Yikes - plus sized swimwear in Rural France 😬😬😬

[anon666]

I'm in the Tarn-et-Garonne region, on the Aveyron River, about midway between Montauban and Albi.

I've had a really really tough six months, too much to go into here, but I've been "autopiloting" through my life and have put on two stone. 😭

That's hideous in itself. But I'm now on holiday with the fam, in the middle of nowhere in rural France. I've only got my size 16 swimsuit, trued it on and it's hopeless. I'm going to need a size 20 or 22.

Suddenly occurred to me - the French don't really do plus size clothing like we do. Am I going to be able to get one, or will I have to ride out the week without swimming?

For context, it's a massive heatwave, we've got no aircon, and so the family are likely to spend every day swimming in various municipal pools, lakes, water parks etc.

This just didn't occur to me in advance as self-care has been very far down the list. 😔

Amazon??

Black vest top and big pants ?
Or any colour but I wear a lot of black hence suggesting.....

There seems to be a Decathlon in Montauban www.decathlon.fr/store-view/magasin-de-sports-montauban-0070012700127 that might be a good place to try?

Amazon do premium 1 day delivery to France for 7.99 (or they did in February anyway).

Could you just wear vest or T-shirt top and shorts and get them wet? We are in lake Garda at the moment and I have seen lots women in similar- as a precaution against the heat I think.
Google suggests Montauban has a decathlon and inter sport which would sell swimming costumes but I'm OT sure what size. Or you could get Mens board shorts and pair with a t shirt?
Hope you have a good holiday

Get on the internet? I just typed "maillot de bain plus size" into amazon.fr and got plenty of hits.

Bonjour fellow Brittanique en France. Of course the French do plus sized clothing 😂 Not all of us are size 8s. My go to is Vinted, it's cheap and quick and you can get some great brands on there (size options go up to a UK30+). Otherwise Kiabi, Gemo and C&A all have plus size ranges. I got some swimsuits from SheIn last year and they were pretty good, no colour loss or fabric wear n tear and they no transparent in the water ☺️

Black cycling type shorts and a vest or vest or tshirt with pants. No one will notice and if you are somewhere public just shove a towel around yourself quick!

They don't go transparent in the water that should say!

Leclerc used to do quite big sizes, more than Decathlon. There are two in Montaubon

I was also going to suggest the nearest Decathlon - there is one just outside Montauban. You can normally do a Click and Collect type order. Just checked and there is a plus size section on the website "maillots de Bain grande taille" e.g. www.decathlon.fr/p/maillot-de-bain-1-piece-aquagym-femme-mary/_/R-p-313066?mc=8577802&c=BLEU_TURQUOISE
Good luck!

You won't be allowed to swim in municipal pools without a proper swimsuit and swimming cap by the way.

I would try a hypermarket -carrefour,le clerk etc often have plus size clothes... Or Kiabi have plus size swim wear on their website if you can find one near you... Or c and a that's good for plus size.clothes

Failing that asos? Or la redoute for online shopping?

If outdoors what about a rash vest?

If there is a Decathlon anywhere nearby they will likely have something.

Thank you all so much. 😭😭😭 I hadn't realised how bad I felt about my weight till the moment I had to stay home while dh and kids went swimming.

I'm really touched and grateful to you all for your kindness, its made me feel so much less shameful.

❤️❤️❤️

Are you driving - there's a large auchan not far

Have a wonderful holiday! Hope you get sorted x

I’m in French belgium
and decathlons definitely have plus sized swimming costumes, I was lo ok I got at them yesterday.

I am in Leclerc Montauban. Spotted a swimwear shop, asked the lady for help. The swimsuit is €175. 😱

That was in one of the concessions

I'd probably have bought it out of desperation if it fit, but it was too small on the bust 😭

Swimwear specific shops are always bizarrely expensive - boutique prices I think. I mistakenly went in one once! Spending that much on clothing is not my thing at all.

@anon666 Please don’t feel shame, that made me feel so sad. You are more than what you weigh and come across as a lovely and kind person! Good luck with finding something and have a wonderful holiday x

I would go for bikini bottoms with a good black bra and a t-shirt/dress. I've done this myself and it was fine.