Swimming Costume Panic

[ImposterSyndrome101]

Going away this summer with (very fit and attractive) friends and I need a swimming costume. I am really not fit or attractive and a short size 18 with big boobs.

Which swimming costume will look the least hideous do you think?

www.forluna.co.uk/collections/plus-size-retro-swimwear/products/blue-and-white-polka-dot-plus-size-retro-swimsuit

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/navy-tropical-swimdress-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-piped-swim-dress-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/aqua-blue-texture-print-hanky-hem-swim-dress-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/red-beaded-swimdress-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-pink-abstract-swimsuit-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-pink-contrast-contour-swimsuit-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-blue-zip-piped-swimsuit-p

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-white-leaf-swimsuit-p

www.forluna.co.uk/collections/tummy-control-swimsuits/products/the-sailor-jeri-plus-size?variant=35311983306

And any recommendations for cover ups and the like would be appreciated.

18 isn’t that big, particularly if you have big boobs. I’m a 16 with big boobs and wear bikinis. In the Med everyone does and lots of people are bigger than us op.
What bra size are you?
I wouldn’t go for a swim dress, just a nice well fitting costume or bikini. I would get a selection of floaty glamourous cover ups too.

How about something like this?
www.leialingerie.com/fantasie_bras/control-swimsuit/fs6599.aspx?colour=black
I tend to go one back size larger than my bra size and one cup size smaller. Gives a bit more material over the tummy.

I'm sure enough people have said this already, but PLEASE no swimdresses!

I've never seen a single person look good in one. Regardless of their shape or size or age, they would always have looked better in a normal swimsuit.

www.leialingerie.com/fantasie_bras/control-swimsuit/fs6678.aspx?colour=blue
Or colourful!

High waisted bikini, an absolute god send, holds your tummy in but more flattering than a costume, like someone said higher up the thread get a top with straps not a halterneck.

Also stop worrying! Relax and enjoy your holiday you will look 10x more attractive with a smile on your face

Try the Boden swimsuits, they have a mesh inside that holds it in and they have a nice leg cut.
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/santorini-swimsuit-navy-rainbow-stripe/sty-s0071-tur
Next does a slimming one too

I wear plain black from lands end with colourful sarongs. They have hidden ‘shelf’ support. They do t draw attention to my size 20 figure and they feel good quality.

Primark had a lovely range of low cut (show off your boobs!) suck you in costumes when I was there last week. Worth a try? (I'm a size 20)

IMO no patterns, no dresses, no shorts, no vintage polka dots / nautical themes, they all scream fat and lacking in confidence (sorry!!).

A black well supported high leg costume will be elegant and slimming. The leia lingerie linked above is perfect!

If you google "moontide twist" then you get some very flattering (but sometimes pricey) styles.

For example

www.aspiga.com/products/twist-swimsuit-navy-moontide?variant=16659619512435&gclid=CjwKCAjw_YPnBRBREiwAIP6TJ-WmqTNdN8gR3wPHmuHueU0VoI6YXB7aozFd1d36u79BYtwGS0Ca2xoC3eQQAvD_BwE

For what it's worth, when I was young and slim, I spent an afternoon at a pool in a very swish hotel in South East Asia. Lots of young, fit, model types around, but by far the most glamorous woman was a very curvy French woman (probably size 16, not tall), who had a simple black swimsuit on, bright red lipstick and nails, hair back in a slick pony, huge sunglasses and flip flops with heels (yes!). Truth is, she was super confident and that's what made her look great.

I think a style like this can look very flattering: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/talamanca-swimsuit-magenta-colourblock/sty-s0041-prp?cat=C1_S2_G17

www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/swimwear-and-beachwear?facets=20776510&slider_Current_Min=0&slider_Current_Max=90&sortBy=product.is_new|1

I'm overweight with a large bust and swear by the 'Secret Slimming' range.

I'd go for that black and pink abstract design as it looks flattering. If you don't like your thighs / legs, what I usually do is buy a pair of board shorts and put them over my costume (also works well with a bikini top if you don't mind your torso or want a tan). When I'm not in the pool or I've had enough sun I can then chuck a t shirt over the top and I look summery without feeling too exposed.

I wore a black M and S secret slimming tankini when I went away in February to a swanky hotel. It had high waisted pants and the top had adjustable straps with a high back. However, what made me feel most confident was the spray tan and nails I had done the day before I went away. I'm not a spray tan kind of person normally, but I'd now not hesitate when I go away again. I also bought a black beach cover up from there too, which is like a floaty short dress, to throw on when I went to the bar etc. I'm a size 16, 5'2 with large boobs.

Bravissimo do lovely swimsuits and the cups are sized so everything stays in place. Here's a couple but they have a good selection and also do bikini and tankini tops with high waisted bottoms.

@justapaperbag, I hadn't thought of doing that. But then again I'm not a fan of shorts either

@Wearywithteens, that could work. Although probably not in the longer length.

@FlyingMonkeys, thanks for the link I'll get browsing and see if I can find something.

@2weeksholiday, I hadn't thought of looking at boden.

@TakeAChanseyOnMe, none nearby but I could just order online.

@ValleyoftheHorses, 40DD, I don't carry my weight well tbh. It's all in my stomach thanks to PCOS. My arse isn't that great either tbh.

@Xerxessa, yup no swimdresses here now

@ValleyoftheHorses, that's a nice one. I'm not sure I know what you mean about the sizing though.

@greyspottedgoose, more flattering even with a large and wobbly stomach? No matter what I end up with I'll enjoy myself or at least look like I'm enjoying myself.

@BirdsAndBlips, I like that one. I hadn't thought to look at boden but I think it's deffo worth a look.

@Goodmum1234, awesome I'll have a look. I'm very conscious of the fact that my female friend is a gorgeous and curvy size 10-12, one of my male friends is very lean and slim but with well defined muscles, another is average guy size and shape and the other is a semi-pro hockey player and built. They don't care what I look like but I'm still very aware I easily look out of place.

@blue2014, I hadn't considered looking in primark. Tbh my go to is show off the boobs then they won't look at the stomach.

@LaCerbiatta, fair. My only issue with black is it's boring . I'm not a quiet person and most of my clothes are very reflective of this.

@Xerxessa, I've not heard of that style before. I'd rather pay more and get a costume I feel confident wearing.

@forkfun, that's a nice costume. I think I carry myself well 90% of the time. I typically quite a confident person but the idea of going to the beach wearing what feels like very little with my very attractive friends is not something I am confident about.

@MidsomerBurgers, awesome I'll have a look through them.

@KatnissK, I'm not bothered about my thighs tbh. I'm overweight but I've got decent legs I think. My arse and stomach though I do not like at all.

@Soontobe60, I've got a decent enough floaty dress that could work as a cover up. I really don't think I'd get a spray tan, I'm fine with my skin pale tbh. I may get my nails done though. Mainly because I've not had them done before.

@MumUnderTheMoon, awesome I'll check them out.

Yeah I think so, I have a few and they all come to my belly button, covering all my wobbly bits guess it depends where your problem area is? Mines all low

@greyspottedgoose, if I got one it would have to go over my bellybutton I think for me to be comfortable. I think the main issue for me is that my stomach sticks out so much. I look bigger than what I am because my spine curves inwards there 'scoliosis' and I think just nothing fits well. If I'm wearing normal clothes I can layer and dress properly to balance everything out but in a costume everyone can see everything.

I’m bigger than you (huge boobs too,) have this swim suit from next. It is unbelievably y comfortable, supportive and flattering. Lots of lovely patterns to choose from too!

Wwww.next.co.uk/g72170s7#193480

Echoing what others have said really - you want as high cut a leg as you can bear to lengthen your legs. Get a spray tan and rock it.

@ChittyChittyBoomBoom, oh I like that.

I have the blue spot one. I honestly cannot recommend it enough!

as someone else has said, no '50s' styles or polka dots if you are plus sized. I have no idea why people think all larger women should or would want to wear these? Because they are always featured in plus size swimwear ranges, 50s styles and polka dots just scream 'fat lady'.