can we talk about bathing suits?

[CloudBee]

I was on the Land's End website, and came across these crop legging swim bottoms.  s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/Coolibar/03235_001_1?hei=480&wid=320&op_sharpen=1&align=0.0,1.0

Then I thought "is this a thing?"  Swim coverage cuter than board shorts, and not one of those ill fitting skirts that flies up when you get in the water and makes you look like you have a bubble butt?

I actually prefer the item in the Land's End link above, but they aren't available in my size right now.  A quick Google search and I came up with the pieces below on another site.  I would wear with a tankini top or rash guard top.  The Athleta site even has "swim capris".  Mind blown.  I think they would be more flattering than board shorts?

Am I going to stick out like a sore thumb at the beach if I wear these?  Any other suggestions on flattering swimwear that doesn't expose much?  I dislike boy short bottoms.  They make me look very square in that area.  The length of the shorts and crops below are appealing.

I don't like wearing bathing suits in public.  I'm also very pale, so I'll embrace any coverage I can get.  My normal go to when we travel or hit a pool/beach is a bikini layered with surf shorts and a rash guard top. 









Here's what I normally look like when I'm headed to the beach.  (Minus the cardiac wires attached at my waist - those are gone now.)



ETA:  I surf and snorkel, and don't spend much time laying in the sun relaxing, FWIW.  If I'm relaxing by the pool I'm under an umbrella.

[ijack]

those are horrible, I'm sorry.

[CloudBee]

You can't offer me anything better?

[CloudBee]

I'm surprised you all like the board shorts look with that logo top. I always feel like it's not feminine enough. While I'm not comfortable in ruffles and regular bikinis, I do wish I had less sporty options.

[CloudBee]

Jul 10, 2014 14:32:30 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Anything with more coverage on the bottom than your board shorts is not going to make you look more feminine.

Are you opposed to one-piece bathing suits? There are lots of great options out there now.

Paired with board shorts?  I hadn't thought of that.  But it expands my options.

I like to have my thighs covered.  I know this may sound really weird to most of you.  But I'm one of those who feels like I'm walking around in my underwear when I'm wearing a bikini.  I don't feel comfortable.

[raangoli]

I wear a tankini top and then shorts sort of like this, but they're actually longer and don't look like they're sold anymore: athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=97474&vid=1&pid=413982102

I am sure people just think I am wearing shorts and a tank top, but that's where my comfort zone is re: bathing suits. I totally get how you feel about feeling like you're in your underwear, but those capris are not the answer.

[emilyinchile]

Your current look is definitely sporty, but I don't think that's a bad thing! You look cute. Athleta has some swim skirts that might make you feel more feminine and that look pretty fitted (so maybe not the style you're saying you dislike?), but honestly with both those and what you posted, it looks to me more like they're running or yoga gear that you just decided to wear in the water. The swim skirts seem less like that than these capri/skirt combos though.

[CloudBee]

Okay, I'll pull out a swim skirt and see if I have any old one pieces I can try them out with.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be cancelling my order for those, um, leggings.

[Deleted]

If you're going to go down that road, might as well just put on a wet suit.

[ijack]

what about bottoms like this that are a little sexier?
shop.nordstrom.com/s/la-blanca-skirted-hipster-bikini-bottoms/3421085?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1026&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_C

[rootbeerfloat]

Ditto raangoli. I like Athleta swim shorts... swimsuit material and have a built in bikini, so I prefer them to board shorts, though I'm pro-board shorts, too. (I'm a lazy groomer, lol.)

I'm not a fan of what you posted or swim skirts.

[gt7301b]

Jul 10, 2014 14:27:51 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Also if I saw that on the beach I would assume you were some yogi with a shitastic sense of direction who had wandered from her yoga mat and when I saw you get into the ocean I'd probably think you were lost and needed immediate help and I would come to your rescue.

[CloudBee]

Jul 10, 2014 14:47:58 GMT -5 v said:

If you're going to go down that road, might as well just put on a wet suit.

If I wouldn't look out of place, I would.

But alas, only when the water is chilly or I'm surfing on a reef and need to protect my shins/elbows.

[CloudBee]

Jul 10, 2014 14:49:23 GMT -5 ijack said:

what about bottoms like this that are a little sexier?
shop.nordstrom.com/s/la-blanca-skirted-hipster-bikini-bottoms/3421085?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1026&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_C

I like! But I wonder if it would give me a case of sausage thighs.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2014 14:58:21 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Jul 10, 2014 14:47:58 GMT -5 v said:

If you're going to go down that road, might as well just put on a wet suit.

If I wouldn't look out of place, I would.

But alas, only when the water is chilly or I'm surfing on a reef and need to protect my shins/elbows.

Even without a board, that still looks more in place to me than whatever Land's End is selling does.

[countthestars]

I vote for one piece + those athlete shorts. Those look cute and feminine!

[Susie]

I agree that your existing board short + rash guard ensemble is better than any of the alternatives you posted.

You could try some more feminine and matched board short/bathing suit combinations.  Title Nine has some stuff that's cute.

www.titlenine.com/category/swim/shop+all.do

Lots of mix & match tankini tops, bikini tops one-piece suits, board shorts, skirts, and rash guards.

[genet313]

Can you find something like 2 with just the skirt and not the pants underneath?  That would give you thigh coverage if you're worried (although from  your pic, I don't see why).  But would not be, um, heinous.  

ETA:  I only wear them in bikram classes, so sweating but not full water, but have you tried looking at hot yoga-specific shorts?  They make some really cute shorts that have pulls on the side so you can adjust them to be slightly more flattering.   Try Shakti yoga for an idea.

[sa]

You have a really cute shape, and one that I wouldn't try to cover up, but I understand not feeling comfortably being more exposed.

That being said, I really don't like the options you posted..at all. I do think you would stick out on the beach wearing those (especially the shorts version - not good).

I've seen some cute and feminine surf suits/rash guard one pieces:

www.wetsandsurfshop.com/Seea-Womens-White-Dots-Hermosa-One-Piece-Booty-Suit_p_4470.html

www.swimoutlet.com/searchresults.asp?Search=surfsuit&checkRealSearchInput=Y

I like the seea hermosa style best.

I think you could easily pair them with a cute pair of Roxy board shorts:

www.roxy.com/board-shorts

[salliekate]

If you want something a little more feminine, you could get a rash guard from Land's End (on my phone so can't link right now) and wear it with the shorts in the picture.

[definitelyO]

I saw someone wearing that bottom at Costco today and I couldn't figure out what it was? skirt to cover her bum in leggings? workout wear? I had no idea she was wearing a swimsuit!!

[definitelyO]

Jul 10, 2014 17:33:38 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Jul 10, 2014 17:31:00 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

I saw someone wearing that bottom at Costco today and I couldn't figure out what it was? skirt to cover her bum in leggings? workout wear? I had no idea she was wearing a swimsuit!!

There is workout wear with leggings and skirt attached. I've seen them at target and athleta I think. She probably wasn't wearing a swimsuit.

ah - thank you!  then they both look the same and I agree with everyone else that cloudbee would look great in something different that prior posters have linked. 

[dcrunnergirl52]

What about something like this?

www.landsend.com/products/womens-aquaterra-stencil-scoopneck-tankini-top/id_263749

I wear something similar to this (bought a few years ago from Lands End) at the pool b/c I hate my thighs, so this gives me more coverage on the bottom. I also like that before or after we go to the pool, I can throw a t-shirt on over my swimsuit and run into Target or just hang out at home and still be comfy and decent. It's also perfect for the recent rash of pool parties/splash park parties that the kids have been invited to where I don't really feel like being totally on display in front of the other parents.

[h]

I think this LE rash guard is reasonably cute. I would just do a rash guard top and bikini bottom, then pull on shorts when you want more coverage.

[h]

www.landsend.com/products/take-to-the-waves/id_268805

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2014 14:58:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Jul 10, 2014 14:49:23 GMT -5 ijack said:

what about bottoms like this that are a little sexier?
shop.nordstrom.com/s/la-blanca-skirted-hipster-bikini-bottoms/3421085?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1026&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_C

I like! But I wonder if it would give me a case of sausage thighs.

Seriously? You have a really cute figure.

[aurora]

You've gotten a lot of recommendations already obviously, but I agree - since you asked - that your board shorts/rash guard top are actually cuter than what you posted. Of course, I tend to be drawn to athletic-looking swimwear.

There appear to be a number of swim shorts and skirts on sale at Athleta right now, though admittedly most are fairly short. See for example athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=97474&vid=1&pid=983912012. Athleta also has swim tights.

The selection might be even more to your taste at Title Nine, which has distinctly feminine board shorts. I like these: www.titlenine.com/product/655201.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=fn#.U781-LGmXfU. They generally do a fair amount of mix and match, and I think they are higher quality than Athleta.

[CloudBee]

Man, I really thought I found something amazing. Apparently not.

I think I'm going to keep the order standing, try on the crazy getup when it arrives, just so I have no regrets. Maybe just regrets that now I have to return the thing.

Land's End is great with exchanges and returns, so that's probably a great place to start.

I already have a ton of board shorts and rash guards from surfing, so at least I have that to fall back on.

[Deleted]

I like the one piece with board shorts idea. I hate the stuff you posted. Sorry...

I personally put self-tanner on my legs (and really, all over) so I don't feel uncomfortable in the summer. It hides cellulite really well. I have a good shape but some cellulite and purple leg veins and the tanner helps SO much. You don't necessarily seem like you'd go for that but just wanted to put it out there in case!

[CloudBee]

Jul 10, 2014 21:00:00 GMT -5 @kar said:

You look great in what you posted. And you SURF - you are sporty and athletic! I agree that a rash guard from Lands End/Title Nine/Athleta may be a bit more feminine looking, but I think you are dressed just fine for the beach. The skirt-capris look like running pants to me.

Ha! We live near the water but don't have adequate waves, so I don't get to surf often enough. I have a brand new board hanging up that I received when pregnant, and has yet to touch the water. Not in shape right now!

I haven't even heard of Title Nine. I'll have to check it out!