Braving a bikini

[CakeNinja]

Yeah I know I know, you don’t need to be brave to wear a bikini, all shapes and sizes on the beach etc etc.
And yet...
I’d like a crop top type bikini top and some shorts style bottoms, sort of like big knickers.
Any advice? I usually wear a swim dress which I do love but would like something else aswell.
Please help!

I wore a bikini for the firstime this year. Was much cooler and dried much quicker.

I went for a bra sized top and then high waisted briefs, slightly above my belly button as that is most flattering for me as it covers the overhang I get around my belly button. I felt contained and able to strut about in it!

I had two like that which I wore loads, and one which didn’t have such a supportive bra which I wore once and rejected as I didn’t feel as confident in it.

This was the one that worked well for me

www.figleaves.com/uk/freya-swim-bondi-underwired-sweetheart-padded-bikini-top/FBF-003065.html?dwvar_FBF-003065_color=744008&cgid=swimwear-bikinis#start=44

This one didn’t, I think it was the halter neck thing

www.figleaves.com/uk/pour-moi-hamptons-hidden-triangle-underwired-top/PM-011040.html?dwvar_PM-011040_color=750530&cgid=swimwear-bikinis#start=48

I wear high waisted bottoms and a bra as well. Curvy Kate are having a sale and I just got the Navy Jetty high waisted bikini for £30 and it’s amazing. I don’t feel brave - there is an inch or two of skin showing at my narrowest point (I have a high waist) so it makes me look more shapely and hourglass than a one piece/swim dress or tankini. I look like I have a smaller waist in a bikini like that than if I try to hide away under something more voluminous. What is your body shape?

So I got this one and love it.

My boobs are pretty small and what I do have almost need tucking into my pants. A bra type top looks pitiful on me because they are also wide set, there is about an inch gap between where they each start!

A crop top one sounds good then - I saw some nice looking ones in Fat Face.

This is the Fat Face one.

Thanks, haven’t checked FF, will have a look.

Yes that’s the kind of thing! But I’ve just looked, the bottoms have slashes in the sides the last thing I need to see on the beach is blobs of flesh poking out!!
Love the top, will hunt down some bottoms that offer some kind of coverage

Yeah, slashes seem to be a thing on swimwear this year! I don’t think it’s for me either .

what’s that all about ffs?! Okay if you’re confident in your own skin, but I don’t think it’s asking too much for bikini bottoms to be in one piece?!
Now I’m thinking about it, I’m having wobbles (both physical and mental!) and will probably stick to my safe swim dresses. I’m not sure I’m ready to bare my stretch mark and wobbly belly to the world

I went on Instagram and found lots of people with body shapes similar to mine modelling bikinis and it defeated all of my fear! I think it really helps to see how many women of all shapes and sizes wear them and look great. And when you look around on a beach or by a pool, you realise the range of people who happily rock a bikini. There is no reason you shouldn’t be one of them!

You haven’t seen my belly
In all honesty, I couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t know what’s stopping me really. I think maybe all the looking has shown me too many firm and toned bodies and I’m admitting defeat that I won’t look like that in them.
I should have a look on Instagram...

Look for body positive type posts, I’m sure you will find inspiring and encouraging women!

CaptainBrickbeard I also bought that bikini in the sale

Look on the Simply Be website. Lots of bigger models (they have lovely skin etc so still enviable, but more relatable!

Curbside I love it! And such a bargain!

I don’t have enough in the chest department for curvy Kate!!
Shame as some of them are lovely.
Do
Simply Be deliver quick do you know Margot? I am leaving before sunrise on Monday!

huge tight soggy knickers will be so uncomfortable! boardshorts.come in a choice of lengths and will be much more pleasant to wear.

I know this probably isn't helpful but honestly, once you're abroad in the sun the only person that will give you a second glance is you, and you already know what you look like. Im abroad at the moment and ive been on the beach all day and I honestly didn't pay any attention to anyone!

Special, I don’t ever feel uncomfortable or soggy in my swimdresses! They are the same material as other swimwear. They dry quickly and are light, I’m questioning why I even have a problem wearing them now...

Not particularly helpful Desmondo, because I know it’s true although in fairness I do spend a long time on the beach just people watching! It’s fascinating the amount of crap people lug down to the beach - tables and chairs, windbreakers, picnic boxes, kites, etc, I don’t have the energy for any of that crap! I beach very lightly with 3 children - towels, suncream, buckets and spades if that.

If you spend over £40 you get free next day delivery with Simply Be (I think it's 40 anyway. You could order a fair few things and return what you don't want to get the free delivery.) They have Freya and Curvy Kate stuff on there.