Carol is spot on. I am self-conscious at first but once I get into the water I'm having too much fun to worry about it.

Just go to a water park some day. People of all shapes and sizes having fun. No one is staring at anyone else. Well except for the teenagers checking one another out. LOL

I'm the same way, Kath. I don't have the firm, toned legs and butt that I had as a kid (duh, who does, hardly) and I won't wear a regular suit that requires a bikini wax, but I do wear a 2-piece with a skirt, it has a flat skirt and doesn't add any inches or anything, but it hides the hip and very upper thigh area and is flattering. I think the best thing to do is

A- get a tan even if it's a fake one, your skin will look better and it'll hide imperfections better, and...

B- try on at least a dozen suits until you find one that is the least worst of all of 'em! lol

I am always really self-conscious for the first hour or two on the beach, then I look around and decide that like Rita said, I look OK for my age and better than some.

I truly HATE those little 16 year olds, though! lololol

Have FUN! I'm jealous, I love sea turtles. Be sure to read "The Beach House" and "Swimming Lessons" by Mary Alice Monroe before you go! Really, you have to.

nope! My thinking is, when I'm on vacation, the chances of running into those people again in my life time will be nil, so I dress and party it up like no one is watching!

Here is my self portrait.

{{!gwi}}

I'm ready for the beach.

Sue

No I am not self conscious in a bathing suit. I love to swim and will be buying a season pass for the new aquatic center that is opening here on May 29. I have a Lands' End tankini that has a solid dark color bottom and a striped top that draws the eye to the top of the suit.

I haven't worn a bathing suit in public for at least 3 years. I wish I didn't care what people think, but I do.

I did purchase a suit at a yard sale which has shorts attached. IF I have to be in a swimsuit it has to be something like that... I've gained a lot of weight recently and it's not pretty. I wish they'd go back to something like these: LOL

Not that great looking, but it doesn't bother me much.

Who's watching?

Who's caring?

As someone said a while ago relating to some different topic, I think, "Those that care - don't matter ... and those that matter - don't care".

Anyway - it's what's inside that counts.

That seems to about cover the subject (without making a montain out of a molehill) - and I'm not fabricating!

ole joyful

Last time I wore a bathing suit was last August when we took the kids to Great Wolf and I was about 40 pounds heavier back then so I would probably be happy to put one on now LOL.

I bought a 2-piece from Chadwick's. The bottom was shorts and the top came down to the bottom (no midrift showing). You can mix and match different styles and they are less expensive than some of the other catalogs (not as well-made either but I knew I wouldn't be wearing a bathing suit very often).

Ok, I just bit the bullet (lol) and bought a tankini with underwire in it (I have to have lots of support these days), and the skirt that goes with it. I didn't buy the black one I started to get, but the coral colored one because I had coral colored scrubs 30 lbs ago and every time I wore them to work I got compliments. It must agree with my skin tone or something.

Wish I had some people's confidence, I see a lot of big women who think they look wonderful...and they do because they think so and act it.

Flamingo, I have read both books and really liked them. You're right about the tan thing, will probably pick up some Jergen's tanning stuff and start using it. It's a gradual thing over a week or more and looks pretty natural.

Linda, the pieces are like that, print on top, solid on bottom. Thanks for all the advice.

Do you mean we are supposed to wear them out of the house???

No, it doesn't bother me. I'm amazed when I go to the beach. Very large women, wearing very small swim suits.
I need to buy a new one this year.

Show us which one you bought Kath.

I have just spent the better part of an hour looking at them.

Magic, it was the only one with an underwire bra. Wish they had a plus size model so I could get a better idea of what it's going to look like.

Here is a link that might be useful: tankini

UH, yea! I have too much weight to lose, I'm not wearing a bathing suit until it's gone!

I agree with Susan Lands End has the best selection.

That's a cute one. It will look good.

I'm hoping the straighter skirt looks better than those Hippo-in-a-ballerina-skirt looking things they usually make for plus sized women.

I used to be, but not now. Life is too short and I love to swim! I don't want to be 80 and wish I had lived my life the way I really wanted to. If people don't like it they can spend their time talking about me. I intend to enjoy myself!

okwriter - you have th BEST attitude! I smiled when I read your response!! I hope to be at that point someday soon, I'm still a little to concerned about what others think, but I'm getting there!

I was reading the description again and realized I ordered the wrong one. I ordered the one without an underwire....the halter top is the one with the underwire. I just called Land's End and changed it.

Here is a link that might be useful: the actual one

Kath, that's very similar to what I bought. Mine is black, and I think the neckline is different. I'm happy with it. Haven't had to wear it in public yet, but at least I'm prepared. Sort of. :-)

Very cute, Kath and I bet that color is wonderful on you. Dang, though- their stuff is pricey! By the time you order both pieces, eeek!

I think I paid about $40 at Target for my suit and it's at least 3 years old now and holding up great.

Kath, just wear a T-shirt over it. You are the one that needs to feel comfortable!

Me, I don't care. No one is forced to look at me. LOL

Moni

Flamingo, I didn't want to tell Kath this (Kath, cover your eyes, please!), but I bought mine on clearance at the end of the season last year. The top, regularly about $65, cost $5.95, I think. (Kath, darn it, you peeked!)

That is really cute Kathy. I think you will be happy with it. I only buy my swimsuits at Lands' End. I know they are pricey but worth it. They will take anything back at any time if you are unhappy with it. I had a parka I wore all winter and had more trouble with the zipper. In the spring I called them and they said to send the parka back.

I spend a lot of time on beaches, hanging out in skimpy little suits. I wear a sarong over it. It's just a piece of fabric (2yards), pulled into a "coverup". It goes down to my knees and looks like a halter dress. The fabric is sheer, but the print is busy & not see thru. I can drop it by untying the knot around my neck or go into the water in it. I'm thin and a runner.....but I get a lot of compliments on the sarongs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tying a sarong....

The price, yeah, I nearly choked even after getting 30% off. If it doesn't fit perfectly or I don't feel comfortable in it then it's going back.

I also bought a shirt that I liked, but at their prices I only bought one!

First off Minnie you made me laugh out loud with your one sentence. lol
Kath, I have to wear cover up clothing as one of my drugs makes me sun sensitive so you can wear biking shorts, they're tight to the knee and a top. No one will care. No one has ever asked me why I wear this crazy outfit with a huge straw hat and sunglasses and I SWIM. My lower legs don't come out of the water much. Actually if you wear the biking shorts it will look like a short wet suit and you'll fit right in.

Uh, yes, if you consider the thought of me having to wear a swimsuit in public or having numerous root canals with no drugs and choosing the root canals........I'd say that I was self conscious! LOL

Swimsuit is cute - let us know how it looks and feels.

I was lucky. I found a two-piece suit that covers everything. The bottom is navy blue and covers my more than ample butt. The top is like a sleeveless pullover-it's striped red and white horizintally and comes down to cover my entire midriff. It has a round scoop neckline. Plus it has a built in bra. I don't feel embarassed when I wear it. I forget where I bought it.

The though of me in a swimming suit just sent me into fits of hyperventilating, hysterical, frightening, laughter. I try to not do things that will frighten the horses.

I don't know what I'd do if I had to go "swimming." I sure would like to see the sea turtles though.

My "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" days are so long gone. I'm rather drawn to the types of swimwear the ladies wore around 1910!

Thankfully, like YaYaGal, my meds keep me out of the sun. It's kinda sad, too. I never was a swimmer, even in the bikini days, but I love being in the water and spashing around.

Caroline, I love to swim, just can't do it for very long in pools these days with all the chlorine. That's one reason I got rid of our pool.

DH and I have already made enough dermatologists rich -- no sun for either of us now. I'm not heavy, but my thighs are crepe-y -- or creepy. lol

I've always had a too-ample top (36DD) and narrow back and shoulders. A halter top looks awful on me, and some of me tends to escape the halter! Kath, do you have some *shoulders* to balance the look?

The turtles won't care what you look like! Everything slides off their backs.

Yes I am. I was always thin and never gave it a thought. After my hysterecomy I got a serious infection and now have an indented line across my lower stomach where the scar was originally. It shows through any bathing suit material I've ever tried. They cut through so many muscles that my stomach will never be the same unless I have surgery to fix it. (Told them no thanks since surgery got me into this mess to begin with) Now 20 years later I also have blobs and globs and I don't feel good about or comfortable in a bathing suit so I pass or do as Moni says and wear a large T-shirt. I look at old pictures and wish I'd appreciated my cute body more. I know I sound vain. So be it!

I found the bathing suits with skirts were uncomfortable because the skirts always float up. The last time I wore a bathing suit I used either navy blue or black shorts with a bathing suit top.

No, I have never worn a bathing suit or shorts in public or anywhere else. Only time I wore a bathing suit was when I was little and played in the river. I have never been a sun bather.

Sue

Oh my!

I'm self-conscious in a bathing suit in private!

LOL!

nola anne

Yep!

Not only will I not wear one pregnant (WAY too embarrassed--I hate being exposed in front of the midwives!) but I probalby will never wear one again after having 2 kids. My DH keeps saying I can take Brody to the pool this summer before the baby is here. I told him he was out of his mind.

Not that I'm 100% comfortable with my body, but I kind of feel sorry for people who can't go to the pool or the beach because of being embarrassed. You are missing out on some fun times!!

I refuse to be self conscious about what I look like in a bathing suit. I did when in my 20's but not now in my 50's. I live in Florida! I like going to the beach and walking, picking up shells. I wear a one piece, not one with a skirt because it would come to my knees. I am very short so just a nice one piece works for me.
Heck, why should I care what someone thinks about me? My husband has seen me buck naked and doesn't care so why should I let complete strangers bother me??
I would just as soon tell them to kiss my butt....LOL
Any friends with me as I wear a swimsuit love me for me...not what my body looks like.

Deb :o)))

I'm overweight. As a man wearing a bathing suit doesn't bother me; Captain Ahab coming by and throwing a harpoon at me, now THAT would bother me!

Oh I forgot to mention that I am overweight too. While I don't exactly enjoy being overweight and I am taking the pounds off slowly I still refuse to be self conscious of my fat body! It is just me...big or slim and if someone doesn't like it...don't look! But this is Florida and lots of people walk the beach that are over weight and I truly have not noticed people reacting negatively to overweight beach goers. I will try and notice next time I go. But I can't remember seeing or hearing ugly things being said.

Deb

Besides a model, is there any woman that likes the way she looks in bathing suit? My skinny friends are self conscious about their bodes. Meanwhile I'd kill for theirs!! But if I waited until I was a supermodel to go swimming or do anything, I'd miss out on quite a life! I figure I don't care what size my friends are, so I doubt they care about mine either!

I found a swimsuit a while back that I LOVE! It's like a tank, but the skirt isn't attached at the waist-it's loose from the bust down. I feel like it camoflagues the problem areas (read everything!) Sort of like the link, but a bit more flowy. The only problem the skirt does float up when in the water, but I tend to tuck it into the legs if I"m swimming.

I know it's hard but try to forget about your "not perfect" body and enjoy your trip!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Swim suit

Don't buy a suit with a skirt, if you plan to go in the water. Been there done that. They cling to you when you get out of the pool, plus they float up in the water.

Being as I do water aerobics, I thought I would be self conscious, but we are a bunch of fun gals, under weight, some, as well as overweight.

Cruising I am more conscious, so I wear a coverup to the pool, and take it off as I am sitting. Do the same when I get up.

Did once, when on trip to Hawaii, tried the shorts and top. NOT for me!

What's a bathing suit?????? LOL,LOL
I havn't worn one since i was in my late 20's and i'm 72 now,so don't think it will ever happen again.
Kathi

I would not recommend wearing shorts and a T-shirt because they soak up a lot of water. You need something repellant.

Because I teach aqua aerobics and lifguard I must wear modest swimsuits. If you Google "modest swimwear" you can find some very, very conservative ones.

These suits are made to conform to the religious beliefs of Fundamentalist Christian, Muslim, Orthodox Jew, and others, but are wonderful for those who need more cover-up feeling self conscious due to obesity, veiny legs, skin conditions, or just trying to avoid the damaging effcts of the sun.

There are a few websites that even offer custom modest swimwear made to your standards and colors and they are not that expensive at all. You can choose cap sleeve, sleevless or long sleeeve........tunic or dress.........boy-cut shorts or long leggings..any combo.

See here:

http://modestlyyoursswimwear.com/swimsuitstyles.html

Examples of ready-to-wear:

http://www.modestkini.com/?m=detay&urun=90

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/modest-swimwear-womens-board-shorts-tankinis-sporty-swimwear--ohana-swimwear--modest-swimwear--modest-wearable-modern-swimsuits--sporty-one-piece-swimsuits-tankinis-and-womens...

If you want more sun or a bit more of a fun look, try the Delta Burke line of swimwear. They last forever and fit a busty woman's figure without any "spillage" under the arms.

http://www.swimsuitsforall.com/products.asp?product_id=104367&dept_id=100236&parent_id=100230

Here is a link that might be useful: Modest Swimwear Round-Up

I wish I could magically transfer this memory I have to all of you: Floating in the Dead Sea in Israel and looking over near a dock-looking area. Beneath were women in head-to-toe black burkas. (And darn it was warm weather! Bless those women!)

So focus on the experience and pleasure that's in front of you, not what's riding up in back of you!

Well, the bathing suit pieces came quickly, here today. They don't fit right so they're going back. So is the shirt, it's paper thin, so thin you can see through it and too expensive to be so badly made.

So, back to square one.

When I get a suit I buy the Tankini type. Its a 2 piece but the top is long and it has shorts for the bottom.
Look at the bottom row, the pink suit in the middle looks very nice. Don't get the big open legs, they make you look bigger.
And yes, I don't love being in public anymore.... my girlish figure has left the building.

Here is a link that might be useful: swimsuits