Plus size - bikini, tankinI or swimsuit?

[AuntieMaggie]

I'm trying to decide what I should wear on the beach/by the pool for a girls holiday

I'm a size 18-20 bust size 40e - I plan on doing some.swimming but mostly sunning myself.

So should I go for a bikini, tankinI or swimsuit? And what type of colour/patterns look best?

I buy bhs tankini tops and skirtini bottoms. I like them. When I was in the Far East it very much fit in with the locals. In Greece most people at the hotel were Brits in bikinis. I couldn't care less. I don't like wearing bikinis as they make me feel a bit like I'm out in my underwear. Couldn't care less what anyone else wears and why would they care that I'm in a skirtini?

Well I'm wearing mine to Malaga in August. I guess I'm no one ;)

I hadnt thought about tanning. I'm very pale and burn so don't sunbather so that isn't a factor for me but might be for the OP.

Well, someone is buying tankinis, even if they aren't wearing them, because all the ones I like are sold out!

I'm sure lots of people are wearing them in many places , and looking very attractive in them .

Just not many in Malaga hotels on girls weekends away.

Why does it matter what anyone else is wearing?

Last year on our family holiday I wore a bikini but with a vest top over the top as I was self.conscious - that lasted about a day because of chasing ds in and out of the pool and then I just let my belly hang out!

I'll try a tankini if I can find one I like.

Thank you for all your help

thank you Kr1stina you made me chuckle :)
I am attending a wedding, aside from the bride i'm the youngest at 59...all eyes will be on my 84 yr old mom who no doubt will be sporting a bikini.

Interested to read this. I'm a size 16-18 at the moment but determined to slim down, I want a bikini but don't know if I should buy now or wait?

I'd wait but I'm a 34gg on top so need a bra sized one and I bet everything in my size will sell out by then!

I'm a size 18 and go for a bikini or tankini. I think you'll look overdressed in a swimsuit in Marbella! I'm only a C cup so my stomach is more my issue and personally, I feel a bit more comfortable in a tankini but that's just personal. I love a bikini :)

I'm a size 14 and very wobbly and have had a nightmare with swimwear this year. It's the first time I've been abroad for a few years and it's stressed me out so much! I've got a swimsuit from asda where it looks like a tankini but it's one piece, if that makes sense? It's really nice and flattering. I've also got a longline bikini top with high waisted bottoms but I don't know if I'll look stupid wearing it as we are only going to a Eurocamp! I wouldn't feel comfortable in a normal bikini though.

I've lost a bit of weight but my belly is still wobbly. I was considering one of the high waist bikinis but read about bulging at the top...

felicia i guess it depends when youre going away...

I've just bought a black bikini on bhs with the logic that I prefer to wear a bikini top during the day if we're pottering about instead of a bra and I have 2 others I can wear and a swimsuit so I'll try to buy a tankini top to go with the bottoms I already have.

Fellicia, I wouldn't wait to get a gg cup bikini. There aren't many to start with so bound to be less choice in high summer. Which shops do you buy from? Maybe S&Bers have discount codes or know when the sale starts.

I normally buy from Bravissimo and have already found some nice ones on brastop as well.

Think I'll order some tonight, I'm never going to lose that much between now and August!

Felix you won't look stupid, at Eurocamp style parks you see a variety of swim wear, even on the med.

Someone is definitely buying all the nicer-looking tankinis....I shall have to have a trip to Bravissimo, though as I hate wearing bras in general am not keen on having support, I'd rather be unrestricted and floppy.

Feli, I am a size 22 and just got back from eurocamp having worn a short legged swimsuit, I felt great and confident and no one batted an eyelid. Looking at the photos, I looked horrendous but the euro camp atmosphere is all about the kids and everyone just smiled, chatted or played with me and my children even though I looked like a heifer.

Op, your solution sounds great although I bet you are worrying unnecessarily and like last year won't care after a day when you start relaxing and having fun. I didn't, but diet definitely starts for next year now after those photos!

Elomi swimwear is great for anyone curvy or needing good bust support. They do bikinis, and also swimsuits and tankinis.
The tankinis are particularly good, they do some lovely longer length ones and flared ones, the idea is that you wear one of their swim bras underneath for support.
Ignore those that say 'you must wear a bikini'! Some people just don't want to. However, if you do feel that you could enjoy wearing a bikini, go for it. But it's not compulsory.

This website has some different brands - supportive tops and higher bottoms. I've shopped with them before and they have free returns.

www.leialingerie.com

I'm a bikini girl and I'm not slim (size 18)
I personally think I look better in a well structured bikini than I do a swim suit and some tankinis.
Swim suits are just uncomfortable for me in the heat and going to the loo a faff.
I have a mum tum (for many years - it's not going to shift after 18 years ) so am a bit concious when walking from sun lounger to pool so the odd tankinis can come in handy for that. I then roll them up when back sunbathing.
Bikinis are my favourite option and I wear nice cover ups fir popping to the bar or strolling to the beach etc.

I always seem to see other similarly sized people in bikini's too.
It's a different ball game abroad. Anything goes. I've seen women larger and older than me in thongs and top less. If they are happy to do that then I'm very happy to sunbathe in my bikinis.
Even the supermarkets do larger bikini's. It's a shame BHS have gone cos theor swimwear section was vast and not aimed at size 6 nubile teen's but still not frumpy. Debenham is whereally my larger chested friend gets her biking from. There's quite a good choice out there. I always take loads of different styles and sizes in the fitting room and just see what works best. Sometimes Im surprised at what looks good and what doesn't.

So I have taken the plunge and ordered about £500 worth of bikinis

I will probably send back £450 worth!

I'm looking for a tankini top to go with my existing navy or black bottoms and am going to get high waisted black bikini bottoms to give me some choice. I'm going to habe to shop in person for the tankini though I think as most are sold out online that I like :(

I think a high waisted bikini is much more flattering than a tankini. Curvy Kate is really good. I looked on the fullerfigurefullerbust blog for plus size swimwear reviews so I got a good idea of sizing and support. Have you done a bra intervention so you are definitely wearing the right size? That's so crucial when choosing swimwear I think.

(But I definitely vote bikini!)

I follow fuller figure woman on Facebook and love the curvy kate stuff but don't want to spend that much as I'm hoping it will only get used once

Try Lands End maggie