Bathing suits

Go to modcloth.comand find a great vintage swimsuit. Actual women even send in their pictures along with the reviews. Whenever I wear mine, I actually get women coming up to me to compliment me--in a bikini, stretch marks, baby pouch, and all!

I bought the Land's End "sweetheart" one-piece and it covers back fat, side boob, the squishy fat by your armpits and it's really cute. I always wear board shorts, because I'm not comfortable with my rear end yet. It comes in black, red and paisley (black and white).
http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-sweetheart-one-piece-slender-suit/id_231662

By the prettiest suit you can find THAT FITS. Then kick all the imaginary judgers out of your mind and enjoy yourself. I refuse to cover up and feel miserable at the beach. Relax, enjoy the sun & your friend/family.

Ok, so I'm sure there has been topics like this in the past but I'm a newbie so here it goes.

Next weekend is the annual beach trip I go on with the ladies in my family. It's two days of sunshine and surf (not to mention drinks, rich food, and various other unhealthy things.) The thing is that I have never had a "beach body" so I just despise the beach in general.

But I try and be a good sport about it and go each year.
However, this year I peaked at my heaviest weight in years. Even though I've lost some (10 lbs!) but that is still not really close to being thin enough so I don't feel embarrassed walking around in a bikini. All my swimsuits give me major side boob and it's not attractive it just doesn't look like it fits. :[

Anyway, just wondering what other people do to try and make themselves feel more comfortable at the beach through their weight loss?

Just wear a tee shirt?
Cover ups?

I have a swim jacket which I bought partly b/c of being chubby but also b/c I am a redhead and burn really easily, and always miss spots with my suntan lotion as I go to the pool alone w/ my kids and have to put it on myself...I actually think that I will still wear a lot more coverage even when I get to my goal weight b/c I have had bad burns throughout my life and want to avoid any in the future...

Agree with everyone, go buy a suit that fits well. Now is a great time, as a lot of the stores are dumping their summer stock for back-to-school/fall clothes.

A look I like is a combination of men's swim trunks with a bikini top.

Also check out the speedo suits. Several of their training suits have strategically placed panels and contour lines that are flattering on heavier bodies.

I buy one piece swimsuits that have rushing around the stomach to hide the extra weight that I carry there (those abs in my picture are my motivation, not mine!) I also love a tunic coverup or a sarong for when I'm not in the water.

I like to have an adult beverage or two. The ole' liquor sweater makes me feel like the hottest thing on the sand lol And while its not true, without my inhibitions about how fat my love handles look at this angle, i have a much better time...

I've always turned to my black Speedo competition swimsuit. It slims everything and doesn't create the unsightly side-boob (maybe a bit of uni-boob). I've had it for at least 6 years and it's held up great and adjusted well even as I gained and lost weight. Otherwise, get a cute wrap or beach cover up (Old Navy has really pretty colourful ones). When all else fails, decide that you don't give a damn about everyone else's opinion and enjoy your time with your friends and family!

Vintage high waisted swimming suits are always a good choice. I love my vintage swimsuit. I got it on clearance at Macy's for only 15 dollars. Its a one piece and it is one shoulder. Its like a fitted mini dress. The slip inside covers everything I don't want anyone to see.

Also, just have fun! People can tell when you are self conscious and worried. Have all the confidence you would have if you were your goal weight and people will look at your gorgeous smile instead of whatever you are trying to hide. Hope this helps a little.

High waisted suits are only good if you look like Taylor Swift. Wear a well-adjusted string bikini, with some sort of semi-see-through cover up.

Enjoy

Wear one with a sexy back!

When I was heavier, I liked to wear swim dresses. I think some of them are really cute. Even now, I'm happy with my bod and wear 2 pieces, I sometimes throw on one. I just think they can be pretty. For perspective: I live at the ocean in the summer.

Some can be frumpy, but some are really cute:









With these, you don't even need a cover up if you want to take a walk on the beach. Get thee a floppy hat, and you're gorgeous.

Agree! I have a M Khor swim dress in size 4, that is and fits great. I need to get me more of those.

If your swimsuits are giving you "side boob", that's a clear indication that it's the wrong size. Get a professional fitting (Victoria's Secret does good fittings) and choose a good flattering cut. You'll be amazed at what a difference it can make.

I have always been terrified of the beach for the same reasons as you - and being rather busty I have the added difficulty of finding a swimsuit that fits, is supportive, and doesn't cost a year's salary!

However, this summer on holiday in Venice, we went to the Lido one day. I wore my ill fitting slazenger cozzie that is okay for doing lengths in the pool. I did feel a lot better having lost 2 stone! But it's not very flattering, this cozzie. Pigeon breasted isn't in it!

As I lay there, I looked around. Yes, there were the skinny girlies, firm flesh, and skimpy bikinis, looking fantastic. But then I'm not 18 anymore. So it's futile to compare myself to them.

But also, I looked around, and there was a woman with a belly that was bigger, wobblier, more stretch marked and hanging over further than mine, in a bikini, relaxing and enjoying herself. There was another woman who must have been in her 80s, all her flesh loose and wrinkled, wearing a neon yellow swimsuit with a slash down the middle all the way to her pelvic bone. She was relaxed and enjoying herself. There were hundreds of women much bigger than me wearing swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, some were tanned and brown, some were shiny white. But they ALL looked relaxed and happy, enjoying the sun.

And I thought - I'm no different to any of these women. I have the same right to relax and enjoy the sun. They look fantastic because they're relaxed and happy, not because they're skinny (they're not) or because they have firm gravity defying bodies (they didn't). They are comfortable and happy and enjoying their day on the beach. So in future, that's what I'll be doing too.

So like everyone says, treat yourself to a cozzie that really fits, and go and be the beach goddess which you surely are! I'm saving up for one for my next holiday and I'm planning to get one that's bright, sexy and skimpy and no use at all for swimming. And a floaty sarong to tie round if I feel the need. :flowerforyou:

Also, have a look at Gok Wan's guide to choosing the right cozzie for your body shape http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOMq0TiQfXQ