Swimsuit Barbie
It’s summertime, and the living’s easy. And our Barbie series continues with this e-mail from Blair!
I was wondering if you would consider doing an entry about swimsuits for plus sizes. I really enjoy your fashion entries. I’m not really a fashion girl myself, but I’m always looking for entries about basics like jeans, etc.
[At Lands End,] they generally have a great selection of plus sized swimwear, but this year I’m STILL not finding what I need.
In my “old” age (31–I don’t really think I’m old but I guess I’m not 19 anymore) and after two babies, I’m looking to camouflage a hanging stomach that I’m not too crazy about. My skin has never been that elastic and I guess this is what two pregnancies will do.
Just generally speaking I wonder what kind of swimsuits other people are rocking and where they are finding them.
My most recent bathing suits are from Lands End, and I do really like them! They have crazy spandex fabric and their suits have names like “Tummy Control” which is just gross, but they also have a huge variety in their plus-size category: shorts and skirts and halters and two-pieces and all that good stuff.
(Oh dear, I just saw you can sort the bathing suit choices according to “Anxiety Zones.” Oh my god, JUST GO SWIMMING! Or lay in a deck chair and read The Princess Diaries. Nobody cares about your “Anxiety Zones” but you!)
I do have to say, “slenderizing” this and “control” that notwithstanding, one thing I really love about Lands End is they have swimsuits, like this one, in Mastectomy and Plus Size Mastectomy categories; I think that inclusiveness is just awesome. But, they’re pricey, and they make me think about Anxiety Zones, and they don’t seem have plus-sized sparkly bikinis.
Suggestions?
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Fashion
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I got a new suit this year from Fashion Bug and I just love it. I felt like the suits I tried ran a little big, but I like a snug swimsuit, I do a lot of bouncing and playing in the pool and I don’t want any unintentional bathing suit malfunctions.
I opted for separates and the top fit just fine and keeps the bouncing to a minimum, but they have lots of different styles so YMMV.
I picked Fashion Bug largely based on price, but I’ve seen some great reviews for Junonia if you want to spend a little more.
I get all my suits from WomanWithin.com. They have a great selection, not just for bathing suits but for all kinds of plus size clothing. Everything I’ve ordered there has been very high quality and well made.
I got the Lands End Grecian One-Piece in teal and I LOVE it. It has ruching across the torso which is good for my still chubby tummy and the deep V neck line shows off the “girls” without the first jiggle.
I also like the suits at Lane Bryant. I got just a basic black one piece (can’t remember the style name) and I have worn it to the pool, but not actually in the pool so I can’t really attest to that aspect.
I do agree that Lands End is a bit spendy but the quality is very high and the style and fit are totally worth it, in my oppinion.
I *love* Junonia. They’re not cheap, but they often have some styles on sale, and they’re really well-constructed. I adore their returns dept, as I went through a few permutations of size/style before landing on some things that worked well for me, and I’ve been super-happy.
Bleeeh control bleerhhhhhh
I remember last summer, trying to find a one piece in my size that didn’t cost over $100 and promise to control something. I eventually found some in freaking ENGLAND. Ridiculous!
OK —
where can I find a suit about sz 16 with a skirt and for nursing. My new baby is only 7 weeks old and DH is working at a pool this summer. I have to take the other two out swimming to wear them out! no reading for me!
I wear a swimsuit only in our hot tub, but I find the plain maillot from Woman Within is good at controlling bounce and is relatively inexpensive.
I get a couple of them every year because hot chlorine dissolves spandex!
http://www.womanwithin.com/clothing/Plus-size-1-piece-swimsuit-by-Swim365.aspx?PfId=18175&DeptId=9292&ProductTypeId=1&PurchaseType=0
Naomi-
I’d get tankini seperates.
Land’s end has some cute swim-mini’s
http://tiny.cc/9id6o
and I’d think a halter-top tankini top would work best for nursing.
http://tiny.cc/is92p
I bought two from lands end this year and they have worked out really well. I wore them on vacation and felt very comfortable and looked cute in them.
Even though lands end is pricey, they send email deals all the time. I got my suits at 30% off and received free shipping. Another benefit is that you can return to Sears so it is much easier than mailing it back.
I got a tankini from Catherine’s this year (although their selection was a bit on the dowdy side, they still had a couple cute suits).
How great are tankinis? I had never bought one before, but now I’m a convert. If you have to get out of the water to use the bathroom, it’s so much easier than dealing with a one-piece!
I had great luck at Target this year! I actually had fun picking something out.
I got one I love from Ross (a store similar to tjmaxx or marshalls) so no garuntees there are others of them, but it’s plain black, one piece, and the sort of ’50s style where instead of being high cut, the legs are almost little shorts, my housemate and I both got the same one because it was so cute, and they had them from her size (about a 4) to my size (a 16)
I’m with Alice. All of my suits come from Junonia. Love them! Well constructed, they hold up VERY well and they fit my body shape. I try to do water aerobics 3x a week and the suit I am wearing now is still from last year.
I really love my freya swimsuit, by the fantasie bra line. Not sure what their sizes go up to but i love that they have underwire support for my girls- And I wear a J now that I have a baby! They are comfy too. :)
I usually just wear bike shorts and a sports bra as swim attire but I do like an actual swimsuit for certain occasions. Woman Within(Onestopplus.com allows you to looks at all their catalogs) has a great selection of reasonably priced suits and they have a wonderful selection of mix and match suits where you can pair a swim dress with bike shorts, a tankini with a swim skirt, etc, etc…My last couple of swim suits have come from them and I’ve been pretty happy with them.
Another major shout out for Junonia for serious swimmers. Best support for the girls out there, and believe me, I’ve tried everything. They last well in chlorine, and I am in the pool at least 4x week. Spendy at full price, but they do have clearance. If only they’d bring back their triathalon set with bra infused shimmel and matching shorts. I will cry when mine dies.
Other best advice, not just for swimsuits, is to buy off season for bargains. And the ‘season’ for swimsuits is so short that bargains are out there for 3 other seasons.
I heartily recommend tankini styles, but for serious laps, one has to attend to how much float up will drive you nuts. I have a couple of cute suits I augment with an ugly elastic belt so the ‘front pouf’ doesn’t cause extra drag.
Have had very poor success with chlorine resistance of suits at places like Ross, TJMaxx, etc. even the brand names (I think the really crappy ones end up there).
I am a solid 20 ish 2X and wear $9 stretch lycra bike shorts from KMart for EVERYTHING. Great for under skirt chub rub protection, then straight into the pool. Also have good luck with Target after season. Waaay too pricey for the fabric before hand, but if you can get the soft bra tops for $4 in winter and haul em out later, you’re doing great.
Really. Off season is the way to go. Oh, and cute as you can get.
I got a Miracle Suit to review on my blog this year. I chose it not because of the “slimming” thing, but because it was the only all black skirt suit I could find.
It’s expensive — retails at $150 — but I have to say, the tightness of the suit is awesome for two reasons; really supports the boobs, and doesn’t scoop water when I swim. Plus the suit skirt is short enough that it doesn’t impede.
But I’d never buy this suit. I’d definitely go with Junonia if I was gonna pay that price myself.
I have never found a swimsuit i have felt comfortable in! I was cursed with a unproportionate waist than every thing else. My bra size is a 32ff i cant find any thing to fit and still make me feel like I can take the cover up off…. i am also involved in water sports so i need good support.Can anyone help me?