Adult swimsuit 101 - for modest mom whose body is not like Angelina Jolie's

[momm]

What do I need to know about buying a swimsuit?

Are there swimsuits that cover more of your body vs. very little?

Are there different types of body fits/ material?

What stores do you buy them from for cheap?

As you can tell, I know nothing about swimsuits. Can you all give me tips as you would someone new to the whole pool game?

Just planning on going in with DC, that's all. Not planning on entering the Olympics. So need something affordable.

[maestramommy]

Land End.

[HonoluluMom]

I usually do board shorts and a bikini top or tankini.

Tankini - very good at hiding tummy issues

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=42121&vid=0&pid=826115

Board shorts - good for thigh and waist issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Womens-Lifeguard-Boardshort-White/dp/B001S3JZ40/ref=sr_1_20?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1312369307&sr=1-20

[elizabethkott]

Land End.

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

AND they are having a fabulous sale right now.

Get thee to landsend.com!!!!!

[hillview]

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

AND they are having a fabulous sale right now.

Get thee to landsend.com!!!!!


Land End.

:yeahthat:

[daisymommy]

Another vote for Lands End :)
Very well made (my suit is several years old and looks great). Many modest yet stylish suits. All different body styles are represented.

I like how they have mix and match pieces so you can tailor them to your body shape. I'm wearing a tankini top
http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingVneckTankiniSwimsuitTop~215868_59.html? bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::AJ9&CM_MERCH=IDX_Women-_-Swimsuits&origin=index
AND similar to this:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingPaisleyPrintTankiniSwimsuitTop~216185_5 9.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::JN3&CM_MERCH=IDX_Women-_-Swimsuits&origin=index

and swim-mini(skirt) bottom--not an old lady skirt!. http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingSwimMini~166797_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BIB&CM_MERCH=IDX_Women-_-Swimsuits-_-ShopbySilhouette-_-BottomsSkirts&origin=index
they even have it with tummy control!

[Jo..]

Land's End has a great selection of slender/all-over control swimsuits that really nip things in, and make you look a size or two smaller than you really are.

http://www.landsend.com/ix/index.html?store=le&action=newSearch&search=slender

[momm]

thank you all so much for your responses and the education! I totally didn't know how to cover up AND wear a swimsuit.

Lands End seems to be the clear winner here :)

Is the clearance sale online only or in stores as well? (Since I haven't worn swimsuits ever I do not know what type will fit me, etc. )

[dogmom]

I want to love Lands End suits, I really do. I love so much of their stuff. I have two sets of separates, but they fall into the "not embarassing, but not flattering category." I just went through swim suit stress because my 5 year old floral one piece I got on sale at K-Mart, which somehow made me look better than any Lands End suit (really, lots of compliments) finally had the bottome elastic go. (No one needs to see my booty hanging out!)

So I spent an hour trying on every combination of Lands End sutis at Sears and just found OK suits that were gonig to run $70-80 for the set. I wandered over to the regular swimsuits and found one I love. It's a one piece with a cute brown polka dot halter top that goes into a black skirt that flows nicely, more like a dress than a swim suit. I think, by looking online, it was Suit Yourself Swimwear-Slender Thighs, it looks like Kohls have them.

[MommyAllison]

I love my Land's End suit, too. I bought my current suit last year in store at about this time, and they were having a great sale in-store, so I would check Sears if you have one close by, or you could call first to ask if they're having a sale. Happy shopping! :)

[sunnyside]

I like my Becca bathing suit:

I got this top
http://www.everythingbutwater.com/browse/products/becca/down-to-earth/42392+763517+253.html

and this bottom
http://www.everythingbutwater.com/browse/products/becca/down-to-earth/42391+763217+253.html

I also have this coverup, which is very expensive, but also works as a shirt and can be worn straight out to dinner. (I like it with black shorts):
http://www.everythingbutwater.com/browse/products/carmen-marc-valvo/morrocan-ikat/42799+c17836+11.html

But mine is this blue colorway:
http://www.everythingbutwater.com/browse/products/carmen-marc-valvo/morrocan-ikat/42795+c17399+446.html


Oh and I have this suit also but mine is an actual two piece. It looks almost the same, except that it is a tankini with a skirt. Very flattering.:
http://www.dillards.com/product/Kenneth-Cole-Reaction-RuffleLicious-Halter-Swimdress_301_-1_301_502613780?splashlink=dd_w_tc2_swimwear_06011 1

[citymama]

Depending on your body type, I would look at Athleta as well. They have swim shorts and tankinis that provide lots of coverage, but a more sporty look than LE. They have an additional 20% off sale items through 8/5 and free ship over $50.

athleta.gap.com

[Melanie]

Another Land's End vote. And I have gotten them on overstocks and sometimes if you go to the Sear's site you can find more overstocks than the regular (though I don't know how since it re-directs you, but I did last time). I ordered about 800 suits (okay, maybe 12 pieces) to try on at home and return to Sears. I definitely didn't and wouldn't pay 70-80 for them, but for less than 30 they're tops. And made for women with breasts that need support, too!

[newg]

I just ordered from LE last night.... Three tops and one bottom (already have two bottoms at home...) $53. Free shipping, and I can return to Sears what I dont like. I also love their lifetime guarantee.

[shishamo]

Athleta swim separates - love them. I'm very small chested and the tankini plus the oceanside shorts are my uniforms at the pool - comfortable and cute. I get compliments on them all the time. I got mine last year and they still look great (we go to the pool 1-2 /wk).