Beachwear

[MrsJHarker]

I know this will have been discussed so many times but couldn't find a good thread.

Can we talk beachwear please?

I've got swimsuits, tankinis, bikinis even board shorts. I've not been abroad for four years. I'm 5ft 3 size 12 and definitely not rocking a six pack.

What do you prefer to wear?

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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

Following

I always feel a bit naked in a bikini and self conscious especially now I'm older. I wondered what other people prefer.

I started my collection last year for my first beach holiday in ages and I’ve added to it this year. I don’t like too much fuss and frill but I also like something interesting so it’s hard to find that balance but I like my little collection. A must is that it covers shoulders as i burn so easily. This is what I have: https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-collarless-beach-cover-up-shirt/p/clp60581853?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/rubi-tee-tunic?color=011&size=5000

similar to this: https://www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/product.cupro-blend-cover-up-black.1172168001.html

I also have this which doesn’t cover my shoulders but can go on easily over a costume or bikini: https://www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/good-day-one-piece?color=027

They are all lovely.

I have good size chest & I do like my legs so in a bikini I'm conscious of chest and my not so flat stomach.

I have a few cover ups so when I'm jnot sunbathing or swimming I can pop these on.

We are going with my parents, my teenager and his friend so It just doesn't feel natural to be so naked. I'm OK infront of DH.

Oh gosh I'm literally the same size as you and height and having the same dilemma. Unlike you I have the worst legs think tree trunks and I'm going to the South of France. I'm looking at beach trousers with shirred waists and matching bikinis or swimsuits but I've only seen these on Shein so far and would like to avoid Shein if possible.

I'm also looking at kiminos for cover ups.

Following with great interest!

I had a revelation on a beach in Sardinia in my 20’s- ALL the women were wearing bikinis because it was hot.
So now I wear whatever I’m physically comfortable in depending on the weather. I’ve got a peri-menopausal belly which I also wrinkly due to a big baby and it doesn’t matter.
My favourite bikini is a Deakin and Blue one.

I could have written the same thing!
Had a revelation on a Spanish beach, every woman was in a bikini - old, young, fat, thin, and they all looked so un- self conscious.

So decided that I'd rock bikinis from that point onwards and have never looked back! If really having a chubby day then a loose, light shirt or similar as a cover up when not swimming.

My favourite bikinis are from Banana Moon. Worth the price, last really well, super flattering.

My one-pieces are now reserved for length/lane swimming only.

This

I went through a phase of wearing a swimsuit due to peri meno stomach but after seeing women of all ages, shapes and sizes in bikinis I decided to re introduce bikinis to my collection.

Was on holiday recently most women were wearing bikinis none of them had supermodel proportions. Wear what you feel comfortable in.

@Gastropod I generally wear bikinis for lane swimming too as most swimming costumes are too short for my body.

As above posters - I had the same revolution (Greece for me!) and now think sod it and wear bikinis. I’m 5ft 2 and size 14 with huge boobs, but life is too short! I do tend to wear the high waisted bikini bottoms, and invest in a fitted underwire bikini top though. Pour moi, bravissimo and marksies are good for me brand wise.

@MinnieMountain any good swimming bikinis you recommend? I haven't found one that isn't either insanely tight (broad back) or too loose.

I wear a bikini but I put a blouson tankini top over it for getting in the pool, walking around the pool, when I'm on a sunbed I slip in off, I also tie a sarong round my waist

I think last time I went abroad I took 2 swimsuits but actually ended up wearing bikinis as it was so hot.

I did have some board shorts (the shorter ones) come yesterday and they fit lovely so I was thinking if we walked down to the beach I could wear them with a bikini top.

I'm going to look for a few more cover ups as I see there are some lovely ones out there.

I can remember being in the pool with my DS when he was younger and him laughing because I had big boobs and he asked why I was showing everyone. I did have a bikini top on.

I hoping when I get there I will feel better about not hitting the gym everyday before I went.

Always bikinis for the beach, because I hate the feeling of wet lycra all the way up and around me while it dries. I always take a sarong, and always tie it around my waist when I get up from the lounger, just to feel less exposed.

What do you prefer to wear?

In all honesty, nothing. I prefer secluded beaches.

However, a bikini when public decency demands it.

Sounds lovely 😂but I'll wait till it's just me and the DH.

Half a bikini! 40s and still go topless on the beach.

I've spent lots of time on beaches in Spain and Portugal, and I absolutely love seeing older ladies, really old people, in their swim cossies, loving the sun and sea and not caring a jot what they look like. I'm late 40s, and really try to channel their attitude! Life's short, your still here, enjoy yourself!

I'm going to agree with all the posters saying go for the bikini. I have been having the same worries but I'm not likely to see any of these people again so i will stick with bikinis. I too love seeing people of all shapes and sizes being confident enough to wear what they want and hopefully they feel the same about me ! Plus, It all looks OK when I'm lying on a sunbed.... literally goes pear shaped when i sit or stand up 😆but a sarong sorts that out. Enjoy your trip !

@Gastropod I’ve got this one https://www.deakinandblue.com/collections/bikinis/products/swimbra-bikini-set-navy-monroe
Expensive but it’s lasting well.

I wear bikinis but with tops that fit more like a proper bra. With a D cup the triangle and bandeau ones would be ridiculous or obscene. I do go to the gym and take regular exercise but am still about BMI 27 and definitely don't have a six pack. I have bikinis similar to this in black and light blue.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/roll-top-bikini-bottoms/p/clp60581928#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r4c1

Bikini but not high-cut or tops that don't support.
Cut down denim shorts for activities, like sailing. Usually have shirt handy in case of burning.

Exactly. Unless you are on a beach full of famous people and paparazzi,nobody cares what you wear on the beach. I'm not British and I can always spot the British family on the beach in my home town (France). The women are the one in a dress or a tee shirt and shorts while all the other women,of all shapes,sizes and ages are wearing a bikini.

I'm 5"2 and a size 14-16 (although currently 11 weeks pregnant so look like I have a large tummy target then pregnant). I'm going on holiday next week and I'll be buggered if I'm going to be uncomfortable in too many clothes for fear of what people might think. If they don't like it they don't have to look at me! I
Wear what you want to wear and sod what anyone else thinks!

I’m just back in from a day on the beach in a hot European country, not a single person wore an all in one swimsuit, regardless of age and size. I noticed that the sarong has disappeared as have board shorts. For popping to the bar women either threw on a strappy loose knee length dress, shorts and a linen shirt (open) or longer length linen shirts/dresses like the M&S one posted above. Those tunic style beach coverups seam to have gone too.

however, most importantly nobody really cares, it’s a beach. On the one hand you are aware of other people’s bodies, but when you see how different they all are you realise that it’s just not that important.