Swimsuit Trend?? - YouLookFab Forum

I am midway through a 6 week vacation in Mexico so am seeing a lot of swimwear. I have a lot of challenges with swimwear given that I am quite short-waisted, wear a 32F bra, and my hips are a few inches larger in diameter than my chest. I also have a bit of stomach pooch that I prefer to have covered. If I buy a tanking to fit at the waist and hip, it is too loose in the top and gives no support for the chest. If I fit the chest, it is snug on the hip and rides up exposing the giggly bits. I had a tankini custom made and the fit is good but it doesn't have the support I was hoping it would have.

Now to the important part. I saw a young woman on the beach the other day and it looked like she was wearing a white bikini top under a deep red tankini. Today I saw a woman wearing a really cute tankini but later she removed the tankini and was wearing a bikini under it. I find that the bra brand bikini tops have great support but some of them look too much like bras to me.

Could this layering be a solution to the problems I have been having?? Has anyone else seen or tried this?

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Huh. I've never seen this and it sounds intriguing, although a bit odd. I have almost the exact same concerns as you when it comes to swimwear, right down to bra size, and I find bikinis that come in bra sizes easiest to fit. However, I only wear bikinis for beach vacations. When I find a one-piece that works, I wear it for YEARS. Tankinis do nothing for my figure.

Pat_P

Active Member

I own one of these "sets" and love it. Since I'm self-conscious about my stomach, I find it offers a great combination of loose coverage there and good support above. I got mine from Lands End a few years ago -- I'm not sure if they still offer them. They also give you a great chance to mix colors and patterns!

deb

Hmmm, interesting. I would have to see a picture to determine if I like the look.

Thistle

At -5F, not sure we are going to be seeing bikins, takinins, or exposed skin in the near future.

However, I find this intiguing! I actually sucked it up last year and bought a bikini for the top support. And then wore a cover up most of the time. *sigh*

Interesting. It almost reminds me of a rash guard for surfing. I can totally relate to the uselessness of a tankini to camoflauge the lower belly. It rides right up to my high waist and leaves the belly as a visual bulls eye. ugh. I'm way better off with a normal bikini.
This year I'm going to finally buy a suit that fits instead of whatever's on sale . . . of all the clothing items to not want to cut corners on, you'd think I'd have figured this out a long time ago. But, nope. This year, that changes!

Dylansmom

Yea I find tankinis very unflattering to most women. I would just rather wear a cute one piece.

Jules

I buy tankini separates with underwire tops. Lands end does separates including bra sized tops for DD and up - I think the best selection is coming soon (March-ish?)

unfrumped

I've also been intrigued with layering as with a rash guard or even sport shorts. By the time I combine pear with long-waist it is impossible to find a one-piece and there are just times and places that a 2 piece won't cut it.

Echo

I don't know that it's a trend as much as it is people doing what they need to do to get the support and coverage they want. Like others have said, tankinis are typically awful in terms of support for a good sized bust. And a lot of people have a dreadful time finding a one-piece suit because they are different sizes on the top and bottom. And yet many women don't want to show off their mid-sections, either, especially (at least in my case) after having a baby. So a bikini top for support and a tankini top for coverage is the only answer.

I am lucky in that I can usually wear a one piece suit. I find a one piece far more flattering than a tankini, as there are no lines cutting me in half and no chance of muffin top from a less than totally firm abdomen. No one needs to see the crepe paper skin I have there, so a bikini is out of the question for me!

abc

Never heard of this and I just returned from the pacific Mexican coast, maybe it's a regional thing or you're seeing this trend on tourists?

MsMaven

I've bought a couple of Freya separates in the last two years--two tankini tops. They have a big range in bra-sized tops and that helps with my fit problems. (32F or G) Unfortunately, they aren't cheap, but not outrageously expensive either and you can mix and match the tops and bottoms.

It's been a long time since I've found a one-piece that fit my tall body--actually it's been since before I gained the mid-life midriff extra weight. Also, some of the brands I used to buy that did work seem to have gone out of business.

Finding a decent suit is really, really tough. Good luck in your search. Too bad it involves so much trial and error. I hate stripping down in the dressing rooms and having to do it over and over in different stores.

gryffin

dianthus - clearly I too have been out of the swimsuit loop!! Of course, I'd rather swim in a burlap/horse hair one piece than appear in a bikini!! But i'll be interested to follow what other braver and more toned people are wearing!!

LAR101

Love the idea of the layering solution you mention. Sounds like a win to me.

I like a lot of support and have similar size issues: 30/32 F/G/H. I love my Panache sports bra and now they also have a tankini top and one piece swimsuit... by bra size. I also have Land's End in DDD onepiece swimsuits that give me support.

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