Comments on: Bathing Suit Season

By: body loving blog-o-sphere 07.12.09

body loving blog-o-sphere 07.12.09 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:29:06 +0000

[...] Big Fat Deal, Bathing Suit Season [...]

By: Jasmine

Jasmine — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:35:54 +0000

It’s so easy to look at yourself and say, “I hate my legs, my stomach, my arms” etc.
God knows that I’ve had those thoughts almost every day of my life.
But we have to stop and think…I’m so grateful that I have all my limbs, I can walk and run, I can swim, I can be normal.
And there are so many people out there who can’t do half those things….so no matter how you’re feeling this summer, just remember that you’re blessed because you have the opportunity to get out there and have fun.

I always think of the less fortunate when I feel ‘fat’ and it really makes me feel like such a fool. I have my health and that makes me so lucky.

Have a great summer everyone!

By: Annitspurple

Annitspurple — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:39:51 +0000

Hm. On another read, that last line is ambiguous. I mean that “one choice or the other” does not make you better, smarter or more liberated…

By: Annitspurple

Annitspurple — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:37:47 +0000

I have always dressed pretty modestly at the beach/pool (T-shirt and shorts), and since I decided to become more observant a few years ago (I’m Muslim), have been wearing athletic leggings and a t-shirt. I’ve never noticed anyone do a double-take, even on beaches where I am the only woman NOT in a bikini, let alone covered so much, and the way I see it, I’m a grown-up, and that means I get to dress myself as I see fit.

I prefer modest clothing for a variety of reasons (none of which have to do with body shame, as so many are quick to assume), and my assumption that grown-ups get to dress themselves extends to other women. If you want to wear a bikini, wear one, but don’t assume that women who are more covered are ashamed of their bodies, repressed, or uncomfortable, and I won’t assume annoying stereotypes of women in bikinis (promiscuous, anti-feminist, immodest).

My advice to the original questioner? Wear whatever makes you comfortable enough to go swimming (lots of good, practical advice from the other commenters here), and after a while, see how you feel. You may decide you want more covering, or you may choose less covering. One choice does not make you better, smarter or more liberated than anyone else.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:14:17 +0000

I LOVE swim skirts–I think they’re so cute! Also, I tend to get wedgies a lot, so wearing skirts means I don’t have to worry about my ass-cheeks greeting everyone. I like one-pieces with skirts or wearing skirts over bikini bottoms. For some reason I don’t like tankinis—they always look cute on the rack, but don’t look good on me. For tops I like belly-shirts with puffy sleeves.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:05:13 +0000

Carol, Bravissimo (bravissimo.com) do one-pieces (no skirts) and tankinis with real bras, but they only go up to back sizes 38 or 40, which may or may not work for you.

There’s also a brand called Shock Absorber which is meant to be quite good, plus I’ve seen both Speedos and Zoggs with good bust support in department stores (and the shops attached to local swimming pools), but I can’t remember if they are underwire or not.

Figleaves.com stock a fair few options, including some of the brands carried by Bravissimo (Fantasie and Panache for example.)

Good luck.

By: lyn

lyn — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:29:06 +0000

I can deal with my huge upper arms. I can cope with the belly. I have a waist and boobs so I look pretty decent on top. But oh my gosh, the legs. The legs!! Seriously, they horrify me. I have the biggest legs, hips, knees and they do not look right attached to the rest of me IMO. No amount of swim skirt can cover it up. So I just said, “I gotta love myself, and I like to swim, so Im just gonna swim.” No goofy attempts to try and hide the tree trunks. They just *are.* So I wear my one-piece and enjoy my siwm and say to heck with what anyone thinks.

By: Carol Gwenn

Carol Gwenn — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:40:54 +0000

HELP! Does anyone know where to find a suit (one-piece skirted or tankini) with a real underwire bra inside? These suits existed when I was a teenager, then they suddenly disappeared. For anyone who wears larger than a B-cup, especially once gravity has begun to do its thing, an underwire (just like the ones we wear with regular clothes) would seem to be a necessity, BUT I CANNOT FIND ONE IN A BATHING SUIT ANYWHERE!

Does anyone have a source for a swimsuit with an underwired bra?

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:34:15 +0000

I do a lot of lap swimming, aqua aerobics and even the odd water slide, and prefer a fairly sensible one-piece that can stand the chlorine and support a seriously large bust. I hate skirts or extra-long legs – I’m so short that they come down too far and then flap around or ride back up again. My only criteria is to avoid plain black and minimizing designs whenever possible. My last couple of pairs (I rotate them) have come from Bravissimo, on sale – I’ve had excellent luck with the Bondi one-piece in the “sports” section and the Grace in the “swimsuits” section. I wanted Sorrento in red, but it sold out in my size before I’d saved up the money.

As for swimming in the great outdoors, I sunburn in about five minutes flat, through multiple layers of sunscreen (I grew up in Oz, but still get chargrilled in what passes for the UK summer), so wear one of my regular cossies under a rash vest and board shorts. Current pair is incredibly loud and colourful from Billabong. The rash vest is burgundy and elbow length, and means I can spend hours at the beach or local pool without having to worry about sunburn – or asking passers-by to reapply sunscreen to the middle of my back!

When do people actually wear bikinis, by the way? I don’t find them practical for laps, I only ever soak in a spa after more vigorous swimming and would never be bothered to change, and I can’t wear them outdoors becaue of the sunburn issue. Confidence is not the problem, but the opportunity is lacking!

By: indiemom

indiemom — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:19:32 +0000

Oh one more thing, there’s at least one etsy shop selling plus size bikinis…byrodesigns is one, I’m seriously considering getting one (but I’d probably be too scared to wear it in public…but our backyard is another story)