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

Mine is from George at Asda which I think is even more "of all places" than Bon Marche !

@Nauticalthemedloo i ordered that suit from Decathlon and had to send it back as the shorts were flappy and not at all tight to the leg.

as a pp said Bon marche have lots of skirted suits. SHEIN has tonnes too as well as lots of swimsuits and Tankinis with shorts. I ordered this SHEIN Tankini shorts bottom and as a pp said of their order, the fabric is thick and the fit better than the Decathlon one. I’ve now ordered a couple of others from SHEIN. It’s the only place there’s a lot of choice.

I have tried them but felt like an elderly matron and not in a good way (not to say some people don’t rock them).

I quite like these tankinis - you can wear the top with shorts if you want

www.curvissa.co.uk/products/racer-back-tankini/_/A-976024_10

Also depends where you are going. I know people who have had issues in france with non conventional swimwear, men they are really strict on too. My friend has a knee length, elbow length swim suit and wasn't allowed

Cotton Traders have a few. George at Asda as well. I've not had a problem in France although it's been a few years since I was on a beach or pool in France.

Cotton Traders

That's nice- although not sure it would be distinguishable from a skirted swimsuit to any one seeing it.

Wow! So many replies!

Thank you so much for all your comments and links. You've definitely all given me a lot to think about. And lots of swimwear to look at!

Thanks again. 💙

Need coffee immediately you got the links for those two they look fab

i always get asked where I got mine from on our beach!
I first got one when DD was little as I was spending so much time bending over on beach that it felt far more comfortable not to be showing my arse to the sunbathers as she paddled. Not so good for powering through a few lengths, but v useful.

m.shein.co.uk/Two-Tone-Zipper-Front-One-Piece-Swimsuit-p-3006928-cat-2193.html?mallCode=1&srcmodule=women&srcidentifier=on%3DIMAGECAROUSELCOMPONENT%60cn%3DCOMMONIMAGECAROUSELCOMPONENT2gben%60hz%3D0%60ps%3D514%60jc%3Dreal2039&srctabpageid=page_home1686042478319

m.shein.co.uk/Color-Block-Zipper-Front-One-Piece-Swimsuit-p-6113347-cat-2193.html?srcmodule=women&srcidentifier=on%3DIMAGECAROUSELCOMPONENT%60cn%3DCOMMONIMAGECAROUSELCOMPONENT2gben%60hz%3D0%60ps%3D514%60jc%3Dreal2039&srctabpageid=pagehome1686042478319&mainattr=27_112&mallCode=1

@Skyrim41

I wear some longer shorts (like jammers) that reach my knees and a long swim top that’s empire style to hide my enormous tummy, it’s like a long tankini - I don’t get any “looks” as if it’s odd in the local pool or on the beach.

I wear a swim skirt as part of a mix and match bikini. The tops of my legs and my bum have always looked terrible, and I’m very pear-shaped so swimming costumes never fit top and bottom at the same time. I have always avoided any activity that required swimwear.
Now I love my swim skirt. I feel totally confident in it compared to wearing any other style, even those with long shorts. The way it flares out a bit hides all my problematic bits.
I get compliments on it all the time and told I look lovely, even though I’m overweight and old and saggy, and for the first time in over 50 years I feel able to enjoy the beach etc without being self conscious.
I don’t care if other people look at me and think ‘she’s wearing a swim skirt therefore she’s trying to hide something’. Let them think what they like. I look SO much better in it than any of the alternatives.

One thing to look out for is that some skirts are really short and only cover a bit of your bum and non of your thighs. You have to try a lot and look at the length measurements.
And yes, they float up in the water, but not in an annoying way. I’ve worn mine in long distance swimming events and it doesn’t get in the way at all.

I often wear something like this (1st pic). When the UV is very strong I wear a long sleeved rash with leggings. I agree you are more likely to draw attention to yourself wearing unusual swimwear so it's counterproductive. I think a T-shirt and small shorts looks more natural than a legsuit or dress. And I can assure you they are significantly less annoying to swim in and to remove for a wee!

The only swim dress I had was like that (2nd pic) for the beach. Proper swimming in a ruched drawstring dress was restrictive but no one looked twice at me.

I have a swim dress so I don’t have to look after the bikini line. I tuck the floaty bit into the sides when in water and pull it out to leave water. Tried shorts but not as flattering and tankini top rides up.

Thinking more about this, it's so very annoying that women's swimsuits are in the main designed to show off absolutely everything. Fine if you want to, but not so fine if you don't. I am pear shaped and my bum is not toned. Almost every swimsuit I look at doesn't hold the bum in, they cut right across it. There are Lands End tugless but that's as close as it gets for proper cut bottoms for those of us with more generous behinds and/or don't want bum cheeks left half out.

High-waisted bikini bottoms with low legs could do the job, but I want a swimsuit not a bikini. Likewise, "boy leg". I want a swimsuit with elastic that hold the bum in properly, not extends down the top of the leg or leaves half of it out. The best one's I've found are at BonMarche (have had some brilliant proper bottom-fitting ones from here) but this style is fast disappearing in favour of higher cut legs. (For those interested, the "ruched front" Bonmarche swimsuits are the ones which cover the bottom pretty well. My black one is on its third year and still looks good, and I think chic, and I have various other patterns and colours.

Can you imagine if men had to choose mainly only tight fitting swim pants, which showed off every lump and bump at the front (and leaving the size of their bits under no illusion?!) and not only that but cutting right across their bum cheeks at the rear? And if baggy board shorts were the equivalent of swim dresses are seen now, in the main - somehow overly modest or an odd choice, instead of a perfectly sensible, practical and comfortable choice? But board shorts are completely mainstream, whereas their equivalent swim dresses for women are somehow not!

It's not really anything to do with confidence why I wear them but as I'm a size 22 I tend to find my tummy shows at either side with a normal swimming costume so the skirt covers thst, don't need that on show!

Women have choice. There's a huge range of swim clothing, especially online. And the UK is very relaxed about what can be worn and where.

I get mine from simplybe if you are size 12 and over

Well said. Sad that a woman's confidence is judged based on how much flesh she is willing to reveal.

Matalan has some fab ones

I think a plain swimsuit or tankini is more flattering than a swim dress OP. I assume you need something for a beach type holiday? Sitting around in a drippy wet swim dress would feel awful on the beach. I prefer something that draws less attention and faster drying.

I’m a size 12, 5’9 and have a fairly flat tummy. I still wear one as I’m not as flat as I want to be or was pre-baby, and I don’t like the scrutinising eyes on me as I walk the line to the bar (on hols at the mo). I love mine, and think they are more flattering than a tankini.

You can’t swim good in it though so it that’s a priority I would have an alternative. I’m just in on about the shallow pool with my toddler though and it’s not especially drippy or slow drying either if you are in the sun.

Mine is also from Bon Marche. Currently on my second one from there. Also have a swimsuit and tankini top combo that I use for the beach as easier to go to the loo when needed!

Wouldn't recommend either for actual swimming or aqua class though. Prefer a low leg swimsuit for that. Currently have Asda George and Sainsburys Tu ones in that style.

Like this one:

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc141921049