Bathing suit help?

[kittywitty]

I need a new bathing suit. I am 5 months pg and don't like tankinis at all and can't find a decent maternity one that doesn't make me look like a beached whale. I am about 140 lbs. right now. Anyone have good luck with either of these non-maternity bathing suits?

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...d=1&pid=752579
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...scid=731844032

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produc...0002&cid=54276
(This is a maternity one, but one of the few that I haven't tried on or look like my previous ones).

ETA: I'm not worried about boob support. I'm only a C-D and usually go bra-free.

[rightkindofme]

I bought the smallest bikini I have ever owned in my life. Nothing about maternity suits looks comfortable and who really cares if someone sees my stretch marks.

[kittywitty]

Yeah, I don't care about the stretch marks. But my butt seems huge this time!

I think I'm going to get this and this.

[paintedfire]

I'm struggling with this one right now. I don't have a problem with bikinis - I've just never worn one. My abdomen is covered in surgical scars from when I was a kid and then from a car accident two years ago, so I'm extremely self-conscious about it. DF and I are honeymooning in Puerto Rico in August so I know I'll need a need bathing suit but have no idea what I'm going to do.

[kittywitty]

I also have a large scar-like a bikini c-section scar, and a lapy scar. I am self-conscious about it, but when pg, nobody usually notices. I love the one pieces above and prefer them, I'm just not sure that they would cover my belly and I have no Old Navy around me for hours.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I also have a large scar-like a bikini c-section scar, and a lapy scar. I am self-conscious about it, but when pg, nobody usually notices. I love the one pieces above and prefer them, I'm just not sure that they would cover my belly and I have no Old Navy around me for hours.

Eh. My scars are a wee bit more extensive. Actually, they're more like railroad tracks. I've even had laser treatments done on them to help with their appearance, but my results were minimal at best.

I know they're nothing to be ashamed of - I'm not. Really. I just don't like the stares.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

Eh. My scars are a wee bit more extensive. Actually, they're more like railroad tracks. I've even had laser treatments done on them to help with their appearance, but my results were minimal at best.

I know they're nothing to be ashamed of - I'm not. Really. I just don't like the stares.

I understand that. I had surgery on my neck and a lot of people stared for a long time and asked me horrible questions about whether I had been abused or had my throat slit. I can totally understand what you're talking about.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I understand that. I had surgery on my neck and a lot of people stared for a long time and asked me horrible questions about whether I had been abused or had my throat slit. I can totally understand what you're talking about.

Geez. I don't understand how people can be so insensitive. I'm sorry that anyone ever asked you those things.

Most of mine actually are from abuse, kind of. My mother abused me and that's what caused my "accident" when I was a kid. I had four surgeries in a week while I was in a coma and had to have many more after I woke up - for years afterward. Then the car accident I had two years ago - a drunk driver slammed into me at night - landed me back in the OR.

In emergency situations doctors generally don't concern themselves with aesthetics - as well they shouldn't. I'm very thankful to even be alive, let alone to be able to concern myself with something as trivial as a bathing suit - the stories that are behind the scars are not for people I don't know, however. (I don't consider MDC as a whole an unknown - you ladies feel like my soul mates.)

Long story short, I got really into vintage-style swimsuits years ago. In addition to covering up the scars they're super-pretty and make me feel like a movie star from the 50s. But with a pregnant belly - once I get one that is - they're probably not going to work so well. I'm trying to decide if now is the time to be brave or not.

[kittywitty]

I am so sorry.

I do love retro bathing suits. Etsy has some great retro ones. I was looking for some when I found out I was pg, and I agree, probably would not work while pg. Too bad! There needs to be a retro-style maternity swimsuit maker.

[Chloe'sMama]

I am doing my same bikini and wearing a long tank over it. I don't think I will even wear the tank when in family pools...

[laughymama]

I threw caution to the wind and modesty out the window once I got big and round. None of the maternity suits I tried on worked well. The tankinis just looked ridiculous on me.

Maybe it's my body type? I'm fairly short (5'2) so sometimes things just make me look squat and silly.

I bought a normal bikini. I wear a tank/t-shirt over it sometimes if the pool has a lot of people there. Most people there are other moms and it's nice, no one stares or even bats an eye.

[kalamos23]

When I was huge in the summer with DD (July baby) I wore a bikini - however this time around, I'll be just pregnant enough to not look pregnant, plus I burn like crazy so DH suggested a surfer girl top / rashguard and board shorts. It has the added bonus of sun protection!

[~Adorkable~]

i hope i show and get to wear a bikini this summer or on our possible vacation in oct for sure, im going to treat this as a blessing and the only time in many many years i will not be feeling like i need to suck it all in for a change, so itty bitty yellow polkadots here i come!!! (ok maybe red stripes instead, i dont really like yellow.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I am so sorry.

I do love retro bathing suits. Etsy has some great retro ones. I was looking for some when I found out I was pg, and I agree, probably would not work while pg. Too bad! There needs to be a retro-style maternity swimsuit maker.

Oh, no sorries are necessary, but thanks all the same. It's just what's happened in my life. I'm a magnet for huge, traumatic events it seems. Murphy's got nothing on me.

But you're absolutely right - someone totally needs to get on this. Retro bathing suits are a niche market to begin with. Maternity retro-inspired bathing suits? Total domination just waiting to happen. I'm going to write this down to mention to a designer friend of mine. He probably won't be much help, but he might know people who'll find the idea interesting.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

Oh, no sorries are necessary, but thanks all the same. It's just what's happened in my life. I'm a magnet for huge, traumatic events it seems. Murphy's got nothing on me.

But you're absolutely right - someone totally needs to get on this. Retro bathing suits are a niche market to begin with. Maternity retro-inspired bathing suits? Total domination just waiting to happen. I'm going to write this down to mention to a designer friend of mine. He probably won't be much help, but he might know people who'll find the idea interesting.

Ha! I know the feeling about Murphy. Dh considers me a walking bad luck charm. Too bad I won't be pg when they (and if) they get designed. That would be so awesome.

[GreenMomPhD]

I actually have the Old Navy maternity suit that you posted- the third link. I have used it since about 20 weeks and its getting a bit tight now at 36 weeks, but it's sill fine.

I have used it a lot for aquacise about twice a week and washed it a lot too. It has held up nicely. I would have preferred more support in the bust, but it isn't awful. I find it comfortable and I definitely like the bikini style, b/c I have to got to the bathroom a lot! So, I'd definitely recommend that one.

[moonjunio]

Old Navy and Gap used to have free returns for online maternity - look into it, it was very helpful for me :-)

I agree that bikinis are easy, and a stretchy tank or other coverup would probably be fine in the water if you can't find a good one piece. I like that you can order different sizes for bikini tops and bottoms, and it certainly opens up your selection options.

[ILoveMySofie]

Kittywitty!

I actually bought the exact suit you posted the link to at old navy (the one piece with ruffle at chest). I tried it on at the store and decided the only way I could really tell if I liked it was to take it home and try in front of my own mirror. I bought it in powder cocoa color. The color is gorgeous, like a lighter golden brown and I thought it was very flattering (i have olive skin tone). Anyway, I ended up NOT liking the suit because I found that instead of hugging my body right under the chest/going to belly it sort of "sat" on top and because of that it made me look way bigger than I am. It also felt kind of restrictive. I am 130 lbs right now and ugh cant remember if I had the suit in medium or large. Anyway I took it back to the store.

What I ended up getting is a bright yellow bikini (not old navy, i got a juicy couture bikini from a local store where they were on sale for $22-really cheap compare to what they usually are). After trying on tons of one pieces from Gap etc I found the bikini to be the least restrictive and most comfy of all. If we are going to a place with many people then I throw on a tank top over the bikini and get in the water like that.

[ada]

I've been spending nearly everyday swimming this summer and gone to the beach so many times that I've lost count. Everyone has been able to see my pasty stomach. I live in Houston, so I went with a bikini because I want the least fabric on my body as possible. Who cares what other people thing? It's hot and I don't like to sweat.

[huggingmama]

I bought a halter top maternity tankini and I feel so uncomfortable in it. I haven't gained much weight this pregnancy but my breasts are much larger and I can't find the support I need.

Why aren't there good underwire maternity suits???

So I've given up on maternity suits. I'm sticking with my maternity swim trunks, which are comfy, and I went out and bought an XL black tank top that I can wear in the water with a sports bra. Most of my vacationing next month will be at the lake with very low-maintenance family members. I'll be doing a lot of chasing after my 4-year-old in the lake water, so it's going to work for me.