I need swimsuit advice.

[eyesroll]

I am in the market for a new one. I have a decent "swimming laps" swimsuit. I lack a "hey, you look pretty good in that" swimsuit.

Here's the rundown:
I'm 5'2", 120#, specifically with short, stubby legs.
I have a pretty good figure from the waist up, and a really-needing-to-get-into-shape figure from the waist down. I am, I suppose, an hourglass, with a little more sand at the bottom than at the top.
I should also add that I seem physically incapable of tanning, even if I'm out in the summer sun all day without sunscreen (something I do not recommend, BTW).

I prefer "accentuate the positive" to "minimize/eliminate/hide/fake the negative."

I am less interested in "making myself look taller" and more interested in "looking good in the suit."

So...I present you with suggestions from "women's magazines," as well as my own observation. I will caveat this that if I do choose a two-piece, I do not need advice for what to do about the top of it, because that's more of a problem of getting it to fit than getting it to look right. So, what say you?

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. Just wear a tight top.

They'll stare at your chest anyway. Shit, I spent 11 years doing it. ;)

[eyesroll]

6. Aren't all swimsuit tops tight?

That is, except the ones I tried on today that had no rhyme or reason behind sizing, and nothing resembling structure.

:grr:

(And am I supposed to be flattered by that comment, or appalled that my ex-husband is making it? ;-))

[Magrittes Pipe]

7. What do you mean "or?"

;)

[Wickerman]

2. I think it would be easier to respond to

examples, say, pics.

:evilgrin:

[StopTheMorans]

3. need pics to give proper advice

[ewagner]

4. hehehehe

I'll be more than happy to stare at your chest! :evilgrin:

:spank: :spank::spank::spank::spank:

[demnan]

5. This is way too complicated

I couldn't possibly help you with this. I can't visualize the various swimsuit fashions on someone I don't know.

Here's my suggestion. Grab a good friend who can tell you the truth and not hurt your feelings. Take a lesurely day together and both help each other pick out swimsuits.

Have fun!

And don't feed the (male) beasts in the lounge - they'd much rather you went naked!

[eyesroll]

8. Here's the thing -- I do not shop with friends. I shop alone.

(on edit -- that applies to regular clothes, too...I'm an in-and-out, try-it-on-at-home type shopper.)

I suppose I'm polling more out of frustration than anything, because the store seems to think people buying swimsuits are either are small-busted, 100-pound 17-year-olds or are my mom -- seriously, at Kohl's at lunchtime today (which I realize may not be the best place for this but it's what's nearby), there was nothing in between.

Oh. There were some lovely maternity suits, too. I'll keep that in mind.

[Pithlet]

12. Everything clothing at Kohl's is like that

Either itsy bitsy teeny bopper style, or frumpy dump. I only shop there for the kids.

[eyesroll]

14. You're probably right -- I can occasionally find decent things

for work, though.

But, like I said -- it's nearby, and I also needed sheets (which I did find, but then, I'm not as picky with sheets).

[Pithlet]

27. I've occasionally found things, too.

I just wish they wouldn't assume that over twenty means bland and blah. But, they're good for the basics. And I like their selection of kids clothes.

[Bonhomme Richard]

9. LOL, the black ones the Nuns used to wear. n/t

[redqueen]

10. Two piece... high cut bottom.

Don't think the top needs to be ornate, really. Good luck... shopping for those things is a drag.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Having nothing else to read in a waiting room last night...

I picked up a catalogue from some clothes house and they had charts and diagrams and suggestions for different body types.

Didn't know you were going to ask this today, or I would have paid more attention, but I seem to remember that they had some hot looking two pieces with skirts for the hourglass-heading toward-pear shaped. The models looked really good in them. (Well, yeah, ok, what would I expect...)

I noticed because I kept thinking of all the women I've seen who could rally have used something like that. Or don't have mirrors.

[Left Is Write]

13. Don't get the boycut bottoms or a skirt bottom.

If you have short, stubby legs, either of those bottoms will make them look shorter and stubbier. Go for high cut to visually elongate the leg.

[eyesroll]

17. I'm not sure much can be done to "elongate" my legs...

Seriously. Put me in 3-inch heels and I look like a kid playing dress-up.

But I see what you're saying.

[Left Is Write]

20. Oh, I know what you mean...

But the boycut bottoms land at the thickest part of the thigh, and it's not too flattering if you are heavier on the bottom than on the top.

[eyesroll]

21. I guess there's also a difference between boy-cut swimsuit bottoms

and boy-cut underwear. (If I say "panties," will this turn into a sex thread?)

The latter tend to hit higher, and they actually can be flattering. The suit bottoms, I guess, would hit lower and also would be a lot thicker, and not as flush to the body.

[Beware the Beast Man]

15. I voted for the earworm.

:P

[eyesroll]

18. I expected no less of you. n/t

[amazona]

16. laugh if you want

But I'm short and I find that the one piece with high cut legs works very well and gets lots of compliments. My main difficulty can be finding enough coverage on top for a one piece where the bottom fits properly. I think a lot of swimsuit designers assume a "pear" shape is more common than a true hourglass. Tankini, which gives me the option of fitting a classic hourglass figure with small waist but generous hips and bust also works well and it could be easier to find a properly fitted tankini than the one piece. The first tankini I tried on this season fit me perfectly. That never happens with the one piece.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[entanglement]

19. I am a world-famous swimsuit compatibility expert

and I've advised 100s of women about selecting swimwear. My rates are usually rather high, but since you're a DUer I won't charge you anything. So all I require is a couple of photos of you... :evilgrin:

[SoCalDem]

23. BUT... do you have a nobel prize nomination from your congressman?

without one, I can hardly see how you qualify as an "expert":P

[R. A. Fuqua]

22. I learned something from my GF

about swimsuit shopping--the landsend website has a virtual model where you can answer questions about your body type--then see what various swimsuits look like on a computer simulation similar to your body type.

It is fun to do--and she got a swimsuit that she absolutely loves. You may want to try it...

[Ilsa]

24. Here's a mock-tankini

that I think is excellent. It fits well, because you don't have to worry about your midsection showing. The top won't ride up. I love wearing this.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=35995&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=5186&cat4=3027&shop_method=pp&feat=dp27

Here is a color-block style of tankini, with black bottoms, which I think might be preferable for your hips.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=33845&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=5186&cat4=3027&shop_method=pp&feat=dp27

Good luck with your search.

[Kat45]

25. Definitely high cut legs on the bottoms.

I'm short (5'1") and I've noticed on panties that the high-cut leg gives my legs a bit more length. IIRC, the Victoria's Secret catalog has a section with separate swimsuit tops and bottoms and you can mix and match--although a swimsuit is not the best thing to get mail order.

Good luck finding something. And give Olive a scritch for me. :-)

[Magrittes Pipe]

26. Don't forget Logos.

She's a sweetie, and she deserves a scritch, too.

[Kat45]

28. You're right. She should get a scritch too.

But I can't help it if I'm partial to parrotlets. :-)

[iconoclastic cat]

29. Just don't get velvet.

Mrs. IconCat thought a ice-blue velvet two-piece would be a good idea. It never survived the honeymoon.

[flvegan]

30. Where's the "thong" option?

Can't believe the butt floss hasn't come up.

I kill me.