Bathing Suit Shopping!!

Good morning! Okay...has anyone gone bathing suit shopping yet? Twisted as I am, I was actually looking forward to it (I am SUCH an idiot!). I did try on one or two in random stores this past month. And it was all very depressing. I wear a size 10 bottoms (I can fit in an 8 but my 10's are comfy). I wear a size medium top (depending on the brand. I have 1 small top and several large tops...all which fit me the same). So...I tried on a size 10 bathing suit. Well, guess what? Wearing a size 10 does NOT translate into wearing a size 10 bathing suit. I tried on a 12...still not good. And, you know, as childish as this is...I refused to try on a 14. To me, wearing a 14 (even if it is Misses) seems like a step back. Again, I know that is ridiculous and size shouldn't matter. On my way out of the mall yesterday, I stopped into a swimsuit store which I think is called California Sunshine. I pulled one gorgeous-looking tankini off the rack. It was a size XL. I don't know why...but I can live with an XL more than I can live with a 14. I tried it on and it fit! And the suit was soooo pretty. But it was soooo not super flattering and, when I looked at the price tag, I saw that I was sooooo not getting it no matter what. $160.00 for a swimsuit? I think NOT. I tried on a few others...nothing to write home about on any of them. The sales person kept asking how I was. I wanted to tell her to bugger off but she was very persistent. She asked me why the suits were no good. Well, they were no good because I am tall and have a long torso and all the suits came...short, so to speak. So she pointed me towards a wall that had some tankinis that she said were longer. She told me to pick one from there and she would get it. Then she asked my bra size. I ignored her. I was in a dressing room stall (and I say stall because it was so small I could barely turn around in it!). There were 40 other people right there and I just did not need to announce my bra size to the world. But Little Miss Persistent banged on my door and yelled, "WHAT IS YOUR BRA SIZE?" I heard my sister say, "Do you have negative sizes?" and then laugh her little head off... Miss Persistent was also Miss No-Sense-of-Humor because she told my sister that she was not nice. Anyhow...I finally just said 36B to shut her up. I really have NO idea what my bra size is. My Cacique bras are 38C. Now, I KNOW I am not a C but they make me LOOK like a C so I don't care. I did not want to tell Miss Persistent that I was probably a 38B because they, most likely, don't make that size (usually people 38 and above are not below a "C"). Anyhoo...she comes back with a fantastic looking tankini top that was "bra sized." In other words, the size is not S, M, L, XL...it goes by bra size. She had gotten a 36C for me. And, guess what...it fits and is GORGEOUS! I had already have a size 10 "It Figures" swim skirt from Fashion Bug so I finally have one suit for my trip to Florida at the end of this month! Whoo hoo! I recommend this store if you have them...they have a TON of suits in all sizes! Oh...a funny side story. There was a woman who was helping her daughter try on suits. Her daughter was about 30, I guess. Anytime I wanted to show my sister my suit, this woman was standing in my way. And she would not move even when she saw my trying to look around her at my sister. Plus, she gave me the once-over every time I opened the door. Well, when I tried the last suit on (the one I liked), my sister said she loved it. The woman looked at me and said, "Oh, yes, this is the best one by far." Geesh...I was a little irritated with her to begin with for being in the way constantly (and, really, she did not have to be) and for blatantly gawking at me. Anyhow...this woman looked at the swim skirt I had on and she said, "You know, I don't think you need as much coverage down there as you think." I just laughed. She said, "No really...I know what I am talking about. You are looking at a woman who has lost 36 lbs of the 80 lbs she has to lose. I know these things!" Again, I laughed and said, "You are looking at a woman who has lost 130 lbs and TRUST me, my upper thighs need to be covered!" Then she just said, "Oh." Hee hee! That's my boring story for the day! Have a good one! Hugs, JM

I haven't ventured out yet... but my mom is planning to this week (parents are cruising on the 26th!) I've noticed a few... but I'm fairly scared about the whole lycra aspect That lady would have bugged me too....both of them to be exact! Glad you had a cute little story at the end of your experience too When do we get the photo?

Sounds like you got a great suit! I actually bought my bathing suit at Sam's.. LOL I'm cheap and really I'm only going in the hot tub in the backyard so no one really sees me. I did buy a one piece at Ann's bra shop..which is a specialty store that I wear to water aerobics. I have to buy a bigger top on the tankini's because of all the loose skin from my breasts it's really quit discusting. I'm glad you found one you like! Hugs, Anna

OMG, Jersey, I can sooooo relate, I also went swimsuit shopping this weekend, and it SUCKED!! I desperately need support on top, and NOTHING I tried on gave any, and then the bottoms...well thats another story. When your fat rolls hang out the sides of the suit, there's a problem! I did end up with one, but will likely take it back before it is warm enough to wear it. After trying on at least 30, I was pooped. And I definitely hear you about the sixe thing, I tried on 8's(my clothing size) and ended up buying a 12. Mine had a skirt on it too Karyn

I did the bathing suit shopping a month or so ago. I only needed a suit to wear once or twice this year since I'm having my LBL this summer. I had to have one for canoe trip the week before my surgery. I didn't want to spend a lot of money for one to wear once or twice. I found a one piece w/ skirt that covered the big extra skin belly and the floppy thighs. It looks fine other than the extra skin that hangs out under my arms if I raise them. Oh well, my family will just have to look at that. Karla

I bought a cute Body Glove one the top is just like a push up bra and that is what I need until I get my boobs fixed ...........now as far as the side overhang thats another story for now until I get that fixed. Of course I will never go anywhere besides my own back yard pool with a bikini on.... I agree with Karyn it is so exhausting to try on bathing suits .......... Tori

I bought my bathing suit before going to the Dominican. I ended up buying a small bottom boy short and a medium top. My floppy flap Jack boobs kept coming out of the small top. And in sal****er everything floats and my flapjacks kept floating out of the top. I am glad you found a suit you like. My thighs are baggy too. Hugs Chris

Here is my BS story Last year as I lost weight, It came off from the top down. My shoulders and chest were pretty small in comparison to my belly, hips and thighs. I could not find a suit to save my life. In desperation, I tried a 2 piece maternity suit. The boobies were small enough, the belly and hips were full enough and the bottom covered my apron. So, with tears in my eyes, I bought it and wore it last summer. Guess what, even being 6 months preggo, that suit still fits. Of course my belly is way bigger BUT I do weigh 41 pounds less right now than I did last year at this time but if the suit fits... (I just had an ephinany ~~~ AT SIX MONTHS PREGGO ~~~ I WEIGH 41 POUNDS LESS THAN I DID LAST YEAR ~~~ WOW SINKING IN ~~~ THAT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!) God Bless! Jen

I have not gone yet - I am dreading it immensely! Thanks for the great laugh! Rhonda -140 lbs.

Hey Jersey, I am with you all the way girl, I have been swimsuit shopping a few times. OMGOODNESS!!! I hate the way they all fit. Either the top is too snug and the skirt is too big or visa-versa. My "girls" do not want to cooperate with the bathing suit tops that are made to fit nice perky ones. My "girls" are already in South Beach, FL and my legs and tummy are somewhere in Atlanta GA. The value priced suits that I can afford do not hold all my "goods" in place, and I can not afford the industrial strenght swimsuit that I need to be wearing. I live in the mountians of VA, so my retail options are limited. There are no swimsuit shops around here. Actually, we dont have much of anything around here Only a few major retailers like JC Pennys and Kohls and so far I havnt had much luck with them. I am going to the beach in early June and I really need to find one before they all sell out. And I am so with you on the size 14 problem. I feel the same way, it is a major phobia with me and I refuse to wear a 14... Size - XL?? yea sure, A size 14 ?? NO WAY!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.... Cathy