Post CS bikinis

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Hi lovely Style and Beauty-ers.

I am going to be brave this year and get a bikini or two. I'm struggling with the bottoms after 2 C sections, though - please can anyone recommend bikinis that don't have super-low mini briefs? I don't think really high-waisted vintage styles are that flattering either on me picky but what I really want is something that comes about midway between my bikini line/CS scar and my tummy button. Low-rise briefs either sit in my scar or continually roll down into it. I have tested this with pants and medium rise pants seem best. I'm struggling to find bikinis like this, though - they all seem to be either really high or really low!

I'm a 30H top and my tummy is pretty wobbly and stretch-marked, but I would think fuck it if I could find a relatively flattering bikini. Tummy control would be a plus, but not essential. Help!

Somewhat obsessive examination of bikinis online is making me think that I like bikinis where the tummy button is showing. Has anyone tried Fantasie bikinis with a Deep Brief style? They look good - not cheap, though!

I had a really nice pair from Freya turquoise with white polka dots and the bottoms had a foldover band around the top that was really flattering. I'll have a look for something similar

www.lazeme.co.uk/freya-eden-uw-balcony-bikini-top?utm_source=google_shopping&136=264&gclid=CjwKEAjw55K4BRC53L6x9pyDzl4SJAD_21V1mwuAmfz_A9I2JNlf_E9Oc5iajoT6lBlPcZEegHYH-xoCJ1Lw_wcB

No idea how to make link clicky but bottoms were a bit like this

I found really nice bottoms in asda of all places last week.

I'm a 34j on top so buy all my bikini tops from bravissimo which I don't mind forking out for but grudge paying £25 for bottoms when the shops are full of cheaper ones.

Asda had a nice black pair that have a thick fold over waistband that you can wear either folded down or "flip" it up over your belly.

Bravissimo bikinis usually have a choice of different style bottoms. I quite like the little shorts. They often have sale items although still not that cheap!

I agree with Freya ones. I have a few pairs, mainly the kind of textured ones, halterneck, which are really pretty, and have nice straps and tassle type details. Sorry, can't remember the name, but I think they do them every year. They're low cut enough to avoid the mumsy look but high enough to cover the c-section overhang (I share your pain, I had two CSs too!).

Have remembered, I think the Freya ones I have are called Spirit.

Just posting to follow. I've always loved Victoria Secrets suits in the past, but the pictures they post are absolutely useless in telling me if the bikini will cover my c-section scar and slight bloop over the scar. Would love to get back into a bikini. :(

Oooh, thank you! I like those Freya ones and I haven't come across that Lazeme website before, Katienana, brilliant!

Onamission, yes, bloody bikini bottoms are so expensive! They're just pants, fgs, how can companies charge £25 for them? Buying plain black would be a good plan for sourcing cheaper bikini bottoms, good thinking.

Bialy, glad to hear from someone else who has looked for CS-friendly bikinis! My tummy is really not in great shape but I am on a pre-holiday diet and keep meaning to start Shredding. Past experience tells me that the sodding overhang won't go, though, grr! At least, I have never made it go - I still cling to the faint hope that if I diet and exercise like a mad thing it will go eventually. I've never got lower than a BMI of 25 post-kids, so in my head, if I got down to BMI 22, it would work miracles in that department. Doubt that's going to happen in the next 7.5 weeks, though.

Hmm I'm 9 years on and even though weigh the same now as pre-pg, the overhang but remains (grr). But I've never had a totally flat tummy, ever, even when I was 8 stone (I'm now over 9st). Think it's just my shape. I know a good few women who've had CS and though the scar is still visible, it doesn't have the same pulling-in thing that mine does, and none of them have the overhang as much as me.

This thread makes me chuckle-I tried on a bikini the summer after Cs and thought 'oh. Yes. I'd forgotten about that' and the resulting effects on my tummy! I put it back that year but might try a new style this year, inspired by this thread.

Just Googled Freya Spirit, Bialy - do they really cover scar plus overhang? The pants look quite skimpy!

Do you think that if I sewed a wide elastic bit into the top of bikini bottoms it would work as DIY tummy control? I ask this because I have stupidly just remembered that I do have a Freya bikini - the top is a bit small, which is why I forgot about it and the pants do cover my overhang but somehow still look terrible and highlight it. They have very thin elastic at the top which just digs in.

M&S have some good ones in stock at the moment with roll tops. They are surprisingly tasteful and nice quality, and it's taken a LOT to get me back in a bikini again!

What about this?
www.figleaves.com/uk/product/FE-006727/Fantasie-Sardinia-Underwired-Gathered-Full-Cup-Bikini-Top/?size=30H&colour=Multicoloured

I don’t think I’m super keen on floral bikinis, prefer this style but they might be too low rise?
www.figleaves.com/uk/product/PA-004832/Panache-Britt-Stripe-Halter-Bikini-Top/?size=30H&colour=Blues

I just ordered this which I'm really hoping will be suitable after a cs. The briefs look like they sit a bit higher and provide more coverage.

www.bravissimo.com/m/#products/sale/swimwear/bikinis/bon-bon-bikini-top/multi-stripe/hs103mst/

Oh I ordered it with the shorts option not the tie side briefs.

Oooh, I love that navy Panache bikini, Kate! I agree with you about the floral pattern - some are good and some scream MIL at me. I've seen some plain pink/orange Fantasie bikinis on Ebay with the same shape pants, though, and they look good.

Heavenscent, those shorts look good too.

I have ordered some 3 inch wide elastic tape to try to fix my Freya bikini bottoms. Not sure if this will work or not - I have a sad history of trying to sew/adjust things to improve them with about a 40% success rate.

Basic black fold down briefs with tummy control. Could be worn with most tops and doesn't have that scuptured retro high waisted look that you are trying to avoid - much softer styling.

I have bought my last 3 bikinis from Por Moi, I'm a 34E and they do a huge array of colours and styles, with a variety of tops and bottoms. They have several styles on sale at the moment and I just purchased a bikini and sleeveless matching dress for £40. They supply lingerie and beachwear to Figleaves, Brastop, Asos and Bravissimo etc but you can buy directly from them - www.shoppormoi.co.uk.

Sorry that should read - www.shoppourmoi.co.uk

These look nice for £10. Could be worn with a plain top.
www.brastop.com/gossard-hot-tropic-bikini-short-print

Thanks for that link salsa-just ordered loads of stuff! Whoops!

Shop Pour Moi looks good but doesn't currently have any 30H bikinis in stock, grr!

Those plain black bikini pants look good, Diana.

Try Brastop, Leia, Airy Mary, Bravissimo, Figleaves and Simply Beach for 30H tops. They are my go-to places for cup sized swimwear (34G) I think you have to shop early in the season to catch unusual sizes, or suffer less choice later. I wait for free shipping weekends at Figleaves though as I begrudge paying £4ish for a £20 top. The others are free over a certain amount I think, except Airy Mary which is always free.