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 😠

Have a look at Shein OP I’m a tall size 18 and have some lovely swim wear from there.

I got a lovely swimming costume from Tu in a size 20 but they had bigger sizes.

Oh I love that! It’s a lovely colour too

Yeah I love the colour and the wide adjustable straps are good for my ample bust, can't be doing with spaghetti straps.

Have you looked at Deserve Clothing?

I haven't tried their swimsuits but I love the fit of their bikinis, they're high waist and good coverage on the bum that doesnt budge when swimming (UK20 for context).

https://deserveclothing.com/collections/swimsuits

I worked in retail and every time a plus size collection did come, like what you said it would never sell so they don’t make it! Now and again a item would but it was so rare

A wetsuit is totally different from a swimming costume. It’s nigh on impossible to buy a wetsuit for plus size. It’s designed to keep you warm in cold water.

Actually, I think the confidence to put on a wetsuit and go open water swimming is body positivity. Wetsuits must be the most unflattering outfits that exist and the fact that it is so hard to buy one that fits (and they need to fit to be comfortable and do their job), suggests those of us who aren’t slimmer shouldn’t be doing sports that require wetsuits.

So if a website aimed at plus size has them on their front page, I see that as a good thing.

the rest of your points I totally agree with !

I’ve always found the Landsend tugless swimsuits good for larger sizes

Have a look at Ulla Popken https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/swimwear/c/articlegroup_270?query=%2a&filter=CategoryPath%3ASwimwear

I loved their braided one piece so much I replaced it with the exact same one!

They will put on what sells and lots of bigger women want to cover up more as they feel self conscious. It’s ridiculous really, people can see if you’re fat regardless of what you wear, a swim dress or something with even more coverage just brings more attention than just wearing a normal swimming costume or bikini.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su818222/f78303 these are amazingly flattering, lots of colours too!

Whilst I see your point to an extent, I'm an 18-20, I've found plenty of swimsuits without skirts, including Speedo and zoggs ones. The zoggs thermal ones for open water swimming go up to I think a size 26 or 28.

Additionally, seeing as open water swimming continues to be very popular, a plus size wetsuit is just them looking to meet a new demand, because it's a faff getting one to fit as a woman, plus size or not.

Maybe there are so many swim suits with skirts because some women genuinely prefer them.

George at Asda, Tu also do nice plus size swimwear. Again, no skirts.

I think it’s fine, so long as they do still have actual swimming costumes, bikinis and tankinis as well. Wetsuits are great for cold water swimming.

Go to Snag then. They used to just sell great tights for larger sizes, now they sell swimwear, underwear, dresses, skirts, jumpers etc, and they do not mind what sort of figure women have!

However, many of us heavier females do not like to have our skin on show, so we are very happy to wear more supportive, swimsuits, etc. ones that cover-up as much flesh as possible! So I do think that you are being unfair to 'Yours' as they are just fulfilling the age old supply and demand business model.

No one who is fat is under the illusion wearing a swim dress makes them look thinner. It can be because they feel more comfortable covering up a belly overhang that might slip out the bottom of a normal swimming costing, or the worst of cellulite on bum cheeks/very tops of thighs that might be more revealed etc. No one should be labelled "ridiculous" if they feel more comfortable in and choose a swim dress.

Size 18, I bought from Lands' End, www.lamdsend.co.uk - well constructed and decent thickness, plus leg height options

Size 18, I bought from Lands' End, www.landsend.co.uk - well constructed and decent thickness, plus leg height options

I got one from mountain warehouse, but they do sell out fast.

To be fair I'm a 12-14 and swim a lot all year round, and I have also found that buying a new costume that is actually comfortable to swim in has been a complete ball ache recently. I'm not sure that the people that design costumes, actually know about body shape and size...!

I mainly buy mine from Shein or TU. I am an 18 but often a 22 in swimming stuff as I have massive boobs. I'm nearly 50 but don't want to look like a granny in a dress suit. I even wear g-string bikinis as who cares.

I’m a similar size to you OP and have also been browsing the Yours swimwear this weekend.

If you put “swimming costume” into the search bar in the Yours website, it’ll just show you the traditional style swimming costumes. There’s actually quite a lot of them on there.

Whereas the “swimwear” section has everything from all the different styles and ranges in it, including all the swim shorts and swim dresses. No idea what criteria they’re using when it comes to choosing which order they’re shown in, but that’s why the non-traditional ones are in there in the first place.

Have a look at Land’s End. They do a wide range of swimwear in a wide range of sizes.