the perfect Swimsuit

Stop the presses - I have found the perfect swim suit;

·      If you’re Size 12 and Up 

·      If you’re Big on Top 

·      If You Have a Wide Waist 

·      If you’re Bottom Heavy 

·      If You Have a Long Torso 

·      If you’re Small on Top 

·      If You Want to Take Inches Off

 

Penningtons

The Tankini!   This two piece suit allows one flexibility and choice.  Want your top to be soft and floral, abstract and fierce or pared down?  Looking for support that is light, medium or firm – with or without underwire?  Straps – you can choose halter, criss cross, thick, spaghetti or none at all! Bottoms – available in skirt, boy leg, and brief leg and high cut.  What a variety of options.  For a swimmer I would recommend a close filling top with lots of spandex so it does not float up while you are swimming.

 

Additionelle
 

Serious lap swimmers will probably want to have at least one active Swim suit.  Speedo has long been the top brand however the largest size I can source is size 22.  Addition Elle has a suit perfect for swimming laps! Sporty 1-piece features flattering princess seams and athletic back with plastic closure. Inner bra with power mesh and molded foam cups, and zipper detail at front will keep the girls locked and loaded, $79.99

 



Penningtons
 

Plus Size Ombré twisted swimdress, Penningtons $80 Inner bra with power mesh and molded foam cups,Great looking straps can be crossed at back for extra support - good for active or passive activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

modcloth
 

Should you be a curvy girl with great firm legs blossoming from you trunk, there are fabulous retro suits.  In fact a black retro suit from Lane Bryant has already sold out!  I found a cute cherry print ($90) from http://www.modcloth.com.

 

My figure now resembles Ursula the Octopus in the Little Mermaid with all of my weight just jiggling there in front. Therefore I was thrilled when a number of years ago when  I discovered the swim dress.

 

Addition Elle 2012

For my needs a swimsuit must have a good underwire bra, wide supportive straps and a fuller skirt. However the skirt should reach no longer than my fingertips.  I find the ones with the long skirts very off putting; I am going to swim in the pool with my grandkids not go to church.  My 2012 suit was from Addition Elle, is still in good shape and works for me.

 

Moi in the Walmart suit

Then there is my daughter who believes “go cheap or go home” and never would pay $100 for a swim suit.  Wal-Mart has one basic black swim dress, $36.00 no description. However both of our Walmart suits have swam and wore well!

 

To close, here are a few suits I would never wear, what do you think?

Actually, she looks great!

Bad Colour blocking
 

Model loves this suit - sunshine colours!


Please leave a comment or a question and happy days in or around the water.

 

Next to the skin – the Reg Grundys

Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle.

 

Women's undergarments collectively are called lingerie. They also are called intimate clothing and intimates. Not wearing underwear under outer clothing is known in American slang as freeballing for men or freeboobing for women, or as going commando for either sex. Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle. (Wikipedia)

Now those skinny minis may get away with freeboobing or going commando however if you are a plus size or past you thirties it is a choice I would not recommend.  When asked why they choose not to wear a bra, freeboobing, women reply “I cannot get a bra that fits” or “they hurt, or are uncomfortable”.   Really ladies after your shoes, what is the first thing you take off when you get home?

How I hated this!

In the eighth grade I went from a little pudge to a 36D and I hated it!  My clothes did not fit, the boys kept looking at my chest and the crude ones called me “General Dairies”. To make matters worse the bras my friends wore did not contain my chest and the Playtex white, all cotton, circle bra was my lingerie!  I hated them, they dug in, and the white turned grimy and worse of all the straps wore furrows in my shoulders.




 

note the sectioned cup
 

The years few by, I grew up and so did bra manufactures.  Enter the underwire, support from below, no more raw shoulders.  Trial and error showed that I did best with a seamed cup; I have since learned that I have balloon breasts and that smooth one piece cup does nothing for me. Playtex Women’s Secrets Signature Floral Underwire Bra   was my best fit for over twenty years, then I gained weight and their largest size did not fit.

 

 



My Elomi as a better fit
fully containing brest
 

Attempting to find a suitable bra became my passion, I purchased from the sublime to the absurd.  Some received one wearing and was passed on.  My chief issue was not finding a large enough bra but one that fit in snug between my breasts, and laid flat on my breast bone.  Then I discovered The Girls Bra Shop Inc. for quality bras, expert bra fitting and foundational garments. They are located in: Rothesay, NB and St. John's, NFL -Rothesay 1.888.344.9393/ St. John's 1.877.719.6338.  Here I purchased an Elomi bra – beautiful, expensive and it fit.   I have treated her with care and almost five years later she looks like new.  However my illnesses has progressed, and edema and weight gain have played havoc with fit.

 

 

 

the Intimates comfort bra

Enter Penningtons and their Intimates comfort bra, ahhh…  It holds them up, I can tuck them in, and this bra does not dig in.

Made of 95% nylon and 5% Spandex it has the look and feel of Wick away cotton and definitely breathes. 

Unfortunately, Penningtons do not seem to be currently carrying this bra.  I did find a very similar one at their sister store Addition Elle.

 
Do I get the same frontal look as my Elomi or the Playtex?   No, but I am covered and respectable. I have the Intimate comfort bra in all three sizes and treat them with as much respect as the expensive girls.  Never, ever put a bra in the dryer. Strive to wash your bras by hand; if you must machine wash put each one in a lingerie bag and wash on gentle and cold or warm water.

The best way to purchase a bra is at a reputable specialized or department stores.  Sales staff is trained to measure and fit.  However if the size they measure does not feel comfortable, try a size or a cup size up or down and try a variety of styles.  Purchasing a bra is not for the faint hearted.  At http://brayola.com you can take a photo of yourself in your favorite bra, upload it to them and their experts will analyze your fit.  And yes, you can crop your head!

Panties, knickers, undies and one piece foundations deserve a blog of their own.  Leave me your bra woes and wishes.  An expert once told me that women often change in their bra size every six months; now isn’t that enough to make you go freeboobing!   Please leave your comments and questions.

 

this gal might have a great body, but ...
She needs a better bra!
(and yes I think this has been photoshopped!)