I have not gone swim suit shopping in years! I'm thinking about venturing out and taking a look this year. I would like to get an idea of what might look good on me, so I can narrow it down. I don't want to get too frustrated with it and give up. Any help/recommendations will be appreciated.

I am 5'6" 1/2 and weigh between 155-160

I am smaller on top, I wear a 36 B bra and medium shirts

I have always considered myself pear shaped and carry my weight below my waist. The pear isn't as obvious now with the weight loss. I am wearing size 10-12 pants. I am actually in between some 12's are too big, but 10's are a little tight. I am also high waisted.

I have loose skin on my inner thigh and abdomen area.

I'm thinking a swim suit that has a skirt or shorts might look the best.

Any thoughts? If you can provide a link from an online catalog that would be awesome! TIA

Kohl's has some really cute "skirtinis"
Here's one
And another

JcPenney one... this is my favorite!

There's more on their sites. They're really cute!!

Try http://www.swimsuitsforall.com

My mom just sent me a link to the Aquaterra collection at Lands End. LL Bean has collections with with skirt/short bottoms too.

Thanks for all the links. I appreciate it. I was comparing the look of the skirts to the shorts. The skirts look more slimming. Interesting.

I wear the swimsuits with the skirts and like them much more then the ones with shorts. I find the shorts to ride up a lot when wet. Of course I am not as small as you so maybe the shorts would do that to you as much.

BlueEyes Thanks for your response. Ha Ha If it can ride up, I'm sure it will ride up on me. I probably need to steer clear of those.

Last year, I bought a pair of swim shorts in the men's dept. at Target.
They have about a 6" inseam, so not too short and not too long.
I like them cause I don't have to worry about shaving my bikini line

Do you just wear a bikini top with them?

I have a tankini top that goes to the waist. It's a pattern with black, white, blue and green and the shorts are black.
I think the shorts also came in navy.

Maybe add a matching/coordinated sarong for the walk to and from the pool/beach. This is one case where adding clothing is SEXY!!

Yes! I saw some sarong's on those links and I like them!

Just keep in mind, Diana, the with the skirts, which I wear a lot, float to the top of the water when you are in, leaving you a little "exposed", especially when you have people that wear goggles under the water! I love them out of the water, but in the water, not so much. Wish they wouldn't float up like that!!! Hmmm, I wonder if I could tack it down in a couple spots?

Maybe check out the swim mini bottoms at Lands End. The "skirt" part is just sewn onto the bottom couple inches and the rest is a shirred swim bottom, so the skirt doesn't float up as much because it's only a couple inches long.

I love the Lands End swimsuits. check them out at http://www.landsend.com/