In Need of an Appropriately Fitting Bathing Suit Top

Updated on July 23, 2010
K.J. asks from Spring Hill, TN
17 answers

Hi mommies. I have a question about finding a good bathing suit top. I was what some would call blessed before I became a mom. However afterward, my chest grew even more so now I am overly blessed. I cannot find a bathing suit top anywhere that fits and is appropriate. I have even ordered the largest top from Victoria Secret and while it says full coverage, it is still a little skimpy for me to wear in public. I don't really want to wear a t-shirt all summer if I go to the pool. I didn't know if any of you have had a similar problem and could help direct me to somewhere that might help. I live near Nashville, TN if there are any local stores. I would prefer going somewhere and trying on before I buy, but I am also open to websites. Thanks!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks, everyone!! I guess I will have to try out Land's End. We do have a Sears near us and now that you mention it I do remember seeing a Lands End area there about 4 months ago. I will check it out when I get the chance. You ladies are lifesavers!

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E.M.

answers from Louisville on

been there! i would actually cry in the dressing rooms! i looked for over 2 years. I finally went to sears where they have lands end. they have tops that have extra support in the top area for women lucky like you and me. the cross backs are the most supportive. they also guarantee everything pretty much for life. you can look online and order on there and send it back if it doesnt fit or you just dont like it! if you have a sears i would try there but they have more choices online

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T.N.

answers from Phoenix on

look at www.Shadeclothing.com They specialize in modest clothing and swimsuits. They also make camisoles that work great as an undershirt with low-cut or belly-shower shirts. They are in the malls in Arizona where I live, so they may also have a store near you. They also have consultants that sell, like Pampered Chef, so maybe someone who sells them lives near you. The website should be able to tell you.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.P.

answers from New York on

The best site I have found is a European company (so no way to try it on first), but its no problem to return it if it doesn't fit. They have lingerie and clothing in addition to bathing suits and advertise as being for "big-boobed" women (their words, not mine). I have a couple of their tankinis and they have an actual bra inside with a hook and eye closure and everything (I think they carry "Panache" like someone mentioned below too). http://www.bravissimo.com/default.aspx

Another site I have had some luck with is Cyberswim.com They do the Miracle Suits and they offer D and DD cup.

Personally I have had no luck with Lands End tops, and I tried many different style/size combinations. The coverage was ok, but they offered no support whatsoever so I just looked and felt saggy in every one of their suits. Maybe you'll have better luck... one other tip besides going to the Sears store to try them (since they might not have a full range of sizes in the store) is to order a bunch of sizes and styles from Lands End online, and then you can just return whatever doesn't fit to the Sears store rather than having to ship them back.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Provo on

You need to find a specialty store that has cup sizes in swimming suits. I found a store that's for nursing especially but they go up to size H in cup sizes and it's wonderful. I'd tell you the name but it's in Utah and their website doesn't let you order - just tells you about the store.

Of course, if you know your exact cup size and your basic swimming suit size (like clothing size - I think they start as low as size 2 or something) then you could order from them over the phone. I'm happy to pass along their info, but otherwise I would suggest doing some online searches for maternity or nursing stores in your area. Even if they don't sell swimming suits they may be able to refer you.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.A.

answers from Cleveland on

I have found Dillards has some suits that fit. I am a 32E and after two kids need real support in a bathing suit.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Washington DC on

This is a little late, but as a G cup I feel your pain. I haven't ordered from them yet, but I came across this site a few years ago for custom suits.
http://www.pango-pangoswimwear.com/
Figleaves is also a good online source for suits and bras.
http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp
Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from New York on

Try Lands End online. I don't have the same problem, but Lands End bathing suits are well made, great coverage, not skimpy and they are made for women. I bet you will find a suit that you like. They also have a great return policy. I order a few in different sizes and then send back the ones I don't like.

Let us know

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Appleton on

Lol! I was going to respond "try Land's End!" and then read the other responses. If you have a Sears store near you, they may carry some in the store, and even if they don't, you can place your order at Sears (they own Land's End) and they won't charge you shipping but will still ship it directly to your house! : )

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I am putting in a vote for Land's End also. In contrast to what some other's have said, in my personal experience, their suits run big. I wear a 36DD bra, and a 12-14 in clothes, and in their suits, I had to go with a size 12 with a C cup to get a proper fit, or at least what was comfortable for me. I'd just suggest maybe going down 1 size in the cup to get a proper fit. I had to go down 2 sizes. One last piece of advice... go to the Land's End website, and check their OVERSTOCKS for swimsuits. You can get some really cheap on there! And if you get the wrong size, you can return it to a Sears store (no return shipping), and they do not charge you shipping if you re-order the same suit in a different size. A nice perk!

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I second Liv. I don't actually have that problem, but Land's End suits are very high quality and are designed with women's bodies in mind. They are cute, but not at all skimpy. Use their size charts and order true to whatever size it says and you'll do fine.

T.

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

Oh boy do I have experience there! The ONLY bathing suit I have found that fits perfect is FREYA or Panache. I bought my first one in NJ at a lingerie store and it fit SO well that it held me in and made me look smaller! It has a built in bra, not a shelf, but an actual bra! Literally it has a hook and eye in the back underneath your suit. It is amazing! It is about $90 but well worth it! This year I am ordering too late and they are sold out of my size so I am trying Panache, I have heard they have the bra built in too. It should be here in a few days if you want to check back with me. Just google Freya swimsuits and plenty of sites come up. They are out of a lot of sizes but do have some left. It is UK sizing so you have to go to size chart to see what size you will need to order. Let me know what you think, I have been searching for years and this one is GREAT!
ps/ I just saw your post of 'what happened'. I ordered a Land's End and for me, it was not big enough. I spill out over the top, too much cleavage for me. Try it though, you can return for free at Sears, maybe you are not as big as me

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A.K.

answers from Greensboro on

You can also try Shadeclothing.com or layersclothing.com. They have cute suits that are modest. I am G and I have a Layers swimsuit that fits great.

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S.W.

answers from Raleigh on

I like Lands End and LL Bean. Their bathing suits fit great. I know you said you wanted to try one on in a store--Lands End has a "store" in Sears and has a decent selection. I share your "pain". I was blessed before and more after three pregnancies. Fun!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I am also "blessed!" I ordered a bathing suit from Lime Ricki and it fits great! They are more modest tops, but have very cute prints. They also have cute bottoms. They do offer free return shipping, if for some reason it doesn't fit like you'd want.

www.limericki.com

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

As a 36 DDDD, Lands End does NOT work for me. Their DDD's (their largest size), even when I was one before kids left major spillage.

I have to get mine custom made 9x out of 10. I occasionally have luck at Nordstroms, Lane Bryant, and at a local plus size shop. String tops are the easiest to deal with, 'cause you can just tie them and cut off any extra length in the string. Anything more complex, however (like tankinis), I can get altered to fit at the local seamstresses. Regardless... unless it's a racing/diving suit... it needs to have underwire. My sister who is a J gets ALL of her suits made custom.

Ironically, while they take longer to make, the custom suits only cost about $80... which is less than many off the rack suits.

What I really would like to know is where all the breast augmentation peeps get their swimsuits!

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K.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

Have u tried a Lane Bryant?

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I'm also a Land's End fan! They have tons of variety, many sizes and lots of mix and match options. I always get tons of compliments on my Land's End suits -and they last. I have some friends who, quite honestly, have enormous breasts, and they have always had great luck with Land's End too.

You could also try Swimwear 360 and Swimwear for Everyone -websites.

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