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Original poster

Swimsuit sizing ... wtf? Also, help?

74 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 19:59

Ok, I want a swimsuit. Neither of my current swimsuits actually fit, and they're old, and I only kinda like them.

I have been looking 610 (26) here for example, and finding swimsuits I like, but what are the sizing numbers? What do they mean? Are they under-bust? Or what?

(And are Tyr swimsuits any good? I'm torn between them and Maru, nobody else seems to do a swimsuit I like - I'm after racer back, for actually swimming in, and looking like it's for swimming in. And I'm tempted by the whole 'chlorine-resistant' thing, although I do always wash my swimsuit after wearing it.)

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:46

Jesus christ on a bike, some of those swimsuits are a) really blazingly expensive and b) fucking ugly.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:46

Oh, I suck at all that, I hate posting things. I'll go try one on at Canary Wharf John Lewis, if they do swimsuits. Or something.

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foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:48

I don't know that side of town well enough but there must be a sports shop round there.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:48

Ah, see, I like this one, and I could pull of the colour etc, and the cut is good. But it's got a removable foam lining? And wtf is a 'jewel set'?

I just want something to swim in!

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:49

There's a sweaty betty, I think? Mostly we have v expensive trainer shops. There must be a sports shop in the City, I can do the city ...

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:50

Arse. This one is completely not what I'm looking for, but very tempting all the same. But it looks like it calls for Norks, and mine are decidedly lower case ...

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:53

Ok, this could work.

Or this.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:55
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foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:56

I prefer plain ones but the fit on those look OK don't they!

AitchTwoOh · 02/02/2008 20:57

foxy foxy! i have a long bod and short legs too, what has been your most successful cossie to date? i hate looking like my minge is eating my gusset, but if not it's baggy at the waist and weird at shoulders.

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 20:57

I think my norks would be out the spotty one in a flash

AitchTwoOh · 02/02/2008 20:58

also, why a racer back, nqc? what diff does that make?

tissy · 02/02/2008 20:59

I'm a size 10/12 usally, underbust 32/34

foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 21:01

aaah comrade short leg Aitch. Lol. Yes I know the minge eating gusset problem only too well.

Most successful costume (weirdly) was a body shaper one from M&S that was actually for long bodies (bought it years ago) and a Speedo.

But with the Speedos, I have to try on loads to avoid losing all circulation in my fanjo. We went on holiday a few years ago and I forgot my costume and bought a 34'' and I was practically crippled by the end of the holiday. I had to walk hunchback the whole time and it was so far up my backside, I daren't do front crawl in case I caused myself a permanent injury.

AitchTwoOh · 02/02/2008 21:04

i call it Gary Barlow Syndrome...

i have such difficulty buying cossies that it actually puts me off swimming. (well, that and the deforestation that must take place prior to exposing short legs in public). will take speedo on board. am also wondering if a racing back might support my norks better?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:05

Ah, mine wouldn't hang out of the spotty one, I don't think, but the cossie would look ... sad. Disappointed.

Racer back, or at least, straps close together, look 5 million times better on me. (I only wear racerback vest tops. I wear halter top stylee evening gowns. I have Big Shoulders, and other styles look Bad.)

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foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 21:06

in fact, I've just had a quick look at M&S and they are still doing longer length swimsuits so it's probably worth looking in there once their whole swimwear range comes in. I'll certainly go and have a gander.

AitchTwoOh · 02/02/2008 21:09

hmmm, i ahve broad shoulders too. (and short legs. i'm squat, let's face it). i have previously ignored racer backs on the grounds that they look sporty (which is not my look ) but will now investigate. likewise m&s, thanks.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:09

If your norks are Norks, then maybe something with formal support is better? They do underwire, or ones with a seam under the boobs, at least?

I hate the cossie shopping experience, last time I went to a cossie shop, they had billions of costumes, and then I said, 'oh, I want one to swim in', so they pointed me at the rail for freaks ...

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foxinsocks · 02/02/2008 21:09

are you generous of nork Aitch?

Yes, racing back good for that but can feel quite restrictive. It's a fine line isn't it. The good thing about the longer length M&S ones is that you can get your proper nork size swimsuit just that it's slightly longer so at least it normally 'fits' ok.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:10

Halter top ones (you know, with the bare back?) are also good for wide shoulders.

Teeny tiny thin straps are not.

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NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:12

Dunno about body length, but this one would work with Shoulders and Norks.

This one is also non-sporty, seems somewhat supportive (I think? What do I know?), and would work with Norks and Shoulders.

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tissy · 02/02/2008 21:13

LandsEnd cossies are good. Don't think they have the full range in yet; they usuallu have more. Watch out for American sizing, though!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:13

I am tempted to get other stuff from fig leaves, so may get one of theirs and hope for the best ...

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NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 21:14

Hmm, I'm sure landsend ones are nice, but they're too Womanly for my figure, I think. And the patterns aren't scary enough.

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