Swimming options - plus size

[Vebrithien]

Morning,

What the least worse option to wear swimming?

I'm having a bit of a wobble mentally and physically over what to wear swimming. I'm about an 18/20, with a big tummy overhang thanks kids!

For years, I've worn a swim dress whilst swimming, but it's not great with little kids feet getting tangled, when I'm carrying them. Also, useless in a hot tub, and my one costume is now 11 years old

We're going away with the PIL in August, and there will be swimming and a hot tub, which I will love, but I'm very self conscious around the PIL. They have, in the past, made unkind remarks about my size.

What do you think about women's board shorts and a rash vest? I burn very easily, so it would also help with that.

If so, do I go for full length sleeves, short sleeves? Where's good to maybe try things on?

Thank you!

I'm no longer plus size but would highly recommend the decathlon ones.

They are longer in the bum and look like tank top and shorts.

I’m a size 18 and have just had this from Long Tall Sally. I’m not especially tall - 5ft 7in but it’s really flattering.

www.longtallsally.com/lts-black-tie-front-ruched-swimsuit-p

I’ve got this too which creates a bit of an optical illusion and makes me look slimmer and curvier.

www.longtallsally.com/lts-black-pink-contrast-active-swimsuit-p

Honestly i personally think it draws attention to yourself more the alternative.. i just came back off holiday and a size 20... No one cares in all honesty

This one was lovely www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-swimming-one-piece-tankini-swimsuit-heva-ond/_/R-p-160951

Board shorts and a rash vest is perfect, and any comments about being covered up/not a bikini or whatever can be swept away with a 'isn't it fantastic, got to keep my skin happy, and just what the doctor ordered' sort of thing. I burn very easily and wear a decathlon long sleeved rash vest and leggings. Lands End have a great selection of mix and match pieces so you can have a tankini top and swim skort or long sleeved and board shorts all in the same colour ways. Modli have a great selection, and Mountain Warehouse have some nice rash vests and shorts I saw yesterday

i’m also of the opinion that a standard one-piece swimsuit is the best option. It will likely be more comfortable for swimming in, and I think swim dresses etc tend often to be less flattering than a well-cut one piece.

I’m a 20-22 and have a suit from Deakin & Blue that I use for my regular pool swimming - flattering, practical, made in the UK, but also £££ so depends how often you use it. Might be a nice gift to yourself to encourage you to swim more often if you enjoy it?

www.deakinandblue.com/collections/all/products/x-back-swimsuit-cobalt-hepburn

I’ve just come back from a beach holiday where I also took a costume from City Chic from Evans which I would highly recommend. They are an Aussie brand and so they get swimwear right - it’s super well cut and decent quality. I bought this suit which was v good value. It’s underwired, though that isn’t immediately obvious, so more supportive than it looks.

www.evans.co.uk/lucia-1-piece-black?catfilter=eyJpZCI6IjExMDI3In0%3D

City Chic also make board shorts and rash vests if you want to add them — but you shouldn’t feel you have to wear them for your parents in law. Your partner should be ensuring they don’t make inappropriate remarks, and if that’s not possible they shouldn’t be coming on holiday with you. I can’t imagine spending my hard-earned holiday time with people who bullied me. Or my partner accepting that.

I just got a lovely tankini with built in bra and tummy control from Curvy Kate. The Tankini bottoms are full coverage.

I’m the same size as you and there’s no way I’d wear anything other than a normal, well fitting swim suit - I think the skirt / shorts things just make it look like you hate your body and are trying to cover it up. Better to just be bold and wear a normal swim suit - even if you don’t feel brave and your in laws are arses, they’ll be arses anyway!! Yours and Asos have some lovely plus size swim wear.

I found some Speedo swimsuits in a sale. I was highly skeptical because their suits are unflattering on anybody who doesn't have the body of an elite swimmer! However, they make their plus size suits differently. Some have far less material in the back evict shows my back rolls, which I didn't want, but others were good.

I got a purple one and a bright red one.

I figure that I'm not going to look less fat by wearing black or a dark colour and have everybody think I'm trying to hide. May as well look like I'm confident in my body to hide the fact that I'm totally not! 😂

Thank you everyone, lots of things to think about, and some lovely options to look at.

In terms of PIL, DH has always pulled them up on their comments, but it has often left a cloud hanging over the event, which I'm keen to avoid.

I generally wear very modest clothing, loose tops and long skirts. This is based on deep seated issues, from being a slim, attractive young teen, and all the unwanted attraction/handsy issues this caused.

Lastly, my DM has recently had to have a number of basal and squamous cell carcinomas removed, and as I burn very easily, I was trying to think outside the box for swimming/covering up

I 100% agree with this. I was swimming at the local pool last week and I lady came through from the changing rooms in full length leggings and a long sleeved T-shirt. I could see people were looking and wondering if she was getting in the pool in it. It looked so restrictive when it was dripping and wet, can't imagine the carry on she had to get it off.

covering up for the sun is pretty normal where I am. I have swim leggings and a long sleeved rash vest.

I love the leggings. They stay up, don’t feel heavy in the water. The rash vest I get a front zip fastening one because I find them a pain to get on and off otherwise

I'm a plus size too and am looking for new swimwear. I have swimsuits but I would prefer a two piece as I always need to get out for a wee! Just spent a weekend in Cornwall and as someone who burns easily I was jealous of DS in the rash vest and board shorts I bought him. Am now thinking of buying my own but also an underwired bikini to wear underneath for support. Please don't be embarrassed by your in laws they sound very rude and with skin cancer in the rise its a very sensible option. Who wants to be burnt, tight skinned and in pain?

I care more about the gaps at the leg hole that an overhanging tummy creates that that 'other people' may think I hate my body. 🙄🙄

one piece might work for some, but they don't work for all of us.

@Vebrithien with a heavy overhang I wear a variety of shorts (from very short 'cycle' style to mens board shorts (better coverage for the tummy' and a variety of tops. I sometimes wear a one piece with the board shorts & a loose long sleeve swimming top for an
outside day.

if you don't have the 'gappy leg hole' issue I have, then a nice one piece is fine too. Some bigger women really rock a bikini too, but not me anymore!

I can't stand swim dresses, myself, but that might be my age (50's) as they were for 'old & fat ladies' when I was growing up, not as they seem to be now -available for all ages in lovely fabrics.

so much available now - pick what YOU think you'll be comfortable in!

as others have said, get your inlaws sorted!! Your DH shouldn't be letting them 'get away' with being so nasty. Else I'd be refusing to go on holiday with them!!

For swimwear I think La Redoute would a good place to have a look at, they have really great ones which are shapewear too. The ones with the ruched tummy are a good choice and I would actually look into a bikini with a highwaist because I think those can be really super flattering. Instead of hiding under shorts you could get a couple of drop dead gorgeous beach dresses, a fab hat (you can look down and the world around you disappears), a pair of wow sunglasses (I like them big, check out TKMaxx) and a pair of nice sandals (or just Havaianas really).
As for the in-laws... "you've got a problem with my weight? It comes from having had your DGC but if that's a problem maybe you shouldn't be around my DC".

I'm 5'4" and a size 16/18, this year I'll be wearing a bikini and a long sleeved rash top. I've had skin cancer in the past so now always keep covered up, I will not be lounging around with any part of me on display. I'm ditching the usual swimsuit because I am fed up with having to strip completely to go toilet or trying (often unsuccessfully) to hold the gusset out of the way. Sod what anyone else thinks.

ive been all sizes and honestly think a two piece with a proper bra sized top is far more flattering.

My only rule is it needs to be substantial enough so that it doesn’t look like it’s been eaten when I sit down 🤣

I find it interesting that you’ve assumed I don’t have an overhang. I do. I’ve got the whole c section shelf thing going on and due to having really complicated disabilities (lupus, Addisons, and all sorts of pituitary and kidney issues) my body is - by my own admission- a really “weird” shape. And that’s okay, most peoples are! That’s the point I was trying to make. Everyone thinks their own body is weird, no one is really worried what other people look like and it’s important to feel at peace with yourself. If you have a bit of a gap around the leg it’s fine - it’s just skin. As long as your privates are hanging out it’s fine. 😁

Aren’t! Ha, what an autocorrect!

I agree a one piece swimsuit is more flattering. I'm an 18, and look a lot better in a swimsuit rather than a dress type think which basically says you want to cover up.

Sainsburys are surprisingly good for swimwear.

Tell your in laws to fuck off. (Maybe wait till the kids aren't in ear shot...)

Being a similar size and preferring boy short legs, I went for a tankini from Regatta.

I burn easily too, just slap on suntan lotion, stay in shade wherever possible and sling on long-sleeved shirt as cover up.

I have the lands end tugless swim suit which they do in a longer body and I love them. They often have an offer on. Also go for a fabulous cover up/ kaftan. Get some great sunglasses and do not let anyone put you down!

I have a bra sized bikini top and high waisted bikini shorts then I add a rash vest over the top when I need/want the sun protection. I wouldn’t wear a rash top with no bra/tankini/swimsuit underneath because I need the boob support.
Anyone who gives you a hard time about wanting to wear a rashvest can fuck off. I wear one and I put my young kids in all in one rashsuits. Skin cancer is no joke.

Have a look at this Canadian pattern company www.jalie.com also on fb sewing with jalie. Many really good swim options, one piece, bikini, tankini, rash guards etc all the newer patterns go to plus sizes.

if you can’t sew or don’t know anyone who does , you could join the fb group Spandex doesn’t scare me and ask for a dressmaker in your country to make one for you. Expect to pay a lot for bespoke but ensures a good fit and a one of a kind swim wear.

Thank you, everyone, for your messages and ideas. Lots to think about.

@CafeCremeMerci yes, the overhang/gap is what I'm worried about, especially as I tend to the 'natural foliage' down there 😂

DH has been super supportive of me, especially since we've had children. He (not physically) threw his DM out of our house, when she was unkind to me, and DD was a newborn. I suspect PIL then realised I was sticking around (only took 10 years), and that if they wanted to see their only grandchildren, they needed to be at least civil to me.

They have got much better, but it still hurt, and I'd rather not given them ammunition. I've lost 10 kg, which is helping too. I guess I'd rather just feel comfortable, and not worry about flashing them/their comments.

I'm thinking along the lines of a fitted swimsuit, with a pair of board shorts on top, and then a rash vest for when I'm in the sun.

I love the idea of fabulous sunglasses, but I wear prescription glasses, and can't wear contacts, so that limits it a bit. Might look into a cheaper pair of big, bold prescription sunglasses.