Do I need help? I think I want to buy a swimdress!

[ghislaine]

So I'd always associated these items with my grandmother and Esther Williams. I'm not ready for the full flower swimcap but I have found myself strangely drawn to swimdresses when looking for a new swimsuit. Something like this:

Palm print dress

Navy with frills

Navy with belt.

Is this a sign of madness or have I found the gateway to a new poolside look? For context, I'm in my 50s, size 12, hourglass figure with wobbly but slimish thighs.

edited for spelling.

And you are a size 12?? In my book it’s a sign of being very conspicuous poolside. It will probably put 10 years on you and be uncomfortable flapping around when swimming. But if that’s what you want.

Sorry OP, but you did ask.

In my defence I do like retro clothing and wear a lot of 40s/50s style dresses. I have also been known to put my hair up in victory rolls. I wasn't actually thinking of swimming in it; I have a proper swimsuit for that. But the thought of the flappiness around the tops of the thighs does pause my impulses.

I‘ve worn swim dresses since kids/mid 30’s, but I’m a LOT bigger than you and more like a yeti than a human female for bikini line purposes. Also I really don’t mind looking like a granny!

I feel comfortable wearing them (physically and mentally) and they are much more flattering for my body shape than the shorts/rash vest alternatives.

Why not get one and see how you feel!

Ps. Decathlon have a couple that are cheaper with slightly less fabric round the skirt if that bothers you e.g.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-1-piece-swimsuit-skirt-pearl-black/_/R-p-333520

I have a navy and white polka dot swim dress. I'm 37. It just looks like a normal dress but I wear it at the beach when I'm just paddling with my kids and just means I don't have to worry about the waves or if I fall in etc

I really like mine. It looks like a wrap dress, and I feel more comfortable running after my toddler in it without exposing myself. Have worn it to beach bars and casual restaurants on the beach. It takes ages to dry though!!!

I had this one but DGD pinched it.

I have 2 and love them. I spent a fortune on proper cup sized swimsuits as im a 34F cup but hated when I bent down they disappeared up my arse.

I'm a 12 also and the little flippy skirt makes me feel much more confident, mine are retro 50s style and my husband says they are much more flattering than my last lot.

I have swim dresses and swim skirts - not long ones just little frills covering my bum/tops of thighs as I get burnt there and makes sense to cover up a bit. Also means I don't need to worry about any bikini line stubble showing!

I am a size 10 and only 37 - I think they are flattering and not old age things. Mind you I wouldn't care anyway and we go to villas mostly so only DH and kids really see me and maybe strangers on the beach.

I wear swim dresses / swim skirts and feel amazing in them. I don’t care if other people make assumptions about my lack of body confidence, or whether they’re aging. They make a massive difference to my willingness to be active on the beach. Mine are very 1950s and I get endless compliments about how good I look (despite 53, overweight, saggy, varicose veins).
They have revolutionised my beachlife and I wish I’d discovered them in my youth.
Men get to wear board shorts. Why are women expected to prance around in tiny thongs?

Ooh, I do love a nautical outfit. I wore my sailor dress last week.

Please do post more pics and links!

I wear one of the smaller ones from decathlon. I don’t care what people think, I LOVE it. So much more confident swimming about and mucking about with the children. No worries about anything going up my bum, or about my bikini line or whatnot.

I love that. Do you mind saying where you got it?

I have a tankini with a very small,non frilly, skirt that just covers the top of my thighs. I love it and feel so much more confident than in a normal swimsuit.
I'm a size 12. If that makes any difference

Absolutely this. I've got one and I'm 39. Very freeing not to have to appear in public in the equivalent of pants.

I love them! Have two or three and allow me to feel so much more confident on the beach or by a pool. Do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Ignore the judgers, live for yourself and do what makes you happy!

Men get to wear board shorts. Why are women expected to prance around in tiny thongs?

Such a good point. No man ever in the history of swimwear has been told that wearing board shorts is ageing and he lacks body confidence.

I have a couple of swim dresses, love them.

I hate that I like these.

I know just what you mean op. I’m 53 and a size 10-12 and about 5 years ago saw a younger woman wearing a black one. It had a wrap front and she was a quite tanned . It looked amazing. Why do we have to show our bikini line off when men get to wear shorts? Go for it. Have a look on swim365.

They are really horrible wet - like an extra layer of skin flapping around, when they aren’t riding up like a giant balloon.

Also they scream I Hate My Thighs, so people will pay them more attention.

I did try them (because I am the size of a house) but find Tankini with shorts is a lot better.

See I wouldn’t swim in it. I just think they’re nice to wear by the pool/ beach.

Yes fine for that, it’s swimming in them that I find horrible.

i prefer a swim dress. Early 20s and I embraced them. They don’t flap around your thighs but cover the bikini line and feel more comfortable.
yes I wore bikinis too but mostly ones with shorts or a little skirt.

I've got this one in leopard print, my Nan bought it for me on QVC 😂
It's incredibly flattering thanks to the tie waist and handkerchief skirt. I feel great in it.
I've had it a few years now, but for reference I'm 35 and not frumpy in style. I'm fluctuate between a 10-12 at 5,4", and it looks good both sizes.
Also has tummy control.

To add: it doesn't cling horribly when wet. And it doesn't feel any different to a swimsuit when I'm swimming.

I couldn't get on with a tankini as I found the ride up.

I'm 40, have had two csections and have a horrendous mumtum, I recently thought I'd try out a swim dress and got one from Asda and loved it- no more getting out of the pool and lunging forward to grab a towel or sarong!

direct.asda.com/george/women/swimwear/black-shaping-skirted-halterneck-swimsuit/GEM1085365,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C15