is this swimsuit frumpy?

[stylehelpneeded]

Am going on a sunny holiday break with some friends, many are size 6-10 aged 33-45. One is a size 12-14, I am size 16. They are lovely ladies and incredibly stylish London women. I've not managed to lose my (not so) recent baby weight and am feeling very frumpy.

Is this an awful swimsuit? www.debenhams.com/product/debenhams-skirted-suit_ddd06483

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If you've found this page in search of swimwear that has been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best swimsuits for women useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

I actually think it looks lovely. I’m not old or too fat and I’d happily wear that. I’ve seen plenty of women in all shapes and sizes wear costumes like these and they’re fine. If it makes you feel more confident then that’s a good thing.

I completely disagree, it’s not frumpy at all! I have a similar one which is blue but patterned - also from Debenhams and much the same style. It’s super flattering and has a 1950s feel to it. I get compliments every time I wear it and I’m certainly not trying to cover anything up, I also have a bikini. Size 16, apple shape and in late 40s.

I REALLY like it. I might get one

Blouson swimsuits are fab at hiding the tum.

I have this swimsuit (size 16) as I bought in the Debenhams closing down sale (£8). I quite like it, it's not frumpy and you can wear it if you haven't shaved. I often potter around the garden in it in summer. It does slow you down on water slides tho. It does go with my hourglass figure and quite glam style so it does trip into frump.

I also have this swimsuit in a different colour way. It is very flattering www.brastop.com/products/curvy-kate-subtropic-non-wired-plunge-swimsuit-cherry-red-pink

That shop has good choice and excellent returns.

Also M&co have surprisingly nice swimsuits too. They are also super fast in water slides (a key criteria in choosing swimsuits for me it seems!)

I love these costumes. I don't wear any others. The skirt is very flattering when it's on and don't feel as conscious.

That stripy one is lovely OP and appears to have 120 people looking at it...

I'm 62 and I wouldn't wear it. It's the skirt bit that's ugly. Buy a normal swimsuit, or a tankini. I do aqua aerobics, and some of the women there are absolutely massive. (I'm far too fat myself) butyou'd be better to wear a sarong if you feel self-conscious. Size 16 isn't very big.

If you like a retro style, I’ve got a couple of bikinis from here:
www.collectiflondon.com/Mobile/en/gb/Womens-Swimwear/m-c-162.aspx
Like PP I’m a fan of swim skirts or shorts, mainly to avoid bikini line maintenance

@CorpusCallosum

https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/havana-breeze-underwired-halter-swimsuit/?curr=gbp&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3-yQBhD3ARIsAHuHT66xgYbVM7d2-jH1yxXPpHoA30RZiG6ZxG8mwK1jPRtgHnlo5k5VL-4aAuCCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm a 16 (plus a bit 😬) and if I wasn't so bloody pregnant I'd 100% be buying this for a summer hol. I think it would look amazing on some curves 💚

This one is lovely. If you get one that's just black you will look like a blob of black. Patterned ones like above will give you shape. Ime buying extra is worth it. I get all my bikinis from Pour Moi. If you know your size you can often get bargains on ebay and the like. You will look 1000 tines better in a gorgeous colourful swim suit then in something you're trying to hide in. And please don't get shorts and a vest. They are for water sports not having a good time with your friends.

paying extra

Not at all! I wore a similar one on holiday when I was a size 16 (now an 18 🤦‍♀️) also with friends half my size. I felt great in it and had masses of compliments. Wear it, enjoy your holiday and strut your stuff by the pool!

That is lovely

I’m normally less is more when it comes to swimwear (despite being past 25) but I actually think it looks quite nice.

No it’s very frumpy and is an obvious attempt to try and conceal.

You might as well hate your arse in a stylish swimsuit as hate your arse in an ugly one. Literally no one else will care

I like skirt swimsuits but that's because I am paranoid about my labia so like to cover up my bottom half. I didn't realise people judged skirted swimsuits so harshly lol.

@PegasusReturns

No it’s very frumpy and is an obvious attempt to try and conceal.

You might as well hate your arse in a stylish swimsuit as hate your arse in an ugly one. Literally no one else will care

I agree with this.

It doesn't matter what size you are, nobody cares, but all the swimsuits with a skirt are frumpy.

Have a look at Deakin and Blue - excellent quality, great support. I have 2 and feel fab in them both.

@stylehelpneeded

ahh I was worried about the skirt, thanks all.

I do have a boden one that is ok, I hate my bum though and wanted to cover it. :(

Out on my own here but I think a skirted swimsuit is fine. I think you would look far frumpier and uncomfortable in board shorts and a top

The skirted swim suits are never long enough to cover any problem areas properly, and as soon as you get wet, cling and show clearly what's underneath, so all they do is draw attention to you feeling more self conscious about your body, and often draw the eye to the bottom half.

Id go with something that highlights your boobs. If you are a 14-16 I bet you have a great cleavage. Something that draws the eye up, not down to your tummy and bum.

Out on my own here but I think a skirted swimsuit is fine. I think you would look far frumpier and uncomfortable in board shorts and a top

You aren’t out on your own. I agree about the board shorts or the men’s Victorian style swimming costume without the stripes as already suggested.

I like it - the halterneck and sweetheart neckline give it a retro vibe, like a playsuit.

Funny how so many people are aghast at swimming costumes with skirts. Presumably if you were asking for opinions on normal clothing no one would have a problem with you wearing a skirt. If anything, they might tell you not to wear such a short skirt! No one would advise dispensing with the skirt altogether and just going out in your knickers.

Has anyone pointed out the one in a red and white floral pattern:

www.debenhams.com/product/debenhams-skirted-suit_ddd06482?colour=floral

I think you have driven sales sky high for pourmoi, hard to even view as so oversubscribed 😂

They owe you!