
Plus Size Tankini
No woman I know likes shopping for bathing suits. This is not just limited to my plus size friends; I know my skinny girlfriends dread it just as much. The terrible lights in the dressing rooms, the three way mirrors that somehow show your absolute worst angles… the whole experience just stinks.
What I like to do is shop for my bathing suits online. There are lots of websites that sell suits for plus size women. You can order a few, try them on, and choose the one (or two or three!) that is right for you.
Here are a few things to think about when shopping for a plus size swim suit.
Cup Support: If you are a plus size woman, there’s a decent chance you have an ample chest. If you require a lot of support in your every day bra to look perky, you need to find a suit that can do the same for you. Make sure the cups are underwire, and the straps are thick enough so they don’t dig into your shoulders. Halter suits are very pretty and can support an ample chest, but they will transfer all the weight to your neck, so keep that in mind.
Color Story: I feel more comfortable wearing a short swim skirt over my suit, or buying a suit with a cute skirt bottom. I also tend to wear cover ups or sarongs when not in the water because my skin is so fair. Because of this, I try to buy all my suits for the season in one color story. If I get a black swim skirt, I don’t want to buy a navy and white bathing suit that won’t go with it.
Mix & Match: Many plus size women are not shaped the same from top to bottom. Some women are heavier on bottom, others heavier on top. Tankinis & bikinis with mix and match separates are a great solution. You could buy your top in a 1x and your bottom in a 2x, or vice versa. Some companies even sell their tops by bra size, so you can get just the right fit you’re looking for.
Some of my favorite online shops to find swimsuits: Swimsuits for All, Lane Bryant & Just My Size.