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Fuller bust swimwear is SO expensive!

35 replies

NorthernGirlie · 22/06/2025 01:16

I'm a 36j - looking for bikini tops for my holidays and the cost is stinging a bit! £40 just for the top in most shops.

Where are you all shopping?!

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 22/06/2025 01:29

I got a great costume from Decathlon

It was marketed as 'mature lady' or whatever, but it has an inbuilt bra and tummy panel too

Really pleased with it

gillefc82 · 22/06/2025 01:39

So whilst not quite as busty as you @NorthernGirlie (32F) my biggest gripe is less with the cost and more with the lack of stylish two piece sets that can be bought separately. I’m a size 8-10 bottom and still struggle. So often I have to buy a bikini set in an 8/10 and a 14/16 and absorb the extra cost of the double bubble. And that’s not to mention that once your boobs get bigger than a D cup you can forget cute and sexy designs - it’s all function over aesthetics #overtheshoulderboulderholders

mathanxiety · 22/06/2025 03:02

I ended up making a bikini top for one of my DDs using a sports bra of hers and a tankini top that I bought in a thrift shop. I basically cut up the tankini and sewed the pieces onto the sports bra, by hand. We had gone swimsuit shopping a few weeks before and she had cried in the car on the way home empty handed.

unsync · 22/06/2025 05:39

Look at Elomi, Fantasie or Freya for bra sized bikini tops, basically any brand made by Wacoal.

EspanaPorfavor · 22/06/2025 07:32

It is but it’s so worth it though, the uplift provided by a proper bra sized bikini instead of a size 14/16/18 type sizing one.

i feel your pain as I’ve just spent 80£ on a miss Mandalay one. I use chat gpt to look for discount codes which takes some of the sting off.

MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 22/06/2025 08:05

Aren’t they just! 30G here, and I’ve been scouring all the usual places for reductions, but even reduced they don’t come down by much.

I didn’t bother last and kept popping out of my top. 😳

MadKittenWoman · 22/06/2025 09:24

I’m 30G and get most of my swimwear from eBay.

Diggetydawg · 22/06/2025 09:37

MadKittenWoman · 22/06/2025 09:24

I’m 30G and get most of my swimwear from eBay.

Came on here to say Ebay. You can get the tops from Fantasie/Freya etc then just get cheaper bottoms to co ordinate.
Pour Moi does bra sized swimwear and isn't as expensive as others.

Also try Vinted. Just filter it to Brand New With Tags.

Daisyvodka · 22/06/2025 09:38

So 36J specifically im not totally sure on (i know that Pour Moi definitely do a few but you'd have to check the others) but dropping this list here in case anyone needs it as I am a 32F (but sometimes wear a 34E) so have done lots of research lately!
Bravissimo
Simply Be
Freya
Curvy Kate
Pour Moi (absolute fuller bust gem imo)
Boux Avenue
Panache
ASOS
Next

The price is a lot but you can get some great deals on the above sites and some are cheaper than others, if you sign up to newsletters you will get notified of sales - and I have accepted that there needs to be a certain level of scaffolding (i NEED adjustable straps and side boob coverage for example)
@gillefc82 you might want to have a look at the above as they all sell top and bottoms separately!

Daisyvodka · 22/06/2025 09:40

Also @gillefc82 might not be what you are looking for but Boux Avenue do more sexy fuller bust styles - i cannot vouch for quality quite yet in the swimwear but have bought two from there that definitely dont give that 'fuller bust swimwear' look

NorthernGirlie · 22/06/2025 10:00

EspanaPorfavor · 22/06/2025 07:32

It is but it’s so worth it though, the uplift provided by a proper bra sized bikini instead of a size 14/16/18 type sizing one.

i feel your pain as I’ve just spent 80£ on a miss Mandalay one. I use chat gpt to look for discount codes which takes some of the sting off.

This is a great suggestion! Thank you!

OP posts:
MadameSzyszkoBohusz · 22/06/2025 10:00

Off the back of this thread I went on a renewed search and have ordered three new Freya bikinis from Brandalley for £88 in total.

Could only get 32FF tops, and I probably won’t keep all three, but I’ve ordered from Brandalley before and they’re fine for returns.

Hoping at least one of them will make me look gorgeous and not as though I’ve breastfed two kids.

NorthernGirlie · 22/06/2025 10:03

@EspanaPorfavor you're right, it's definitely worth it! I've lost a little weight since last year so need new but hate that they're all so expensive

I see women with smaller busts in a different gorgeous set evey day as they're like £10 a set!

OP posts:
WhenYouSayNothingAtAll · 22/06/2025 10:15

Have a look on ebay.

https://ebay.us/m/7a5HKV

There were loads when I searched.

Branleuse · 22/06/2025 10:20

Loads on vinted in excellent condition. I got a gorgeous bravissimo bikini that was brand new for £15.

EspanaPorfavor · 22/06/2025 11:04

NorthernGirlie · 22/06/2025 10:03

@EspanaPorfavor you're right, it's definitely worth it! I've lost a little weight since last year so need new but hate that they're all so expensive

I see women with smaller busts in a different gorgeous set evey day as they're like £10 a set!

Yes it isn’t fair is it!!! And they can wear pretty sports bras from sports shops as gym tops with nothing underneath. And even go braless in summery dresses. Having a large bust is expensive! Remember when m&s used to charge more for their bigger bras too. Cheek.

Very envious!

Titasaducksarse · 22/06/2025 11:06

Vinted can be good
I got a lovely Freya bikini like new for about £10 last year. I've been lucky with Panache in the sales too

RentalWoesNotFun · 22/06/2025 11:18

I know it doesn’t help you OP sorry, but for others; Asda go up to a G but they aren’t very exciting. I tried in their bras and found that they came up small in some designs. So glad to click and collect in store for free returns. Not sure about swimwear though.

Amicompletelyinsane · 22/06/2025 11:20

I'm at 28gg
Really struggle to even find swim wear no matter the price. I had to buy a 30 but sew the back smaller. I'd just like to feel normal

JessicaPeach · 22/06/2025 11:22

I get all mine from Vinted. Or sometimes buy new from curvy Kate

HostaCentral · 22/06/2025 11:25

Amicompletelyinsane · 22/06/2025 11:20

I'm at 28gg
Really struggle to even find swim wear no matter the price. I had to buy a 30 but sew the back smaller. I'd just like to feel normal

Agreed. I have removed back catches and created bows instead. Actually looks quite nice!

I wish there were more ties rather than clips, it would make sizing much more custom. Tie backs and necks used to be very common.

summersun25 · 22/06/2025 11:26

I wear Elomi but often buy off eBay or in their sale
the support is so good I can wear it to walk to wild swimming

bungobungobungo · 22/06/2025 11:26

Got some from Sainsbury’s but wouldn’t recommend as no support, and horrible material- returned!

HostaCentral · 22/06/2025 11:27

Also agree all pp's. I am 32HH (eeek), and a 10 bottom, so always buy separates from Bravissimo, Panache, Pour Moi. They are expensive, but I try to get in sales, but they do last years and its worth it for the support. The extra cost is obviously for the extra scaffolding!

JazzyBBBG · 22/06/2025 11:28

I look on eBay for Freya brand new ones but normally last season.