Tummy in, tits out, deep breath .....

[schoolholidaymeanshotcrossmum]

.... I am going swimming costume shopping. Four months after having dc2. Fuck. I wasn't that slim to start with.

Fuck.

By the end of the day i need something that

• is not hideous
• covers my tummy
• works for fat hour glass
• is less than fifty pounds
• will not show my tits if I splash in the waves

I want to cry and its only 9.20. Any help appreciated, even if its a) telling me I'm gorgeous or b) whipping me for going to stop for coffee (not the time to console with cake....did i mention the tummy?)

Thanks. And. Breathe.

I take option a) You are gorgeous, and that body has created life itself, so it is beautiful too.

Now that I've probably made you feel nauseous, have a cup of tea and I'll go take a look [cgrin]

snigger, thanks.

OK have discovered that I need more info; are we talking frolicking in the sea swimwear, doing laps at the pool swimwear or bobbing up and down at baby swimming swimwear, or does it need to do all 3?

Swimsuits are tough, aren't they? Take it you aren't going to "do a Nigella" then.

1. Always try on more than one size (erring on the large side iyswim!)

1. If you want norkage security, then don't go for a halterneck.

1. Stay away from the tankinis (they never cover the tum!)

1. Remember you are gorgeous, and if the swimsuit doesn't look nice it's the swimsuit's fault, not yours.

M&S will be worth a look and I think Debenhams have a reasonable selection.

If you have no luck at the shops, Lands End have some nice swimsuits - generally quite expensive (cheapest suitable one-pieces are c£69 full price) but there are a couple of sale bargains to be had: here

Good luck and we want a report back!

FebreezeYourJeans All 3 I think - (optimistic) kids are 4.5 and 4 months so probably more like 1 and 3.

cruelladepoppins Off in to town shortly....eeeek. Halternecks have flattered me before, so I think I might be okay if not too stringy. Nigella is part of the reason I'm in this mess.... (too much cooking, not enough gymming)

about to leave and lovely baby has been sick on my most slimming trousers... again... deep breath ...

Sounds strange but seriously try Tescos for swimsuits, they have some lovely ones in. I got mine from there last year and its the most flattering swimsuit ever and I am so chuffed to bits with it its unreal, and I am no skinny minnie.

I did go up a size up as I found the fit more flattering and then promptly cut out the tag.

I can recommend lands end too, mine was cheap in the sale and has a pattern so 'interesting' that it distracts from all wobbly bits.Def look at patterns even if you don't like the look of them as they can be oddly flattering.

sparkle - tesco - genius. will give it a go. (with you re: tag cutting - I once bought trousers I didn't really like because I could get into them size 10 - I had more money back then!!)

right I'm off, thanks ladies!

Debenhams? Claims to be a slimsuit!

M&S

M&S great reviews

sparkle - you are lucky - I live in Sticksville and it's about the only place Tesco are trying to get out of - they have had planning permission for years for an extension that they haven't built yet, and a very limited selection of clothes because there is no room.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'm still talking to myself which is good. Though met friends for lunch and they had burgers while I had salad. Grrr.

Tried a few on, surprisingly fatface are winning so far. Shape wear ones seemed to age me.

I have a really good one from, ahem, Sainsbos. It has tummy control....which works. Have been wearing it for baby swimming and still holds me in even when bobbing DS in and out of the water..... worth a look imo.

oooh oooh thank you virgo

I like this one too