In June last year, 127 of you answered my survey about big bust swimsuit preferences. I thought you’d like to see the results of the survey before we delve into the specific brands and styles that are out there for us. Do any of the results surprise you?
Question 1: What style of swimsuit do you prefer?
Question 2: If you wear a two-piece, what style of bottoms do you prefer?
Question 3: How important is underwiring in your swimsuits?
Question 4: Aside from support, what are the top three features that you look for in a suit?
Question 5: How often do you buy swimwear?
Question 6: What fabric design do you most prefer?
Here were the two biggest surprises for me:
- Figure camouflage doesn’t rank as the top 3 for most of us, but figure flattery does. I love it!
- I’m not the only one who doesn’t invest in a swimsuit every year.
Also, isn’t it interesting that black tied for last place in fabric design? I hope the store swimwear buyers are listening!! When I stopped at Town Shop earlier in the summer, all the great colors and prints were gone, leaving giant blocks of black swimming suits. Consistent with your survey responses, the sales assistant told me the colors and prints go right away. If you’ve only just started swimsuit shopping, I’d love to hear if you’re finding the prints and colors you want in your size.
If plus sized/full bust people want a black alternative suit that is awesome, I highly recommend picking up the Elomi swim bra and the basic skirted bottoms. It’s my go to bikini and is a great basic that I think is way more flattering than the typical black bikini. They had a deep purple last season that was great as well, so it’s worth looking out for them – especially on sale.
I have bought 3 swimsuits in the last year plus 2 swim bra/bikinis because I started doing deep water aerobics and the pool eats suits. I think I tried on about 5 times that amount. I wear a 34HH bra, but tend to size up in the band and down in the cups in swimwear.
What I have right now is the Sicily tankini (36GG) from Bravissimo that I wear with some midrise adjustable polka dot bottoms from Land’s End (now sold out). I was wearing it with some Ocean Avenue adjustable bottoms from Amazon which I loved (fantastic coverage behind and not too frumpy) but the pool ate them and Amazon is now sold out.
I also have the Premiere Ultimate Gold Sports suit by Speedo from Bravissimo that I have to wear with some chlorine resistant boy shorts I bought from swimsuits for all because my butt hangs out the back. I kept it because I was hoping it would last longer in the pool and I wanted to save my Sicily tankini because I love it so much (I might buy a back up). The Speedo tank is actually not as supportive as I was hoping, and I’m thinking of getting the integral band shortened.
I have just bought the elomi swim bra that I’ll wear under a UV Skinz swim shirt with either of my bottoms since my water classes (plus my son’s classes) have moved outside for the year and I don’t want too much sun on my shoulders. The swim bra feels so good I’m contemplating wearing it as a real bra in hot weather! I’m also trying out a custom bra from Decent Exposures made out of swim material but it isn’t here yet.
I also have the Curvy Kate purple and leopard tankini from a few years back and it’s very fun and playful but the matching bottoms are just horrid for me, they are too low rise and I’m worried I’ll flash the world plumber butt when I bend over to talk to my son or climb out of the pool.
I really loved my Panache Anna tankini top but again, the pool ate it and I’m kind of tired of black.
I would love to see more brights and playful patterns in swimwear. I’d also love to see sport swim wear designed for full busted women. It drives me crazy that there are some great options from Speedo that sell in Australia but not here!
THANK YOU for this detailed comment, Leftcoaster! If you’d like to turn it into a few formal reviews so that readers can easily find them, I’d love it!