UPDATE in #31! Bathing suit for a 9 year old girl?

[Green_Tea]

Update!

Thank you all so much for the links and the advice. After looking at all the suits you suggested, I decided I needed to hit some B&M stores with DD and try stuff on in person. I didn't want to have to deal with mailing back a bunch of suits.

DD and I went shopping today and actually did quite well! I decided to re-explore Target, and also hit Justice based on a few recommendations here. Here's what we ended up with - she's happy, I'm happy.

From Target:

This tankini: http://www.target.com/p/Xhilaration-...qi_detailimage

This top: http://www.target.com/p/Xhilaration-...i_detailbutton

And these boy shorts (the link says "not sold in stores" but they were in good supply at my Target): http://www.target.com/p/Xhilaration-...e/-/A-13780724

From Justice:
http://www.shopjustice.com/girls-clo...imsuit/8631673

The Target suits are both a size 8. I found the sizing to be totally inconsistent there. Almost everything she tried on in an 8 was way too tight and small, and the 10/12s were literally falling off her. I didn't have much hope, but we tried on at least 15 different suits, and the two we bought both fit her nicely. They seem to be decent quality - at least as good as the Speedos DD wore last summer. Hopefully they make it through the season.

The Justice suit is ADORABLE. Totally age appropriate and fits her perfectly. In fact, Justice had a surprisingly good selection of tankinis in really cute patterns, and the 10 seems to run a tiny bit small and fit DD perfectly. If we had hit Justice first, we probably wouldn't have gone to Target at all!

Again, thanks so much for all the links and feedback - it was really helpful!

ETA: Two if the three suits are halter style, which was not my first choice, but DD seemed not to care. Hoping they don't drive her crazy (I can't stand them!).

[jerigirl]

Wow! Looks like you did good! I love that suit from Justice!

[mom2khj]

You did good! Those style suits from Justice are my favorite on my DD1. She has had a few each summer for the past two years.

FWIW, we are hard on suits. We have a pool that is used almost daily from May through September. The Justice suits hold up really, really well. Most of our suits from Target have also held up very well.

[KpbS]

Love the Target pink polka dot one! I almost linked that one--it seems like a great deal for 3 pieces

[mom2binsd]

I'll add that the Garnet Hill tankini's that I got are awesome, the best quality swimsuit I've ever purchased. The fabric is fully lined and it is so soft and the seams seem to be doubled making it seem extra sturdy. The colors are gorgeous and it shipped super fast. I was worried about ordering without free return shipping but they fit perfectly.

That Justice suit is super cute! I know what you mean about halter style though, they bug me because I get funny tan lines ()

[erosenst]

DD has a couple of the Justice suit in that cut but different prints- very cute on. Good choice!

(And I agree about the halter top. I can't stand them on me, but they don't bother DD. They also give her some growing room...)

DD also wears an 8 in shirts - but a 10 in Justice suits. They must run somewhat small.