Vintage-style 'skirted' swimming costume?

[TheScarlettPimpernel]

Does anyone know where I can get one of those swimming costumes that have a kind of skirt type thing attached?? It's not a proper long skirt or anything, just covers up a bit more of your saddlebags

I also need lots of support in the chest department. I have had a look at the Bravissimo stuff but they don't have the style I want.

I am going on my first ever 'sun-based' holiday and this is the first time I've ever had to actually think about what I'd look like beachside/poolside

JD Williams online catalogue had some.

Landsend have a good selection usually.

I saw one in that old lady shop the other day.

Got mine from Bon Marche.

Pam Ferris wore a fabulous one in the Darling Buds of May. I remember her saying in an interview that lots of women wrote in asking about it - which surprised her cos she thought it was hideous

SimplyBe have some and Debenhams used to do a polka dot one with that retro look

Bon Marche!!!! that's the one

Am arfing at Bon Marche - my Mum loves that shop

Thanks for the recommends. I am youngish and gave pretentions (false ones probably but hey ho!) to style, so I am sort of hoping I can find one that's got a 40s vibe rather than telling the TRUTH about the situation which is that I am a big fat fatty bo batty

Loving this one and consiering getting one www.swimwearplace.com/pink-pizzazz-women-swim-dress.html

www.simplyyours.co.uk/shop/product/window/show.action?Rpp=48&Ns=P_PriceFrom|0&LpgUid=11102145&N=4282809308&cm_mmc_o=7BBTkwCjCebMz%201z%20KbMzCjCPBBflCjCW-&promo=6200&pgc=true&promo=6200&cm_mmc_o=7BBTkwCjCebMz%201z%20KbMzCjCPBBflCjCW-&gclid=CMS2lMGMua0CFS9ItAodn0_n8A lots here on Simply Be

Oooo that is adorbs, Mi4. unfortunately my body is so revolting that would look ridiculous on me.

I love some of those simplyyours ones though - love this one but shame about the price tag

I saw a black one with White polka dots in Debenhams last week. It had a tummy control panel, a sort of bra stitched into it and a halter neck strap that can be on or off.

I quite liked it, they're going to be all the rage this year I think.

Here's the Lands End swimwear page which has a number of skirted possibilities.

Or you could go the whole hog and try a little number from here.

M&S have 2 on their website. Can't link from my phone but if you look under 'swimsuits' there is a spotty one and a black halter neck one.

You can also buy swim skirts which you can wear with any swimsuit. BHS usually stock them.

Bon Marche is shit, but my cossie is really nice! Black with polka dots, £16.

Might you like this from ASOS? Also there's another black somewhat frilly one amongst the other suggestions on the left of that page, and a nautical blue and white stripey one with boy leg shorts.

Cyberswim in the states have the 'miraclesuits' which have proper boob underwiring and girdling around the tummy. They are like those concrete underpant/girdles but in swimwear. I have a tankini from there with a skirted bottom- just enough to cover the VW bonnet, it dries quickly just like a swimsuit would. They shipped to me in Oz, so would surely post to England?

Scarlett Pimpernel

As it is your first beach based holiday you will be immune to the fact that 99% of all the other gals on the beach/poolside will have cellulite, saggy boobs, some form of bingo wing and will ALL be bluey white for the first week

Dont worry about covering up, no one else does. I always say on threads like this, no one wil care what you wear, and you may stick out more in a type of swim suit that no one else has. Go bikini!

Have fun

VW bonnet

never heard it called that before but it's disgustingly apt

Arf at the VW bonnet Thanks for that, I shall look...

Cyb that is truly reassuring, thanks pal. Alas a bikini is not an option - I am 3 stone overweight! - but it is good to know I at least won't be pointed and laughed at. I am consoling myself that I am not staying anywhere swish, and I am hoping it will be full of friendly unjudgemental sorts too busy planning a night at the 'disco' to worry about the size of my arse. I'd be much more worried if I were going to a village in Tuscany full of fashionably thin Guardian readers pursing their lips at my cheap H&M clobber!

slapdash this one is perfect!

It is covered up but still looks like the person wearing it considers themselves attractive IYSWIM...

That is truly hideous and ageing. You don,t need that shape and structure for the beach it looks so uncomfortable. Maybe a normal bikini and a sarong. Beaches are for all not just the skinnies( I am not skinny btw) I am 46 and wold never wear that as I think it would draw attention like when nigella wore a burkha!

I think you underestimate the size of my problem!

A bikini is utterly out of the option. We are not talking someone who is a slightly flabby size 12-14. I am only 32, this is true, but my bottom measures something like a size 22 and my thighs are so large I have never worn trousers other than trackie bottoms for walking/gym! This is made even worse by the fact that I have a size 14 waist, so I am altogether ridiculous looking. I don't care about looking aged or feeling uncomfortable, I care about not having acres and acres of my hideous flesh on display

Although plain I like that last one you linked too, you could tie some bright fabric around the waist to accentuate maybe?

Were any of the LandsEnd options any good?

I've found that their control panels good and ditto boob support, and the shapes are good. One of the skirted ones, or matching skirt/shorts over an ordinary cossie, possibly plus a sarong or other cover might work.

you may stick out more in a type of swim suit that no one else has

What Cyb said - someone wearing a swimming costume with a skirt will stand out and make me think "why are they wearing that, what are they trying to hide?". Someone wearing a normal swimming costume (even if 3 stone overweight) would stand out much less.

I do totally understand what you and Cyb are saying Trills and I think you're probably right - but unless you've ever been significantly overweight AND have never really worn a swimming costume in front of anyone other than your DH and your Mum (I'm not joking, either - holidays are normally on Skye or in Norfolk!) then it's hard to understand the kind of guts it would take for me to parade about no more covered up than if I were in my bra and pants. I'm concerned about making myself feel comfortable and relaxed, not what other people think when they look at me, if that makes sense!

totally forgot to look at Lands End Edith, will do so now, ta!