A very early swimsuit post-- i'm thinking numbers! - YouLookFab Forum

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A very early swimsuit post-- i'm thinking numbers!

Elly

Veteran

I can hear you groaning---

We still have lots of snow here, and several more months of cold weather. No, I'm not going on a fabulous vacation.

I'm trying to get back to the gym/pool, but my lap suit needs to be replaced (the chest is see-thru, fun!). While trying things on, I realized I don't have another suit that fits. Sure enough, as soon as I come to this realization, I get an invitation . . . .

It got me thinking!

How many swimsuits do you own? What types/styles of swimsuits do you currently own/usually own? What activity do you use them for? Are there other considerations at play?

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Meredith1953

Veteran

I own two. Both variations of a black and white print. Both onepiece. I NEVER look forward to buying swimwear.

rachylou

Veteran

Eh, two bikinis and a tankini? I don't know why I have two piece suits at all. I hate them. I need a one piece.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

A one piece and a two piece, neither of which I particularly like or find adequate to my needs. That is something I need to address this summer!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

A TYR reversible lap suit, a Kennth Cole skirted tankini in a Missoni esque print, a red Calvin Klein bikini (hands down the most worn), a swirled sherbert colored striped Roxy bikini and a teeny tiny Salinas map print brazilian bikini that ONLY sees the back deck for sunbathing
So, that's 5 - but mind you I have been living in FL for half my time over the last 10 years.

Elly

Veteran

I was a little vague, so I thought I would go first.

I like to lap swim, so I usually go through 2 speedo/tyr type suits a year.

We have local hot springs, which I typically visit during the winter. For these you need a bikini because you have to get in and out of the hot pools and alternate with other pools--- you freeze in the winter wearing too much fabric. This is also a relaxing thing--- you want something non-binding, without ruffles or skirts or extra fabric to get pulled on by jets and currents. Also, the water has a high mineral content (incl. iron and sulfur) and can eat suit fabric and discolor suits-- white is a no-go, but even black suits are done after awhile.

Also, we have several local lakes and rivers that are great for boating and other water sports. Some people like to tube or lay out, while other people go river rafting, hiking to waterfall destinations, ski doo, water ski/wakeboard, ect. For me, I like a "sports-bra" like or otherwise practical and supportive two piece. These also tend to get chewed up fairly quickly with our high sediment waters and the amount of sandstone my behind typically comes in contact with.

I haven't been on a beach vacation in almost 6 years, so that isn't a huge deal. My hot springs bikini does occasional double duty if I vacation somewhere with a pool, like when I was in Phoenix a few years ago.

However, in addition to practicality-- I have to think about having to replace 3-4 swimsuits a year, but also consider that I don't live somewhere where I literally "live" in them. So, they aren't good investments for me. Despite being busty, I can't bring myself to spend 60-120 dollars a piece of a bra-size suit only to feed it to our sulfur waters. I also have to think about cute details and extra linings and layered bits retaining lots of water in the winter, or sediment in the summer. Also, the harsh water means that patterns with white and other light colors can turn orange from the iron, but black bleaches. Still-- since everything but indoor lap swimming involves currents, I good fitting decently supportive top is a must.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think you just narrowed down your own needs right there! I wear my bikinis rafting lazily down the Truckee River or paddling the kayak in Crystal River depending on which coast I'm living, and my Tyr to swim in chlorinated lap pools. The swimskirt tankini hasn't really seen action - I thought it might be a good option for social gathering that involve swimming (hello butt coverage) but haven't had that occasion yet. As forementioned the brazilian teeny bikini is only in the privacy of my own yard @@.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

5 all together.
I have three fitness suits from Lands End that I use for lap swimming/water aerobics (which I am very pleased with- and they might still have some on clearance), a tankini and a one piece for casual swimming in public pools/water parks/beach. I find that in some circumstances, the ease of a two piece is better (like public restrooms at the beach), and at others a one piece is better (like water slides). I never thought that I would have so many swimsuits, but they actually all get used.

Anonymous

I have a pool in my private and walled backyard so I wear a bikini at home. Like you, the extra fabric is not pleasant--in my case it would fry my skin if it were a dark color. Last year I took a few aquatic exercise classes at the local pool so I bought a Speedo one-piece at Costco, of all places. I usually only have one cover-up dress at a time. But now that I think about it, this is nuts! I should have several swim suits and cover-ups since I live in them all summer long. I guess I've always thought, "I can only wear one at a time so why have more than one?" but now I see the error of my ways! It would still be very hard for me to spend over $20 on a swimsuit, since they get trashed in a year or two. I really don't want one that is going to squeeze me all over and have underwire biting into my ribs and be impossible to get out of to use the bathroom. I just buy the cheap bikinis and run for my towel when I hear my son come home with his teenaged friends!

Aida

Veteran

Hmm I am currently at zero swimsuits. And I have a hot tub AND a boat. I had 2 until recently, but definitely need to fix this hole soon

anne

Veteran

I have one pair of speedos for lap swimming, which I do lot of for a few months a year, and then hardly at all.
I have one tankini and bottom for all other purposes

Janet

(website)

Veteran

As of very recently, I have four bikinis and three currently used one-pieces. We have a pool in our backyard and a hot tub on our deck, and take a couple of vacations a year that require swimwear.

I keep four of my old but still serviceable swimsuits around for guests to use -- they have come in handy many times!

Marley

Veteran

I'm trying to think how many I have - because I am too lazy to go upstairs and count them! This is what I can remember:
one-piece black lap suit
black tankini
2 bikinis (both printed)
black with big white polka-dots tankini
tropical (turquoise/aqua) print tankini
brown one-piece lap suit

I think that's it! I swim laps in a pool with the one-piecers and go to the beach with the others! I'm not short of swimsuits, but I'm short of decent cover-ups! Need to think about that!

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I very rarely swim, but I have a teal one piece from Lands' End, which is good for 'proper' swimming, as it isn't frilly, or ruffled, and stays in place. It also fits my long body. I have a black tankini, which I am less fond of, and currently no bikinis as I got rid of the one I had as it was too 'booby' - I need to replace that (for holidays, we often rent a house somewhere hot with a pool).

We aren't beach people.

Nakidra

Veteran

I only have one black ruched one from JCrew. I'm in the market for a new one because I'm always at the pool with my kids and need more than one. I have really cute coverups if that makes a difference!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

By the way, I found this is a good time of year to shop for swimsuits. The Swim'n'Sport near me had my size in plenty of stock, and when you're shopping for swimsuits with cup sizes, that's no small feat. I only realized while we were on vacation last month that one bikini isn't enough for me.