Swimsuit Rant

As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly a dainty, waif of a girl. And apparently, swimsuit companies have no respect for that.

I've been trying so hard to find a bathing suit that works on my figure. I'm fairly thick-boned, muscular, and busty, but it seems like every bikini top and every bikini short is meant for girls with no butt, and tiny far-apart boobs.

No offense to you less busty girls, but I feel like as long as I'm not a member of the IBTC, I'm not going to find a nice suit.

I had to go out and buy a swim suit the other day because it was 100 degrees out and the pool was finally ready to swim in as soon as i got out of bed, but now I regret buying it because it makes me look disproportionate and oddly-shaped because the shorts don't have enough butt room and the top is like trying to put a piece of string in front of an elephant gun and expecting it to stop bullets. The top fits me everywhere else except for where I need it to.

The only suits I've seen that offer enough coverage are for plus sized women, but I'm not plus sized. =/

I've had it rough in the swimsuit department.

Could any of you other busty, less-waif-like girls maybe clue me in on something that looks and feels nice? I'm tired of store bought stuff being a total letdown. I need like a 1x on top and a medium everywhere else! lol

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13 replies since 2nd July 2011 • Last reply 2nd July 2011

Reply #1:

I am in your same shoes. I tried on a dozen swimsuits yesterday and none of them fit my DD busts. I kept going up in the sizes for tops hoping one of them would be made to cover a large chest, but no matter how big I got they only just barely covered my nipples and showed all my icky stretch marks! Nothing fit my boobs or my butt, it made me feel horrible.

I ended up going out to my local fabric store instead and purchasing swimsuit material for about $14 and now intend to make my own suit. Sadly, I my own self-confidence at that poing was so low that I probably purchased more material than I needed to. But maybe I'll be able to work 2 suits out of it then.


BTW- found it funny that none of the major pattern companies seemed to make swimsuit patterns anymore. Oh well, this will have to do for now.

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Reply #2:

Bravissimo is a UK company that does beautiful swimwear for busty ladies this time of year. Their stuff is pricey but it's fitted to you bra size and they have a great range of tankinis, bikinis and swimsuits and its good quality. You can choose the bottoms size seperatly too. http://www.bravissimo.com/products/swimwear/tankinis.

Brastop are a bit less pricey and they do a similar thing.
http://www.brastop.com/swimwear-d-to-k-cups.aspx

I'm not sure where you stay but both deliver worldwide.I'm busty too and it was a nightmare finding good swimwear till I came across these websites. Hope this helps you both find something you like. Good luck x

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Reply #3:

Pinkweeds - the nearest fabric stores with swimwear are 45 minutes away. I'm going to try to stop by one of them the next time I pass through the city on my way back to my apartment.

Fabric out here is really expensive, especially without a coupon. Swimwear material at the Hancock in Sioux Falls is around $12 a yard!

I do have some old suits from last year that my mom made for me, so maybe I'll convert one into a bikini.

The top I have now is a large... I bought it because I thought it was an XL, but apparently people can't put the proper size hanger on swimwear anymore. It's a loose fit until it gets to my bust. I'm in the DD club as well, and my top is maybe made for someone with barely a C cup. >.< Bulgy!

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Reply #4:

I know this feeling far too well. Bravissimo are really good, if stupidly expensive. You could also try figleaves.com - they have a search option for DD+ swimwear and they stock some decent brands like freya. They also ship internationally Happy

Good luck with it - I know what a pain in the behind the whole thing is. Oh, and I'm jealous that you're all still in the DD club, my sizing is just getting stupid now Happy

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Reply #5:

Hey ^___^

I feel you Monika, I have the same problem with, uh, just about any clothes I buy. It seems that 5'9'' girls with a D have to walk around naked over here. I envy a lot people in the US sometimes, my friends tell me you can find *huge* sizes over there! Here on the main street you can find sizes S to L. Then you're on your own. *Groan*.

For bikinis, I rely on triangle bikinis. You tie them, so they *have* to fit. And they're not designed to cover up all your boobs but only your nipples, so if your boobs overflow nobody will notice. The only downside it's Brasilian wax is often required (ouch!).

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Reply #6:

Waxing is a no-no for me! It looks too painful!

I think my best option is going to be to make something.
I'm 5'2" but to find something that fits someone who's petite with big knockers leaves me with very few options. Most of the button-down shirts I have require that I wear something underneath because the top 2-3 buttons are NOT happening. The same happens when I try on coats for the winter. I usually have to get something that's size 14 or so just to zip over my chest... the rest of me is a size 10.

I think clothing companies need to start making shirts based on bust size. I'd love to have a shirt that's a 1X on top and a medium on the bottom so it actually fits all of me, lol.

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Reply #7:

All my bras come from bravissimo, expensive but they FIT and have pretty designs, so it's worth it in my opinion
there is a tute on here on making your own bra...
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-bras
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/custom_girly_bikini

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Reply #8:

Couldn't you just buy a plus size top and a separate bottom? Or even a plus size swimsuit that offers enough overage and modify the bottom of the suit to fit your shape?

Personally I don't see why buying a plus size would be bad if it offers more coverage and the support you need. One of my friends used to cut all the labels out of her clothes so she didn't get hung up on the size and could concentrate on getting a good fit.

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Reply #9:

I have that problem even in the US so I got a one piece swimsuit and made it into a bikini

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Reply #10:

Hm... getting a plus-sized top would be a really good idea, but the only plus-sized suits out here are one-piece suits with a really low back D: I hate feeling like I'm shooting ideas down but I've literally looked everywhere I could here for a comfortable option.

I think I'm going to end up cutting up an old suit my mom made for me or I'll just make something new once I have material.

Thinking about it more, I suppose it's not a huge deal because I swim for fitness and not to show off my body, but I hate looking down and feeling weird... lol

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Reply #11:

I finally found a suit! My fiance's mom took me to Peebles and I found a set that fits perfectly!

Now I know how to make my own that'll flatter me! Happy

I am quite excited. lol

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Reply #12:

That's awesome you found a suit. I have the same problem finding bras. UGH I hate bra shopping -_-;

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Reply #13:

I hate bra shopping, too. Usually I can find something at Target and JCP though, but it's the biggest challenge to find one that's comfortable.

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