Best bathing suits

[namelesswonder]

Does anyone else have this problem?:

You're at home, checking out your figure in the mirror while wearing your usual (or favorite) undergarments. You like what you see! You go out, buy a bathing suit in a similar style as the panties/bra and no no no it is the most unflattering thing ever even though the cut is exactly the same. I think this happens because bathing suits are generally designed to fit tighter, but if you buy looser to be more flattering, they will probably fall off in the water.

 

I am curious if you all have any favorite places for bathing suits, either online or for in-person shopping. I think I technically have an hourglass figure, though my bust is rather small and waist is not very narrow. I'm thinking of going with some of those retro high-waisted bikinis because they look cute, but I'm afraid they'd emphasize my hips too much.

 

I think the best solution for me would be to find some athletic style bathing suit separates. I always like how a sports-bra style top looks on me, but bottoms are the tricky part. I have a one-piece that is reasonably flattering, but would really like a bikini. Favorite brands?

 

I hope this is not too off topic

[JessOfAllTrades]

This lovely one has been my favorite since I bought it: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/onepiece-swimwear/bathing-beauty-one-piece-swimsuit-in-emerald?new_pdp_layout=true, but isn't a bikini. Still want to share the love though.

[Silo]

Good topic. I've gotten my swimsuits from Lands' End the past few times because their returns are so easy and the ability to buy separate sizes for tops and bottoms. I won't need a swimsuit until November when we go on vacation (only time I ever swim) so I'll be watching this thread for good ideas.

[namelesswonder]

Modcloth has some gorrrrgeous suits, but man they are expensive!

 

Lands' End is a good call. I tend to forget about them because they seem like such a "mature" (read: mom) shop, but they have quality stuff.

[Silo]

Yes, LE is pretty mom-ish. I am hoping to be able to get something from elsewhere this year. Oh how I'd love to not have a swim skirt  

 

Have you checked out the Speedo website? It seems like that brand would carry something that is more athletic in nature. 

[Sienna]

Personally, I'm not a bikini person. Call me prude but I don't like showing so much skin to strangers (annnnnd I don't have a bikini body... yet), so I wear a one-piece. I got this really simple ruched black swimsuit from JC Penney last summer and every time I put it on I feel like a damn goddess. But if they aren't your style, they also have great separates. Mine was $20 bucks I think, so the price for them should similar. It wouldn't hurt too much to check it out; they do have some good pieces.

[sylph]

I bought my last swimsuits in bulk from Old Navy (seriously, bought in three colors on sale). Triangle top, side tie bottoms. Infinitely adjustable and flattering to my bodyshape. I know that doesn't work for everyone.

 

For sporty type suits, check out athleta (though they are spendy). www.venus.com also has a TON of swimsuit styles and options from sporty to bikini to completely impractical.

[SevenofSeven]

Can't help here but reading with interest, I wear bathers for my job and I go for plain old black chlorine resistant speedo's with a boy leg short or board short over the top.

Speedo do have some great styles and colours these days, and their chlorine resistant bathers last forever.

[TaraTheMiddle]

Sad face! Athleta has exactly what I have been looking for but only in a size xxs! I really want some swim capris; I don't feel comfortable showing off all of my legs. 

[namelesswonder]

Ooo the Speedo suits look great. I wonder if I can find a store around here that carries them to try on before I buy.

 

TaraTheMiddle, I forget if it was LL Bean or Lands End, but I found a lot of swimshorts on one of those sites! In varying styles, too.

 

Old Navy used to be my go-to, but I can't seem to buy a flattering suit there anymore. It's like they just make the smaller sizes larger instead of changing the shape as they size up so that a Large can actually fit a large butt. I don't even have much of a booty!

 

I'm dense: I should really check out REI or other outdoor athletic stores!

 

FYI: I fully support the use of rash guards for sun protection (and modesty). I bought a long-sleeve rash guard on Amazon, basically the cheapest one I could find, and was out in the sun for a couple of hours with no burn and no lotion on underneath. Even in black, it stayed comfortable in full sunlight and let in breezes and water temp (cold).

[ReaperXIII Sori]

I prefer tankinis that have runches that help hide my jiggles. Since I'm bigger breasted, the HUGE thing I look for are the straps and do I show hella cleavage. I have to have tanktop straps, not halter top, because it starts to hurt after a while and it needs to cover over cleavage.

 

There's only one store here, so that's all I get. I like being able to try stuff on and before I left the states, I used Kohls

[MariahSnow]

I actually bought a bikini from Victorias Secret last year (or maybe 2 years ago). While I have problems with the brand itself, the bikini actually fits pretty great and it's flattering. It's a bandeau top but it's sized like a bra instead of just S, M, L, etc, which is nice. I recently purchased another bikini from them (mix and match top and bottoms) and they're too small so I have to return them.

 

I also swim for exercise and that requires a totally different piece of equipment. I have a long torso so buying a one piece is just frustrating. I typically wear life-guard style two pieces that are basically a sports bra and panties in terms of style. Check out swimoutlet.com, that's where I ordered my athletic-style swimsuits.

[jenlady]

Lucky Brand has awesome suits where the bottoms are actually made for people with...bottoms..

[doesntevengohere]

I was a swimmer for most of my life, and now I surf, so I have a lot of thoughts on swimsuits, and have tried many different brands! Primarily I look for something that stays in place when swimming or wiping out on a wave (tall order), and as a secondary consideration I'd like it to be at least somewhat flattering.

After extensive experimentation, I've settled on bodyglove bikinis as my go-to. They're designed with surfing/function in mind, so they stay in place fairly well, and I think they're flattering as well. They've also got a lot of mix and match options for tops and bottoms which is handy, and the suits hold up very well. The tops with the criss-cross-back option, like this one, seem to stay in place best:

http://www.bodyglove.com/shop/products/?57725/womens-swimwear/smoothies-2014-collection/

[Ominay]

Sad face! Athleta has exactly what I have been looking for but only in a size xxs! I really want some swim capris; I don't feel comfortable showing off all of my legs.

Have you checked out guys swimming trunks? They actually have some really cute ones now that men are free to wear pink and other colors that used to be considered feminine. I have an adorable black one piece swimsuit that I wear with black swimming trunks. (I wear a lot of black) planning to maybe get some hot pink ones if I get to swim more this summer. I like to feel comfortable and walking around in underwear just doesn't do it for me ;P

[lela gypsypunk]

I lovlove loveGreta and panache swimsuits. They're expensive, but are very sturdy and comfy. They come in bra sizes too, which I find very helpful!

[Ampersand]

I swear by Lands End, they're the best fit for me. Target did have some nice ones too, if I remember correctly. Both go by bra size, which is great if you need some extra support. I know Lands End is kind of a "mom-brand" but really, they have some super cute bathing suits. I got a retro high-waisted pair of bottoms there which I love, but they also have really nice-quality basic pieces too. 

 

I also swear by the roots athletic bathing suits, but I don't think that they have bikinis, and I just checked their website and they don't even have their swim line up yet. 

 

I'm definitely going to be looking for new bathing suits considering I'm 3 cup sizes down since the last time I bought one...

 

Roxy is really popular here and they have a store not far from me, does anyone know anything about them?

[WorkedTooHard]

I'm a VS nerd style-wise and love the brand, but I genuinely like the quality of their suits too. They are spendier, but then again, I don't buy a new suit every year. Instead, I'll invest in a new one once every several years. I think higher quality in any brand will have a better fit because it will be made of more resilient fabric.

 

However, I wouldn't worry too much about it, I think the different in undies/suits are minimal enough where you yourself of course notices but the rest of the world doesn't at all!

[Noname123]

I'm a VS nerd style-wise and love the brand, but I genuinely like the quality of their suits too. They are spendier, but then again, I don't buy a new suit every year. Instead, I'll invest in a new one once every several years. I think higher quality in any brand will have a better fit because it will be made of more resilient fabric.

 

However, I wouldn't worry too much about it, I think the different in undies/suits are minimal enough where you yourself of course notices but the rest of the world doesn't at all!

VS fangirl here too- their swim wear AND Sport collections are amazing, I have an issue with most suits because the lack of support irks me even though I'm not a very busty girl. 

 

I buy a few suits/sports bras every year, find the right sale (they have them pretty often) and save the 10 dollar coupons they send you in the mail and you can snag a 70 dollar suit for less than 30 and a 55 dollar bra for 25ish. 

[AmandaM]

I love Swim Outlet, as previously stated. I don't have the amount of selection as some others (Canadian here) and I don't wear two pieces at the moment, but I've seen some good stuff there.

 

Also, I love Unique Vintage for retro style stuff, but they're a little spendy.

[dancezwithkittehz]

If you are super busty and need DD+ swimwear I highly recommend ordering from Bare Necessities or Her Room. They have DD+ bra sized swimwear. There are brands that cut down to 30 and 32 bands also (yeah. 30G cup. Pain in the ass. Must have bra sized/supportive swimwear!)

For bottoms I like VS or I'll just take whatever I can get to match my tops when I get those. DD+ suits basically always run around $30-60 or more per piece but I can't get away with cheap suits anyway unless I want the girls hitting me in the eye and stuff. Le sigh! (I dropped down to a 30 band from 32 and I am trying not to think about how I now need new bathing suits. Ugh! So expensive!)