How a mama chooses the perfect swimsuit
We waited a loooooong time for these sunny days to come, and now they're here! There is no shortage of family swim at the local pool, splashing at fountains, or even an occassional excursion to the coast (if we have the gas money!).
So, what do you wear? For certain, most of the splashing activities only require our most comfy summer outfit of shorts/capris/skort with a tank/tee. But, when we are going for full submersion, what is your attire?
Is your swimsuit years and years old? Is it a newer number? What styles are you finding more conducive, post-pregnancy? Tankinis? Wide-band two piece tops? Boy shorts? Skorts? One piece with a wrap? The options, the options! Where can a mama go to find a suitable, affordable array items, to guarantee we'll find something to meet our needs?
Ugh. Bathing suits. After having my first my bust size went far into the alphabet. Impossible to find a suit in your basic stores. If you're larger than a DD-ish, check out Just Like A Woman. They have larger bras of course, but also suits, tanks, etc for the bigger breasted mamas, regardless of the size of the rest of you.
Posted by: mom22 | July 10, 2008 at 04:38 PM
After I had my son, I decided I needed a new suit...the skimpy 2 pieces purchases in the juniors section would not cut it anymore. I wanted something that would be flattering and comfortable and I didn't really care how much it cost. I headed over to Poppi (now Popina) swim on 42nd and Killingsworth. They make custom suits and suits you can buy off the rack. They also carry a couple of other designers. I bought a mix and match 2 piece tankini with a halter top (to adjust to my changing boob size). The bottom is kind of a modified boy short with draw strings on either side. Now, I am pregnant again but I still wore this suit at 20 weeks rather than my unflattering maternity suit.
Posted by: meg | July 10, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Popina on Alberta and 42nd Ave is fantastic. They have styles for all body types. They'll even fit you and sew custom suits as well. http://www.popinaswimwear.com/
Posted by: sg | July 10, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I bought a tankini and skort from Target last year. Super comfy and forgiving.
Posted by: Molomatic | July 10, 2008 at 08:38 PM
I dreaded shopping for a swimsuit this year with a 34DD bust and long torso that never fits into one piece suits. However, I absolutely loved Popina. I ended up buying one of Popina's one piece retro suits as well as a bikini top by Tommy Bahama (normally I'd cross the street if I saw Tommy comin'...I'm not filthy rich, tan, nor do I own a timeshare in Florida, but I digress).
Both suits fit so well. The bikini top from Tommy Bahama is generously cut with a retro halter style and comes in bra sizes. I ended up having to go out to Bridgeport,(horrors!) to buy the matching bikini bottom at the Tommy Bahama store since Popina was out of stock.
I'd highly Popina for their customer service, selection and all around lovely boutique. I'd recommend the Tommy Bahama swim line for large busted gals.
Posted by: SarahM | July 10, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Wow! I saw the lead in and thought, I've got to click on the comments so I can recommend Popina! Looks like I'm not the only one. I wear board shorts and a bikini top with a long-sleeved rashguard if I'm going to be out in the sun. I got the bikini top there and I've been back with my sister for other separates. They are really friendly, kid-friendly, too, and I didn't feel any pressure to buy from them as I sometimes do in small boutiques. The prices were definitely reasonable by my standards though I'm sure you could find better bargains at Target if they have styles you like. Really, if you live in NE, it's worth it to stop by Popina.
Posted by: Jan | July 10, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Well, as I go to Hawaii and Florida to visit both sets of grandparents (I know, poor me, especially in winter!) I had to buy a suit soon after my first, in fact we were in Hawaii 13 days after she was born. I chose a "miracle suit" to contain the tummy and ta tas. But after the second stopped nursing I dropped a few pounds and went in for a new suit. I started out looking for an appropriate one piece or conservative halter or tankini. The young woman helping me started bringing bikinis to me to try on. I resisted, she urged and I tried. They ended up looking better than the matronly one pieces. I felt a bit uncomfortable, but the young woman (did I mention she was young?) gave me one of the best bits of advice ever: "you can pull it off now, and you won't be able to do it when you're 60, be the hot mama you are!" I really heard her, went with the bikini and never looked back. Sometimes less is more!
Posted by: anon | July 11, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Target is awesome for prices, I have a few suits from there but they don't last very long. I bought a tankini at Nordies and it is worth the price because they don't fall apart after one season.
Posted by: ruby Tuesday | July 11, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I second the recommendation for Popina. After years of wearing shorts and a bikini top, I finally bought a new suit. I love it (brown with blue polka dots!) - the styles are very flattering.
Posted by: nonlineargirl | July 11, 2008 at 01:49 PM
"Bridgeport (horrors!)"
?????
Really ... what's with the hate?
Posted by: SoPo Mama | July 11, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I have bought swimsuits at Jcrew, online and at the http://www.swimoutlet.com/ Trying them on at home is much nicer than in a store, for me anyway. Especially after a glass of wine. You can send them back as long as you don't take the liner out. And the comment from SarahM, that is the exact attitude that some of us here find offensive. Cut it out people. The question is about swimsuits.
Posted by: anon | July 12, 2008 at 09:53 AM
I had really good luck getting two suits at The Nordstrom Rack (by Clackamas Town Center). It did take some time to try them on (no sales help). I got two one piece suits--one was a 'Miracle' suit for around $40 and one regular one for $20. The are really well made, quality suits, and the cheaper price was definitely worth the time it took.
Posted by: AM | July 12, 2008 at 10:49 AM
My most recent suit is now 5 years old and it's from Target. It is fine, but the style no longer suits me. Thanks for the suggestions above - I will try Popina and swimoutlet. I think I am looking for a two-piece with modest coverage both on bottom and top.
Posted by: olivia | July 12, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I thought sarahm was making a joke - sort of a play on the tension that keeps cropping up here.
And she had good advice.
So thanks.
Posted by: catmom | July 12, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Hi Mamas, I certainly didn't mean to offend but I can see that I used inflammatory language in my original post, so I apologize. I personally don't like shopping at Bridgeport for a variety of reasons but that's not germane to swimsuits. And, I was trying to make a joke about how I don't see myself fitting into the Tommy Bahama "lifestyle" - it was a dumb joke. I didn't mean to agitate any tensions and I'll be more careful with future posts!
Posted by: SarahM | July 13, 2008 at 09:55 AM
I got a great suit custom made at Poppi after child #1, but alas, I have "outgrown" in since having babe #2.
Lands End is great for finding the perfect fit and style for bustiness and big bottoms. I ordered 5 different options, tried them on at home, then returned the 4 that didn't make the cut. I happened to have a free code for shipping, so it was a great deal! (I got a tankini top and swim shorts, btw. LOVE it.)
Posted by: nancy | July 15, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Lands End has great suits for all body types. You can order them, try them on at home and the just return them to sears. Cost is very reasonable and they are pretty good quality.
Posted by: emily | July 15, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Does Popina have bathing suits that can "add" what I've physically lost up top, due to nursing? My breasts swelled to an EE for an extended period of time (I was a C on a good day, prior), and now I've gone (as my friend puts it) from Pamela to Pygmy. I have no mass there anymore and while I don't need to be a C anymore, would like to be more than a surfboard, in a suit. Any advice where to find a suit that fits that bill is extremely welcomed!!! I've been putting off suit shopping due to that reason.
Thanks!
Posted by: La | July 16, 2008 at 07:07 PM