I haven't been in a swimsuit for 4 years but begin to think about one for next summer. What I have been trying to spot is a one piece with a little skirt - tops of legs not ever too good and (tmi alert) rampant fupa problems!

I know high end expensive catalogues sell them but I've been looking without success in the cheaper ranges, as it wouldn't get That much wear, just be good to have.

I have bathing suits, not a problem. The problem has been buying a wet suit. I got one and it has no room for my DD chest in it. I suppose only boys and waifs are suppose to surf :(

I don't understand swimsuit sizing.
I'm usually an 8 or 10 in clothes, but I was trying on size 12 and 14 swimsuits and Kohl's and they didn't fit.
I got disgusted and left--empty handed :(

I recently decided to get just a bikini top (for when i am doing some gardening). I am very white skinned and I don't really get a tan but I hate how my forearms do get a bit of tan and my upper arms are all white if I wear short-sleeved T's. Well I ditched all the short-sleeved T's (because they were all rather tent-like) and I either garden in tank tops or now in the bikini top.

It was quite an ordeal to find something though. I went to Zehrs and yes all the bikini tops have the soft cups - none with underwire. I did buy one but then I went to WalMart and found a similar one, all black (I don't need a big butterfly over one boob, especially not over the BIGGER boob LOL) but it is also soft-cupped. Since it was $13 or so I bought it (and I burned my back in it on Saturday).
But I hate that most stores have the bikini tops and bottoms as sets (i.e. you cannot buy the top in size 10 and the bottom in size 6, for example). I think the stores are seriously limiting their options as to who will shop there (unless they all cater to teenagers who tend to be more uniformly sized although I would bet it must be difficult for some of them as well).

Mindi,
I am surprised that you had such a hard time since we are very similar in size - I am 5'8.5" as well and my starting weight was 209. Although I still have boobs, I guess that's the difference. I never liked tankinis myself.
Often, I think that one piece bathing suit is a nice option as you get everything tucked in and one doesn't have to worry about stretched skin in the midsection etc.

Sorry Mindi,
I didn't realized that you are now 140 lbs. Wow - kudos to you!!!

Thanks...I tried to stop at 160, but the last several months of my weight loss things got weird. I wouldn't lose a POUND all month, then at the end of my TOM I'd drop 5 or 6 pounds at a time that wouldn't come back. So when I tried to start maintaining, I had a heck of a time finding my maintenance calories because I couldn't tell for a month at a time if I was doing ok...hence another 20 pounds over four months of trying to figure it out...

I remember having boobs at 160...crazy how big a difference 20 pounds makes in that area...

Victoria's Secret has tons of options with tons of support. I know two girls who got their tankinis from VS and their boobs look magnificent :)

This has been a really helpful thread. I might brave the stores again and see what I find.

Mindi- It's amazing how often you post things that I could have written. Thanks!

Hmmm, my problem is my LOWER body, (I'm one of the "Pear People.") This year I ended up buying a bikini, but I also got a big, light scarf to tie around my waist, (which hangs down to my knees. Perfect!) :D

I may not break down and BUY a bathing suit this Thursday when I go shopping again, since we may not even end up swimming Saturday after all (and I'm covered for that with the top and shorts I bought) but I'm at least going to try some on. I want to get into a few with an underwire bra top and see how things "hold up." Just for self-esteem purposes....

I didn't even think about VS Mindi, but they do have a lot of suits with underwire support, and some push up padding even. They also sell the tankini tops separate from the bottoms.

Try Fashion Bug (if you have one near you...or you can check out their website). They have one pieces and tankinis with skirt bottoms in both plus and misses sizes and they're around $40-50.

My problem with Victoria's Secret so far has been that I can't get bras the size I need in-store...I need a 32C to hold all the skin, and none of the in-store styles fit. I've gotta order online...wonder if it'd be the same with swimsuits?

Yes, I think you do have to order online, most stores don't carry the swimwear or clothes. I would also check out department stores like Macy's.

Personally, I lucked out and found a tankini top at Target that holds my 34Bs quite well, but I wouldn't go down any water slides in it! ;)

I know that this is one issue that I have already and am quite certain it's one that will get worse as the weight comes off. I'm sorry you got upset.