Did you see my letter to swimsuit designers I posted earlier? Did you? Grrrr.

Not much to add except...and I know you don't have time for this trip and probably aren't interested......to have a top custom made with a bra made into it.

On other women (or you) a top like this doesn't look too exposed but I too would feel far too exposed in it. I totally understand your troubles.

AG, you look fantastic in a bathing suit! Really. But as someone with big full-back-like shoulders - much bigger than yours, young lady - I do understand shoulder obsession.

Now for the suit. Are you wedded to the tankini? I think bikinis are a lot more comfortable and easier to buy. Plus more fabric does not always equal more flattering. I have this bikini top, which I absolutely love:

http://www.zappos.com/body-glo.....p-lady-bug

The design of the straps in back is great. I'm a 32D and I've worn it with board shorts rafting and to play beach volleyball without fear of wardrobe malfunction.

I have to chime in to agree with everyone else - you look so fabulous, the cut of this top is very flattering on you and I love the color. But, if it doesn't feel right, it won't work. I know that feeling too. I've been buying Athleta swimsuits for a while now with pretty good success. Have you tried everythingbutwater?

I think you truly, absolutely look fabulous. Love this color combination, love the boyshorts, love the cut of the top on you. I'm sorry about the cleavage and the quality issues with the top. I have struggled, too, with finding a decent top to go with my boyshorts :). What about a basic tank style, so you get a bit wider strap and less cleavage? Others have offered great links and advice--hope you find something perfect.

Una, no advice - just chiming in to say you look fantastic. Banish that body dysmorphia because it lies, lies, lies!!

Chiming back in to wish you luck with the Lands End order.

I hear you on the "color/pattern -- after a certain point, who cares?" but I hope you get one that has the function + form you want! Lucky you to look so good in brights as it's a season full of them.

ps When I suggested playing around with lower-contrast suit-to-shorts colors, I wasn't thinking about your hips, more overall torso/leg proportions.

I think part of that is due to the tankini top being over the shorts vs tucked and the camera angle. Though you have shapely legs at any angle....

Good luck with the Land's End stuff! I haven't tried them out but read some of the reviews. I would want them shipped to NY, too - my friend there grouses about the heat daily.

FWIW I think you look gorgeous and athletic in your bathing suit. It's true your cleavage is glowing, but I think that's just because of the camera flash on your lovely lustrous skin!

Your breasts are not a big as you think, by the way. You are well-proportioned.

As you know I have similar fit issues to you (I'm 5'1", 32D bra, short waist, athletic-looking legs, square shoulders -- we're nearly body twins!) and I have had much bathing suit success with an Australian brand called SeaFolly. I have two bikinis and a tankini made by them, and they all have good bust support. The bikinis tie up with thick stretchy ribbons rather than strings, which makes them very comfortable.

AG, I didn't even read the rest of the comments. I'm talking to you as a GF, OK?

STFU! You look HOT, girl! Damn! Check those shoulders and awesome cleavage!

Don't make me beat you. You look amazing.

Honestly, you look great. Just find a better quality top. You don't look disproportionate at all.

Una, chiming back in to say that I agree with CocoLion about looking for a regular suit bottom. You need to flaunt your best assets, not hide them, and your legs are one of your assets. You really don't need shorts and a tankini; I think you'd look spectacular in a one-piece suit.

Yes, a sporty, athletic one-piece. Those Olympic swimmers show off their defined shoulders so well in this type of suit. Una, you have the athlete's body to rock this look!

Send the POS suit back. *YOU*, friend, are GORGEOUS and AMAZING.

AG,
You have an utterly awesome figure! Such strong shoulders and enviable cleavage with long strong athletic legs! AND you have a gorgeous tan! I really think you can wear any suit you want! You may not love this swimsuit as much as another you will find but I think it is beautiful on you! that color of top on you is spectacular. Believe me, people would kill to have such a buff fab body as yours!

You all are way too kind. I am nearly in tears (and as you know, UWPs don't cry easily).

I am thinking board shorts and a rash guard is the way to go, or a sports bra style of top. I am not entirely committed to tankinis but I do prefer to cover my belly; These swim shorts actually do a great job of that and I wore them with a bikini top in Hawai'i, but it did not work for body-surfing when I would have to retuck the girls after every wave.

I really appreciate all the kind words and the links. I am not giving up. I spend so little time in a swimsuit too - that's another factor. I'm just not used to having to be so exposed!

You had me reading up on swim suit theory, and one thing that stood out for ITs was to keep the bottoms bigger and brighter than the top - so the boy shorts/board shorts sound great to me. I wonder if they make rash guards with cutaway sleeves and a racerback?

Rae, I would love that. I can't tell you how many times I've considered designing swimsuits. I can't believe I'm the only one looking for what I want in a swimsuit. And the triathlete suits like Speedo all assume you just want to be squished flat (which I guess I would for a triathalon) or have nothing to squish.

I wonder if I could just get away with a sports bra? Or would it disintegrate?

Una, I wore a sports bra under a tank top, and swim trunks when I spent a summer doing fieldwork on an island in Greece. I swam every day in the ocean, and it held up just fine.

The closest I could find.
http://www.swimoutlet.com/prod.....olor=35254

Clearly, our UWP line must have a swimwear collection.

Rae, thanks! That cut (with the cut-in shoulders and high neck) is actually generally good for me too. It makes it hard to put in support, but I could do a bikini top underneath. It's too late for this trip (I leave Tuesday) but I am bookmarking away!

What IK said!

I needed to buy a swimsuit (or two) at the end of last summer. I have still not done this, and here we have summer again. With boat and camping trips planned. Sending my commiserations -_-

(But also what IK said )

Another 32DD chiming in...

#1: you look AMAZING. You are so fit and have such a strong, healthy, beautiful body!!!

#2: I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions because I bought the same style Athleta tankini top as well as the bikini top, bottoms and swim skirt. It was the one suit that worked best for me when I wanted to be out in the water swimming and snorkeling. It actually stayed in place. Maybe this particular top is defective and worth trying a different one? I've found the Athleta pieces I've purchased have mostly been good quality.

#3: I had a swimsuit revelation a while back. I'm an apple with a poochy tummy that did NOT improve with having a baby. I was convinced that I should cover up my tummy by wearing high waisted swimsuits. One day, on a lark, I tried on a much skimpier suit bottom than I would normally have tried on. And realized that a lower cut actually drew the eye DOWN rather than RIGHT AT the tummy I was trying to cover. Much more flattering. I'm not saying buy a skimpy suit, but what was the "ah-ha" for me was realizing that I shouldn't get caught up in covering up my "trouble spots" which freed me up to try on all kinds of styles I wouldn't normally have tried until I started to figure out what *does* work.

In any case, I think it's obvious that most of us (if not all!) feel your pain with the dreaded swimsuit. I wish you the best in your endeavor and, most of all, want you to remember that it's not your amazing, strong, fabulous body that's the problem. Good luck!!!

Just another 32DD *waving* at you, Ana, and Christie!

I think you look terrific in that suit, but I know how hard it is to look at oneself in a suit and feel good. I don't know if you're interested at all, but I bought a couple of the Garnet Hill basic maillots in size 4, and they work pretty well (and are on sale). I can swim (as in really swim) in them, and they're not that bad looking either.

http://www.garnethill.com/garn.....istIndex=1

Good luck!