Where could I find tankinis to try on, and how should they fit?

[LikeGoldToAiryThinness]

I might be going on a city break at half term to somewhere that has baths/steam rooms/hot pools etc. for at least one afternoon.

I don't currently have a fitting swimming costume of any sort, and I am not likely to need one for much else. I was size 16/18, but am now about size 10, but I have a lot of saggy skin rolls/folds around my middle, and also very big thighs/saddlebags still.

I always used to just wear a one-piece costume and stay covered as much as possible on the very few occasions I had to. I once tried a one-piece that had kind of boy-shorts legs from Decathlon to cover my thighs a bit, but they weren't very tight around the leg and ended up riding up and needing adjusting all the time, which wasn't very comfortable either. I have never worn a bikini or anything.

So I am not quite sure what to get now that I am thinner. I was thinking of maybe a tankini, but not quite sure how they should fit, and whether there is anywhere on the high street that I might be able to try them on this time of year. How tight should they be around the torso? If they're quite tight, don't they roll up when you sit down? I already have rolls and folds of loose skin there that I don't want exposed. But not tight enough, then they'd flap around if you tried to swim? One of the reviews of one that claimed to stay in place well said that as a result, it was quite hard to get off when wet, and I do have some shoulder issues so sometimes struggle with pulling tight things over my head if I have to pull hard.

I thought I could get some bottoms that were a little more low-leg coverage than some of the tiny bikini styles but not boyshorts like the one-piece I tried, to avoid the problem of it riding up on the inner thighs. I thought that maybe as separate pieces, the fit would be better/more adjustable.

I'm not averse to ordering online and trying and returning, especially if I can find some good budget deals for something I won't be wearing often, but it might be nice to at least try some on first to see what lengths/styles/legs fit - anywhere on the high street that might have some in september? Any recommended brands or styles for me? I'm mid-50s, pale apart from random v-neck and t-shirt tan lines as well which probably won't have faded by October, unless anyone has any good ideas for that too!

Ok - try here. One size fits 8-16, everything is really, really contemporary and flattering, and the material they use is positively miraculous. Scroll through the photos - but they don’t show how the pieces suck you in (comfortably) so you always look your best self.

(I’m a little older than you and don’t feel the need to look anywhere else for water or yoga wear.)

https://prismlondon.com/

Order next online, they do branded options too, I order about £900 worth and then send back everything that doesn’t fit or I don’t like
that way you get to try it all on at home

My God!

the prism ones are much out of my price range! but thank you.

Yes I was looking at Next and might just order online, but i thought someone might have seen some still available in a high street shop and know where to head before I start traipsing around trying to find them.

Not been in a pool for over 10 years I think.

Some of the tankinis and shorts look almost like day wear, looser fitting and more flattering, which might be fine for general beach wear but not for getting properly wet.

I think with your figure concerns - which are similar to mine - shorts won’t be flattering, and I’d share your concerns about how a tankini would ride up exposing flabby tum. I’d stick to a traditional high cut one piece, or a bikini with a nice high waistband. But trying things on is a good plan! Do you have a big department store near you? One near me has a year round swimwear section within the undies area that I imagine would be good for trying stuff out although pricey. Next probably a good shout.

M&S usually have a decent range of swimwear year round and if you can get to an outlet, really good prices.

However, a word of warning, if you get anything that has two layers of material and go in a jacuzzi, it fills with air and then floats upwards.

I've been a tankini wearer for many years, but have recently mostly gone back to swimming costumes, partly due to the floating away top issue. I've had some nice ones from Sainsburys in Buy Black Animal Print Low Leg Swimsuit 2 Pack 8 | Swimsuits | Tu this style but I don't think they have so many of them at this time of year.

Amazon is also surprisingly good. Don't be too concerned about the unrecognisable brands, the quality is fine, loads of choice and you can buy loads and return for a full refund.

I have a tankini from next (can't link as got a few years ago), it's tight enough that everything stays in place without showing every roll. Only issue is I can't get it over my head when wet, but it has enough give to pull down and take off that way.

Thanks both. I'll have a look at Amazon as well. Hadn't even thought about places like Sainsbury's! We do have an M&S, though not an outlet, but if I saw something in M&S online, I can get it delivered quite near me to the food shop. I'll check up in the lingerie dept as maybe there is a small section even now that they're advertising autumn everywhere. Yes it might just be one piece in the end, and just live with the saddlebags on show.

That's similar to the reviews I read of some of them, and it hadn't even occured to me beforehand that getting a wet tankini off would be tricky! Good to know. I have had a lot of shoulder surgery and pulling things over my head isn't always easy even when dry.

I bought one of those little skirts with pants stitched in from Amazon, and a 'shaping' tankini top. I'm satisfied with this combo - but I needed bottoms I can get off quickly.

Without this particular issue, I would definitely have gone for a shaping swimsuit PLUS swim shorts or skirt. That way, your middle's always covered and you don't need to worry about squelchy/spiky edges around the leg holes!

There are also swim dresses, everywhere does them including Decathlon.

I wear a tankini all the time. Read someone saying difficult to get off - I step out of them. As for saggy stomach, go for a patterned costume as it makes it less obvious. I’ve bought in John Lewis, Bravissimo and lastly the most comfortable from….dare I say it Shein but honestly it’s the most comfortable with short style bottoms which I find the best fit for me.

You pull it down over your shoulders and roll it off.

Loose fitting tankini tops float around annoyingly in the water. You want one that sits close to your body but not uncomfortably tight. Think about how long your torso is, ie whether you might want a longer tankini top, short ones can roll up. Look for high waisted pants so you don't get a midriff gap. Also think about whether you want a bra cup sized tankini top or not, and what kind of neckline you want eg halter neck or shoulder straps
My favourite style for practicality is one with shoulder straps that cross over on the back (stops them falling down), soft cups, long body, and high waisted pants.
I've had a couple of really good tankinis from lands end.

Thanks, just had a quick browse around town. M&S had nothing, and John Lewis had the smallest rail of very expensive Speedos, and Next didn't have any either. So looks like it will be online! Thanks for the ideas. The crossed shoulder straps would be good for my shape. I'm also quite high waisted, exacerbating the middle bulge/rolling up problem, so high waisted pants/shorts would be good, if I have a two-piece in the end.

At least I have a good few weeks if I need to buy and return!

Try decathlon

I find Sainsbury's is often good but they've shut all the changing rooms near me, though do let you return even swimwear.

Next also decent.

I've found M and S have messed with their swimming costumes in the last 18 months and they're no longer as good.

Boden in the sale is also worth a look - they have stuff down to £35.

E.g. https://www.boden.com/products/women-sorrento-hoop-sash-swimsuit-multi-enchanted-paisley-s0481mlt?_pos=7&_fid=4e2c6383d&_ss=c&variant=43006231445713

https://www.boden.com/products/women-tilos-tie-side-swimsuit-poppy-red-enchanted-paisley-s0452red?_pos=10&_fid=4e2c6383d&_ss=c&variant=43006005510353

I would go with a swimsuit I think, from what you describe.

Vinted often have new with tags swimwear. cant send back but can resell if no good. I got a Boden shorts and tankini top very cheaply, also Whitestuff had a few this summer.