Swimsuit suggestions please!

[BugsyMaroon]

Hello!

I'd be really grateful for swimsuit style suggestions. I really struggle with suits as I am very body conscious.

I am 5 ft 2 inches. 12 and a half stone and apple shaped. I have a very pronounced stomach thanks to diastasis recti. Broad shoulders. Big boobs and slim nice legs.

I prefer darker colours. I'd like not to look too frumpy or blousy. Budget- up to £100 I think for something nice.

I am utterly unable to judge if things suit my shape. I will think I look okay in a mirror at home then see myself in a photo. Ugh.

I'd be so grateful for any suggestions!

I get mine from Asda. They are surprisingly good. They have tummy control and some are boned so they stay up without the halterneck strap on. I have a retro style one. It passed the water park test going down various terrifying slides with the kids without exposing anything.

The links aren't working for me but I can confirm that Bravissimo are my 'go to' for swimsuits.

I swim twice weekly. Bravissimo swimsuits aren't the cheapest but they fit well and they last.

They have a great range of styles, colours and patterns. I just avoid any with metal/acetate ring decoration where the strap meets the cup. They chafe.

Dear OP
Please don’t worry about your shape! Once you get to the pool/beach you will find people of every conceivable age and shape and nobody cares!!

we’ve just come back from southern Spain, I’m 62 and I’m buggered if I cover up. I wore a bikini and loved not having a skanky wet swimsuit covering my tummy. The local Spanish grannies went way further, they took their tops off and walked up and down the beach chatting and no doubt putting the world to rights.

absolutely nobody cares what you look like except you. Just enjoy your holiday x

I have several swimsuits from Nip Tuck - think it's an Australian brand. They are often in TK Maxx.

Its worth checking out Matalan too. I found this tankini set for a trip later this year and it's decent quality with good tummy control. I also bought an additional bottom that had the same control but with a little skirt too (like the retro one piece above). The skirt bottoms don't seem to be online now but worth checking in store if you have one near you.

They always seem to have offers on and I think I paid less than £30 for three pieces.
https://www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/black-tummy-control-wrap-front-tankini-top/14307768.html

Halter neck to draw attention to boobs (jealous) and away from tummy and rouched waist/belted waist to create illusion of waist. Retro Stage do some cracking one pieces in this shape in their 40s 50s ranges.

You sound like you have the best attitude OP! I have large tum, disproportionately to the rest of me and unflatteringly large in most swimsuits. If it would help your confidence, I would recommend Magicsuit (c) “takes 10lbs off in seconds”. Industrial level shaping at mid section (seriously so 😲) and comfortable. Not cheap, but worth it for me!

John Lewis black tummy control about 60 quid. I have size 12 to 18. And now back to a 14. Remember a swimsuit is not going to change your shape but cover you and keep you decent. This JL one is lovely

I know you've now bought something OP, but I was also going to recommend this matalan tankini. It looks like a one piece when on, but has the convenience of being seperates. I'm a size H cup and have never been able to have a suit without a wire for support, but this one is amazing and provides wire free support. Its also very flattering across the stomach. Plus- its very reasonably priced!

Just throwing this into the mix here - I wear knee-length cycling type shorts (you can buy ones for swimming) and a tankini top. I love them. I wouldn't go out normally in my undies (which is effectively what a swim suit is), so why would I do that when I am swimming? Makes me feel more confident, and I find them flattering.

Depends on what you're comfortable with. My son is self conscious and wears swim shorts and a rash guard shirt. It's quite comfortable to swim in and protects him from the sun. I've been wearing a lady's one piece, black with Harry Potter things on it, and a pair of lady's swim shorts over top because I'm older and heavier and my legs have gotten all jiggly lol Just check out different opens and go with whatever makes you feel comfortable

I went to buy a new swim suit last week, I was intending to pop and get a cheapy one from the supermarket for £25, but then I found this!

I am a size 16 with a menopausal belly and bog boobs and I find most swimsuits look hideous on me but I also really don't like the the bog standard ruched tummy style that seems to be on all women over 30 these days. I love the different look of this and it's incredibly flattering. It was much more expensive than | wanted to pay but the feeling I get when wearing it far outstrips the price.

www.annscottage.com/products/seafolly-silk-road-cap-sleeve-one-piece-swimsuit-in-black

I've just bought from Lands End for the first time and was really surprised by the quality. I got one midkini (half way between a tankini and a bikini - really high waisted) and one swimsuit and they are both really thick fabric, hold everything in nicely and make me feel great. Beats any of my previous M&S/supermarket/Next purchases and even narrowly beats Bravissimo imo.

Edited to add - I'm size 12/14, in my 40s and generally wobbly all over!

I'm 5ft and am looking at Pour Moi for my holiday next spring as they offer Petite options. Definitely needed when you are approx 8 inches shorter than everyone else! I go to parent/ child swimming every week and wear Matalan high waist bikini bottoms, tankini top, and Mountain Warehouse board shorts over the top.

I'm being inundated with ads for beautiful swimwear now. Trouble is I always see them and think they are gorgeous but then when buying rhem swiftly realise that they only look gorgeous because they are on a size 6 model.

A supportive top with real sized cups (you can get these in Boux Avenue and other lingerie shops) plus high waisted bottoms. That or a swimsuit with cups.

I see where you’re coming from but remember those images are all retouched, even if the models are slim in real life they still don’t look like those images. Some brands also have ‘plus’ sized models (who in reality are mid size or even fairly slim).

Ooh, some of those Speedo ones look great!

Another vote for the land's end swimming costumes, the 'tugless' ones, fit soo nicely, come in cup sizes and properly cover your bum! I'm a GG and the DDD size more or less fits!

I'm about your height and love a tankini with ruching. I am large of boob so get mine from Bravissimo.

I like swim dresses. I’m the same shape as you.

If you watch you tube Melissa murrell she does a swimsuit styling session for cupshe and they have larger figures on it and look fabulous.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/captivate-wired-padded-ruched-plunge-swimsuit/p/clp22606459#intid=pid_pg1pip31g4r4c1%7Cprodflag_Online%20Only

Liked this on mns but f- me- 200£ is that a typo??

REcently I've had Toggs swimsuit with good tummy control, and also a halter neck one from Fatface.

I tend to tie a floaty sarong around self when walking around by the pool.

Look on bravissimo.