This can be overwhelming.

i would try Lands End. They last forever.

I will be in the market soon too. In the past I have been lucky at Everything but Water and Lord and Taylor for in store shopping.

With bathing suits, I go up a size and that seems to work.

I do like tankinis.

I’ve purchased quite a few from Lands End over the years. We went on a tropical vacation a few years ago and I updated my swimsuit inventory that year from LE and a couple other places. I like one piece with some kind of lower half cover up when out walking around in public - shorts, skirt, etc. LE has a big selection. You have to just pick a few you think you’d like and get started, being prepared to send a lot back. Nice if you can get return shipping Included. Maybe check Zappos for that.

Knowing what type of support, strap configuration and necklines work for you helps to narrow the field. For example I don't like a straight across line on my chest with straight straps - doesn't look right on me. I like straps that angle in, maybe cross in the back, a sweetheart or V neckline and I need more support than a shelf bra. I agree with Land's End - if they have a style you like, their suits are good quality at a reasonable price - and yes going up a size is advised.

Have you taken your measurements? I find that actually helps me select the best size when shopping online with a new vendor or for a new item. Make sure to order lots of different types of suits; you may be surprised. The only thing i'd make a must for any suit? --- i've never seen anyone who doesn't look better with some underwire support.

I think I'm the only person on the planet who does not like and has not had any luck with Land's End swimsuits (or their clothing in general). I agree with Mtn. re: underwire support (I'm fairly busty) and a brand of swimwear I have had great luck with is Sunsets Separates (size up, I find they run a bit small). I also have a couple of Miraclesuit one-piece that I like, for some reason I especially like their strapless options. Being larger breasted, I also don't like any halter styles. I will often buy only a top that goes with basic black or navy bottoms, so that may be why there always seems to be more bottoms left available than tops.

This is my most recent Miraclesuit purchase.

If you need (or prefer) bra sizing in swimsuits, a good online underwear retailer is where you should look. BareNecessities, for example, has all the sizes, and then some.

I used to have a few tankinis from LE. They do last forever, which is wonderful. However, I'm rather generous regarding bosoms and the support just wasn't there with a LE suit. I venture that if you are medium to small on top, LE would have something you like and fits you well.

I tried Victoria's Secret of all places several years ago and found the support I needed. What a difference! So pleased I was, and well made they were.

HOWEVER, as far as I know, they have left the tankini business, thus, I have no swimsuit for this year, or last, or the year before that.

I'm no help. Never mind.

I was thinking I had a Miraclesuit but I checked and they are Longitude. I know I tried some Miraclesuits but apparently they weren't for me. I remember finding the Longitude brand when trying to find something that didn't creep up my crack.

I buy Fantasie suits by bra size. Since I also wear their bras, I know how the suits will fit. I only see them online.

I own Lands’ End tankini bottoms (black) and a top I got at Macy’s eons ago. The only water either has seen is the washing machine. But, since we were supposed to be on a cruise from LA to MIami through the Panama Canal right now, I decided I needed a different top so it would look cute under my cover-up, which has also never been worn. I ordered at least 6 tankini tops from Lands’ End and not a single one was flattering.

Talbot’s has their swimwear on sale right now.

I have a Miracle Suit but dang they are hard to get on and off and not sure that's worth the "look 10lbs thinner" thing. I also just got a Land's End tankini which is okay. No help here but to echo the suggestion to buy several and see what works. I sure do miss the ease of my bikini days...

Spanish - I've looked at the Fantasie suits (D-cup here) but have not purchased. I take it you like and recommend them? Any particular style?

I have ordered swimsuits from Land's End and Old Navy, and the Old Navy suits are surprisingly good.

Athleta also has swimwear, it is geared towards more active users. I bought one from them eons ago, so I don't know what the quality is these days.

I don't like most swimsuits. But I do have a couple of tops, tankini and halter. I prefer swim shorts so I also have those in a couple of colors that go with the tops. We have a pool and it can be hard on suits. Lands End suits seem to hold up very well. Personally I prefer to swim in the suit I was born with. Fortunately our pool is very private 😊

I have also been a fan of LE suits — I like mixing and matching tops (prints) and bottoms (solid dark colors with the skirt because my thighs are ginormous). However, I have not liked the LE tankini tops I’ve tried in the last couple of years. I have older halter style ones that were great, but they don’t carry the same style any more. ☹️

Title 9 has swimsuits, I think? Also I recall last year Garnet Hill had some that looked nice in the catalog.

I am a huge fan of separates. They didn't exist when I was younger, and trying to fit my pear shape was pretty frustrating.

I bought my daughter a tankini top last year. She's busty (38D), and we found a top we could order by bra size (at a site catering to plus sizes). It ended out working out quite well. She wanted basic black, so that took one dimension of uncertainty out of it.

@rubyclaire I’m an F in Fantasie and have a number of different suits. Two-piece, tankini and one piece. I just look for the ones with the wired bra inside. For the bras, I love their side support.

I would never attempt to buy a swimsuit online. First because I have a long torso and it takes me several tries to find anything that fits. A one piece makes me feel like the hunchback when I put one on, even the rare tall sizes if I find one. Second because I have a hard time finding one that flatters and is comfortable, not too revealing (top or bottom), is easy to get on and off wet, and any number of other requirements I might think about.

I pretty much only buy tankinis now because I can buy a separate style bottom and top or even in different sizes if needed. And yes, as someone said, it usually helps to go a size up, for me anyway. In the past few years I have narrowed down my brands to a few. LaBlanca, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Gottex, and there may be another one or two brands I can’t recall trying on. I generally go pick up a bunch I like and head to the dressing room, planning to spend at least an hour trying on until I finally find a winner.

Smh, you are definitely not the only one who doesn’t endorse Lands End. Can’t stand their swimsuits or their clothing in general on me. It just never works.

Good luck!

I have done well with Athleta. Also LL Bean.

I am a plus size and LOVE Swimsuits For All. So many choices, but not just for plus. Many brands, easy ordering, easy returns.

I have a Miracle Suit but dang they are hard to get on and off and not sure that's worth the "look 10lbs thinner" thing.

This is true. :) Definitely size up, maybe 2 sizes. For me personally, I don't care so much about their slimming properties, I like them for great bust support.

“Can we discuss buying a swimsuit online?”

Please, no! its almost as bad as trying them on in a common dressing room under bad fluorescent lighting!

I have an unreasonable number of swimming suits due to my love of lap swimming and water adjacent vacations. I regularly order a bunch online and return what doesn't fit. I'm not certain what style you're looking for, but check out Athleta and Prana. They offer a variety of styles including bra-sized, tankinis, and one-pieces. I like that they have a variety of coverage options and styles.

Sadly Lands End swimsuits do not look good on me. I have a Miraclesuit, sized up a size, and a Calvin Klein suit that are better. I am short waisted and busty, I stick to a one piece.

50% off at Lands’ End today. Promotion Code: RELAX

I want one this year. My old two are falling apart. We've found a local swimming hole that no one knows about and swam there last summer - social distancing totally happening without even planning for it. Seriously not paying more than $50 for it. I want a one piece - the thing is that it would be long for my torso, and won't fall off, I really don't care how "cool" I look in it. Especially since it will only likely be me and my swimming buddy. I will be looking at Long Tall Sally. Which is where from I've ordered ALL my jeans and slacks over the past three or four years. Sight unseen, they've all fit once I got used to their measurement scheme. (No clothing store anywhere near me can fit my length when I go in, in person. I can luck out with tops, but not leggings of any sort... not since Tall Girls or whatever disappeared.)

Just an FYI for other tall people - I used to buy jeans/slacks at Lands' End. They do have great quality but for us tall folk, not a great selection of tall choices. When I switched to Long Tall Sally (for the selection), I can wear an 18, whereas at Land's End, I wore a 20. Just keep that in mind that not all online places to order from measure the same way....

Hmm. Just went to Long Tall Sally. Today they have 30% off, and Saturday/Sunday it will be 25% off, and Monday, 20%.

Discovered that bathing suits are now quite pricey, alas. Ordered one anyway (along with two jeans). 30% helps.

OMG, I have seven swimsuits in my closet that I ordered online and are waiting for the pandemic to end so I can finally return them. I gave up. I doubt there will be any hot tub parties this summer anyway, I'll just keep my old suit and try again next year.

Springroz I loved your "patterns to distract and fool the eye" comment. have you ever looked up dazzle ships? LOL!

Has anyone ever tried Andiswim? There were many swimsuits on their IG post. I don’t think I captured the best of the lot with this screenshot, but my purpose was to capture the name.

Never heard of them, but looking at the photos, none of those suits seem supportive at all. I'd worry about the quality.

I agree. They look a little saggy. I’m going to stick with the one I have. I dislike heat and sun. Add in a pool and I’m really not happy. But DD’s new house has a pool, so I suspect there will be sometime when I might have to have a suit.

Kohl’s carries Nike brand bathing suits and they have separates. Different bottom types (skirted and board shorts). Since the pandemic, I swear I receive a Kohl’s coupon a few times per week.

Andrea Burgess is a spammer. And is also Dorothy Cameron, a houzz "Pro."

I wear women's board shorts and have been doing that for years and I don't think I could ever go back to exposing my upper thighs even though I am thin. I feel so much more comfortable in these and lots of companies have them and all sorts of inseams, lands end has quite a few. Usually I wear a takini top with it

Oh I fell for it I replied to an Old Post

@Bumblebeez SC Zone 7 I bought a variety of swimsuits, tankini tops and board shorts, even a skort, from Land's End. Ordered a ton of items and did not return much.