Swimdresses

[MaidOfSteel]

Hello.

I've been thinking about buying a swimdress for my upcoming holiday as Im very conscious of the top part of my legs and my bum.

Have any S & B readers have tried a swimdress? Does the skirt part just float up and get in the way when you're in the pool? Do they make an already pear shaped body look even wider? Would you recommend?

Thanks for any advice.

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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 have. Yes they float up, no they don't get in the way because they're small, they cover your bum but not really your legs like a very mini miniskirt

Thank you, @IndianSummer78. Sounds promising!

I wear board shorts and a swimming costume does the same job coverage wise. See also leg suits

I bought this recently after not being in a pool for 10+years as felt to self conscious about tops of legs etc. Gamechanger! I love swimming again!

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-1-piece-swimsuit-heva-tankini-leo/_/R-p-344008?mc=8774081&c=BLACK

I honestly think swimdresses attract more attention than just a normal swimming costume, because they're worn when feeling self conscious, when on holiday there are SO many shapes and sizes in costumes.

I agree, I feel like they draw attention to a lack of confidence. Which is a shame as there are some nice ones. Shorts over the top is better I think.

I have this one, not the cheapest out there but an absolute game changer.

https://www.curvissa.co.uk/products/v-neck-swimdress//A-909197714?PFMrsn=browse&PFMMref=false&PFMpsp=own&PFMM_lpn=10

I don’t think wearing a swimdress indicates a lack of confidence. I just don’t want to share my body with strangers. Next do some nice ones.

I have given up on bikinis. I just hate exposing my wobbly midrift. I look like a boiled egg on legs in a swimming costume.

I have been wearing this swimdress for years. It is really flattering on. Although i do feel like someone who obviously trying to cover up. And it has to be ordered from the states. No perfect solution - sigh!

https://www.amazon.com/COCOSHIP-Striped-Swimsuit-Skirtini-Beachwear/dp/B01D2HPMB4/ref=mp_s_a_1_23?keywords=swim+dresses&qid=1685978176&sr=8-23

In Australia, board shorts and a rash vest is a popular and good looking option. But harder to get the range in the uk.

You can but swim shorts now which I wear with a tankini or over a one piece costume. They're short shorts iykwim but it's enough to make me feel like I'm not just wearing my knickers in the pool which has made me always hate the thought of swimming.

What about something like this? I got this one for a trip to a water park, it's so flattering and loads of people were wearing similar.

That's nice need coffee where's it from?

The more of us who wear swimdress, or similar like above, the less out of place they'll look. Men mostly ditched tight Speedos trunks years ago in favour of something less revealing, why can't women? Who looks at a man in baggy swimming shorts and says "oh he's not confident"? Nobody that's who. If anything, before it became the norm, they looked more confident as weren't afraid to wear what they liked even if it means they stick out. Sure women could wear the shorts but that's not my style, I don't dress like a tomboy outside the pool why would I in it?

I also hate all the hair removal that's inevitably needed with a regular swimsuit because they're almost always cut so high up on the hip and I'm a hairy beastie with dark hair so I'd have to do it literally before every time I swim unless I want people seeing my pubes' 5 o'Clock shadow, which I don't! I keep myself tidy but I don't want to have to do it just because I fancy a swim tomorrow

I wear them because am more self conscious in a high cut suit than in a shortie swimsuit or swim dress.
I tuck the floaty bit into my suit (pants line) when I’m in the water so it’s not in my way and pull it out when I’m getting out. My favourite I’ve worn the last 2 years is the one @Elvira2000 shared from Amazon and is very flattering but I got it from Amazon U.K.! https://amzn.eu/d/bti0b2w

Jess Millichamp has just released one that goes on sale in about an hour and it's so nice! I'm tempted to get it myself. Her swim wear is great quality.

That one is from SHEIN, I was sceptical because if was only £12 but it's really thick and good quality. There are loads of long leg one pieces on there.

I've also got these two, both really good.

I've worn boardshorts and bikini top or rashie for the last 15 years. Can't be doing with swimsuits or bikini bottoms which inevitably just rides up and needs rearranging to make sure it still in the right place. Ive never worn a swimdress, don't think they look good at all. All the extra material floating around would annoy me and just think shorts look so much better and sportier. Personal preference of course. I got these last year and they are amazing. They dry so quickly, really light material which doesnt stick to you, keep the colour and are very comfy. https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/womens-stretch-board-shorts-p24277.aspx/black/

I've previously always opted for surf brands like Roxy and Billabing but find their boardshort range is very limited here. Bought these on a whim and they have been so good. Would really recommend.

I've got this one in blue (SHEIN) and it's comfortable and makes my boobs look 👀 ace! 😂 I wear with shorts but I've just got some swim cycle shorts

I like a swim dress, but I found with my last one that when the elastic started to go, the skirt became a lot longer, like a train almost! Maybe a problem with how I was washing it?

I've always worn either a legsuit, or a swimsuit with swim shorts over the top. I do find it's rare that I see other women dressed similarly in the pools I've been in, but I couldn't care less, that's how I feel comfortable.

I've worn a swim dress when at a UK water park holiday, because it somehow feels very different wearing a swimsuit on a beach/pool holiday abroad in the full sunshine etc, than it does being in the UK indoors with something akin to underwear on, also with DCs all that bending down to pick them up/help them up stairs etc... a swimsuit riding up... just no.

Anyway, swim dresses. I would avoid anything too frilly, gathered or gaily floral. The best ones were more like a sporty, straight A-line skirt, a bit like a sports skirt effect. The gathered frilly types just drew attention to the fact it is a swim dress and the area I was self-conscious about whereas a sportier one looked and felt a bit more chic.

Also, watch the length of the swim dress. Oddly, some don't actually cover your bottom or the tops of your legs so you get all the inconvenience of extra fabric with no real benefit. The sporty A-line ones skim down nicely whereas the ones with gathered skirts (often starting too high up near the bust line) can look like maternity swimsuits, or very old-fashioned/old. Have a look at "sports swim dress" online. I think simple black or navy, or those colours with some detailing/extra colour on the bust look pretty good.

Next have some swim skirts in and a swim dress

I feel way more confident in a swim dress. Mine is from bon marche of all places but it's great. I would not feel confident in anything skin tight. The swim dress just skims the bits that stick out.

Not the point. Swimdresses dont attract particular attention any more than any other swimwear, but the point is, lots of women dont feel good wearing swimwear and lots of women dont go swimming at all or go to the beach because of feeling self conscious. If a swim dress makes people feel that at least their arse cheeks and flaps arent accidentally on display, then thats understable to me. My friend has just got herself a burkini despite not being muslim or religious at all and is really excited about finally feeling ok about swimming in the sea.
Some men feel self conscious in speedos and only wear board shorts. Not out of shame. Just lots of people prefer more coverage

Amazon do.some.nice ones, l went away with my two older teenage sons last year, l am tall and slim not body conscious but l think they look more elegant.

Agree with BlackRookInRainyWeather, IndianSummer78, and Mumof1andacat- it's got nothing to do with a lack of self- confidence. It's just getting on with swimming without any worries.

In fact - given they, apparently, draw attention to the wearer wouldn't that indicate confidence?