Why do women wear tankinis?

[Vivace]

They make everyone look bad, yet half the women at the pool were wearing them today. One woman, slim, tall, great legs, good arms, would be amazing in a swimsuit...but had a pot belly, flat chest and some livid stretchmarks, all framed, exaggerated and highlighted by her tankini. Horrible, unflattering garment. Obviously people can wear what they like, but they aren't more comfy than a swimsuit and who over 22 really thinks the slice of their belly above their pants is really the best part of their body?

nappies i quite like those shorts

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I guess that's one good thing about being really short-sighted - I can't see a thing at the pool, and can barely even recognise my own family. I have, on occasion, accosted complete strangers, thinking they were DH. I just swim around in a little blurry haze.

tankinis are a weirdly british thing.European women wear bikinis because they are on the beach on holiday in the sun blah blah and it is not about having a perfect body in one.They are for everyone.I think a tankini is a bit apologetic better to just go for it

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even the word trying to sex up a PE vest and knickers!

I think I'd wear one, as I don't like to have a tan, plus the less skin exposed, the better, as I don't have to plaster on the suncream. Nothing wrong with my body, btw. Size 8-10, good skin, no sagging. I have a very short body, don't know if this is an advantage or disadvantage wrt tankinis.

I quite like the shape ofthis one but don't think the colour would suit me. I like this

looks fab hoppybird

I wear one. I'm quite tall and find them much more comfortable than one-pieces.

i would NEVER wear a bikini, too many scars, no chance. plus, i don't like the very tops of my legs, again a bit lumpy.

i do however have cracking, toned pins (it's the very top that's somehow flabby) slim hips, no arse, good tits, strong (broad, let's be honest) shoulders, no waist to speak of and a long body on an otherwise average sized person.

i am now considering a tankini, having read this, as the mere thought of going swimming without having to pull my cossie out of my arse is v tempting.

which one? liked the sheik's.

I think it's v flattering meself.

I'm a tub, and I think I look vaguely presentable in it

is it LONG, though, the top? i wouldn't really want my scars on show. and do you have the shorts?

i'm not a tub, i don't think. maybe on my self-loathing days. but i'm deffo an apple. barrel. tub... whaddeva...

Top meets the shorts (in my case, anyway) and doesn't show the immense amount of stretchmarks and the wonky CS scar I have (CS scar is covered by overhang anyway - God, I sound attractive)

Tip: order the shorts in a size bigger then normal - or order them in your size and size up, as the band around the top is quite small (I think) I had to send them back, as it accentuated my Michelin Man figure. Brastop are excellent though for returns. I order loads of stuff from them

oh right. i NEVER know what size i am on the bottom anyway so i may get both, cheers.

lol they don't have it in my size anyway, sheik. not so keen on the red i think. thanks, though.

They might have it on figleaves.

ta, i might just head into bravissimo and get mugged try some on.

Agree with posters who have already pointed out that the tankini is a British idiosyncracy.

They are very weird indeed and don't feature at all in the swimwear department of Le Bon Marché where I buy my beachwear every year^.

There is a one-piece swimsuit to suit everyone IMO. Bikinis are only good if your tummy is lovely.

lol, by the way, at the fact that it's a bad thing that only british women wear them. shit, i've seen some TERRIBLE italian and french bodies in bikinis, a tankini would have done the world a service. a kaftan all the more.

One-piece far better Aitch, believe me

why should i believe you, though? i hate wearing one-pieces, i have to claw them out of my non-existent arse all the time. it makes me reluctant to go swimming, tbh, so if a tankini solves that problem then fabulous.

i've tried on a load of one-pieces btw and no doubt will do again, but it's a bit rich to just dictate that no-one looks good in a tankini. it's silly, i've seen people look perfectly nice in them. and some not so nice. same with one-pieces and most definitely with ill-advised eurolady bikinis.

Tankinis = very, very unchic. Try a better brand of swimsuit. Erès are brilliant - they have cuts for every shape.

ah no. now you're just being annoying, anna. i don't want fashion advice from someone who uses terms as desperately needy as un-chic.
i don't need the approval of the fawning masses, if i go and try one on and like it then i'll wear it, 'kay? if not, i won't. my decision.

I'm short and have trouble finding a one piece as they are usually to low cut or baggy so look awful.

Tankinis tend to look awful, or at least the ones I've tried so just stick to bikinis.