Bikini help needed, please.

[KeepServingTheDrinks]

Ok. Been bracing myself to do this for a few days.

Hello lovely stylish beautiful MNers.

You've given me advice before which has always been very helpful, but it's been for DD. This one's for me.

I'm big (size 18) and old (47) and tall (5'8"). But I do exercise a lot, so REASONABLY toned (very, very big belly though. Think 7 or 8 months pg). Relatively small boobed for my size (38C ish).

Going away this summer, and I know I won't be any smaller by the time we go.

I need a bikini I don't feel absolutely horrible in. I don't want to look like I think I'm a model. But I don't want to look like I think I'm my granny either.

I think it might be about the shape of the bottoms. Do I get ones that come up almost to my belly button? I think my stomach's so big, it's either that or small ones which go underneath it. (sorry, that's so hideous. I apologise for picture that might have flashed through your minds if you're still reading. The real-life version is worse).

I went to the 'fat woman are us' shop. And they were lovely. But they mostly had one piece swimming costumes with clever rouching down them. I don't want a 1 piece because I want to tan. So I do want a bikini.

Can anyone clever and kind please give me some dos and don'ts, and maybe some places to shop?

I generally wear dark colours, so I'm not a yellow polka dot bikini type.

Thanks in advance.

What I mean is... even thought they come high up like the picture, they are high legs as opposed to the ones which just look like huge pants

I love wearing bikinis. I'm in my 50's, and they are much more flattering than a swimsuit.

My favourites are by Liz Hurley

www.elizabethhurley.com

Lovely styles, well made and a great fit.

They look fab Odile but far too skimpy for me. I love wearing bikinis too and I'm over 60. I look awful in swimsuits, I look like a beach ball with lycra stretched over it , but somehow a bikini breaks it all up and I look and feel better in one.

I bought a bikini from Lascana yesterday and I am really pleased with it. Sure I don't look magically 21 again or the like, it does fit well. Not super expensive and comes in cup sizes. They do big knickers style too, but am not sure about which size they go up to.
Lands End definitely sell lots of different knicker shapes and have a good size range. Google for a discount code.

I agree with a pp... I’m a similar shape to u...but with big boobs and I got mine in Matalan

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2668845_c101/dd-gathered-moulded-bikini-top-black
They have lots of diff ones..

oh wow!

That's loads of advice. Thank you all sooooooo much.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds big bottoms frumpy.

You're all very kind. Sorry it was such a long OP and I really appreciate the tips.

I got that one yesterday longsigh but in flourescent orange eeek! Liked the shape of the bottoms

Definitely don't go for pants up to your tummy button. Why would you cover a broad expanse with material, it really will just emphasise it. Get some bikini pants that cover your bum and your pubic area. The ones with adjustable sides are good. And please don't feel you can't wear a bikini. Women of all shapes and sizes do and nobody gives them a second look on the beach or by the pool. Have a look at Matalan. They do some great bikinis for very little money and they go up to an 18. I know because I have some!!

these would be flattering

www.swimwear365.co.uk/products/black-wide-cut-bikini-bottoms-by-bodyflirt//A-907505_26?cs_ev=browse--page1--listPosition9--none-_-PLP

this is stunning but not cheap

www.swimwear365.co.uk/products/black-rainbow-trim-underwired-bikini-by-sunflair//A-55145654_18F?cs_ev=browse--page1--listPosition1--none--PLP--refined

Inspired by this thread I just bought a Freya bikini from Figleaves- they had 20% off.

What I've noticed abroad is that many Spanish, Greek or other European women of all ages & sizes wear bikins or even go topless then will just stand in the sea chatting.. they don't seem to have the same body hang ups or if they do they hide it well.

Personally for me, I dread getting the bikini on, but once you've made the step to remove outer clothing and bare all you don't really give a shit 10 minutes later! I find a bottle of beer as you sun bathe always helps too!

I wouldn’t go with high bottoms either,if you want to tan then it’s counter productive.

I've got 2 pairs of high bottoms and 3 with tie sides normal bottoms, I love them all but tbh I agree with everyone and you actually need to be quite slim to carry off high waisters! I loved them to much too return as they are very cute and retro!

This is what my size 8/10 friend wears, just about identical, and she honestly looks fantastic in it.

I can't begin to put into words what I would look like if I went for this style.

I’m an identical size and height to you and I’m 42, I wear high waisted (up to my belly button!) bottoms and supportive bra top (my boobs are bigger!) . I fucking ROCK it and you will too. Plus the super high waisted ones are really in this year so you won’t look grannyish you’ll look cool. The little pants roll down under my tum and that looks bloody awful (as well as feeling like they might just fall down). Next are BRILLIANT for these bikinis. I’ve got a few but my fave one I’ve bought for my hols this year is a red and white striped one. It’s their own make. I’ll see if I can find it. It’s super flattering

Also my mate is smaller than me and looks ridiculous in high waist bottoms so u have no idea what that’s all about!

Ok so I had to screenshot it but this is my fave one

You'd need brain bleach if I got into that red one! I need high leg bottoms

That red one just like a an enormous expanse of "look here" red across the body parts one's usually trying NOT to draw attention to... I mean the model's clearly not overweight but IMO these bottoms do even her no favours whatsoever.

Having said all of that, my opinion matters not one jot, wear whatever you're comfortable in.

Well I look bloody bangin in the red one

I betcha you look hot to trot Ken in that red one. It's all to do with legs, shape, stomach etc... even bigger women like us have to focus on what suits us!

Name checked you below.

I'm sure NONE of you remember, but you were all kind enough to post on this thread back in April.

Just wanted to let you know, I shopped based on your recommendations, went on holiday and got back yesterday.

The shopping was quite a tense experience (it is when you're not 21 and gorgeous), and I wasn't sure how my purchases would pan out.

But it was fine, and I was so grateful to all of you (including the ones I haven't name checked)

I WASN'T the most hideous thing on the beach. I felt great, and enjoyed my holiday.

And I just wanted to thank you all very, very much. to you all.

#namechangedtoday15
#PlaymobilPirate
#tierraJ
#rubybleu
#IJustNeedAUserName
#Tinkobell
#Roussette - no insult to anyone else, but this was the post I found the very most helpful, and the one that influenced me the most when I went shopping. Thanks especially to you. x
#longsigh
#Jonbb - this was the other thread that really spoke to me. Particularly your understanding of not ineffectually trying to cover up. I ended up buying 2 of my 3 bikinis in Materlan because of your post.
#BusterGonad your post made me smile!