I don’t know why, but my lovely 5 year old daughter has decided that her hearts desire is to have a “beach vacation” this summer. First of all, I don’t like to be hot. Anything over 80 degrees and I am sweating and uncomfortable and daydreaming about air conditioning. But, she’s never been to the beach and I’m not going to be the one standing in the way of her dream.
I am going to spend the next month or so in search of a bathing suit. Now this bathing suit has to hold me in well enough so that I can play on the beach and keep my lady bits from falling out when I bend over but I don’t want to look like a homely mom. I still want my husband to look at me and wish the kids weren’t around. Although I wear a 32J bra I like my bathing suit bands to be a little loose. It’s hard to hide band induced back fat in a bathing suit. My bathing suit size is closer to a 34H.
A few years ago I purchased what was, at the time my perfect bathing suit. The Monroe by Panache was retro-sexy but not so much that my son wouldn’t want me wearing it around his 14 yr old friends. Unfortunately, my beloved Monroe was stolen at a spa in Brooklyn.
One of the things I loved most about the old version of the Monroe is the pop of color added by the red band. The version that is currently available has a blue band. Sigh…
Because I know this type of Panache suit fits me well, the Telulah caught my eye. I also think that having a center panel design with solid sides and back is quite slimming.
I’m still trying to keep an open mind when it comes to brands. As I’ve said before, just because I have had a prior negative experience, I will always give a brand another try. To that end, I’m considering a tankini by Fantasie or Bravissimo.
The Malawi tankini top by Fantasie leans a bit more to the sexy side but depending on how plunging the plunge is, may still work.
The Sienna tankini top is in my favorite bathing suit print, a playful polka dot. I prefer the red bottom to the polka dot.
What do you think?
I have the red top from bravissimo, the Sicily I think? Because I’m not a fan of halters…otherwise I would be all over the Sienna. The Brav ladies were helpful about the sizing, but because I am not full on top, I ended up needing to exchange for a cup size down. I wear a 34HH in bras, but did a 36GG in the suit. THey’re well made, and they’re holding up fine in the pool aerobics.
Did you find the band supportive or is the weight held up mostly by the straps?
I’ve found that with halters it isn’t too much strain on my neck if the tie is fairly wide.
I wear the band on the middle or tightest hook and it’s fine for what I do. But I probably wouldn’t feel ok running in it!
I ordered a suit from Exelent (customswimwear.com) – you can pick the style and color and bra size.
Thank you Lisa! I’ve never heard if them. I’ll have to check them out. Are they fairly expensive?