Bathing Suit Shopping: Finding The Right Suit For Your Body

There I was, browsing through a rack of bathing suits when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a size 16 bikini! Are you kidding me? I am all well and good with people who are happy with their body no matter the size. I am one of those people. I’ve been happy at size 9,12,16, 18 and even 20 but there is no way in the world I would ever put anything past size 10 in a bikini! First off if you have to stretch marks a bikini is not for you no matter what size you are. With a bikini, much like the low row rise jeans and high rise shirts with the belly hanging out, no one wants to see the road map of the Mississippi Delta on your stomach. If the belly rolls over the top of the bikini bottom it’s not attractive! If your breasts sag down and rest on the top of your belly it’s not attractive! Why do they even make these? Yes, heavy people want stylish clothes as thinner people wear but we want them to take into account that we are heavier and make the necessary adjustments. I can’t imagine this is a very hard thing to do.

While I’m standing there another woman sees the size 16 bikini and picks it off the rack. She puts it in her hand with the size 20 jeans and tells her shopping buddy that it’s okay because it’s spandex!!!!!! AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!! I had to bite through my tongue and walk away!

Lucky me, I get the dressing room next to her. I am privy to the conversation as each outfit emerges. By the time I am done trying on my own choices my tongue is nearly hamburger. As I exit I get the full-on view of a thirty-something, size 20, crammed into a size 16 bikini. As she admires her physique in the three-way mirror I want to cry. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel as she tells her admirer she’ll wear a t-shirt over it when she goes swimming! In addition to that, I also came across one piece swimwear by Jets that were just perfect for me as they had all the trendy designs and all the swimwear that they had were absolutely comfortable.

Am I missing something? Isn’t the point of a bathing suit to not wear your actual clothes swimming? Why in the world would you buy it only to cover it up with a shirt? My rule of purchasing is if you’re not comfortable with the item the way it is, or confident enough to use it for its true purpose, then you shouldn’t buy it. This poor woman plunked down $60 for something that didn’t fit her and was going to be covered up with a $15 t-shirt. What an utter waste.

There is absolutely no reason a heavier woman can’t find a suit that fits properly and is attractive. Many companies are making suits with the plus-size woman in mind. Delta Burke has a line, which includes a two-piece tankini style with a more voluptuous cut to accommodate the curves of a real woman. Always For Me utilizes the wrap style and empire waist to accentuate the positive and camouflage the negatives. Carol Wior takes the baby doll to a new level and uses skirts, flounces, and ruching to create seductive silhouettes. Finally, the Sunflair collection sells suits by cup size for the more busty among us. Along with a specific size, graphics and seaming are used to hold it all in and in style.

Please, I beg you, plus size women everywhere, dress like you deserve to be dressed. Wear things that actually fit and allow others to appreciate the curves that are uniquely you. Give people the chance to see past your clothing instead of being distracted by it.