it's often not that noticable in standard clothes that cover a larger area on every body.

Companies like Snag design their patterns on bigger bodies which is why they cover more area.

I have some m and s tummy control swimsuits. They are great. I am a 16 but know that they go to bigger sizes.

Have a look at simply be.

I know the ethics etc and I do try and justify it to myself that it’s only occasion but I get my swimwear off SHEIN now, as well as my cover ups I had this one, and I got loads of compliments on it.

I don’t want to wear shorts though. I want to wear a normal swimsuit

https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/swimwear/swimsuits/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23791593834&gbraid=0AAAAAB15JuxUkIYsJo2VW_4IyJPyLZxo4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Jmr1efRlAMVWJpQBh3jPRUWEAAYASAAEgJhAvD_BwE

The implication is that we should be hiding our bodies when we want to go swimming.

That is a bit of a leap. Companies are there to sell products they think their customers will buy do they can make a profit. They are not implying anything, they will have done their market research looked at past sales/trends and think the range they have appeals to their customer base.

Fair enough, I just like not worrying about stray pubes 😂 simply be have loads

I like this one, but then I like animal print

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/RZ179/product/details/show.action

I have some from Landsend which are great and support me wonderfully while doing Aquafit.

I am the same size and have the opposite problem - I can never just go into a shop and buy a skirt costume! I wouldn’t l consider one without a skirt so bit of a pain to always have to go online.

I've got some high-waist bikinis from Shein. I don't want a frumpy granny costume which is all the high street wants to offer me.