I need help - swim dress for fat lumpy me

[CheeseCrumpet]

I haven't worn a swimsuit for 8 years. Since then I've had three kids in four years and gained 20lbs.
I'm a size 16 and my stomach does not look good. At all. I have like a pouch of fat that looks dreadful in everything I own. Having three young kids I also have very little money for new clothes.

In a few weeks I have to wear a swimsuit for something I could get out of but don't want to because socially it would be good for me.
I need a miracle swim dress that it good on the bust (supportive but flattering - v neck suits me) and not AT ALL clingy on the belly, hips etc. Longer the better because my thighs suck too.

And all of this Magic needs to be achieved around the £20 mark... can anyone work a miracle... please?

I've read very good things about Decathlon swimwear being good quality & value. Personally, I would avoid a swimdress...I bought a few a couple of years ago to try and I found them far too fussy and just too much material - they weren't flattering, they just made me look bulkier than I actually was. I prefer a tankini top and substantial bottoms - You get a better fit and easier to change in /out of. I like like Lands End but it's quite £ unless you can grab in the sale.

I'd echo the pp, no one will take any notice of your shape in a standard swimming costume but a swim dress will draw attention to you. They rarely look good!

I genuinely think that a pelmet of wet material clinging to you will give the opposite to the desired effect. Seriously, it will just draw attention to the area you're hoping to disguise.

Try a tankini as suggested above, or a no-nonsense sporty job.

www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/swimwear-and-beachwear/tummy-control-swimwear-n-cflta

I have a plain black tummy control M&S costume and it really does make my stomach appear flatter and make me feel more confident. There are loads of different designs on the link above. I agree with PP about swim dresses - I think they draw more attention to you and look a bit odd.

I disagree.
I had something like this and felt fantastic in it the two years I used it.

swim dress

Agree with lost frequencies: M&S have a good range of tummy sucking in styles all at reasonable prices too.

Personally I think so long as you smile & make eye contact people don't notice what you are wearing at all

Thanks everyone. Maybe the way to go is to use my old swimsuit and buy a nice cover up instead then?

I won't be able to make eye contact and smile if I'm feeling self conscious

Asda and Tesco swimwear seem to get really good reviews and have lots of hold-you-in type ones.

I have YOURS Clothing Tankini and Swim shorts (think cycling lycra shorts) that are knee length and really hide the lumpy bits.

Best swimsuit I've had as I hate normal suits due to thunder thighs and being 6 months pregnant this really helps the bump.

Swimwear 365 have a lot of ranges and some nice swimsuit dresses.

Sports direct have swim dresses for £16, i LOVE mine, covers nicely

Primark have tummy control swimwear very similar to m&s.

What about these? Over budget though:

www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+women-womens-swimwear-anchor-skirted-swimsuit+wp019?coloursel=A

www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+women-womens-swimwear-beautiful-butterfly-skirted-swimsuit+wp020?coloursel=A

www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+women-womens-swimwear-all-you-need-skirted-tankini+wp018?coloursel=A

I bought a fab swimsuit from Matalan recently. Very flattering.

Forget the swimdress. Plain black cossie and a fabulous sarong/kaftan instead.

This one has worked well for me

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/women/biba-icon-swimsuit-with-tummy-control/d820364.pd?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIraiqvNqS2wIVybHtCh3OrQr-EAQYAiABEgIqePDBwE#274308448&cmmmmc=GooglebaseWomenmen--Swimwear--Icon+swimsuit+with+tummy+control&tmcampid=7&tmad=c&tmplaceref=Biba&tmclickref=Biba+Icon+swimsuit+with+tummy+control&&$ja=tsid:96381%7Ccid:954949802%7Cagid:50172785751%7Ctid:pla-371035871660%7Ccrid:226791033500%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:14448135722053312033%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o2%7Cmt:&efid=WtPLrgAAALX2qCvl:20180519212211:s

My control swimsuit from Bon Marche which cost £12 is far more flattering than my Debenhams £65 swim dress.

Thanks everyone.... I'm thinking maybe the way to go is to use my old black cosie... it's maternity but I pretty much look pregnant these days.
I'll spend the £20 on a nice kaftan and hope for the best. Or even better, pick up a cheap kaftan and buy an extra bottle of plonk!

I've been out of the social scene for about four years and 9 months! I know in my heart no one will be looking but my head is panicking.
Maybe the extra bottle of plonk will help!

Think about it this way OP. Flip it the other way. Imagine you were hosting and a friend who was attending was in the same predicament. What would you say to them?
You wouldn’t be worried about their thighs or their bum would you?
I think your idea sounds like a great one. Get yourself a fab cover up and enjoy yourself. Painting my toenails also helps in the sun!

I have a lovely navy and turquoise one from Sainsbury's. Proper swimsuit from swimmi mg and good on my (much) larger figure.

OP what is it that you're doing?

@millimat girls night - don't know them very well but all local and trying to build the friendship as new to the area.
Hot tub involved 😫

girls night - don't know them very well but all local and trying to build the friendship as new to the area.
Hot tub involved 😫
*
I'm jealous!!*

So go get yourself a sparkly sarong, paint your toenails and take a bottle of wine along. Have a fabulous time with your new friends.

Asda. But get there asap as they sell out fast!