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?

I look far better in a tankini than a one piece.

Well, of course it's your decision.

But I agree with the OP - tankinis are awful tasteless things and make me ashamed to be British

Tankinis tend to look awful on me I meant.

tasteless, though? how is that even possible? they're just a top and bottom set. they might be tastelessly patterned or whatever but you can't possibly be against all pants and strappy tops, can you?

I have seen some pretty horrific one pieces and bikinis in my time.

Yes I am. They are vile - they don't flatter anyone's figure, they are designed as camouflage for women who are lacking in self-confidence and that's what they shout. Basically if you wear a tankini you are walking around saying "I'm a British woman who doesn't have a clue about beach wear or even beach étiquette, I have terrible body hang ups and think erroneously that this think I am wearing somehow hides them"

Save yourself the personal embarrassment and the public humiliation and go to a great beachwear shop for a fitting for a one-piece with a lovely matching beach dress, beach shoes, bag and hat

Heidi Klein in London can help

I don't wear tankinis, but the last costume I tried fitted like a brace around my midriff...and gaped around my hips.

I realise this says more about my shape than anything else....

But I am a British woman with terrible body hang ups.

And I'm telling you that the tankini I have is the only beachwear I have ever felt confident in.

I cannot wear a bikini because my stomach looks like stripy blancmange, and I don;t wear a one piece because I hate having half of it up the crack of my arse.

If the tankini gives me confidence then what the fuck doth it matter?

SheikYerbouti - it only matters because it is yet another reason for British women to be sniggered at as the style losers of the world

Ah, now I am a stylke loser

And If I wore a bikini on the beach, then people would laugh at my hideous stretchmarks and disgusting stomach, which is worse IMHO

anna in your elite circle of women maybe everyone is very judgy judgy about what people wear but I cannot believe that on every mediterranean beach there are women going ooh look at that poor cow in the tankini she must be british don't they dress terribly

Why do you even care what other people choose to wear?

blimey, anna, you're being a right silly cow here. still, britain's loss is france's gain...

andiem - don't you believe it - of course they look at the British women who don't know what to do on the beach.

Don't be naïve about this...

Looking good and knowing what to do on the beach is not just an "élite" preoccupation, btw.

this is so funny

I think she means that they are tacky in a sort of 'made up' way.We have invented them and they are pointless really a bit like radiator covers everyone knows what is under them

what exactly do you mean by do on the beach!!!
what lie on the lounger in a particular way read your book using a certain hand
call the beach waiter with a partcular accent
ffs woman get a grip

Well I think each to there own I have worn a tankini in the past and ordered one from figleaves which arrived saturday its great because I have dd boobies it holds me in and is the best support iv had.

Isn;'t looking good a lot to do with feeling confident thousgh?

I feel confident in my hideous and unstylish bikini (well, as confident as I will ever feel in swimwear because I am a dirty minger)

I find it incredibly sad that folk can be so shallow as to judge a whole nation on what they wear on the beach.

Sheik I agree totally

I have also seen plenty of Germans in thongs on the becah (men and women of all ages) and I don;t go "Oooh look, There go the Germans in their thongs, they are all pervs"

I think euopean women are to be admired because they see the bikini for what it is beach wear.Not beachwear for skinnies or supermodels just beach wear because you are at teh beach!They sling them on regardless of size while we shuffle under towels and come out looking worse.No one is checking out your body on the beach just have fun and be glad top be on holiday and this year lets see if we can see anyone non british wearing one.I doubt it

I really would not inflict my belly on anyone. It is BAD

Even DP doesn';t get tp see it

I wear tankinis with shorts. I haven't read all the replies but to me, the main advantage is being able to go to the loo without having to wrestle with a wet swimsuit. Or maybe you all pee in the pool??