Ask Angie and everyone: Swimsuit suggestions - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie and everyone: Swimsuit suggestions

Kristin L

Veteran

Hi everyone. I've been working on my closet this weekend and came to the conclusion that can put fear into a woman's heart. Yes, I need a new swimsuit (cue dramatic music). In the past I've gone for whatever was on sale and at the end of the season, but I think that may be part of my problem. This year, I'd like to do it right and try to find a good one that can work for a few years. DF and I have also decided that we're going to one of the Georgia coastal islands and I'm a bit vain and would like to find a fab suit for our honeymoon.

So, what brands of suits have worked well for you (especially my fellow pears)? I'd like to stay below $75, but I can a little bit higher if the suit is perfect.

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from pastrygirl

Thistle

Veteran

As a fellow pear, I am going to recommend a two piece. I know, I know, but it have found it all but impossible to find one that properly fits both top and bottom, especially as I have a long torso.

I also prefer tops based on cup size. I am a 6D, so that is the main reason why.

I would invest in a really good suit. I have found them to run $100-$150. Yeah, again I know, but so worth it. Especially with a beach vacation.

I always start with Nordies as my size is just not available in my area, and it appreciate the free shipping and returns through USPS.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have had the best luck going to a dedicated swim store. Last time I went with Amy, we had lunch and wine just prior, which helped immensely.

Thistle

Veteran

Brands - I have found Freya to work well. Here is my swim top. I bought plain black bottoms as I didn't like the ones that went with it. I then bought an inexpensive cove up from Kohls.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fr.....n=wishlist

Carla

Veteran

Another vote for a two-piece, and top and bottoms don't need to match. Specialty swim stores and lingerie stores can be a source of beautiful suits.

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Thistle! I'll check out Freya and the others at Nordstrom. If it's a fab suit, I can go higher. I normally like to start with a pricepoint and work from there.

I hadn't thought of that Anna. I know there's an Everything but the Water (or something like that) a couple of towns over. I'll check them out.

Thanks Carla!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I recommended Freya to Thistle actually. I love Freya because it comes in bra sizes. I have lots of clients in Freya. And Gottex Profile too. But this swimwear will not cost below $75.

Anonymous

I'm another vote for Freya if you have a larger cup size. They are available on eBay for good prices new with tags, too.

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Angie and Alicat. Does Freya come in smaller sizes, like 32B? I've looked a little on Nordstroms, but they don't seem to come in small cup sizes.

Gigi

Veteran

I haven't read the other suggestions, but I got a nice two-piece suit from Lands End a few years ago. It was a tankini, I think (the tank top with built-in shelf bra), with a mini skirt bottom. They sell the tops and bottoms separately, so you can get whatever size you need in each. What I really liked about the bottom was that it gave great coverage--it almost hit me midthigh. It was more modest than some miniskirts I've seen, in fact. It was a cute design, too--black with white polka dots on top, I think, and a black miniskirt for the bottom.

By the way, I see from your previous post that you are looking for a small size. I do not have a large bust, and this suit fit me fine.

Anonymous

I think Freya starts at D.

Everything But Water is a great store!

Anonymous

I think a 32B is an advantage here -- lots more swimsuit tops will look good on you!

TJ Maxx and Marshall's might be worth a try. I've noticed that at least here in Texas, they are starting to get in swimsuits.

And definitely check out Everything But Water when you've got plenty of time. So many beautiful suits!

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Gigi. I would have never thought of Land's End for swimsuits.

I'm going to start checking out my local TJ Maxx and Marshall's this weekend Ali. I'm hoping I can find some things there, but sometimes the brands are ones I haven't heard of. And with swimwear, I feel like knowing which brands are good vs bad (like my roxy suit that faded horribly after the first use) is almost necessary.

Anonymous

No help with actual brands but I find that tops with a bit more coverage help balance my hips. I am not really sure what my body type is, somewhere between a rectangle and a pear. I have fairly strong shoulders but am very small through the chest 34A. I have hips and thighs, not huge but if I go for a skimpy top it really throws my proportions. I like a halter top or something with bit more visual weight, real or imaged to help balance me out. If this makes any since, it is like my small chest would be perfectly fine in whatever skimpy top but the suggestion of a more substantial top gives the illusion that my hips and thighs are thinner.

BTW I love Anna's suggestion of wine before hand. Plus a really cute cover-up that makes you feel great goes along way in my book, almost more important than the swim suit for fair skinned me.

whirlwindgirl

I am a pear and will agree on the two piece. I am a 32A, which makes it impossible to buy in sizes that use bra cup sizing (none run that small that I have seen). I have had some luck with Athleta and Title 9 in the past. I am specifically eying the Title 9 Amnesty tankini this year. I'm not sure if that hits your price point, but it might come in close.

Carla

Veteran

I have a well loved 2 piece from the line 'Becca'. The designer's name is Rebecca Virtue. 'Body Glove' makes some complimentary stuff as well.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I spend alot of time at the pool with my kids in the summer. In the past I always waited until the end of season sales but there's just nothing left by then... really there's nothing left by June around here! A few years ago I decided that I would buy one really good suit every year at the start of the season. Around here new suits arrive in late January and early February. I get one suit a year that makes me feel like a million bucks, so that as the old ones wear out or break, I still always have a few in rotation.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I've had suits from so many places - always 2 piece - Loft, Everything But Water, Athleta, Venus, Jcrew, etc. I found Lands End not to fit me correct and I can't stand an uncomfortable top so I'm very picky (no wire for me). For smaller topped ladies I think all of these are good options. Venus has some great prices but I haven't swim tested the one I bought from there yet (and it was online only but easy returns). I really like a simple navy one I got from jcrew this year too.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ro.....it/3240353

I own this one. It's spendy, but it's perfect. Hands down the most flattering suit I've owned.

Sara L.

Veteran

I have a bunch of two piece suits from Victoria's Secret. I also have them from Old Navy and JCrew. I'm normally pretty small on top (32A) so I'm not super picky. I spend a lot of time with my kids in the pool in the summer and like to have a variety of suits to choose from. Also, we usually take a week-long beach vacation most summers and I like to have a dry spare while the wet one is drying.

I usually buy cheap suits and they last fine if I rinse the chlorine or salt out right away. I wash them in the washing machine but always air dry them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It seems it might be easier to shop for a swimsuit if you don't require bra sizing (sigh, 32DDD here, so support is critical, and non-bra-sizing is tricky for me, but it can work if I try LOTS of styles). That said, if there is a Swim'n'Sport near you, the one in my town is FANTASTIC. I'm not sure whether all their SAs are as good as the ones in Annapolis, but my store has the most helpful SAs there I have encountered shopping for swimwear. She was able to help my nieces, sister and me (so we're talking four women from ages 23 to 57) all find suits we loved. Here are their locations: http://www.swimnsport.com/store-information/

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm also in the market for a suit this year that isn't a discount rack 'make do'. I have owned Roxy in the past and it's junior sizing makes a medium barely fit me. Yikes. I have a Calvin Klein that would be great if it were my true size, but it was a discount, almost fit, that I nipped and tucked in.
I'm intrigued by the Basta Surf reversible suits but have no idea as to fit or durability, since I've only seen them online.

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks for all of the suggestions and links!

I'm also on the lookout for a cover-up Marin. I have a homemade one that works for the apartment complex, but I'd rather not bring it to the beach.

That could be the problem with that suit as well Mo.

catgirl

Veteran

Patagonia has some good suits if you are smaller on top (I am not...)

Aminah

I would say Ebay all the way they have great swimwear and at great prices

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

K - I forgot to add, a bra style top (not halter style) is SO much more comfortable. That's what I got from both venus and jcrew this time and I love how comfortable they are. I can't even tell I'm wearing a swimsuit vs. wearing underclothes (if that makes sense).

This is the one I got from venus:

http://www.venus.com/viewprodu.....Fabric+Col

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I almost exclusively wear Lands End suits. Every time I stray, I end up disappointed.