IT'S SWIMSUIT SEASON: 15 SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PLUS SIZE WOES!


I know just as well as anyone how difficult it can be to find a sexy plus-size swimsuit that doesn't cover every inch of your body in hideous fabric. Last summer I bitched incessantly about how impossible it was to find a skirtless suit in Tucson stores, large chains included. I pointed out that by refusing to stock viable options retailers were (not so) subtly body shaming without saying a word. THIS summer, I have 15 solutions and I've included babely images for your viewing pleasure.

This infographic demonstrates the correct way to "get a swimsuit body", and I'm going to challenge you to quit waiting until you lose "x" amount of pounds and rock a suit that makes you feel like a vixen now. If I could wear 15 swimsuits at once (I kind of want to try this), I would choose the following: 


Lane Bryant, you've come a long way! Shimmer and support? Well done! I also love the mesh pieces in this suit from Nakimuli and I'm a sucker for anything that uses the word "plunge" in the description.


ASOS CURVE wowed me with their plus options. This fringe, graphic bikini, and tapestry inspired two piece had me clicking without hesitation.



High waists suit me just fine and so this black and white two piece is perfect. I'm also addicted to black and white everything so I'm pretty sure that played a roll in falling head over heels. How fantastic are the cutouts in this guy by the way? And I have a feeling that Marilyn Monroe's dark side would approve of this swimsuit.
Tess instantly popularized this cherry bikini from Black Cat Bikinis. Under-wire really is the key. I included Old Navy in this list not because their plus line is stellar, but because I found a wonderfully supportive bikini top in-store... so I have a little appreciation for them. Their simple black suit is pretty cute though I wish they offered more options. Someday? Also, in my world  polka dots are always in style.

Of course ModCloth has a million adorable options for you to browse through. Cherries and leopard print are no-brainers, and while I'm not a fan of skirted swimsuits, this disinterest is easily overridden by anything sailor themed. Oh, and the image at the top of the post is from ModCloth as well. Those guys are so rad.

I'm STILL on the prowl for a shiny gold bikini, so if you see one hook me up with the link. I was temporarily pacified with a killer Guadalupe swimsuit that had a metallic silver halter; you can keep your eyes peeled for the "behind the scenes" post of that. CandyStrike is doing it right. Of course Gabi's swim line is pretty great and the polka dot piece I wore in Vegas (which is also available in cherry print!) can be found here.

Have you had any success in suit shopping? Where would you recommend looking online?

27 comments

  1. I just fell in love with the word "babely".

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  2. I was so sad when Gabi's swimsuits sold out INSTANTLY. The Galaxy one was coveted.

    Awesome article, thank you so much.

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  3. I just got a suit from Catherines (ordered online) and it's awesome! It's skirted (which I dig on this particular suit), supports the girls, and makes me feel like at least 1/2 a million bucks! This is to be the first suit I've braved the public in for at least 10 years :)

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  4. I found high waisted suits at WALMART of all places! They don't go as high as I expected but I still love that I can mix and match between my suits!

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  5. We have a local store here in Wisconsin called Shopko. It is along the lines of a Target. They had a wonderful selection of one and two piece suits. I found a cute two piece there that I am in love with. Great prices for girls on a budget.

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    Replies
    1. I miss Shopko!!! Always loved there clothing too! Hello from another Sconie now living in GA!

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    2. I miss Shopko so much!!! Love their clothing too! Hello from a Sconie now living in GA!

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  6. Gorgeous!

    I'm headed back home to Tucson in a couple of weeks (crossing my fingers for a thunderstorm -- haven't seen one in years). I am hoping I run into ya by the pool. ;)

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  7. I found this sweet black and white number at an awesome shop on melrose called What Katie Did: http://www.whatkatiedid.us.com/product/824/swimsuit
    It keeps the girls in place and I look amazing!

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  8. I found this sweet suit at a shop on Melrose called What Katie Did:
    http://www.whatkatiedid.us.com/product/824/swimsuit
    It is comfortable, stylish and supportive - and most importantly (to me), my son cannot rip it down while i teach him to swim!

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  9. I bought my first bikini this year on a whim. Summer after summer, I would always say that "next year" would be the year that I'm skinny enough to wear a bikini to the beach. This year, I finally decided that everyone can suck it and I'm going to wear a bikini because I want to goddammit. I feel so empowered!

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  10. This is so great! I am always trying to find cute suits that fit my somewhat voluptuous boobs, and the little string triangles most stores sell are not going to cut it! These are great options and not crazy expensive! Thanks so much for this post!
    XO, Corazón

    http://llipstickwithcoffee.blogspot.com/

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  11. Whoa I can't believe how killer those Lane Bryant bathing suits are! Last summer I rocked this black vintage bathing suit with white trim. Something about it's cut gives me these slightly cone-like Madonna breasts. It looked a little odd at first, but now it makes me feel so tough and pretty and everyone better watch out when I have it on.

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  12. Check here, several of the plus size suits come in either Gold or you can choose from their sample fabric including GOLD PYTHON! omgz!

    http://www.biggalslingerie.com

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  13. I got my two-pieced high waisted/halter bikini from Torrid. They are dang near sold out of their swimsuits now but it was on sale when I got it so I call that a win.

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  14. What I really want is that vintage-looking red swimsuit that the pretty woman in your top photo is wearing. But please, please, manufacturers... please stop with the halter tops. I have G cups, and halter tops put about 15 pounds of boob-weight on my neck. It hurts like a mutha after about an hour!

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    1. Yes. I'm a 34G/36F depending, and they give me horrible neck pain.

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    2. Yes yes yes yes yes. I really don't know who decided that all busty ladies dig halter tops, because noooooo. Exactly what you said!

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  15. Might be surprising, but I got some very pretty tankinis from Walmart a few years back that were so low-priced I was able to buy 2 of the suits in different colors/patterns. Now I'm really digging vintage-inspired bathing suits, but please... please... manufacturers... I'm begging you... I've got G cups here, and putting those in a halter top stacks 15 pounds of weight right onto my neck. It's a killer after an hour. Please... no more halter tops for plus-size tops? I understand that they're very pretty but... ow ow ow!!!

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  16. Wait... while I was searching, I found this website, and I am IN LOVE--especially with the pink Marilyn swimsuit. And it's not a halter! http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/vintage-style-inspired-clothing/plus-size-dresses.html

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  17. swimsuitsforall.com has a pretty nice selection of plus-size suits up to a size 34! Also, if you like retro-styled swimsuits I loooove the Esther Williams swimwear line - they go to a size 26. Only three style options in plus there, but lots of color options!

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  18. I'm in the DD+ bra camp so when I've shopped for bathing suits, I've bought from some of the online bra retailers that carry bathing suit tops that are sized as bra sizes. FigLeaves.com, Barenecessities.com, among others.

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  19. Surprisingly, I've been a fan of the skirted suit for ages. I seem to collect most of my cellulite and stretch marks on my upper thighs and ass and I'm in no rush to show that off. However, my stomach may have grown quite a bit in the last two years, but it's nice and pale and unblemished and I'm trying to learn to accept it, even if it sticks out father than my tits these days. I've shopped for suits at Target for years, but their selection was so "blah" this year and last.

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  20. I'm not quite a plus-size, but I'm built bigger/fuller/more hourglassy than most women, and that includes rather voluptuous breasts that are hard to contain in an average suit. I've been delighted with the bathing suits available from UK bra manufacturers like Panache and Freya. Some women are plus-sized just in the bust, and it is particularly hard for them to find clothes that fit, so I thought I'd mention this option. I felt just miserable about myself on swimming occasions until I discovered this option. Nothing is more unflattering than a too-small top.

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  21. My wife discovered Catherines and Lane Bryant several years ago and has many pairs of very sexy jeans that she wears over her plus size butt. rather than normal jeans that don't fit very well are baggy and do nothing for her, the ones from Catherines fit very well and oohhh is she sexy in them. I encouraged her to buy as many as she wanted. There are a lot of plus size women around and they deserve good clothing to wear. Glad the stores are waking up to the plus size market

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  22. not a bikini.. but a pretty hot gold swim suit http://www.polyvore.com/barbados_plunge_plus_size_swimsuit/thing?id=33875403

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  23. In Portland, we have Popina Swimwear. Every single suit it I tried on looked INCREDIBLE (think Marilyn Monroe). I started taking selfies in the dressing room they looked so amazing. Their tops are actually supportive and their bottoms actually cover my bum (but if you're proud of your backside, they also have skimpier options). Great quality too. Worth the high price tag, I promise.
    http://www.popinaswimwear.com/

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