Can somebody please help me with swimwear?

[SemperUbiSubUbi]

My body is vile and I hate it

I decided to take Ds 22mo swimming today, we havent been for ages, I couldnt find my swimming costume so grabbed a temporary one from Tesco on the way. Needless to say it was the last one left and horrible, though it did the trick for today I suppose.

I have put on soooooo much weight in the last Two years so have zero confidence but DS loves swimming so I just have to get over it and get to and from the pool as quickly as safely possible

Now I really need a decent swimming costume that is a size 20, really long as they all seem to drag my boobs down, needs boob support or just underwire, preferably black or a plain dark colour.

Is a Tankini a very wrong thought? I was thinking separates might be easier to get in and out of and not drag me down. Can you buy really long tops that will go over the C-section hangover? Maybe a maternity one?

Somebody please help me, Im still a bit teary from feeling hideous today

i tried a tankini this summer, Im an 18 an just found the top rolled up all the time. I bought a lovely one piece from Debenhams which keeps my ampleness in place! Its dark blue with piping down the front (optical illusion and all that!)
My sister bought one in BHS not as supportive as mine but they sell long length. Worth a look

That what I thought a tankini would do and lets face it if im holding on to/playing with small toddler DS im not going to notice my tummy falling out the bottom of my top am I?

So definitely a longer one piece. Im not even tall, 5ft4, they just all drag my boobs down lower then when they are let loose!

I have found a great swimsuit by Fantasie. I bought it a few years ago though. I'm a size 12/14 (okay, who am I kidding, mostly a 14) but with a rather, ahem, large bosom. The swimsuit seems to hold in my (many) wobbly bits.

I bought it from John Lewis but I think (coud be wrong) that Bravissimo sell this brand also?

I bought this swimsuit at the end of a long day on which I had (purposefully planned to) go round half of London to various specialist shops with no real luck (they either had horrible stuff that fit, or great stuff but not in my size) and ended up in tears. Went to John Lewis for something else and thought "while I'm here I may as well check out their swimsuits" and thank goodness I did!

I've included the paragraph above to explain that I really know what it's like to cry in (many) changing rooms and that you can sometimes find the perfect thing in an unexpected place!

Good luck!

It was a one piece by the way... I find my bosoms (and other wobbly bits) don't get on well with tankinis!

Please don't be too hard on yourself.

Have you tried M&S online? I have their black tummy control swimsuit this one which, although it's not underwired, is flattering. They also do a range of swimsuits that you order by bra size like this. Bravissimo are also good but expensive. Personally I'm not a fan of tankinis - I have never found a flattering one.

My best advice would be to order a selection and try them on at home - the rejects can be returned to store. When you don't feel great there is nothing worse than wrestling with swimwear in changing rooms!

I am a size 18 and have had some really good swimsuits made by Miraclesuit available on line from Figleaves. They aren't cheap but worth it to control the tummy. Also look at Landsend, they have some controlling tankinis, and they last really well. The top is longer and doesn't leave a gap!

Good luck!

Speedo have got quite a few here They do a body shaper range - the Premiere Finesse one here looks good.