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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My lovely niece was always slender growing up, but when she “blossomed”, she went right past buds to full-on azeleas. I don’t know exactly what size she wears, but I know that finding a swimsuit with enough support is difficult. In the meantime, she has put on the “freshman 10”, the “Covid 19” and maybe more. I felt so bad for her the one evening waves magically appeared in West Florida and we all dove in. She had her arm bent in a way that I thought meant she had hurt her hand but no, she had popped out of her bikini top. They had tried hard to find one that worked for her, but that one wasn’t it. My sister says they’ve already looked at la Blanca, hadn’t heard of Bleu. I also suggested pour moi, because I like the lingerie & workout gear I’ve gotten from them, and their cup sizes often start too big for me. I see that Boden goes up to DD, am not sure if that’s sufficient.

What brands would people recommend for an active young woman who wants to wear a real bikini but also keep her modesty?

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45 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

kkards

Veteran

She might try Bravissimo, they are a British company that specializes in lingerie and swimwear for D cups and above.
https://www.bravissimo.com/us/

Toban

Veteran

Check out Athleta and Title Nine. Designed for swim activities.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It's nice that you want to help your niece, but this is some hurtful, body-shaming language, even if you intended it to be light-hearted and relatable. Would you feel comfortable with your niece reading this post and your description of her body here? There are plenty of large-busted women in America, and a good number of them wear functional and attractive bikinis.

DonnaF

Veteran

Panache and Freya brands. She would probably need to go to a specialty lingerie store to be measured. They go down to 28 band size and up to J or so cup size.

Sloper

Veteran

I'm a larger cup size (G). The ideal option is to get an in-person fitting at a good lingerie shop, but many lingerie websites now have specific directions for self-measurement. I emphasize this, because many "inclusive" brands only go up to DD-DDD cup. (Lookin' at you, Kim K's Skims - up to DDD only???). Saves a lot of time and frustration if you have an accurate measurement so you can narrow down your choices. Beats the "buy, try, return" cycle.

Bare Necessities has a wonderful size selection and quality brands. Also has a size-finder guide, and fit experts by phone.
https://www.barenecessities.co.....4294951460

I love the brand Prima Donna - very expensive but fits like a dream.
(I have their bras, not swimsuits - sorry I don't go out in the sun so haven't bought a swimsuit in years).
https://www.primadonna.com/en-.....s/full-cup

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Freya and Fantasie. Gorgeous swimsuits with extensive bra sizing. Tell her to read reviews on anything Freya, because I’ve found the tops can run a little small.

Mochi

Veteran

I haven't posted on here in quite a while, but ugh.

rachylou

Veteran

Mochi! I’ve missed you! I’m still crazy

Mochi

Veteran

I miss you too, darling! I am dressing like a bum these days....lol

Mochi

Veteran

Someone else has to get married in SoCal!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenn, I tried to post this as factually and non-emotionally-triggering as possible. Could you please tell me what part of it you find is “off”? Also, do you have any suggestions for functional and attractive bikinis for her? The one she wore was a dark green, very classic cut. She tends towards simple elegance. Note that she is not simply large-busted. She is, but she has also put on weight generally. I point out the distinction because I believe it matters for how suits fit her.

Jules

Veteran

Well since you asked, I feel the same as Jenn. I don’t need some tracking of the poor kid’s actual weight gain by numbers, and the flower thing sounds like something a creepy ‘uncle’ might say. You can ask a question about larger side supportive bikini tops for a friend without mentioning any of this. It’s gross.

Synne

Veteran

Is this the daughter of the sister you have some .. what is the correct word.. "buzz on the line" with? Maybe not the best topic to give unsolicited advice on..?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Jules. Given the way my own weight was discussed in our family (even as a US size 6 woman at over 5’8”, I still considered myself hefty) the last thing I want to do is give her the same body image issue. In staying away from the “medical” description, I may have gone too far in the opposite direction. I can’t tell you what she weighs—those numbers are popular phrases in the US. Even if I did know her weight, it wouldn’t matter as much as other factors. Basically, she has a slight frame, large breasts, and has put on a considerable extra weight. Those will affect how things fit her. As for “side supporting”, I didn’t see what happened, but looking at how she held her hands, I think the fallout was towards the center, rather than outside.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try brands like Freya, Bravissimo, Fantasie and Panache. They come in bra sizes, and you can purchase tops and bottoms separately.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sounds like she needs to look at Freya!
Kkards, Toban, Mary Beth, and Angie, thanks for the brand recommendations.
DonnaF, that combo of small band size and large cup size might be particularly helpful.
Thanks Sloper, and thanks for the links.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

Swimsuits for all carries many plus size suits, including some young fun collabs with Gabifresh and Ashley Graham.
https://www.swimsuitsforall.com/

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Here are a few article about the issue with "the covid 19" weight gain jokes:
https://www.allure.com/story/c.....-disorders
https://opheliasplace.net/the-.....ight-meme/
https://www.insider.com/how-to.....mes-2020-4
https://www.glamour.com/story/.....eight-loss

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks, Rebekahphoto! Sounds like a good site.

Jenn, I’ve seen that term in a couple blogs where I participate, most notably YLF, and have neglected to think any further about it than as a comment on the outcome of our inactivity over the past year. Thanks for pointing me to ways some have found it offensive. The point in describing her changes, as you’ve doubtless gathered by now, is that “big” can mean many different things. Many people would say that a 36” band size is “big” and that under 20 BMI is thin/small—I’ve been both at the same time. Some women gain weight in their breasts; some (including me) do not. Even at nearly 200 lbs, I wore a B cup. I described her body because I’m not asking for generic “large”, but for suits that would be likely to fit her. It sounds like she’s already tried on quite a few different brands. I don’t want her to give up swimming and other activities she enjoys, or to feel like she has to hide under an oversized T shirt, so would like to help find suits that fit her specific body.

Anonymous

As the mother of a 25 year old daughter , to say I am horrified by this post is an understatement . I’m deeply offended by the words used to describe another woman’s body and by any reference to her weight . I thought we were better than this . Although if she specifically asked for public advice I guess that’s another thing .

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lisa, we should talk about clothing without mentioning bodies, shapes or sizes???? Be real, please. I understand that a phrase I used comes across differently to some people than it does to me, so agree I should be exceedingly careful about if I use it again, but the whole point of the post is that she’s having a hard time finding suits that work with her body.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Based on your description, I don't know whether your niece is a size 10 or a size 20, an hourglass or an apple, a young teenager or over 18, petite or tall. You didn't describe her body. You described her weight gain and speculated on a possible cup size.

Mochi

Veteran

I'm at work, but I just have one question for the time being, Fashintern. I hope you won't ignore it. Did she ask you to post here and get information for her?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jenn, she is in her early 20s (was a college freshman not long ago), has a small skeleton, large breasts and Idk what fruit she most resembles. Her weight didn’t go mostly to her hips or to her belly; it seems evenly distributed. Is that more helpful?

Anonymous

"Would you feel comfortable with your niece reading this post and your description of her body here?"

RD

"Did she ask you to post here and get information for her?"

Anonymous

Ugh! Why is anyone’s weight being discussed at all ?? Especially not by the young woman herself ?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I haven't been on here in ages, but I just wanted to suggest that if she wants advice about swimsuits, that you have her come here and ask herself. I would be mortified if my aunt or family member was discussing my breast size and body shape and weight gain on a public forum especially if this "advice" was unsolicited. Given the words you are using to describe her, I would suggest caution about discussing with her as well, as you wouldn't want to body shame her or give her body image issues.

Lusara

What everyone else said. You could have simply asked "Does anyone have recommendations for bathing suits for someone in their early 20s with a small frame, large breasts, and some recent weight gain?" Instead, you chose to identify the woman as your niece and make some extremely rude comments about her body. Why? And did she even ask you for help?

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