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 think women now can wear what they want without the shame. My friend has a mangled leg from a motorbike accident and wears full length swimming leggings. I'm over 60 so I prefer swimming shorts.

https://www.landsend.co.uk/s/LandsEndUK/Womens_Board_Shorts_-_with_Swim_Briefs/pp/6217294.html?coupon=AG25&cm_mmc=search_g_Pmax_21091588485m6217294&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADm_SrKahOPgfa7U5_ijAwtdstIMz&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-5RmZq_Wv-dpyvYU1dSospll3JxhG6rPOcufYhyzDdpMgMBV-V8VZoaArGhEALw_wcB
sSome different options here.

Holidaying in Portugal at the moment and haven't seen a single non traditional costume, ie only bikinis and maybe 5% swimming suits and only on 70+. Probably cultural but white wobbly thighs wouldn't get a second glance here whereas a swimming dress would for sure have people staring and judging.

But then again for sure the UK is more forward thinking in feminist issues and others will follow?

I for one love not caring how toned or slim I look and enjoying the freedom of a bikini....

Is a swim dress more feminist? Or is it the male thought machine telling us we should cover more?

For me, the key is if the men are being asked (by society) to do the same, and whether women feel compelled to dress a certain way - e.g. do they feel shame if they don't dress the way society is telling them?

Men are simply not expected to show all for swiming. They do not have to do a time-consuming beauty regieme to get rid of their pubic hair and make sure they look "beach ready" - they simply put on swim clothes with sufficient coverage and off they go. I mean, I'm sure some men enjoy wearing skimpy shorts and wax their pubes. But they have a choice - no one judges them if they don't.

Women, on the other hand, are expected to wear clothes that reveal more intimate areas of our body where pubic hair naturally grows, but to remove every trace of it. And we often feel shame if we don't - just look at thsi thread for example - many women are worried they'll be judged for wearing a swim dress.

So, yes, in our society at the moment, a swim dress absolutely is a feminist statement IMO!

(But, if society was telling us we had to wear one and be ashamed of skimpy swimmers, then the opposite would be true. Context matters.)

Totally get that point of view but we have choice. It’s all mixed up with social conditioning for sure but I just want to feel confident. If a swim dress or shorts help me then I’ll wear it. I don’t have time to unpick the reasons why I should just wear a thong with my bush showing.

But nobody, unless l’ve misread something, is suggesting you should wear a thong!

But it is the countries with the most draconian regimes that make women cover up, or nit let them onto most beaches at all.

For those looking for a two-piece swim tankini, I think this is lovely

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

@llamalines Next have a few options in size 24-26.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su135511/n45278#n45278

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st984817/q66273#q66273

There's also a blue/white one in clearance, but I can't figure out how to link to it!

Brilliant, thanks 😊

Would men feel more comfortable in speedos without all the flappy material, but feel pushed to wear shorts? I know which one I would choose!

I love this one from sweaty Betty.

https://www.sweatybetty.com/santorini-xtra-life-asymmetric-sculpting-swimsuit--5059121707362.html?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&utmmedium=affiliates&utmmsource=awin&utmcampaign=SIBOOM+UK&utmmcontent=534365&awc=3253917232976044_fc07de0f3ebb3dc85114014145679947

You're missing the point.

Men can wear the skimpiest speedos or the baggiest long shorts and vest and not one single person will make the stupidly inane comments which some posters have made that a certain style "is so ageing" or "you must lack body confidence".

It will never enter the head of any man to start a thread to ask "is it ok for me to wear baggy shorts?"

I have had this swim dress for about six months and love it for hot tubbing and lane swimming. I had a one-piece swim dress before from Sainsbury's and it was a pain to go to the toilet in, as well as take off after use. I really enjoy that this one has high-waisted, seperate bottoms, and adjustable straps.

28 years ago I worked in Harrods swimwear department and sold a navy swim dress to Bjork

I’m slim and I bought one of these a few years ago - I wish there were more designs out there like it. It looks great and not at all frumpy and I love not having to worry about what I might or might not be flashing to the world on the beach. Completely agree that men don’t have to give it a second’s thought. I think there’s increasing demand for swim shorts or similar for women that actually look cool.

https://www.jcrew.com/at/p/womens/categories/clothing/swimwear/strapless-ruffle-hem-swim-dress-in-seersucker-stripe/BP153

J Crew swim dress

My problem, is due to the shape of my chest, I can’t find a swimsuit that is cut high enough under the arms. My boobs seem to hang out the side…. Am looking at Tankinis…………

Some look lovely, what a good idea OP.
One thing I’ve noticed though is watch out what they look like from behind.

This one from Matalan makes it look as though you have a skirt riding up too high over your bare bottom!

The ones you’ve tagged look cute..theyre just like cute summer dresses and like you said kind of retro. But when I read ‘swim dress’ I thought oh no…..however the links redeemed it 😂

Have you tried bravissimo? I’m a 30H and get mine from there. They do a range with Speedo that I use for ‘proper swimming’ or taking my baby to lessons and I have a ‘curvy Kate one’ which is nice

ICON!

I was actually thinking this today…. Me and my partner went for a spa day and the bloody prep I had to do! Then I looked around at these lovely preened women with men in their ill fitting shorts abs hair tummy’s and was like 🤨

I'm 42 and started wearing one this year. I have a massive birthmark on my thigh/bum and it felt nice that noone was staring at it for a change. Since I had my kids I can't get rid of my mum tum and the swim dress hid that as well. Win win.I actually felt sexier and more confident in it. I got one from long tall sally- I'm actually not that tall (5ft8) but I have a long body and hate it when regular swimsuits are too short or tankini tops ride up like a crop top. I'd go for it and see how you feel. I don't think I'll go back now.

Brilliant !