I cried in the changing room today :(

[TwentyOneGuns]

We're going on our first abroad holiday in about 15 years soon so DD14 and I went clothes shopping today. I came back with a pair of jeans.

I am fairly comfy with how I look clothed, I know what suits me and what I like. But I hadn't realised how really really bad I'd look in a swimming costume or holiday clothes.

I'm a14-16, have recently lost a stone on WW and hoping for a bit more before we go. Have also been following all the tips - loads of fruit, veg and water, fitting in some exercise, moisturising, looking after my skin. But it's apparently made bugger all difference as I look fat, saggy and a complete mess. Trying to find a flattering swimming costume for FF boobs seems to be impossible unless you spend £££ - why is it all so hard?

I've got 5 weeks till we go and right now I feel like cancelling which is not an option. I know there's always someone who looks worse but I wanted to feel good and enjoy my holiday, now I just feel I will be an embarrassment to DH and my DD (who doesn't help by looking stunning in everything) when I step on to the beach looking like a sad middle aged Mum :(.

[SloppyDailyMailJournalism]

The whole beach won't be looking at you. Even if they were, when would you ever see these people again, and if you had to and they judged you, would you really want to know them or value their opinion?

[Liiinoo]

I bought some Bravissimo bikinis earlier this year and really didn't like the way they looked at home. I just bought them because they fitted and I needed something that did up.
Fast forward three weeks to a hot sunny beach and suddenly my bulges didn't seem to matter and I thought I looked nice, just a normal shaped middle aged woman enjoying a holiday. I think sometimes in the pressure of trying things on there is an element of unrealistic disappointment that we don't look like the models or mannequins or our younger selves anymore.

Carry on shopping OP. Buy something pretty and comfortable and wear it with pride.

[specialsubject]

Decent boardshorts that fit are designed for doing sport, and won't disappear up your arse like bikini knickers do. They also dry quickly and no hair will stick out.

Huge fifties knickers looked silly then and will take ages to dry - yuk.

Why not shorts and bikini top for practicality? As I said, no one is looking anyway.

[Thefitfatty]

I'm actually going to go against the grain here. I always try my bikini's on in the dressing room AND I do it after I've eaten a big meal, so I'm as bloated as possible.
I figure if one looks half decent on me in those conditions, it will look awesome when I'm rocking it on the beach. (FYI the one I just bought is a size 16 bottom and 14 top).

Also, never underestimate the slimming qualities of a good tan.

Finally, Fuck it. You're going to the pool/beach not the Oscars. Be comfortable, confident and enjoy yourself.

[HemanOrSheRa]

I have to say it was reading dozens of threads here on MN about women worrying themselves sick about what they will look like in swimwear that made me say 'Feck it. I am going to try a bikini'. I realised from all the threads that people really do worry more about themselves and what they look like. Not that they should but still, it convinced me that no one will actually run screaming from the pool at the sight of me in a bikini!

[MoggieMaeEverso]

Lots of wonderful advice here.

Definitely go for a bra-style one piece or bikini.
Manicure & pedicure.
Expensive hair cut. Perhaps some highlights
Eyebrows threaded or waxed.
Pretty earrings if that's your style.
New beach bag, towel, flip flops.
Chin up and walk like you are a million dollars.
You are!!!

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

I fairly recently made a decision not to care what other people might think about how I look.

I also made a resolution to stop buying lots of cheap crap and buy one or two things that fit really well.

Life has improved.

I made the decision never to try on swimwear in a shop when a size 6/8 with C cup boobs and 22 years old because as others say it never looks good... and that was me in my prime. I had no idea how wise I was all those years ago.

If you are visibly enjoying yourself you can never look bad.

[TwentyOneGuns]

Thank you again, have spent the morning browsing Figleaves and Brastop and found a few tankini said that could work. The ones I like are not cheap but I think it's money I'll need to spend to get something that flatters me although I'm also going to try and get to an Asda as suggested upthread because I remember having got good bras from there in the past.

One thing that is really bothering me though, which nothing is going to cover, is my wobbly cellulitey legs. I'm dry body brushing like mad - when I remember - drinking as much water as I can and trying to cut down on wine and processed food. Is there anything else I can do?

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

The 30 Day Shred. Do that - it will really make your whole body look much better, lift your boobs, slim your waist, firm up your thighs - and it only takes 20 minutes and you do it in the comfort of your own living room. Aim for doing it 4-5 times a week until you go away. I did that before going on holiday this year and it really made an amazing amount of difference.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

You can get it on YouTube and use water bottles for weights if you haven't got any.

[Onelittlepiglet]

Well done on your weight loss! I know how hard it is and I am a similar size to you. I live in a hot climate and find going to the beach hard because I feel fat and unconfortable a lot of the time. I have been trying to lose weight but not very successfully (work full time, two small children, limited time and energy, underactive thyroid...)

One thing that I always realise when I get there is that no one really looks at anyone else and you see all shapes and sizes on the beach wearing all sorts of things!

I love this tankini form panache - goo.gl/images/ZJk0kD so flattering for big boobs (I'm also an FF) and wider hips. The way they panels are just seem to flatter my shape. It's in the sale in some places so google it and see if you can get it from somewhere. Also love freya as people above have said.

Hope you find something and enjoy your lovely holiday!

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

I'd not give a rats arse about cellulite. I never notice it on others unless I happen to be glancing in the supermarket and see Heat magazine with a massive circle and a magnified image of some sleb's two dimples.

But if it's making you worried then fake tan is the best for covering a whole host of imperfections including cellulite should anyone have brought their binoculars to the beach

Healthy bodies have "imperfections". There's nothing wrong with the bodies just our warped perspectives on beauty.

[Makemineacabsauv]

Apparently cucumber slices laid in cellulite helps to minimise it. Never tried it though. Get a fake tan before you go and you won't notice it.

[Patterkiller]

Tesco have large boob control swimwear at a really decent price.

[MyVisionsComeFromSoup]

I'm a wobbly 14/16 and have invested in a bikini for this summer - I get fed up with having to buy swimsuits in at least an 18 so they fitted my boobs, and the extra ruching across the belly (which to be fair does help hide the size of my belly) means that when you go in the water, you're suddenly weighed down with gallons of extra water, which then pour out embarrassingly when you climb out of the pool.

So I'm going to be the one in a black and white bikini, with tanned arms and neckline, but blinding white everywhere else . And I'm not going to care maybe a little bit about my thighs

[HemanOrSheRa]

Ooh I was looking at those dresses Euphemia. Do they come up big in size as the reviews suggest?