Swimsuit grrrrrrr! - YouLookFab Forum

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Swimsuit grrrrrrr!

Suntiger

Right before I went to FL last month, I bought a Pembrooke crinkle swimsuit. It was my 5th, I think, of the same style.
First 2 lasted me Years. Second 2 about a year. This last one is already coming apart, after only 8 wears, and just past the 30 day return window. Grrrrrr!

Not sure if I should take a chance on replacing it, since I had luck with them before. Or should I try Speedo or TYR or something like that? I kinda feel like they're for skinny, straight figured people, which I'm definitely not :/

Needs:
1 piece- it's for lap swimming. I do own tankinis, but they float up and create a lot of drag.

Chlorine resistant!! Why are Any swimsuits not???

Modest- No "headlights" or fussy removable pads. Must be high neck or otherwise not At All bare on top (why are So Many swimsuits deep Vs or wide square necks???). Do the tech suits without bra padding bind the chest? Also, must cover my Entire bum.

Nothing that could cause a fashion emergency- like a zip or skinny straps.

Black, navy, or dark teal only. I don't want prints, color blocking, bright colors, or any other remotely flashy suit. Would highly prefer no visible logos either. I do like texture though, cause it feels more modest.

Anyone using anything that fits the bill and had held up well for a long time?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Roberta

Runcarla

Veteran

I love my Speedo Endurance fabric suits. You must size up and not be embarrassed about it. Racers want them sausage casing tight, but I’m not so concerned. They are not discreet however.

There are Speedo suits with more -coverage, including some degree of structure for the bust, but I have no personal experience. The first from sporting goods stops, the second from department stores. I’ve been tempted to test a Land’s End bathing suit, but haven’t done so yet. My Florida, SIL likes Land’s End and LLBean.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have many of the same questions about suit necklines. Drives me nuts!

Also, I feel like that is a legitimate complaint and the company might do something if you point it out. 8 wears is nowhere NEAR enough!!!

Suntiger

I always size up 2-3 sizes in swimwear :/ Good to know about the coverage, kinda thought if tight it would just flatten everything out enough. I do wear a rashguard over, cause the pool is cold, but I don't in the co-ed sauna and wouldn't feel comfortable. Plus in summer I want something I can just throw my Ripskirt over and do errands and such.

Lands End is hit or miss. My tankini tops have been good, but my rashguard faded immediately. A lot of their suits are prints, bright colors, or skimpy on top though.

LaPed

Veteran

That is so frustrating! I am baffled that companies can get away with manufacturing swimwear that disintegrates in chlorine. Can't be good for the swimming pools either...

Have you looked at Title Nine? Lots of different cuts, a full range of solid colours, very durable. A lot of their swim separates are manufactured by Carve Designs or Prana, so those would be worth a look too (I love my Carve suits! Repeat customer for many years). My other thought is Athleta, though I don't have direct experience with their swimwear, but it gets great reviews and I think they'll have the coverage and color options you're looking for.

Suntiger

I can try Suz, cause the suits used to be great. Dark side of tracking wears! I didn't do anything different wash wise either. I wash in machine and hang them up. I never even put them in the spinner machine at the pool, cause it can damage swimsuits.

Yes- why are swimsuits so darn Skimpy on top?? I just need something that will stay put to do laps, inc flip turns. I have Zero interest in getting attention from strangers thankyouverymuch!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Like Runcarla, I like the endurance fabrics of brands like Speedo and Tyr, also Nike--but I don't have any experience with built-in bra styles. (With the endurance fabric, I actually have the problem that the suit won't wear out, and I get really tired of it!) I wanted to add, though, that if you're willing to consider prints, with a busy enough pattern, I don't really think about the headlight issue. It could work for the sauna, though I don't see it as a top with a skirt for errands.

Suntiger

Well the Athleta Maldives looks ok, but the clasp seems fussy. Others too skimpy.
Title 9 the Real Deal looks ok, but some people had issues with it. Other solid 1 piece is a skimpy v neck. They do have nice prints, but the one pieces have a tie in the back that looks problematic. No bikinis for me at my current size!

Suntiger

Good point about it as a top. I guess that's why I like texture! I just don't like most prints.
Ha about getting tired of something that just won't wear out! I've felt that way about some clothes

Irina

Veteran

I don’t know about Athleta but swimsuits from Gap lasted less than 3 months in a pool (4 time per week attendance) before fading beyond wearable.

I stock up on navy swimsuits with adjustable straps from H&M - they last about 6 months before stretching out but they are inexpensive.

Sal

Veteran

I have a Speedo Suit - it has the racer back but it has a shelf type bra (my preferred style of bra in these suits - means two layers of fabric over the bust and support without those pads that are annoying....

I chose the larger of my two sizes (I am 50% NZ12/US8 and 50% NZ 14/US10) and it is the right size for me. Well I have one NZ16 and one NZ10 as well but those are outliers....

I agree - I would expect a lot more than 8 wears and I would write to the company explaining the situation and see how they respond.

cat2

Veteran

I love my Tyr Mantra Square Neck Controlfit swimsuits. They are really chlorine resistant and I think meet your criteria. I have curves, and the rear coverage is still quite good.

Ket

Veteran

Have you called the company yet?

I would call the company, explain the situation and how many suits you’ve purchased in the past. And then see about a return.

I bought a blouse that was final sale—zero returns allowed. I tried it on, then washed it cold water, delicate cycle and air dried it. And… It shrunk 1-2 sizes and 6 inches. :O I was shocked! I contacted the company via their chat and told them about it. They sincerely apologized and gave me an immediate return. They didn’t even want the blouse back and told me to donate it if I wished. I’m not a confrontational person but I wasn’t going to eat the money for a poor quality blouse.

This is a quality issue and if they care about their product and their customer (you), they will want to make it right. The 30 day return window doesn’t count for the situation.

Roberta

Veteran

I have two Dolfin suits and they have held up really well in a chlorine pool o er two years. Both are from the Aquashape line. I require a high neck and good coverage over my behind. I have bought my suits from swimoutlet.com, which has fantastic return policies. A good thing, because it's hard to find the right fit in a suit. I also have one EQ long torso suit from swimoutlet.com, and I thought the sizing was more roomy than most suits. I've only had the EQ suit for a couple of months so I can't really speak to fading or stretching. The Dolfin suits were really well made.

Suntiger

I'm waiting to hear back from them. When I did the chat feature yesterday, it was a bot, but said they'd get back to me by email. Will try again later if no response.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I've personally use Lyra Swim (now Lyra Modest) swimsuits for years & there's been no chlorine fading (mine are different models to the below, but in navy & black).

Not sure if you're okay with sleeves? But all the pieces in the set are detachable (so you can add the skirt/ leggings etc out of the water):
https://lyramodest.com/product.....0692041864

PS - I always wear a bikini top under any built-in shelf bra (not just this brand) because I actually need to swim (not just lounge about) lol. It seems like manufacturing quality all over has slipped post-COVID...

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Suntiger

I wear a long sleeve rashguard over my swimsuit, cause the pool is colder than I'd like. Well yesterday it was 85, so more tolerable than usual, but I certainly didn't feel too hot with the sleeves. When it's below 80, I'll wear leggings in there too!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Oh well they do longer sleeved versions as well, if you'd like to wear it as a rashguard instead! (They sell them & the leggings separated too).

Lol I'm still waiting for them to reopen the outdoor swimming pool here - it's been unseasonably cool here, ever since we returned from the rainforest...

Theodora

Another plug for Swimoutlet.com. I have been buying my one piece suits for laps from them for maybe 8 years now. They have a huge selection of high neck full cover suits with enough ease for shoulder movement to do laps, which is what I do. I find I can have 3 suits in rotation , swimming 5-6 out of 7 days a weeks, and add in the strong sun of Florida effect, and they still hold up. I can use for about one year, then they don’t really fade, but get somewhat loose, so then I replace them. Not bad.

But, even though I am size 4 and 33” bust, I wear a 36 size!

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Joy

Veteran

Swim suits have weird sizing. I wear a size 8. I do not wear that large a size in anything else except shoes. You will need to size up.

Roberta

Veteran

The sizing numbers are weird, aren't they? I sometimes wear a 42, sometimes a 14 . . . I will likely try a Lands End long torso suit next time. My issue is that I need lots of bust room and less hips and thighs. Sometimes a long torso suit works better.