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.

I’ve worn swim dresses since my mid 30’s. Useless if you want to swim lengths in the pool at speed but for the pool on holiday and the beach - love it. I’m much more comfortable knowing I’m more covered. Don’t give a rats arse what anyone else thinks. I think they are glamorous and flattering.

So many people look awful in regular swimsuits unless they're a celebrity or a model or under 21. I think the dresses are a lot more flattering. I actually like swim leggings too, because you can just wear them to/around places without having to faff around putting other clothes on or taking them off, and they don't flap while swimming like dresses. They are surprisingly cool and keep you a bit warmer if you're swimming somewhere not super warm. Incredibly flattering, even with thunder thighs like mine. No cellulite, veins, wrinkles, saggy skin on show. And no shaving above the knee needed 😂

You’re a real woman’s woman aren’t you 🙄
What a horrible, unnecessary response

I almost bought one this year but then decided to go the other way and wore a bikini for this first time in my life at the age of 40. I felt great! So liberating!

Wear what makes you comfortable!

To be fair, the OP was asking for opinions. Unless l’ve misread it.

I’m late 30s, a size 12, tall, fairly skinny with thin legs and I wore one this summer at beach and last summer poolside. Didn’t really swim in it though. I liked wearing it as self conscious about my tummy being as not flat anymore since having DD, and it’s more noticeable in a bikini or costume. I liked not feeling exposed /scrutinized going to get a drink from the bar. Going by these comments I feel like I should be more self conscious regarding people judging me for wearing one! Mine were from matalan and in the normal swimwear section so didn’t feel it was aimed at older ladies or anything. If you want swim loads they are annoying but for just chilling next to water or quick dip they are fine

Tiny thongs may be an exaggeration on my part, but 90% of women’s swimwear shows all of your thighs and often quite a lot of bum too.
My point is that men are exempt from showing this area of their body on the beach, whereas it is the default for women to have to expose it.
And I’m obviously not talking about Olympic swimmers, just normal people going to the beach/pool.

I haven’t ever found mine annoying to swim in either. I’ve done long competitive sea swims in it without any issues.

Mine were fairly short as well prob upper thigh, definitely not knee length or anything 😂

I wear a swimdress from JD Sport, doesn’t look like grannywear at all. The reason I wear them is because I don’t like to show my bikini line area, I feel self conscious. I swim for exercise and the dress bit doesn’t get in the way at all.

I think the swimdress looks lovely. My Granny was an absolute knock-out so if Grannies wore them then I think we could definitely do it too. In fairness I never saw her swimming.

They’re really stylish in a retro kind of way. Much more elegant than having a string up your backside, that seems to be the current trend.

I have one and i love it! Just Seen some on Amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/6s3K5lN
https://amzn.eu/d/iKJR8sk

I bought one from Asda post baby and it's actually quite flattering!

I have a few Asda swimsuits with a tiny ruffle like skirt. I find them less high leg and they don't disappear up my bum. Can't stand the feel of high leg anything.

I have two older teens one has a bmi of 17. He is super thin and would easily be a size 4 or 6 - 5,7 if he was a girl and a son who is 5,9 and weighs 8.7. They both cover up at the pool. Long sleeve rash vests, board shorts. It doesn't make them fat or frumpy. The are skinny thin things just fully covered. Who judges them? No one. Op only an utter twat would think you looked bad.

Go for it! Swimdresses are a great option for anyone, regardless of age or size. Try to find some that have a separate bottom so you won't have to pull the whole thing down.

Your retro style sounds very much like Rockabilly. 😉

I expect it was just hyperbole to emphasise the fact that no man of any age or body shape would face the same criticisms if he chose long or baggy swim shorts.

Where is this from please? Google lens keeps drawing a blank.

It’s this one from Seafolly. It’s thick material so it takes a while to dry but I love wearing it, it makes me feel like a 50s pin-up. Also ok for swimming.

uk.seafolly.com/products/seafolly-collective-boyleg-one-piece-10316-942-black

@MadameMassiveSalad where is the short swimsuit from?

Oh I see a link has been posted now for the short swimsuit! I like it but that's a lot for swimwear plus I'd want to try it on before buying.

I want something like that but I really need cup sized swimwear..

I have this one.
I feel so self conscious in a normal swimming costume and I'm always dashing for a cover up, whereas I'm happy to stroll around in this.

Though I have considerably more boob than in this picture which means there's quite a bit of cleavage! But that makes it feel a bit less mumsy 😂

Just to add, they are also great if you are chasing round after little ones bent over building sandcastles, dashing off to find the nearest loo with them etc.

I’m much more likely to get up and join in beach games or play beach tennis for example in one. Big hat, big shades. 😎