# Why is it so hard to find a swimsuit!!!!!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 30, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477 "2009-06-30T14:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/41 "2009-07-01T23:21:59Z")
Ttiwwp ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/42 "2009-07-02T01:37:25Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > If you aren’t big enough to fill out a maternity suit. . . why not just buy a regular swim suit then? A little bigger in size than normal, but a regular swim suit none the less. You could find a one piece or do a regular sized tankini, like my friend did. Good suggestion. Thanks! I still have no earthly idea why all the swimsuits for pregnant women seem to be two pieces or skirted suits. It’s ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/43 "2009-07-02T01:45:10Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Good suggestion. Thanks! > > I still have no earthly idea why all the swimsuits for pregnant women seem to be two pieces or skirted suits. It’s ridiculous. My friend was just pissed that being pregnant apparently meant she had to wear a tent. . .covered in ruffles. Butt ruffles. Belly ruffles. Horrible. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/44 "2009-07-02T01:53:43Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > My friend was just pissed that being pregnant apparently meant she had to wear a tent. . .covered in ruffles. Butt ruffles. Belly ruffles. Horrible. And don’t forget the bows. Oh, God, the bows! ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/45 "2009-07-02T03:41:12Z")
The answer is Costco. They have reasonably priced one piece Speedos, usually in solid colors or inoffensive prints. Sizewise I’m between 12 and 14 in most clothing, going up to 16 on occasion due to excessive bustiness, and the size 12 Costco Speedo still fits me pretty damn well. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/46 "2009-07-02T12:55:44Z")
> [@thirdwarning](#): > > On the other hand, and YMMV, and all that, I found a couple in the one piece section that I’m seriously considering, so thank you for that. The problem is, I have to guess on the size, since I’m in the process of losing weight and I don’t need it until October. I may just grit my teeth and go for it. Glad I could help! I actually think the one-piece suits are cuter than the tankinis…I’m not crazy about some of the color combinations they offer. I think the separate tops and bottoms is a great idea. That’s how they should sell all bathing suits. I know very few women who actually match sizes, top/bottom-wise. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/47 "2009-07-02T13:39:33Z")
I love my Lands’ End tankinis. I have two of the same style in different colors. I bought them a few years ago. I am too fat, and while I am still too fat in these suits, I am comfortable wearing them all day at the beach - I am covered and they are flattering. Last year, the seaming of the bra lining of one top started to come unraveled. Tragedy! I called them up, explained the problem, and they sent me a new one, gratis. Awesome. I know this doesn’t help you right this minute, but if you watch their Overstocks section like a hawk, you can get some pretty good deals on swimsuits (and other stuff, of course), even in a range of sizes. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/48 "2009-07-02T13:49:53Z")
Moved from The BBQ Pit to Mundane Pointless Things I Must Share. **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/49 "2009-07-02T15:21:14Z")
Post pictures so we can judge what suit is right for you. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/50 "2009-07-02T15:38:47Z")
Would you believe, once I found those decent swimsuits I went and lost them again? I’m packing for Florida, and I had them when we went to the Bahamas over Easter…? They’re nowhere. I found the coverup I bought at the same time, but I can’t find that “bundle of stuff you take out of your suitcase because it doesn’t need washing with the rest”. I’ll have to wear my old lady Lands End suit. ☹ I don’t mean that all Lands End suits are old lady, but I bought this one at my fattest and it depresses me. Plus, I had such a cute little retro red one. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lunar\_elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lunar\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunar_elf)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/51 "2009-07-02T15:40:34Z")
Same boat as the OP - I HATE swimsuit shopping. Plus the fact I’m nursing a 4.5month old and my already large chest is even larger. I really do like the tankini’s but the support is so lacking. I live in FL and you’d think it’d be easier to find a swimsuit, no. Everything is for the flat chested or the uber large. (I’m a normal sized gal 5’4", size 12-14…) Last night as I was looking for just a swimtop - I’d take anything I see, ‘we have YOUR SIZE D/DD.’ Oh really? Do you have my size is every other hideous pattern too? I saw some cute 1 and 2 piece suits, but at $80 a piece !!!..I didn’t even bother trying on something I’ll prob outgrow when I’m done nursing. I wanted to go eat an Auntie Ann pretzel on the way out of the mall but decided to just go buy a set of swim trunks for my hubby and hope he liked them. Hey, at least someone got a new suit! Ah, and curse shoe shopping! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/52 "2009-07-02T18:24:54Z")
Yeah, I grabbed a pair of swim-pants for my boyfriend on my way out of Target. He wasn’t even there, I just guessed “medium”. They fit just fine and have _pockets_. I could just punch him. (Could we PLEASE swing back and see some legs on some men soon, by the way?) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/53 "2009-07-02T22:00:06Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > Male type person here. I needed a new suit a couple of years ago around August, thought it would be easy. Not so. They just don’t have bathing suits that time of year. Now, if you want back-to-school clothes or even a early start on your halloween costume then August is right for you. Bathing suits are either all gone or completely picked over buy June. I see the same thing! Christmas trees will be coming, soon… ---
**Author:** ![tilde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/58956e/32.png) [@tilde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tilde)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/54 "2009-07-02T22:26:16Z")
You don’t have to buy both pieces of the swimsuit of the same style; that’s why they sell them in pieces now. One thing I’ve done is get a long sleeved Bodyglove all over shirt at Sports Authority (Target has their own knock off brand) and long pants of swim suit material that I lopped into capris (Target work out knock off stuff). Additionally, Lands End has swim skirts (or did earlier in the spring) that are boyshorts with a skirt. Target has them (again, work out clothes) as well, of light colored swimsuit material: boyshort with skirt flapping around and a pocket for tennis balls. The best swimsuit I bought was in September, though - during Hurricane Katrina in the “Mid Atlantic Coastal” area. Some expensive upscale dept store, a black one piece with boning sewn in to hold in some jiggly bits and provide a decorative swoop. A bit “older” than I in style, but not a big deal. Retailed for about eighty bucks, but being end of season I didn’t pay that much. If you find something to get you through for now, consider hitting high end stores later this year for a nice second. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/55 "2009-07-02T22:31:47Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Glad I could help! I actually think the one-piece suits are cuter than the tankinis…I’m not crazy about some of the color combinations they offer. I think the separate tops and bottoms is a great idea. That’s how they should sell all bathing suits. I know very few women who actually match sizes, top/bottom-wise. Oh, believe me, I don’t match sizes top/bottom-wise. I’m distinctly pear-shaped. But I’m even more large-shaped at the moment, and the thought of two piece makes me feel uncomfortable. There were a couple of those at Chadwick’s that look like they might be the right kind of camouflage for me. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/56 "2009-07-03T12:20:13Z")
I just spotted these at Smart Bargains. Not sure how many sizes are available, but _are they CUTE!_ [http://www.smartbargains.com/events1.aspx?ltype=5&ev=17640&deptid=9&aid=743&edid=ZG8FG6-YNVP5-OR7R25-V7Y2U-PRGPIG-v1&program=0&ls\_sid=19211477733](http://www.smartbargains.com/events1.aspx?ltype=5&ev=17640&deptid=9&aid=743&edid=ZG8FG6-YNVP5-OR7R25-V7Y2U-PRGPIG-v1&program=0&ls_sid=19211477733) Way cheap, too! ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477/57 "2009-07-03T22:05:43Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > You could always try a [burqini](http://www.flickr.com/photos/zehba/). I could totally get on board with wearing one of those. I hate applying sunscreen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-swimsuit/501477.md?page=2)