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.

On a business trip to the far east I heard a commotion outside my hotel window. The pool was right below - and full of Muslim women in full body suits, covered head to wrist and ankle in fitted black. They looked like futuristic divers and they were having a fantastic time. Wear what works.

My swimdress made me feel much freer on holiday, it was so comfortable (not at all frumpy) I wasn't constantly pulling at my costume to stop it riding up, I didn't feel fed up about my thighs squidging out the side side of my costume or feel the costume sticking to my belly - it's not about what other people think, it's about how I feel and I want to be comfortable and look good in MY eyes.

I tend to buy Swimskirts . Have done for years! Definitely not a granny!!!!!!!!

Even when I was very slim and toned I never found bikinis or high leg swimsuits comfortable. There's no freedom wearing anything uncomfortable.

But are they uncomfortable because you feel exposed or because a bikini is actually uncomfortable? if the latter, then maybe they're just not the right fit? or do you also find underwear uncomfortable?

Um, not sure why I have to explain why I find bikinis uncomfortable; or should have to either get over myself if they make me feel exposed or persevere until I find the right fit.

Tbh I think they look ridiculous. On every one.

I would rather not subject anyone to the sight of me in an overly exposing bikini or one piece. If I was looking for a new one today I'd absolutely be looking at swimming dresses.

The freedom to have a dip in the pool, pop to the snack bar, go back to the pool, take kids to the loo, maybe go for lunch etc without even having to change because you don't feel half naked is liberating.

Maybe being more comfortable doing those things in a bikini would also be liberating, but whether I cover more or less is my choice alone.

And as for fitting properly, it's always bikini wearers you see tugging at their tops or bottoms or fiddling with the side ties.

Thankyou, I’ve tried the speedo type ones, but they are still no good. Honestly , my boobs may a well be horizontal !!!! I am shopping at the weekend, and think there’s a Bravissimo shop where we are going, so Thankyou, will have a look there. Have a good day xx

I have a few swim dresses as have an awful mother's apron that I am very conscious about.
I find that while I feel covered they can be very heavy and cumbersome when getting out of the water.
That may be because I am bigger so more material.

Let them stare and judge. Says a lot about what kind of people they are.
of course in reality I expect most people won’t actually care one bit if they see a woman in a sundress.

BALEAF Swim Shorts Womens Tummy Control High Waisted Swimming Board Shorts with Pockets Liner Quick Dry UPF 50+ https://amzn.eu/d/iuoAXD4

I bought these recently. Fit is really nice. I wear over swimming costume or bikini top. No more bikini line hassle.

I wear swim dresses, full leg costumes, shorts and rash vests. I'm a v toned and fit size 10. I've always covered up because I burn in minutes and I don't want to wear revealing clothes in any setting. Sadly, I know people judge because I have a colleague who showed my holiday snap to everybody at work and laughed like a drain, hooting "she's not even fat or old". Now, either me or my colleague is a twonk. I'll let you decide which.

Totally agree. I swim in open water several times a week all year round. I prefer not to wear a wetsuit.

I resent the fact that "standard" swimwear for women requires me to remove hair whether I like or not. There is nothing unusual or excessive about my public hair, but without removing some of it and keeping it that way I'd have stray pubes or stubble on display.

I have sometimes chosen to have a Brazilian, other times I'm au natural. iMO provided these are my own choices then that's absolutely fine. However I am not fine about having remove hair so that I can wear swimwear.

I also want to feel a bit less exposed. I've chosen to swim- and that might not go hand in hand with wearing clothes that cover the same area as pants and a strappy vest.

Why does convention call for a swimsuit or bikini when walking down the street with that amount of your body exposed would be seen as OTT?

Sorry for the rant. The answer for me is board shorts all the way and I hope that a time is coming when every female can decide to wear them without it being a more unusual choice.

I have this one and always get so many compliments and I feel so good in it. Definitely don't feel self conscious or older, infact the opposite.. it's very flattering and pretty.

Convention tells us to opt for a swimsuit (or bikini) in defiance of men who tell us we should cover up, It is playing to male ironic opression.

I can't be bothered with any hair removal so I've gone up the cover it scale & wear this for swimming.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09XZXWVRY/ref=emc_bcc_2_i