So I'm going to California next month. At least one day will include going to the beach so a bathing suit would be nice.

I was at Costco today and they had some nice looking tankinis. I decided to buy one and I took it home. Wow, the top makes me look vavavoom. It is awesome. The skirt is cute. The problem? There is about 2 inches between the top of the skirt and the bottom of the top. My belly button is in the middle of those 2 inches. If I had a smooth, non deflated balloon belly, it'd look awesome.

So I just felt a little frustrated because here is probably the first bathing suit I've ever tried out that wasn't built for a grandma and yet I have the belly of a grandma.

That is all. I'll return it and try to find a different bathing suit that won't be showing off the belly.

Aw, Nelie! I'm so sorry. But somewhere there's a suit that will be perfect for you. That silly two inch strip of skin is vastly overrated on the vavaVOOM scale. You're going to look awesome on the beach!

Nelie - I understand. All this work, and it still looks like someone popped your stomach with a pin.

It'll be a lot easier to find a swimsuit that covers that, though, than a swimsuit that could hide what used to be there.

Have you tried looking independently for a higher-waisted bottom? If you like the top half so much, it may be worth looking for a bottom that'll work with it.

I don't think I've ever 'read' Nelie 'down' ... and I don't like it!

You go find that perfect suit. You should feel as vavavoom as you usually sound.

I have an adorable tankini with skirt too, but the top comes down over the skirt so there is no belly peekage. I feel pretty va va voom in it! Swim skirts are an excellent invention!

I'm sorry, hon... I feel the same way about my belly. I haven't seen my belly button where it doesn't look like a sad mouth EVER... I'm not sure if it's the uber-stretch marks I got when I was 13 on Prednisone, or whether my fat's just deposited strangely...but I miss my belly button, and I wonder if I'll ever even see it when I'm at goal without some sort of skin-removal surgery. Even without it, I'll never have a midriff-bearing top...stretch marks are there to stay, sadly.

I'm sure you'll find a suit that just as va-va-voom! My suggestion is a halter-top style...those always make my girls look very large and in charge

I have that belly too. 3 kids and a lot of weight lost will do that, so I know how you feel. I'm nervous about letting my new boyfriend see me naked! Trying to figure out exactly how to tell him ahead of time. I mean, I've told him I've had the 3 kids and lost a lot of weight, and I told him I don't like my stomach, but the words "excess skin" haven't left my mouth, that's for sure. It's a little comforting to know that others have it too! I feel like I'm not alone at least, not that I'd wish it on anyone, you know? Hang in there girl!

Nelie - if the top makes you 'vavoom' - no one will be looking at your tummy anyway! If you feel good in it, keep it!

Nelie, let me tell you that this is NOT the only sexy swimsuit in the world for you. In fact, it was imperfect, a reject. You deserve better, a 100% great Nelie suit. And it exists. You will find another suit that flatters your assets and downplays your perceived flaws. Trust me, it won't be too difficult to do!! Besides Costco has such a limited collection........

You guys are awesome. Of course I know there are other bathing suits but I was hoping for an inexpensive one to use for a couple hours while we splish splash at the beach. I'd hope not to be at this size the next time I go visit the beach.

I also feel a bit frustrated in general with misses clothes in general. They aren't built for me. They are built for someone with a short torso, long legs, smallish arms and smaller butt/hips.

With a bathing suit, I expect to be a bit unhappy with my upper arms and thighs but I didn't expect to be disappointed with the tummy.

Nelie, where in California are you coming to? I am in San Diego. I can tell you all the best vegan places and so on. I'm a native. I would love to meet you!

Sorry about the tummy feelings. I have them too. Don't get me started on the sad feelings about the boobs going too, after I get down to your weight!

It took me forever to find a bathing suit that I liked. It's a one piece, but certainly not built for a grandma! have you tried Macy's?? They have a ton of cute ones there, including the one I got. It will be a little pricier, but the way I see it, it's a worthwhile investment- bathing suits can last years! And if you feel beautiful in it, it will be even more worth it. We all want you to be happy!! Keep looking- you'll find your perfect suit.

I know how you feel. I did the new tankini thing this week as well and although the size 16 fits well it just seems to accentuate all the 'rolls' that have been left from weightloss. I look like Michelin woman with midriff roll, belly roll and love handles. 70lbs plus ago I didn't go in and out, now I'm in and out in too many places!

I can however recommend Landsend if you don't want to do the exposed middle as the top of my tankini is plenty long enough to meet up with the bottoms.

Kitty

I agree about Land's End-the suits are great and they have some that will hold everything in place lol. Try the overstock section-tons of suits there for unbelievable prices! Last year I got a $100 suit for about 35 or 40 bucks.

I only wanted a bathing suit to last for 1 or 2 days as I hope to be going down sizes by the next time I wear a bathing suit.

I did get another bathing suit but it may be a bit too va va voom for me but it covers the belly