I will be leaving for my Costa Rica vacation in less than a month, and I desperately in need of a new swimsuit for the occasion. I don’t think I’ve owned anything that wasn’t a Speedo one-piece since I started competitive swimming at the age of 8. I’ve never thought of owning a suit that was good for more than just laps in the pool, but now that I’ve lost some weight and going somewhere special I would like something that is also flattering and cute. Ideas people? Where to shop? What styles? I’m just lost and I know if I don’t start thinking about this now I am going to end up on the beach in my lap swimming suit and envious of everyone else’s cuteness.

Thanks for your help!

I suggest a tankini 2 piece. I have one, and I love it. I have a "tanktop" cut top, but its an actual swimsuit top, and the bottoms are shorts, also swimsuit material. It's an actual swimsuit, but it covers more, but yet still lets me have that "hey im wearing a 2 piece" feeling lol. lol. They're really cute! Or if you're feeling a little more confident, you could go for a cute 2 piece normal bikini....They make some super cute swimsuits. Walmart has some great ones. Try old navy too. Good luck

There might be some ideas for you on this thread: Bathing Suit. Good luck!

I recommend the tankini too. I got one last year from Gap. I hear Land's End bathing suits are nice, although I've never had one from there.

Thanks for the quick replies, and for linking that other thread Meg! I do like the tankini idea, I am in no way ready to fully bear my belly to the world yet so the traditional bikini is a bit too much. I am sort of lusting after this suit http://www.suerice.com.au/catalogue/category18/p133, but it is over $150 USD before shipping or anything, yikes!

thats really cute. im sure you can find a cheaper one somewhere ive seen that around here often, but its not anywhere near 150$ lol

I think Lands End has a very similar suit, as does Target. Nowhere near $150! That's really cute, tho. But not $150 cute.

Mel

If you are confident in your newly emerging body-Venus is a brand of swimwear they sell online, and they have all of the different tops, bottoms, and accessories. They are GORGEOUS suits-and you can have one size for the top, one for the bottom, and so forth if you are hard to fit. They also sell the matching skirts/sarongs, t-shirts, hair accessories, and all that if you want to accessorize on your outing. You basically pick your color/pattern, and they will have all of the different items in that color. You can have a thong suit, boyshorts, a bikini bottom-whatever style bottom (or top) you are comfortable with in every pattern.

If you are still a little on the shy side, I TOTALLY recommend suits by "It Figures". They sell them at Fashion Bug, and other places online-and you can get them on Ebay as well. They are made to hide or flatter certain areas-such as a trimming the tummy area...camoflauging big buns/thighs/supporting a big bust, and so forth. They are better made, and made to better flatter than a lot of suits at Wal-Mart, etc.

Good luck!

Aphil