Am I the only one that hates women’s swimwear/beachwear options?

[Mudonstairs]

A total first world problem…Just wanting a rant really. I have booked my first holiday since becoming a mum and am finding the bikini options quite depressing. I’ve never liked one piece swim suits so bikini/tankini is really my only option. I just find them all so revealing and I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing them. The tankini options tend to look so plain and unattractive and I find they are marketed at the plus size market so unavailable in my size sometimes. I am finding most styles are either too revealing or on the other end of the scale just frumpy 🤷🏻‍♀️ I just want something pretty that covers the bottom a bit better. I don’t want to have shave or wax while I’m away for two weeks so knickers are a bit too revealing. I feel annoyed that men don’t have to decide whether they want their pubes on show!!!

I am late thirties, a size 8 but I do go up a size or two on bottoms to get more coverage. Another rant: why do the bottoms only cover half a bum cheek?! 🤬 perhaps a lot of retailers believe that women want to bare as much flesh as possible, especially if they are of a smaller frame??? I don’t get it.

I have bought a skirted bottom from M&S online (can’t remember which brand) which is ok and still feminine without looking frumpy. But I can’t find anything else remotely pretty but still not too much flesh on the bottom area on show. People have suggested sarongs/cover ups but honestly I just want something I can go in and out of a pool without too much faffing. I will have a two year old to run after!

Sorry, rant over! Does anyone else feel my pain?

frilly goldfish

fair enough. Do some searching yourself. There's pages and pages of various stuff and I have the attention span of a goldfish(see what i did there?) which is why my suggestions are all over the place.

Search for lace swim skirt to get the ones similar to your and the shorts.

I find this so peculiar as I think there is basically every kind of beachwear in the UK from teeny tiny triangle bikini to burkhini and everything in between. Every level of butt coverage from long leg shorts through to thongs. High waist mid rise low waist. Literally everything

Haha thank you. I’ll take a look 😊

Fair enough. Their tankini sets look to be on the "big knickers" end of the scale, might be worth a look? And other patterns are available (obvs)

Skort

Thanks. I think I’m looking for more shorts or skirts style than big knickers. I mean, I didn’t exactly know what I was liking for when I started this thread but all the suggestions have helped me get to know what I like.

Sorry, shorts or short skirts that was meant to say.

I mean, I didn’t exactly know what I was liking for when I started this thread but all the suggestions have helped me get to know what I like.

Haha that's the worst, isn't it? I don't know what I want, but all the things available are not it 😫

I don’t have a problem with beach wear such as bikinis. The top only sees about 50% service, when compared with the bottoms anyway 😀! The bra often comes off on the beach. And there is a huge offering of bottoms out there from high waist to thongs and in between.

l have more of a problem with one piece cossies for the (indoor) pool when not on holiday. There is so much out there now with multiple straps and/or high back. I want a simple deep scoop back and high leg. Surely not too much to ask?

Yes, that’s exactly it. A few people have posted some suggestions that I don’t like and I don’t want to say nah I don’t like it when I don’t actually know what about it I don’t like 😂 it’s been a really helpful thread though. I have some favourites lined up and will think about which ones to buy after my next payday 😁

It doesn’t sound like it should be too hard to find but it’s actually not that easy, is it?! What about this one? I know the print is a bit funky…

Just to add further solidarity with this situation as I came on to say something similar!!

I've always felt self conscious in swim wear but this year it feels worse somehow. Like, I don't want to parade around almost naked. I just avoid it where possible.

Some of it for me is definitely about my body as well though. To all the people saying they find it easy to find swimwear that fits and is comfy good for you, but it's not easy for everyone!

I'd like more coverage than a bikini but can't wear one piece because I'm hugely pear shaped - flat chest, big tummy and bum. Plus a long torso equals camel toe and a generally unpleasant silhouette.

Bikinis means I can deal with the torso issue and the boob issue with some structure and padding. But bum falls out of most pants, and if I wear shorts of any kind it just looks even bigger. Tummy also on show. Tankinis yes but they always ride up. Don't want a tri suit, I feel like it is still unflattering and draws more attention!

Basically I should just stay inside...

You’ve basically described all of my body issues. The woes of a pear shaped woman 😩

Basically I should just stay inside...
this made me laugh so much 🤣 but it’s exactly how I feel sometimes!

Oh i forgot that a triangle shape with halter neck looks best on my top but halter necks give me neck ache because I always have to do them up white tight on account of the lack of boobs.

Also it would be fine to be in swimwear if I were just getting in a pool and swimming but it's the loitering around in shin-high water with the kids in a moist uncomfy clingy suit half naked that upsets me 😖

I know I'm just whinging and I don't even care

That’s the exact same issue I have with halter necks too. I don’t think my boobs can ever look right in a halter neck after 2 years (and counting) of breastfeeding. There’s not much left of them, or my sanity for that matter!

Thats the problem I was trying to explain in one of my previous posts. Pre baby I wouldn’t have to loiter around knee deep in a kids pool. I could go right into a pool/sea and be submerged so not be seen, or I could quietly lounge on my sunbed, maybe even undo my bikini top to get an even back tan. No chance of that anymore. Now however, I have a child that will be screaming for snacks while I try to maintain some decorum 😂

Please whinge away. Makes me glad I’m not the only whinger 🤣

Thank you, but this sums up the issue. Scooped backs tend to be a “semi scoop” (my wording) these days. I’m looking (and still looking) for a deep backless scoop; almost, but not quite down to the tip of the bum. I had one years ago.

I’ll bow out here though, because this is your thread and the subject is slightly different. I don’t want to hijack it. x

https://www.walkonbeach.co.uk/floral-square-neck-two-pieces-tankini-set-with-skirt-apds-tk090502.html

https://www.walkonbeach.co.uk/teal-scoop-neckline-racerback-ruching-tummy-control-casual-one-piece-swimsuit-apds-op060803.html

https://www.walkonbeach.co.uk/cute-square-neckline-adjustable-straps-ruched-one-piece-swimsuit-apds212.html

Some nice options here!

You do know the trisuits have crotch padding for hard racing bike seats?! They're for racing triathlons rather than fun so are designed to meet essential clothing requirements for all 3 (then falling to do all three well). It's like wearing a sodden nappy and most definitely not what you want for the beach :D

I wanted to also put in a recommendation for La Redoute swimsuits. Some lovely styles that I hadn't seen elsewhere.

@StarlightLady there are a few lower scoop backs (ballerina?) there e.g.

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350337777.aspx#shoppingtool=unknow

and

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350137230.aspx#shoppingtool=unknow

I'm with you, last time I went abroad I had something like this which I felt comfortable in. Was fine for swimming/paddle boarding etc. have a look on Amazon. I can't post a link unfortunately

No idea what the quality is like but I have seen some nice options similar to you describe on seafancy.co.uk pop up in fb adverts.

Thank you, l particularly like the cut of the second one, but oh dear, those silly bits 😳.

Long thread last year, referenced up thread about poor sizing, quality and returns from Seafancy.