https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 02 May 2026 21:14:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921725 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:51:44 +0000 Gaylene 921725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm, Deb, I'm fancying that little tipped number second from the right. It fits right in with the unstructured look that is so popular these days. I'm sure that a rear view would confirm my impression that there would be lots of slouch in the rear, especially after a short time in the water.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921722 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:48:30 +0000 kkards 921722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ 1st thing to remember....you are probably never going to see the people in Hawaii again, so who cares what they think. and the ones you are going to already love you as you are. <br />that being said, this is the one item that 1 do 90% of my buying on line. 1st unless you live in a beach resort, the selection in&nbsp;B&amp;M is so small compared to the actual number of swim suits available. 2nd, i want to control the lighting and the tempature when i am trying on. 3rd this insure that everything is returnable, so you can compare different brands, and how the suit feels on different days.<br /><br />Good luck!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921714 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:34:40 +0000 Sona 921714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ my recommendation is for a tankini top with short like bottoms. try la blanca, miraclesuit, athleta or lands end. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921713 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:34:05 +0000 deb 921713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you all!!! I was thinking I may have something like this made. Think anyone would notice?&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921707 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:24:17 +0000 texstyle 921707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The right suit is out there - it is just an adventure finding it sometimes. I like the mix and match options because then I can get the size and&nbsp;coverage I want for top and bottoms. If you like a one-piece you can go with a longer cut tankini style.&nbsp; Try unconventional cuts too - like a swim short fold down bottoms, or a sports style top - sometimes you just don't know what cut/style will flatter the most until you try it.<br /><br />I have several swim suits living in such a hot climate&nbsp; - and I actually enjoy getting new ones even though I definitely do not have a model body, I find it pleasing to have a couple of options and plenty of cover up options too. I order all my suits online in multiple sizes and try on at home these days. Changing room mirrors are not the greatest in most cases. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921620 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:17:05 +0000 Debbie 921620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did this last year and was sucessful after several attemps. You will find one and you will look fabulous.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921611 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:04:15 +0000 Thistle 921611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also suffer from BSSS.&nbsp; I hate the process.&nbsp; I have tried on several and all have been returned.&nbsp; I got discouraged and put that away for a while.<br /><br />Summer is coming though . . . https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921607 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:59:58 +0000 Angie 921607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are my further tips, most of which have already been mentioned:<br /><br />- spare no expense<br />- relax into it<br />- chuckle! don't take it too seriously<br />- do not tear yourself down in the process - there is less than zero sense in it. We are all equal - ESPECIALLY on the beach where Mother Nature is Queen<br />- swimwear can be altered so remember it as an option for perfect fit<br />- try stuff on at home in YOUR mirror<br />- plan fun cover-ups at the same time<br /><br />Enjoy the process :)<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921599 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:53:45 +0000 Sara L. 921599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My advice is to try stuff on at home.&nbsp; I think everything looks better at home when you have regular lighting and not those harsh flourescent lights that make everyone look bad.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921548 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:37:23 +0000 Janet 921548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I hear you. And men do not understand this at all. They think we can just grab any few little swatches of fabric that cover the critical bits and we're good to go. My husband once suggested that I could just not take a swimsuit on a vacation and pick one up at our destination, and I had to remind him that it generally takes me at least a full day of shopping to find one suit that I think I look acceptable in. </p> <p>That said, I had the best swimsuit shopping success when I took on this task *after* returning home from a beach vacation. I think that having a bit of a tan helped, but even more helpful was that I'd been spending the last five days in a swimsuit so I was already totally used to seeing myself in such a state. I'd also been looking at a bunch of other people in swimsuits as well, which gave me a bit of additional perspective. </p> <p>I'm sure you will find something that looks and feels great, and Hawaii is glorious so you will have a blast! What island are you visiting? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921497 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:11:23 +0000 Krista 921497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots of great feedback here and I definitely have BSSS as well! However, we went to the Dominican Republic over Christmas holidays and I have to be honest, I'm not sure why I fretted so much about my bathing suit. &nbsp;We stayed at an all-adults resort and there were tons of body types squeezed into all kinds of bathing suits - everywhere (mine included)! &nbsp;It made me realize that the pressure we put on ourselves to choose the perfect bathing suit is really skewed when you are standing in a change room in a bathing suit store with a small mirror and florescent lighting. &nbsp;Yes, it's important to feel good about what you end up choosing to wear but it always looks better when you're on the beach or at the pool, surrounded by palm trees and tasty tropical drinks. &nbsp;Perspective is key :)<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921495 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:05:25 +0000 Scarlet 921495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No doubt Angie's recommendations are a good place to start and you can try them on in the comfort of your own home. Barring that though, I second Gaylene and say throw money at the problem. If you can go to a lingerie/swimwear specialty store with knowledgeable sales staff, especially early in the season with a big selection available, you will find something attractive. Like Angie says too, a good cover-up outfit is very comforting and confidence boosting too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921491 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:52:52 +0000 Astrid 921491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just shopped for a suitable sports swimming suit a while ago and it wasn't easy. Very hard to find a modest and flattering onepiece for a pear and I needed a practical one to do laps. My 'fun' swimwear isn't the most flattering either, but I'm only going to replace that when I know I'll be going on a holiday any time soon (sadly that seems to be some time away). I can make do with my old stuff for swimming in the lake this summer. Good luck with your search, I'm sure you'll find something. Just don't lose hope in the meantime. ;)<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921483 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:20:10 +0000 Mander 921483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Swimsuits are one area in which I am oddly not as body-negative as I am when fully dressed.&nbsp; It doesn't really make any sense to me that I will feel self-conscious in jeans and a jacket but I will walk around on the beach practically naked without much concern.&nbsp; Generally as long as my suit covers my rear and mostly stays in place I don't care how big it is or how much my thighs wobble.<br /><br />In any case I generally find that "retro" styled suits look the best on me, especially the ones with slightly longer leg openings, built-in bras, and ruching details on the belly area.&nbsp; <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921480 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:07:06 +0000 Agnes 921480@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ And don't forget that anything that looks even half decent in a changeroom mirror with their terrible lighting means that in real life you will look great in it. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921476 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:40:42 +0000 Deborah 921476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deb I I last shopped for a bathing suit while on holiday in Thailand! They had a great variety but I was mortified at the size on the two pairs I bought...women there are very petite :). I despise shopping for a bathing suit but I encourage you to persevere and follow Angie's guidelines and you will find the right thing and look fab:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921438 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:29:03 +0000 Anonymous 921438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It can be a tough experience to find the right swimsuit, but it's important to focus on why you need the swimsuit (a holiday!), rather than the process of actually getting one.<br /><br />Whenever I have to do something I don't think I will enjoy, I like to do a bit of&nbsp;visualisation. So maybe,&nbsp;while trying on the swimsuits, you could&nbsp;imagine yourself lounging on the beach in Hawaii, listening to the waves crash, basking in the sunshine, *reeeeellllaaaaaaaxxxxxiiiinnnnggg*&nbsp;<br /><br />Think about how much you are going to enjoy the time away and use that to put you in a positive mindset for the swimsuit hunt! &nbsp;If you can be positive about it, it might not seem so intimidating and you might even enjoy it!<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921437 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:24:04 +0000 Suz 921437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am suffering from this condition, too. Believe it or not, I forgot to bring my swimsuit to a place that has a great pool (and free use of it) as part of the program. However, they do&nbsp;have a few suits for sale here. So I duly tried one on today. Ooops! That is not going to work, alas.... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921417 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:05:13 +0000 Anonymous 921417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck. Remember that bathing suit sizing is very different than other clothes sizing. Don't be alarmed when you need a size 8 suit when you wear a 2 in most things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921408 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:14 +0000 Gaylene 921408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah, yes, the BSSS trauma made worse by the fact that you've tried to avoid the issue for 15 years. I was in a similar situation last year when I thought I'd better try on my 20 year-old suit before tossing it into my suitcase (can you tell that beach vacations do not figure highly in our travel plans?)<br /><br />I'll spare you the gory details, but, needless to say, that suit got tossed into the garbage instead of the suitcase. BUT, I do have a couple of suggestions if you are over 30 and not inclined to favor bikinis to show off your hot bod--my body is not bad for a 60+ woman, but I'm not quite Sports Illustrated material either.<br /><br />First, find a shop that specializes in swimwear, preferably run by an older, European woman. The suit might be more expensive than what you'll pay in a department store, but you'll be able to walk on the beach without a blanket wrapped around you in the hot sun. I found my boutique by searching on the Internet.<br /><br />My second tip, talk to the staff and ask for recommendations. My original plan was for a plain, one-piece, but the woman talked me into trying on tankinis which actually worked much better for my shape. Then try on every suit that they have in the store. Move in the suit, wiggle around, and do whatever you do when you are on the beach. Take your time, and don't settle. If you are afraid to leave the dressing room, the suit probably isn't right for you.<br /><br />Last, keep a sense of humor about the whole thing. You'll see some strange sights in the mirror, but remember that it's the suit, not your body, that is the problem. You are gorgeous, and the suit needs to live up to you, not vice versa. Good luck, and I did find a suit--well, actually three bottoms and two tops, plus a matching cover-up,&nbsp; so now I have a bathing suit capsule!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921401 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:49:13 +0000 Angie 921401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh!!! CHIN UP!!! It's not that bad!!! You'll look fab in a bathing costume!!!<br /><br />You can start off with my top picks for the season if you think it will be help you narrow down your search. And 13 ways to cover up is a very comforting. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921400 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:48:44 +0000 Wendi1984 921400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not me! I reordered last year's suit two sizes smaller. I've lost weight, and I know it'll look even better on me now. It's a Lands End slender suit.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921398 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:46:58 +0000 Caro in Oz 921398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sympathies - they are another reason I prefer winter:) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bsss---a-terrible-condition#post-921390 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:32:54 +0000 deb 921390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Is anyone else suffering from BSSS (Bathing Suit Shopping Syndrome)?&nbsp; I am going to Hawaii the end of August and need a bathing suit. I am dreading shopping for this piece of clothing mainly because I have not worn a bathing suit for 15 years or so.