I'm not plus size nor am I very slim. HELP ME BUY A BATHING SUIT!!

squirrelzzrule22
squirrelzzrule22 Posts: 640 Member
edited November 15 in Motivation and Support
I know this isn't exactly motivation, but its also not exactly chit chat and I'm assuming other women must run into this issue too.

I'm a size 6,8, or 10 (US) depending on clothing and brand. In most things I am a 6, but in higher end designers I can creep up to a ten. I'm not where I want to be yet in terms of weight and still carry about 15-20 extra pounds. But I'm within a normal weight range, albeit towards the high end. I'm probably about 26-27% body fat. Trying to get down to more like 20-21%.

I am really struggling with shopping for a bikini. I feel like my options are either things that only look good on size 0-2 or women with very little body fat, or things designed for plus size women that cover up too much. There don't seem to be any options in the middle.

Any suggestions of brands you average/normal-weighted/whateveryouwanttocallit women like??? Money is no object if I can find something I really love.

Extra points if it supports the boobs in a flattering way.

ALL SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED!!
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Replies

  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    What is your style like?

    If you are into retro, try ModCloth or Esther Williams. In the past, I have found good options at Land's End, Athleta and Title 9. I'm a bit bigger than you and looking for different kinds of suits, but also not plus sized.

    I have heard good things about Popina...haven't actually tried their suits yet.
  • jenmovies
    jenmovies Posts: 346 Member
    I'm favouriting this because I need the same help! :)
  • TheBeachgod
    TheBeachgod Posts: 825 Member
    edited April 2015
    edited but I will say if that profile is you now, you could wear a potato sack and make it look fantastic.

    The edit was a link to Wicked Weasel. A legit bikini company but probably very nsfw.
  • MissMary75044
    MissMary75044 Posts: 517 Member
    Go for a two piece, you definitely have to body to rock one. Top wise it really depends on what you are looking for, myself I find tops with a bit more coverage more flattering, but I'm somewhere between and A and B. The really small tops, and triangle tops tend to only emphasize such. Halter styles that tie at the neck and pretty universally flattering. Some style are lined to prevent nipping, and I've seen a few tops that have support though I can't vouch for how comfortable they would be.

    There are high waisted retro style bottoms that come up above the navel, and sporty type bottoms that are more like a boy short or brief cut that sit at the navel. For the longest time I was too shy to wear a two piece. The first one I bought was a full coverage brief bottom, and a sports bra style top.

    It definitely can take some shopping around to find the right one, there are tons of styles though.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Seems like J Crew or Athleta are safe bets.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    i think you just have to try stuff on.
  • MaVieEntiere
    MaVieEntiere Posts: 135 Member
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    SandraBlake88 wrote: »
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.

    They will. They have decent sales, especially when there's 40% off of things already marked down. Every year I say I'm going to buy one in an off season and of course, do not.
  • ekat120
    ekat120 Posts: 407 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    SandraBlake88 wrote: »
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.

    They will. They have decent sales, especially when there's 40% off of things already marked down. Every year I say I'm going to buy one in an off season and of course, do not.

    J. Crew was going to be my recommendation, too. I got this suit in dark red on clearance for 15 bucks last November B) I was having a really hard time finding something not skimpy but that didn't make me look like a hate/am trying to hide my body (skirts, ruching, etc.) and am really happy with it.
  • palwithme
    palwithme Posts: 860 Member
    Bathing suits are so hard to find. Either they are butt ugly or built for someone who is 13 years old.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    ekat120 wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    SandraBlake88 wrote: »
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.

    They will. They have decent sales, especially when there's 40% off of things already marked down. Every year I say I'm going to buy one in an off season and of course, do not.

    J. Crew was going to be my recommendation, too. I got this suit in dark red on clearance for 15 bucks last November B) I was having a really hard time finding something not skimpy but that didn't make me look like a hate/am trying to hide my body (skirts, ruching, etc.) and am really happy with it.

    That's a pretty suit! Simple and it has a lovely bust. I still like their bathing suits but they are a little plain for my style now. I'd still definitely jump at 15 bucks though, not full price.
  • ekat120
    ekat120 Posts: 407 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    ekat120 wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    SandraBlake88 wrote: »
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.

    They will. They have decent sales, especially when there's 40% off of things already marked down. Every year I say I'm going to buy one in an off season and of course, do not.

    J. Crew was going to be my recommendation, too. I got this suit in dark red on clearance for 15 bucks last November B) I was having a really hard time finding something not skimpy but that didn't make me look like a hate/am trying to hide my body (skirts, ruching, etc.) and am really happy with it.

    That's a pretty suit! Simple and it has a lovely bust. I still like their bathing suits but they are a little plain for my style now. I'd still definitely jump at 15 bucks though, not full price.

    Thanks :) I generally have pretty minimal style. The bust is my favorite part, too. But yeah, not for full price :)
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    http://www.target.com/p/push-up-halter-bikini-top-xhilaration/-/A-15852016#prodSlot=_1_14

    I just got this one and I love it. Ignore the Title- it's not push up, nor is it halter. It's very comfortable, has underwire support, and doesn't look grandmaish.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    ekat120 wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    ekat120 wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    SandraBlake88 wrote: »
    JCREW. They have D and DD cup suits. Unfortunately this time of year they are like $75 to $150. I am waiting until September to see if they go on sale.

    They will. They have decent sales, especially when there's 40% off of things already marked down. Every year I say I'm going to buy one in an off season and of course, do not.

    J. Crew was going to be my recommendation, too. I got this suit in dark red on clearance for 15 bucks last November B) I was having a really hard time finding something not skimpy but that didn't make me look like a hate/am trying to hide my body (skirts, ruching, etc.) and am really happy with it.

    That's a pretty suit! Simple and it has a lovely bust. I still like their bathing suits but they are a little plain for my style now. I'd still definitely jump at 15 bucks though, not full price.

    Thanks :) I generally have pretty minimal style. The bust is my favorite part, too. But yeah, not for full price :)

    Oh they are definitely stylish! But sporty and I'm not sporty haha
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    I have always had good luck at Athleta and Title nine (on sale after season as they are spendy)....but I don't love anything I see this year. I followed the link above from Arditarose and ordered one from JCrew....awesome! they have some on sale and a promotion for a discount on one item so I got a tankini top for 29.99 which is a great price! Hope it's hear in time for Palm Springs in 2 weeks! :smiley:

    Thanks for the thread...was doing lots of swimsuit shopping online the past few days with no luck!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    suruda wrote: »
    I have always had good luck at Athleta and Title nine (on sale after season as they are spendy)....but I don't love anything I see this year. I followed the link above from Arditarose and ordered one from JCrew....awesome! they have some on sale and a promotion for a discount on one item so I got a tankini top for 29.99 which is a great price! Hope it's hear in time for Palm Springs in 2 weeks! :smiley:

    Thanks for the thread...was doing lots of swimsuit shopping online the past few days with no luck!

    Nice! Glad you found something. Their sale sizings are all over the place and I couldn't find much in my size. What'd you get?!
  • kducky22
    kducky22 Posts: 276 Member
    I have a pretty big bust and Victoria's Secrets always has some style of bathing suit I like. Helps to have a little more coverage in the top area where I need extra support. Plus, they sell separates which for me is key since I'm like an xxl on the top and a medium on the bottom.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    This is on my wish list.
    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361132463844186970/
    I had a good browse through the offerings at swimco.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    This is on my wish list.
    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361132463844186970/
    I had a good browse through the offerings at swimco.

    That's pretty. I love the simplicity in the top.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    I feel like it's impossible for me to find a bathing suit. My cup size is a 36F, but I'm a medium on the bottom. I'm forever searching for something.

    So I'm no help, sorry.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    TheVirgoddess wrote: »
    I feel like it's impossible for me to find a bathing suit. My cup size is a 36F, but I'm a medium on the bottom. I'm forever searching for something.

    So I'm no help, sorry.

    You just gotta buy separates! Have you tried to see if any sister sizes have worked for you on top? Maybe one is easier to find than another.
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    I think I got the tankini top version of your one piece.....the sizing makes me a little nervous as it is often a crapshoot. But for the price, it's worth the risk. I'm older and therefore saggier than you so the underwire support will be much appreciated! :wink:

  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    Do you have Bravissimo in the US? They do nice bikinis. I also like brands like O'Neill, Quicksilver, Animal etc, but again I'm not sure what you have in the US.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Seems like J Crew or Athleta are safe bets.

    I have 3 Athleta suits. I love them.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    suruda wrote: »
    I think I got the tankini top version of your one piece.....the sizing makes me a little nervous as it is often a crapshoot. But for the price, it's worth the risk. I'm older and therefore saggier than you so the underwire support will be much appreciated! :wink:

    I think their sizes are pretty standard.

    If anyone wants to see the worst bathing suit ever...Take a look at the last two pics on my profile. I took them to show my mom the suit before I lost weight, but now they're my only "before" pics. I put them up for friends to see yesterday and meant to take them down today.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    Seems like J Crew or Athleta are safe bets.

    I have 3 Athleta suits. I love them.

    I was looking at their bottoms last year because they seemed like they had decent coverage without being granny.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    http://www.fablesbybarrie.com/product-category/swimwear-usa/

    This is a small, local (to me) company - I had the pleasure of shopping in their workshop last summer and got a lot of compliments on the suit I picked out. Definitely a retro style but very cute and extremely well made (by hand).
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    I think this one is cute, wish I could try it on first!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    blankiefinder wrote: »
    I think this one is cute, wish I could try it on first!

    Looks like it has good reviews but runs small.
  • NextPage
    NextPage Posts: 609 Member
    edited April 2015
    Looking at your picture I think that you might have a problem finding a bikini set that fits properly for both the top and bottom so separates are a good idea. You may find that bathing suit companies that also specialize in lingerie (in all cup sizes) are the way to go - Panache, Fantasie, Curvy Kate, Freya for example. Styles also usual have different options for the bottom to suit your activity (string for tanning, brief for swimming etc). I kind of like the high waisted 50s glam look myself but if I had your body my taste might change! Buying separates is more expensive but I use ebay.uk a lot for great deals in swimwear and lingerie.
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