You are a good mum. My dad took me out in the ocean on his back when I was three/four, and he never knew this, but honestly I barely survived, could barely hang onto him. Or maybe that was the point and it was some sort of Viking initiation to life...

Lol Rachylou—he’s not dead yet (& neither are you).

Evidence from H&M tonight in photos

The tropical floral isn’t bad at all... but the underpants stripe is just a No from me

Oh wow, FI! You are one fearless lady! You look slammin' in all styles, but agree the non-black are the best options. The H&M-one was a little... dull? Maybe it's a lighting thing. Did you try only one style?

Synne, look again—there are two styles in the H&M pictures. There were only about six to choose from in the store. I didn’t try the navy top on, because the bottom was already so bad there was no need. Maybe if there had been a wider selection it would’ve been better. None of the other ones you found on the website were at that store.
The floral pants were set sort of a half stop from where I’d like them to be. These were skimpier than I’d like, but the next option up was too “granny panties” for me.

FI, amazing! You look amazing and you can’t go wrong with any of these. My faves are 1, 20 and 23.

I understand not wanting to pay a premium for a suit, FI. I'm like Anchie, and don't normally shell out too much for bathing suits, since I put mine through the ringer. My one expensive suit I ended up babying, and so got little actual swim use out of it. My childhood home, which I inherited, is on the water, and waves, rocky breakwaters, sand, sun, saw grass, rough piers—well, it all takes a toll...And I just talked myself out of a beautiful but pricey orange bathing suit I found on the Bleu by Rod Beattie website last night!! I've enjoyed this thread!

When you are in Florida, will you have access to a shop with the full range of La Blanca suits? They have some great solid color pieces with interesting details, that to my eye look similar to some of your German picks. You would end up at about 100.00 total, and the La Blanca fabrics can take some abuse.

Cat2, you know your stuff here! If I’m going to shell out that much for a suit, why not just get one of the ones I tried on the other day & be done with it? The fabric is that much better? As for the looks of what I tried on—that’s what they had in my size without underwire.

Glory, thanks for the compliment! My body is a work in progress....

Kate, sounds like a wonderful place to grow up! I’m afraid I waited too long with this, might pull the trigger on one from the 25 shots just to get it done before we leave the country. We’ve just had another thing added to our Florida schedule—Covid vaccines!

OMG Rachy, You have to spread this on the internet warning all the new/young Fathers in the world! Glad you survived-LOL!!!:-)

Stay tuned, bat fans—I may try to post pix as I go at esprit. Really need to finish this today.

Rachylou, you must’ve been terrified to remember that so well! The things we parents do to our kids, often intending well... smh

It’s really great that you’re having fun with this, and so nice to see that you’ve made bikini shopping a fun experience. I’ve been following along and laughing with you.

ALL of this bikinis look fantastic! I prefer the ones with more contrast.

Esprit #1. Would be perfect if neck strap was longer, or adjustable.

Second suit (pic 5) granny panties looked better on the hanger

Now we’re getting somewhere—adjustable straps ftw!

Same top, bottoms with ruching on one side. An exception to my usual dislike of asymmetry .

Top 1 size bigger. Better?

Wonder if no fastener at mid back will bother me.

I like this one, is it one of the models I posted before?

Thought this was a halter, but straps work kinda like purple top I own.

Anchie , that is cute! If I had time to order, I’d try it. They don’t have it in this store (the only esprit open in Berlin, & my shopping appt is 45 min)

ETA oops—it’s the top I got, with different but similar bottoms.

I think you have some good options there. Granny pants maybe need a bigger size?

Is the cut of these bottoms generous enough? I don’t think it’s a size issue.

Smittie, I <3 that comment. If I didn’t laugh, what then? Also, Synne called me “brave” upthread, but I think of posting here like being in my closet with friends who will give honest advice, not tell anyone in the rest of my life of the horrors they saw there, and really, cutting comments are very rare (& come in messages, usually). Most people here are positive, and if anything too much so.

I like printed bottom better. Size looks good.

Time’s up!

Anchie, 1st or 2nd size?

I like the last two Esprit options! Both the bright floral and the turquoise/navy look good to me. I can't really see a difference between the sizes from here. And it looks like the colours on the two suits work together (Team Mix-n-Match over here )!

LaPed, that’s exactly what I did! Got both the navy/turquoise and the floral Esprit suits (ruching on the floral one). I’m going to try them with the two pieces I have at home too. I think the navy/turquoise top will work with those Mandela bottoms. Would be surprised if the top I have works with anything but the Mandela’s, but will see

Anchie, I’m so glad you mentioned esprit! Prices in the store were much lower than online. All four pieces together were less than half the price of the turquoise or botanical suits at the lingerie place. As much as I like to enjoy most clothing for years, I can’t see a swimsuit performing that much better no matter what I paid. I usually switch my things around—buying expensive suits ($100 is “expensive”, in my book) to do that with doesn’t make sense, because I don’t wear them often enough.

The time spent in the boutique was useful in seeing what I like/what works. And I truly appreciate all the discussion and that so many people chimed in! I felt like I knew what I was looking for and what I was doing when I picked these out today. Thank you all so much!!

They look nice! And sound money-wise!

I’m thinking Anchie’s choice and the ones you tried on are actually the same material pattern, btw.

... and I’ve quite a few memories, all the way down to age two. For example, I also remember flicking the light switch on and off from my crib, ‘cuz the ‘rents unwisely had it placed right by it. Lol! It was a lot of fun!

... and ps, Lyn: yes, I probably should get on all the new parenting Internet boards, lol...

Rachylou, I think you’re right! I really should’ve put my glasses on when looking at the one Anchie posted. But oddly, it looked more in the direction of pastel to me—I don’t think glasses fix that! But yes, I think it is indeed the same top, with slightly different “pants” (the Germans say “Höschen”, a diminutive word for “pants” for swimsuit bottoms). Anywho, I added a correction to my earlier comment.

I guess I’m in the habit now. Today I decided I needed lingerie lol. In the summer, I won’t want to wear my undershirts or bodysuits with built-in support, so I went looking for bras.

I have the same issue with bras as with bikini tops: the shoulder straps are always set much too short for me. Usually they can be changed, but not always. Idk if my breasts are unusually low, or if they just are easier to manufacture this way and everyone has to let them down.

Can you relate?