Soliciting swimsuit advice (there will be no photos)

Blog

Forum

Finds

Soliciting swimsuit advice (there will be no photos)

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Well, I'm finally getting in my summer beach trip... husband is taking me to Aruba (yay!) next week.

I was just trying on my old swimsuits, which are a bit ratty, plus two new ones I was checking out.

I have two perennial swimsuit problems. I am mostly rectangle shaped but I have chunky upper thighs. So when I wear a swimsuit, it creates a bulging out line along the hip from the leg opening. And all in the same suits, mind you, my bum is so flat that the leg opening always slides up in back so that half of it is showing. So basically the opening looks too tight on the side yet too loose in the back.

Is this a problem that can be fixed by alterations? Do any of you have swimsuits that work for you that address these kinds of issues?

9 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from UmmLila (Lisa)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I have big hips and even bigger thighs, but not much bum, so I can relate to some of your issue. If I size up to get a little more room in the leg opening, the butt can sometimes get droopy.

I've never tried alterations -- just a lot of trial and error and trying on a lot of suits. Ironically, bikinis often work better than one-pieces, but I only wear those for vacations. Not sure if you have a preference.

The Find attached below is one of my favorite fits in swimsuit of the last few years. It seems to work really well in fitting and flattering my body, it's got some nice style to it, and it's comfortable and still pretty easy to swim in. It even looks pretty cute with a sarong thrown around the hips so it looks like you have a top on.

Hope that helps a little bit!

Zappos

Badgley Mischka Solids Wide Strap Draped Front Maillot

$114.00

View Info

Top Pick

9 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

My thighs are sizable and I have no butt either but I have had success with some Athleta bottoms. The shorts style is really cute on but I ended up getting the shirred bottom to avoid a weird tan line. Good luck!

Athleta

Gap Kata Swim Short

View Info

Top Pick

Athleta

Gap Shirred Band Bottom

View Info

Top Pick

9 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I wear the Athleta bottoms also. They are modest enough to eat at a casual restaurant. I have the Oceanside shorts in chartreuse. Could do XS but preferred a S - I'm normally a 4-6.

http://athleta.gap.com/browse/.....=739776032

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Thanks! I'll try these.

9 years ago

Zibbets

Veteran

Have you ever tried a skirted bikini bottom? I have one that is a little like this and I feel fab in it.
http://www.beachhouseswim.com/.....-belt.html

9 years ago

carambola

Veteran

I own and love the Athleta shorts in kellygirl's finds. I am a rectangle with chunky thighs and a bubble butt. I find the extra coverage forgiving without being frumpy, and the best part is they stay put, so no adjusting is required. In regular swimsuits, I have to pull the leg openings down every time I stand up - it drives me bananas.

9 years ago

Dee

Veteran

I've always had the same problem as you and it's never occurred to me to look in to alterations! I have found that higher-cut bottoms mitigate this somewhat, but I generally prefer boy-cut bottoms, so I've mostly just decided to live with it.

9 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Can't offer specific advice. But this is what I did, I enlisted my local YLF friend Amy. We went to lunch first, WITH WINE. Then we went to a local swimsuit store and I tried on a bunch. We had a good laugh out of the misfires. But eventually we found two.

9 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

I'm still gigling over "there will be no photos."

I use the miraclesuit from nordies. Fashions a waist and grips well at the leg. I am a pear tho, also with a rapidly deflating butt. It's not getting smaller, just being redistributed to the back of my thigh...conservation of mass and all.

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

So, back from vacation. Aruba was fab. I took the plunge and stuffed my almost 48 year old bod into a bikini for the first time in more than 30 years.
It actually worked! The one piece creep didn't happen! Thanks for the advice. I ended up with the black and white stripe Zibbets recommended, plus the Athleta, plus a green and white Tory Burch. And they all worked. Too bad the formerly fish belly white tummy is about to peel. This is a great time of year to find swimwear on major markdowns.

9 years ago

Category