Way to burst onto the scene with the most helpful post ever as the debut of Big Undies! I will now not be doing any work today and instead will be clicking each link to find my next suit. Thanks for doing the leg work!
What Lucy wrote!!! This newsletter is what Sarah McClachlan was singing about in Better Than Ice Cream.
I sunburn quickly so like long-sleeve swim tops, often worn over a suit. I also like to swim in open water—not vigorously, but for a while—so some boob support and sturdy straps are great. If anyone sees anything like that in their travels, whistle my way!
I have a print of it up in my office at RISD and a lot of folks have thoughtfully been reading it and doing some internal work, thanks for making this piece!
What a great resource! I recently bought a new suit from Coral Reef Swim on recommendation from @maxeygreene, and I love it? I’ve been looking for high-waisted ribbed bottoms and a very specific length top of not a tankini but not a bikini and I found it there with their Wave bottoms and Destination top. Unfortunately they only go up to XXXL. I’m anywhere from a 20-24 these days and the XXXL was the size I went with in both.
I really love my Nettle’s Tale but I need to find a bigger top. The one I have is the collab they had with Free Label and the top is just too compressive sometimes. I find it so so difficult to find bras for REALLY big boobs.
what I really want is a top that supports my large breasts. I've had good luck with lands end, but I keep seeing newer styles that I wish worked for me. I know more and more folks are just rolling with the less supportive tops for their breasts, and seriously I'm here for that! but for me, especially for summer styles, I want more fabric to separate my skin and prevent sweatburns (idk what to call it) and chaffing and just it helps me feel cooler.
I'd honestly love a one piece that has shorts, sleeves, and a zipper, AND something supportive up top. I want the dream of sun protection, chafing reduction, and sexy lol. anyone seen anything like this? (or even not super supportive but is maybe an extra layer that goes under them but also doesn't pull down the top? I've literally never met a shelf bra that could do this so I'm not super hopeful, but it seems like something that would be easier for brands to do than building long lasting actual support? idk)
yes, though finding a sports bra that fits and that I can breathe in is a whole other journey lol
but now you say that, I have a sports bra style top I got from torrid a few years ago that may work for this purpose. I'm also open to top and bottoms as separates. bottoms are relatively easy for me--I can get them at lands end--but I haven't found the top that really seems to work for this situation yet
Extremely excited to delve into the wetsuit spreadsheet and explore Movefatgirl's details! thank you for providing this vital resource in big undies as we approach our water seasons🙏
Oh my gosh, SOOO much good stuff!!!!! I really don't go anywhere to swim much, but am going to start trying (also maybe water aerobics, to see if it will help my pain, etc). I love that you posted these pics, and think you both looked really, really great in everything! I bought a top and bottom separately, and I got really lucky in that they both fit perfectly, but I'm probably going to get another suit after combing through all these recs! :D Here's what I got, from Target: The top: https://www.target.com/p/evans---women-s-plus-size-hanky-print-tankini-top---black-ripple---20w/-/A-87230363
PSA: the lands end swim is 60% off this weekend. I just bought the suit Corinne highlighted here for under $50 -- excited about the front zip and hope it works for me!
Love this post so much!! I've been curious about that swim romper for a long time, and my question is, what does it feel like in the water? I like the look and I like the idea of more coverage, but when you're actually swimming, does it weigh you down? I bought a swim dress from Old Navy last year and it was cute, but felt hampered by all the fabric around my legs when I was swimming. Lands End continues to be my go-to. This year, I bought some high-waisted bottoms with a tankini top. I'm two sizes smaller on top than on the bottom 🍐 so my white whale would be a one piece that offers any kind of support on top and doesn't leave my boobs to flop around. What I don't love about a tankini is that I find I'm often tugging it down the whole time I'm in the water because it doesn't stay put, so I long for a one piece.
So I didn't try the romper in the water, but the outer romper material was pretty lightweight. I do imagine it would billow out though, and would definitely be annoying when you get out of the water. Inside of the romper is essentially just a bikini top and bottom which are sewn to the outer romper part. It's definitely designed with modesty in mind and not fluid dynamics.
The different size on top / bottom is a real conundrum for one pieces!! I would wonder about something like youswim that is specifically designed to span multiple sizes - but it's definitely not super supportive.
Will do! I have lilly white skin (i.e. "I like your white tights" lol 😄) so I normally opt for more coverage to decrease the amount of skin I need to slather in sunscreen, but the bikini top might be more comfortable overall? I'll let you know!
I didn’t like the swim shorts I had for the same reason~they held so much water. I also agree with the tankini top floating up in the water. It’s annoying.
I'm still searching for a cute cheeky high waisted bikini ever since I saw someone around my size in a super hot black bikini on a jersey shore beach. Having a big booty and small waist makes it so hard to find a high rise bottom that doesn't droop in the waist area. Very excited to peruse some of these recommendations. On a different note, I do still really love my gabifresh x swimsuits for all sheer long sleeved purple floral one piece which I wore to a friend's many pool parties/Barbie party last year as well as on a family labor day beach vacation. Sadly the one thing they don't warn you about mesh long sleeves is how sand will get caught in them and WILL NOT come out lol
Ooooh I’m interested in this high waisted cheeky bikini when you find it! The gabifresh stuff is soooo gorgeous and I’m definitely keeping an eye on her new venture. Virginia and I talked about this a bit on the podcast (coming tomorrow!) but so much plus size swim stuff is just not at all practical. Like it’s designed for looking hot as opposed to actually dealing with sand or chasing kids or even just swimming.
It really is! That's why a lot of the time I just opt for something boring that doesn't necessarily feel me because at least it's functional? There are so many bad swimsuits out there...
I would look at the Kitty and Vibe site! They have at least one style that I think fits this description—Nicole Byer did a line of suits with them last year and i remember seeing her in some cute more high-waist/cheeky looks.
OH MY GOSH, thank you so much for mentioning her! I literally had a note to myself in a draft of this post that was "remember the name of the person that makes the custom suits in Texas" and despite scrolling through all my Instagram follows and doing some Googling I couldn't find her. Thank you!
OMG THIS IS AMAZING! Yes I did jump the gun and already ordered three from swimwear for all, so I'm set for this year, but next year I'll wait for what I hope will be an annual feature on this before I order!!
I would love a swimsuit that didn’t give me camel toe. This has been a struggle for me at every size I’ve ever been, so I’m pretty sure it’s an anatomical thing, but like… surely there is a way to make a suit that for those of us who don’t have discreet vulvas? When I was younger I used to wish they made like a piece of plastic I could pop down there so everyone wouldn’t see the contours of my vulva.
Way to burst onto the scene with the most helpful post ever as the debut of Big Undies! I will now not be doing any work today and instead will be clicking each link to find my next suit. Thanks for doing the leg work!
What Lucy wrote!!! This newsletter is what Sarah McClachlan was singing about in Better Than Ice Cream.
I sunburn quickly so like long-sleeve swim tops, often worn over a suit. I also like to swim in open water—not vigorously, but for a while—so some boob support and sturdy straps are great. If anyone sees anything like that in their travels, whistle my way!
Land’s End, Superfit Hero, and Shiela May (depending on your size) all have super cute long sleeve tops.
😍😍thank you!!!!!
Wow thank you so so much for this incredible resource, and for linking my NYT piece! I’m honored ❤️
Thanks, Phoebe! I absolutely adore that piece and I'm so honored to have you here.
I have a print of it up in my office at RISD and a lot of folks have thoughtfully been reading it and doing some internal work, thanks for making this piece!
Aww thank you Claire! I love hearing that.
I printed out the final panel and framed it! I adore water season and really was delighted by your piece🙏
What a great resource! I recently bought a new suit from Coral Reef Swim on recommendation from @maxeygreene, and I love it? I’ve been looking for high-waisted ribbed bottoms and a very specific length top of not a tankini but not a bikini and I found it there with their Wave bottoms and Destination top. Unfortunately they only go up to XXXL. I’m anywhere from a 20-24 these days and the XXXL was the size I went with in both.
Ooh their suits are so cute and colorful!
I really love my Nettle’s Tale but I need to find a bigger top. The one I have is the collab they had with Free Label and the top is just too compressive sometimes. I find it so so difficult to find bras for REALLY big boobs.
what I really want is a top that supports my large breasts. I've had good luck with lands end, but I keep seeing newer styles that I wish worked for me. I know more and more folks are just rolling with the less supportive tops for their breasts, and seriously I'm here for that! but for me, especially for summer styles, I want more fabric to separate my skin and prevent sweatburns (idk what to call it) and chaffing and just it helps me feel cooler.
I'd honestly love a one piece that has shorts, sleeves, and a zipper, AND something supportive up top. I want the dream of sun protection, chafing reduction, and sexy lol. anyone seen anything like this? (or even not super supportive but is maybe an extra layer that goes under them but also doesn't pull down the top? I've literally never met a shelf bra that could do this so I'm not super hopeful, but it seems like something that would be easier for brands to do than building long lasting actual support? idk)
Would you consider wearing a sports bra under something with sleeves & shorts?
yes, though finding a sports bra that fits and that I can breathe in is a whole other journey lol
but now you say that, I have a sports bra style top I got from torrid a few years ago that may work for this purpose. I'm also open to top and bottoms as separates. bottoms are relatively easy for me--I can get them at lands end--but I haven't found the top that really seems to work for this situation yet
What you describe is The Dream.
Extremely excited to delve into the wetsuit spreadsheet and explore Movefatgirl's details! thank you for providing this vital resource in big undies as we approach our water seasons🙏
👏🏼👏🏼
Oh my gosh, SOOO much good stuff!!!!! I really don't go anywhere to swim much, but am going to start trying (also maybe water aerobics, to see if it will help my pain, etc). I love that you posted these pics, and think you both looked really, really great in everything! I bought a top and bottom separately, and I got really lucky in that they both fit perfectly, but I'm probably going to get another suit after combing through all these recs! :D Here's what I got, from Target: The top: https://www.target.com/p/evans---women-s-plus-size-hanky-print-tankini-top---black-ripple---20w/-/A-87230363
The bottom: https://www.target.com/p/women--39-s-upf-50-sport-swim-shorts---aqua-green--174--black-1x/-/A-83666894
This newsletter is phenomenal already, and exactly what we need! Thank you so much for this!!! Xoxox
Ooooh I love those! Let us know if you end up finding something else you like!!
Thank you, I definitely will!!!
Just chiming in to say I got my favorite bikini at Target last year during one of their designer collabs.
PSA: the lands end swim is 60% off this weekend. I just bought the suit Corinne highlighted here for under $50 -- excited about the front zip and hope it works for me!
Love this post so much!! I've been curious about that swim romper for a long time, and my question is, what does it feel like in the water? I like the look and I like the idea of more coverage, but when you're actually swimming, does it weigh you down? I bought a swim dress from Old Navy last year and it was cute, but felt hampered by all the fabric around my legs when I was swimming. Lands End continues to be my go-to. This year, I bought some high-waisted bottoms with a tankini top. I'm two sizes smaller on top than on the bottom 🍐 so my white whale would be a one piece that offers any kind of support on top and doesn't leave my boobs to flop around. What I don't love about a tankini is that I find I'm often tugging it down the whole time I'm in the water because it doesn't stay put, so I long for a one piece.
So I didn't try the romper in the water, but the outer romper material was pretty lightweight. I do imagine it would billow out though, and would definitely be annoying when you get out of the water. Inside of the romper is essentially just a bikini top and bottom which are sewn to the outer romper part. It's definitely designed with modesty in mind and not fluid dynamics.
The different size on top / bottom is a real conundrum for one pieces!! I would wonder about something like youswim that is specifically designed to span multiple sizes - but it's definitely not super supportive.
It occurs to me that maybe the solution to the billowing tankini is to just wear a bikini top? I just ordered a couple to try it out.
please report back on your findings!!
Will do! I have lilly white skin (i.e. "I like your white tights" lol 😄) so I normally opt for more coverage to decrease the amount of skin I need to slather in sunscreen, but the bikini top might be more comfortable overall? I'll let you know!
I didn’t like the swim shorts I had for the same reason~they held so much water. I also agree with the tankini top floating up in the water. It’s annoying.
Yes! It floats up! So awkward!
I'm still searching for a cute cheeky high waisted bikini ever since I saw someone around my size in a super hot black bikini on a jersey shore beach. Having a big booty and small waist makes it so hard to find a high rise bottom that doesn't droop in the waist area. Very excited to peruse some of these recommendations. On a different note, I do still really love my gabifresh x swimsuits for all sheer long sleeved purple floral one piece which I wore to a friend's many pool parties/Barbie party last year as well as on a family labor day beach vacation. Sadly the one thing they don't warn you about mesh long sleeves is how sand will get caught in them and WILL NOT come out lol
Ooooh I’m interested in this high waisted cheeky bikini when you find it! The gabifresh stuff is soooo gorgeous and I’m definitely keeping an eye on her new venture. Virginia and I talked about this a bit on the podcast (coming tomorrow!) but so much plus size swim stuff is just not at all practical. Like it’s designed for looking hot as opposed to actually dealing with sand or chasing kids or even just swimming.
It really is! That's why a lot of the time I just opt for something boring that doesn't necessarily feel me because at least it's functional? There are so many bad swimsuits out there...
I would look at the Kitty and Vibe site! They have at least one style that I think fits this description—Nicole Byer did a line of suits with them last year and i remember seeing her in some cute more high-waist/cheeky looks.
What’s Your Strong Suit offers a romper style. I didn’t personally try them on but I did see and feel them at Seattle FatCon: https://www.instagram.com/whatsyourstrongsuit?igsh=N3Z6NmUwaWlwbWxm
Oooh these are so cute!!
I've had a few custom suits made by Luv Martha (https://www.luvmartha.com/). I'm a big fan!
OH MY GOSH, thank you so much for mentioning her! I literally had a note to myself in a draft of this post that was "remember the name of the person that makes the custom suits in Texas" and despite scrolling through all my Instagram follows and doing some Googling I couldn't find her. Thank you!
My pleasure! Thank YOU for Big Undies!
wow these are darling
OMG THIS IS AMAZING! Yes I did jump the gun and already ordered three from swimwear for all, so I'm set for this year, but next year I'll wait for what I hope will be an annual feature on this before I order!!
Wow! Thank you for doing the work. This post alone is worth the subscription price.
I would love a swimsuit that didn’t give me camel toe. This has been a struggle for me at every size I’ve ever been, so I’m pretty sure it’s an anatomical thing, but like… surely there is a way to make a suit that for those of us who don’t have discreet vulvas? When I was younger I used to wish they made like a piece of plastic I could pop down there so everyone wouldn’t see the contours of my vulva.