Jun 20, 2017 - Shopping Writing swimsuit posts always makes me cranky
I always dread trying to find good swimsuits to write about here, because nothing inspires self-loathing like that particular article of clothing, and it’s tough to know what’s going to look good on all of you, with your many and varied body types. But such a post has been requested a few times lately. And it is pretty much the season, so I’ll power right through the absolute mood that trying to get this together has placed me in and start with one that I just purchased for myself: this perfectly classic number from Solid & Striped.
I bought this for my trip to Miami a few months back, and adore the crochet business, but must warn that it hits very high in the rear.
One of you wrote in the comments that I do not need to point out every time something is a plus-size option, but I find it tough not to when the size of the model leaves one wondering. In any case, are these polka dots not criminally cute?
This is very 50s screen siren, and it is made with control material for a flattering fit.
The chevron pattern here is also quite flattering.
Here’s one specifically made for women with a fuller bust.
The back straps here are rather intricate and really pretty, and I love a red swimsuit.
Just a stupendously fun striped option.
From Ashley Graham’s line: I think the lace-up situation is very sexy, without really exposing much of anything.
I know this one plunges rather darlingly, but the floral is so pretty.
Another rather 50s-style cut (and here’s a very similar plus version).
I like the neckline here, and it’s a nice buy, too.
Kim France
I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.
I just ordered (and sadly, had to return) the gorgeous purple floral from Zara. The plunge front isn’t as dangerous as it looks, because there’s some kind of wire in that dip that allays boob migration. The suit ended up looking and feeling too tight on me, though, either because I’m actually not the size small I thought I was or because the suit runs small. If you do order, consider sizing up.
First of all I commend you for tackling the swimsuit issue. I would dare to say there is not one other article of clothing that confounds a woman more than a swimsuit particularly as they progress along the age spectrum. So bravo for finding suits that are adorable (love the polka dots and the stripes!) and offer coverage. Two or three years ago my muther was visiting and had forgotten to pack her swimsuit. She was eighty-nine at the time. I took her to the local Everything But Water and the salesgirl found her a one piece that covered her rear end, had straps, but had a cut out over her belly-button (I suppose to display a belly-button-piercing?). Muther came out of the dressing room wearing the suit and I asked her if she was comfortable showing her belly-button. She laughed and said, “At my age, who cares?” She bought the suit. So I now try to apply that way of thinking when needs require a new suit. I’m almost sixty-six ergo “Who cares?” And I wear whatever covers my rear end and has straps and beguiles.
😆 i love this. especially imagining the cut out!
The link for the purple floral suit is going to a different suit at topshop, fyi.
Link fixed!
I like every single suit here! Saw the crocheted one online yesterday and loved it, but wondered about the rear-end situation.
Ugh because I won’t pay a lot for a suit, want to try it on (under those awful lights, double ugh), and want fair-trade or made in America.
I ended up at REI because they have Carve and Patagonia.
(Add to all of that the grew-up-in-southern-CA-at-the-beach GOACA situation which means melanoma and other lovely skin cancers and one is left with swim leggings and a rash guard for every beach holiday so it hardly matters what the suit looks like at all…)
Swim leggings?!! This is new to me — where does one get those? Are they just to block the sun or do they do anything else? If you get a chance, I would love to know.
Hey Viajera!
Solumbra/Sun Precautions in Seattle makes the SPF 100 leggings I have. I wear a long sleeve surf shirt from there also. Their stuff is pricey but is recommended by dermatologists and has the highest SPF rating. I can swim in them and don’t have to futz with sunscreen…
I am so happy that these even exist!! Thank you!
Am a very very pale real redheaded person, so beach type clothing is a particular hell for me …since birth. This is amazing news to me – I had pretty much given up on beachwear. Thank you!
Wow, great news, thank you!!! I despise having to put on sunscreen too!!! It is so annoying. This is very interesting.
Coolibar sells swim leggings, too. I haven’t ordered them yet, but am going to do so today. (There stuff is good quality in general).
The Norma Kamali suit is on its way – yay! (And thank goodness for Shop Bop’s free return shopping policy!)
Those are GREAT options – I love that striped one, and the red one in particular, because it reminds me of a white suit (similar cut) that Rachel Ward wore years ago in the movie Against All Odds. Also – I thought I’d share here (because it keeps popping up in my Facebook feed), a swimwear line that is new to me called Summersalt (https://www.gosummersalt.com/). They seriously have some of the CUTEST one pieces that I have seen in a long time, and BONUS – they’re eco-friendly!
And when you decide that you like your body well enough because even though you are 60 and dimpled and so on it’s served you well and you believe in IDGAF, and you find bathing suit fabric less than comfortable on your belly, I recommend Arak’s bikins;).
xoxoxox
Amen! My nearly 70 year old cousin told me a few weeks back, indignantly, regretfully, she’s never worn a bikini but now considers it a political act. IDGAF was exactly her mantra re: a body “that’s had 2 kids, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, had a broken hip, suffer the slings and arrows of time” and modesty be damned. I bought a bikini the next day, wore it at a Palm Springs pool surrounded by PYTs and GOACAs in one pieces and man, it was a revelation!
Love this…
Yes to the bikini!!!
Thanks for the post. I wish Topshop would use a model who has a “fuller bust” for their “fuller bust” suit. By contrast, gotta love the Ashley Graham models. It’s inspiring for those of who have said “fuller bust” but sometimes feel self-conscious of it.
Can you tell us about the boob situation in the first one (the one you bought). It’s not described on the site. I need a little bit of padding because sadly I have eternal top hats.
Here’s a tip from a chic friend: she buys simple tank swimsuits in two colors and layers them. Usually black over white. Looks great and suit #1 acts like a foundation/body shaper. Would work with many of these terrific selections.
Anthropologie has a ton of great suits – especially one pieces. Many of them are online only. I’ve purchased a few of their retro inspired styles and love them!
Swimsuit makers really need to show suits on a variety of shapes, so we can actually SEE what it looks like with say, hips and boobs. The Kamali suit looks strange shown on such a straight figure….and hooray for Ashley Graham btw.
I bought a tankini from https://www.swimsuitsforall.com/ this year and I am pleased as punch with it. I have an exceedingly long torso, such than no one-piece will ever suffice. Swimsuits For All also has a refreshing array of models and lets you buy differently sized tops and bottoms.
My model-skinny younger sisters buy their suits at Target, but I’ve had the best luck at HerRoom, Bare Necessities, Fig Leaves etc.–the lingerie makers like Fantasie and Freya and Panache have some great, well-fitting styles for the well-endowed. And yes, I own a two-piece (not *quite* a bikini, though).
Totally agree! A freya or fantaisie cup-sized tankini with underwire is the way to go, especially if you are a non-standard size. I have a very small band size (30) and a very large cup size (H in UK sizing) and that is the only way I can get a suit that fits. Although I am also careful to wear a rash guard for sun protection.
https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/swim2/solids/highwaisted-ruched-bikini-bottom/G1723?srcCode=GGBS00006_99104545223_200317638_15965730078_315595489609_c_pla_pla-315595489609_1014242&sisearchengine=197&siproduct=G1723&noPopUp=true&source=googlePLA&lsft=srcCode:GGBS00006_99104545223_200317638_15965730078_315595489609_c_pla_online__1014242&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh-LsjpPO1AIVTYF-Ch3hWwo2EAQYASABEgKsCfD_BwE
this is the best suit purchase i have ever made! i have never felt more comfortable at the beach and one pieces, tho i love the look, make me feel like a sausage. get this bottom with any top and feel like a million bucks even with a tum!
That’s genius! I don’t have a tummy but I like the full coverage in front and back. Wear it with a rash guard and you’re done. Thanks.
Life-long swimmer; long torso, hourglass figure with boobs that need support and butt that needs coverage, and a post-45 intolerance for anything touching my stomach (what *is* that?): Had fantastic luck in Hawaii recently (swimming, snorkeling, body surfing) with the bra-sized Antibes bikini tops + bikini bottoms from Boden, and the mix-and-match triangle tops + bikini bottoms from J. Crew. All stayed in place, were supportive and flattering, provided excellent coverage,
and didn’t stretch out or fade after multiple wearings.
J Crew = Long torso bathing suits + reasonable price = Happy Val (and I went out of my comfort zone and got red.)
I for one appreciate when you do point out a plus size option as plus size. I’ve clicked through to non-plus options far too many times and been burned when sizes only hit a 10/12 and won’t come near fitting my size 18 bum.