Torture or swimsuit shopping? I'll take torture.
This yearly search is almost as much fun as having an annual ob/gyn exam. No, wait, NOTHING is that much fun. Bring on the stirrups!
(For those who don't recognize it - that was sarcasm.)
Back to swimsuits:
So, my homey, Amanda, and I were talking about how much we hate this particular female outing. Men are lucky. They don't beat up their self-image this way. How many men do you know that go out bathing suit shopping with friends? None.
As teens, Amanda and I tormented ourselves with bathing suit shopping trips.These trips mostly consisted of a lot of pulling and tugging, looking ridiculous in a bathing suit wearing a bra and panties on and eventually, breaking down into tears.
For some reason, many of us still do this every year.
So, for those of you who have to do this thing (or who are like me and want to take a trip to Hawaii in the fall), I did some research online for the best sites for swimsuits.
Since I'm a full-sized woman, these sites cater to women my size (Sorry, thin mints - there are pleny of swimsuit places for you gals.) Ordering online helps you avoid the pulling and tugging in a store dressing room, and gives you the freedom to curse and scream about the suit in the privacy of your own home.
We'll start with Land's End. They have a great selection, and even a virtual model to help you visualize what you'll look like in the suit.
http://www.landsend.com/cd/index/fp/0,,65908,00.html?sid=6817175000305155000
Next, we'll take a trip to one of my favorite sites (besides http://www.shoes.com), the site for Lane Bryant. I was surprised at how many swimsuits they offer, as well as cute cover-ups. They don't have as many suits as a veteran suit provider such as Land's End, but they're up and coming.
Fashion Bug is next on the list. This site had a bunch of colorful, flirty selections. They had several "Online exclusives" and many suits that were more reasonably priced, so you could get more than one.
Yes, I'm aware that it's hard enough to find one suit that fits, let alone two. However, have some faith. Stranger things have happened.
Some department stores weren't as friendly to plus-sized girls and their swimsuit needs. Macy's and Kohl's had few swimsuit options. Sears was better, but not too much better, with about 27 offerings for plus-sized women, but that number also included shorts, cover-ups and other accessories.
JCPenny's site was better, and had more even more options than Sears. Here's the link:
Because I just love Target, I also cruised their web site. They had few suits for plus-sized women. But I still love them.
Ok, there's a few sites to get you started on your swimsuit adventure. Now, go forth and torture yourselves. I think I'm going to wear the Land's End suit that's already in my closet.I just haven't got time for the pain.
Any suggestions? Where's the best place for a plus-sized woman to find a saucy swimsuit?
Blog notes: "Thin Mints" is not mine. It came from an episode in the second season of "Boston Legal." It's in a scene with a very large man telling a skinny lawyer to bug off. Great ABC show.
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sharon · June 7, 2007 4:55 PM
I need a new suit too, but like you Michele, I am not into pain and puting it off as long as I can. Having read about the sites I can visit(thanks girls, you are the best!) I feel much better about the search. Thanks! Sharon
Deena · June 2, 2007 5:25 PM
Five on-line places I'd recommend for swimwear:
www.junonia.com (they even have dive/surfingwear, too)
www.justmysize.com (home of my favorite suit)
www.catherines.com
www.avenue.com
www.spiegel.com (home of my second-favorite suit)
Joan · May 31, 2007 11:56 AM
Hi Amanda! Remember me? I'm glad you found a decent place to get a suit... wanna be my personal shopper and buy me one?
Amanda · May 31, 2007 10:17 AM
I found a great suit at Roaman's - www.roamans.com. It's a clothing site for full-figured women, but it has a great selection, and is fairly reasonably priced.
Thanks for the shout-out, homey!
Regina · May 31, 2007 6:27 AM
Don't laugh, but I got a really nice suit at Wal-Mart. It was a surprise to me too. I still don't know why I'm so hard on myself when I put it on.