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.

@letsgohooray, fair, I've never owned a swimming costume that is polka dots or 50's.

At pp we can all just bask in your size 2 flow then? Other than being fat cunts in Polka dots and a bust beyond nipples

@letshohooray I completely agree!... let's see you in your non 'fat lady' swimwear then?🙄

I was going to suggest boden too. I have the crossover last year and ordered a halter neck (red stripe) today.

They are very flattering and someone is bound to have a discount code. I’ve got one but I’m in the US and don’t know if it will work there?

Also got a coverup from H&M last year which I love. Light fabric, cream background with palm print

Nothing screams ‘fat lady’ like a black swim suit. It says “hide me, I’m not really here”. Nothing wrong with polka dots at all and really don’t get why people think there is .

Or how about wearing polka dots just means the wearer likes polka dots? Or stripes? Or plain black swimsuits?

None of these things "scream fat" fgs. Do they not make them in a size 10?!

If you are comfortable in what you are wearing regardless of colour or style, you will look fab. Honestly.

I agree nothing wrong with polka dots it's personal preference.

I have a Next swimsuit very similar to this I love it. www.next.co.uk/g9080s4#595936

I'm bigger than you and was panicking about my beach holiday last year. Swim dresses are terrible for swimming as the dress part floats up when standing, and drags when swimming.

I used the site Dresslily, and ordered some swim shorts and a few different tankini tops. It was great as the shorts were comfy and covered everything I wanted, and the tops could be swapped around. I also bought a rash vest for snorkeling which could be used with the shorts.

Just to second/third Boden. I have just bought two of the Talamanca swimsuits and I am so pleased with them. The navy and gold colour way is lovely. I have been dragging round a swimdress for the last couple of years and the difference is huge. They’ve taken at least a dress size off of me.

The problem is not the polka dots per se, it's the 50s style which is lower in the leg and covers more. And it is mostly worn by overweight women. Apologies if "screams fat" was a bit rude, but sadly it's true

Personal recommendation (I am your size!). I love Angerella costumes. I have 2. I buy them on Amazon, but if you buy one make sure it is from Angerella direct as there are sellers claiming to sell them but they are rip offs and quality is poor.
I wore this one yesterday, and felt great. I was with my boyfriend and his dad, so really didn't want to feel self conscious.
I bought a 16-18 and I'm currently more of an 18 than a 16. I'm 5ft 2.

The bust is shaped with underwire so it gives perks in the right place btw!

@HerRoyalNotness, crossover could work. I think my boobs are great so anything that draws attention to them and away from my stomach and backside I'm happy with.

@ChittyChittyBoomBoom, @Gentlemanwiththistledownhair and @Slaymill, I'd probably avoid solid colours tbh. I think they show everything and are just boring. I wear weird and wonderful patterns and colours day to day so my friends would deffo think it's odd if I had a black costume.

@magicstar1, thanks for the link I'll have a look there. I'll probably need a rash vest because we're doing water 'activities' apparently.

@Tunt, amazing I'll have a browse and see if theres anything I like.

@LaCerbiatta, tbh I probably wont wear one cut like that in the leg. I can't imagine it being comfortable.

@ThisMustBeMyDream, oh that's pretty. Another one to add to my list and it'll make my boobs look good.

Well it is evident that here on MN, SOME people see polka dots and 50s style as 'fat lady' styles. (really am not calling anyone a fat lady here - just the negative image that the swimsuit designs represent). Some people are saying that they are not. But the very fact that more than one or two people see them in a negative light means that a large portion of the population sees them negatively. So if you want to look confident and stylish and not draw attention to your size, don't pick polka dots or 50s styles. Regardless of whether you personally think they scream 'plus size' or not, enough people think that they do that it is just not worth it