Do any of you just hate wearing bathing suits in public? I feel like I am getting better about this, but I have always been self conscious in a bathing suit since I was abut 12 years old. I guess as soon as I hit puberty. I have always had large breasts and been so self conscious of it - I even had a breast reduction when I was 19. I am okay with them now. I feel so naked wearing a bathing suit and it isn't skimpy. I have children now and I don't want to miss out of the fun or hold my children back from having fun. I hope I am not the only one who feels this way.

By Emily7 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:09 pm:

I avoid them at all costs. If I do have to wear them, I wear a wrap.
Off the subject a little bit, what did you think of the breast reduction? Were still able to breastfeed? I was told after pregnancy they would get smaller...someone lied, they got bigger. I wear a size "E" right now. Ouch my back hurts!LOL

By Texannie on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:12 pm:

Landsend.com has wonderful suits. They are a little pricey but last forever. They have a great return policy too.
I like tankini's and a little sarong or board shorts. I feel very comfortable, cute, but not exposed.

By Children03 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:20 pm:

I bought the cutest bathing suit this year. It is red and the top is a halter but it is long enough to cover my thighs and it has bottoms that you wear underneath it. It isn't quite a bathing suit that my grandmother would wear but I call it my mommy bathing suit.

About my Breast Reduction, I would do it again if I was back in time. I didn't have any problems with it and they don't sag. I mean you do get scars from it, but if you take care of it after surgery and after time they scars fade. My hsband loves them and has no problems with them. Yes I did still breastfeed just fine. I did with all three children. I even got my insurance company to approve the surgery and pay 80% of the costs because I had such bad back pain and my bra straps would cut into my shoulders and leave red marks. The doctor took pictures and a written note to the insurance to say that I was a good candidate for the surgery. I was about a 34 DD and now I am just about a small 34 D and they look normal and it felt like a 5Ib bag of sugar was lifted off of my shoulders. My two sisters were very large too - now after they had children they went from about a DD to about a B. Not me - I only got a slight bit larger during pregnancy and while nursing but afterwards I go back to my normal size.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:20 pm:

I second Texannie's Lands' End recommendation. I have several of their suits and am impressed with the quality. They even have long torso sizes! I have bathing suits from Venus as well. I really like Tankinis that cover my midriff. As Annie said above, "I feel very comfortable, cute, but not exposed."

While we're on the topic, I've learned to steer clear of solid colored swimwear. Solids show every bump and bulge, including the location of my c-section scar! EEEEK!! Prints and textured materials help to mask these things.

By Children03 on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:26 pm:

I agree about the solid colors - mine has a hawaii look to it to cover my flaws.

By Nicosmom on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 06:27 pm:

I haven't owned a bathing suit in over ten years, and I'm only 25. I don't even wear shorts and it get to 100 degrees+ here. I'm just way to self concious(sp).

By Mommmie on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 08:39 pm:

Count me as another Lands End bathing suit buyer. I know there are a lot of you out there bec every time I go the pool I see Lands End's suits!

I wear one that is shorts with the built in panty. I am SO over the bikini line shave!

By Debbie on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 09:41 am:

I also love Lands End suits. I have two tankinis that I've had for a few years and they still look new. So, yes they are more expensive, but they last. Definitely worth it.

I understand about being self-conscious. But, I always try and remember that no one is really looking at me. I know when I go to the pool with my dks that I am too busy playing and having fun with them to notice what everyone else looks like in their bathing suit.

By Eve on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 09:46 am:

Just go to the beach and look at everyone else. There are very few "perfect" bodies out there. Chances are there is someone wearing something that gets MUCH MORE attention! That's how I look at it anyway. I don't know these people and I'm never going to see them again. Plus, you are not alone. Bathing suits are never oh so flattering. I already love skirted suits.

By Mrln05 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:01 am:

Now that getting older (not in spirit, though) I hate bathing suits. The last time we went to the beach I wore shorts that you can wear in the water and I wore a sports bra with a tank top over it. Worked fine.

When I was younger, I tried to find conservative bathing suits that look alright and didn't show too much, especially to hide my belly. I could usually find something.

You are young, Children03. Have fun. I agree with the other posters. People are probably not looking at you. People are usually more concious about themselves. Good luck.

By Rayanne on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 04:56 pm:

April, where did you get your suit? I am looking for one, but I hate my tummy and thighs.

By Children03 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 06:15 pm:

I bought it a Belk. It was kind of expensive but to me I don't care when it comes to finding that perfect bathing suit- which is hard to find. I have had so many compliments and I have started to feel comfortable wearing it in public too. I might can take a picture of it later on this evening and post it for you if you want to see the style of it. We are leaving to go for a swim right now.

By Children03 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 08:11 pm:

Rayanne, here is a picture of my bathing suit.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 09:28 pm:

April, that's a cute halter tankini! I saw ones similar to that at JC Penney.

By Tink on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:06 pm:

Very cute! I'd compliment you on it too. I love halter styles. Very flattering on a lot of body types.

By Children03 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:36 pm:

Thanks. It fits perfect on my chest and then it is very fitting down through my waist and then it kind of flows out around the tops of my thighs (covers my cellulite) and you can't see the bottoms standing up. I like it.

By Tink on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:54 pm:

What brand is it? I've never heard of Belk. I'd love to see what other styles they have, if it fits that well. Or even steal your style. I'm also top-heavy and have trouble with suits on top.

By Children03 on Friday, June 11, 2004 - 10:59 pm:

You haven't ever heard of Belk's Department Store? Wow, I thought they were all over the place. You can visit it at www.belk.com. I think the website only has accessories for your home.

The brand of the suit is called - Caribbean Joe - let go. I haven't ever heard of the brand before, but it is nice. I also bought a cute Liz Claiborne suit from Belk too.

By Texannie on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 12:10 am:

Never heard of Belk's either.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 08:09 am:

We don't have Belks in New England but I've shopped at one while visiting my parents in Virginia. Nice store.

I have seen bathing suits like this at JC Penney and at the mall. If I had more time I'd so some surfing and post pics.

By Rayanne on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 11:02 am:

April!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I just might have to copy you.

By Nicosmom on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 02:07 pm:

It is very cute but what about my legs. I feel like I have thunder thighs and there is no bathing suit that will cover that is there?

By Children03 on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 02:08 pm:

Thanks, go Ahead. I hope you can find one that you like. Let me know if you find one okay.

By Mommmie on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 06:40 pm:

Annie - I think Belks is making its way here. There's one in Sherman and they are building one in McKinney. So they are heading south down 75 from Oklahoma!

By Texannie on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 07:09 pm:

Is it a department store? There are Beals around here in small towns.

By Children03 on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 09:10 pm:

Yes, kind of like a Rich's or Macy's. It is very nice.

By Mommmie on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 09:31 pm:

The two I've seen are in new strip malls, one near an Old Navy.

By Mrln05 on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 10:58 pm:

They had some cute Tankini's in a Blair catalogue I recently received. They seemed reasonably priced, too. You might be able to see what some look like on blair.com.

By Eve on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 08:22 am:

April, very cute suit. Is the top more fitted or is it a dress? It's cute either way.

I'm sure there are more Websites where you can find the suit, but a quick search located this one:
http://www.laraines.com/jlojeloswara.html

BTW, April-Gorgeous photo in your profile! I love it!

By Children03 on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 08:27 am:

The top is fitting and the the top just falls right at the tops of my thighs enough to cover my flaws . I felt kind of modest about wearing it at first because is compliments my top, but I have grown to like it a lot. I have had lots of comments on it.

Thanks for your comment on my photo.

By Tink on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 12:15 pm:

Eve I love the black Tankini that is on that site, and they have it in my size!! My thighs aren't the problem, but my tummy is and I like a halter top to highlight my "assets." LOL Thanks for listing that site, I think I found my suit for this year! Really not that pricey for a quality suit.