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Please help me to get beach ready

Ruby789
Posts: 312 Forumite
Hi all,
I'm lucky enough to be going on a beach holiday in a couple of weeks, but I'm feeling increadibly insecure for a number of reasons. Its the first group holiday i'm going on with my boyfriends friends, and i'll be in a swimsuit :eek:. All the other girls going are sizes 8-10 and will be in bikini's.
I'm a 14-16 with A cup cleavage! Swimwear only highlights everything that's wrong with my figure. I've been on a diet, but it's not going to make a huge difference in terms of my shape in a swimsuit. I can't do bikini's or a cut out swimsuit.
I have ordered a number of swimming costumes and tankini's (unhelpfully theres little in the shops so its all online) and I'll buy the two most flattering ones and take my trusty swimdress too (unflattering in the chest, but hides my belly). However, they are all fairly dull colours so far and naturally safely cut. I like patterens and bright colours, just not found any so far that would work.
My boyfriend is also younger than me, just to add to my woes. I really need your help to avoid looking frumpy.
If I can somehow manage to pull of 'classy' that would work. Any Gok stylee ideas?
I'm casper pale too. I'm not a fan of fake tan, but do I conceed this once just to take the blinding whiteness away and blend in a little better?
Thanks in advance for any tips
. The more MSE the better too.
p.s. I know looks don't matter. But i'm painfully shy as well so anything to help boost me a little is much needed. My natural charisma doesn't shine through at all :rotfl:.
I'm lucky enough to be going on a beach holiday in a couple of weeks, but I'm feeling increadibly insecure for a number of reasons. Its the first group holiday i'm going on with my boyfriends friends, and i'll be in a swimsuit :eek:. All the other girls going are sizes 8-10 and will be in bikini's.
I'm a 14-16 with A cup cleavage! Swimwear only highlights everything that's wrong with my figure. I've been on a diet, but it's not going to make a huge difference in terms of my shape in a swimsuit. I can't do bikini's or a cut out swimsuit.
I have ordered a number of swimming costumes and tankini's (unhelpfully theres little in the shops so its all online) and I'll buy the two most flattering ones and take my trusty swimdress too (unflattering in the chest, but hides my belly). However, they are all fairly dull colours so far and naturally safely cut. I like patterens and bright colours, just not found any so far that would work.
My boyfriend is also younger than me, just to add to my woes. I really need your help to avoid looking frumpy.
If I can somehow manage to pull of 'classy' that would work. Any Gok stylee ideas?
I'm casper pale too. I'm not a fan of fake tan, but do I conceed this once just to take the blinding whiteness away and blend in a little better?
Thanks in advance for any tips

p.s. I know looks don't matter. But i'm painfully shy as well so anything to help boost me a little is much needed. My natural charisma doesn't shine through at all :rotfl:.
Debt free (finally) and saving a deposit for my first home.
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Comments
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Oh I feel your pain regarding swimwear! I'm a very pear shaped size 14 so my backside unfortunately looks huge in any kind of swimwear. I've now taken to making sure I wear some shorts or a skirt with any swimwear except when I'm in the pool.
There are some really nice shapewear swimsuits which could help pull in some areas and they are in patterns which could disguise areas that you are unhappy about, perhaps something like this or this. Apparently halternecks are flattering for smaller chests.
Accessories are good for drawing attention from undesirable areas. I wear sarongs quite often if I feel like I need to cover up a bit more, if you've got good legs then perhaps a kaftan? A good hat also goes towards a classier look and possibly a little bit of jewellery, like a chunky necklace?
And be proud of the pale! I never ever tan, I've only ever had one spray tan and I hated it. Its not the worst thing in the world to be the palest person on the beach.0 -
Hi stir_crazy :wave:
Thanks for the reply. Have purchased the black one. REALLY liked the animal print one, but reminded me a little too much of lingerie! Not brave enough in case someone else thinks that too, Lol.
Most of the swimming outfits I'm choosing from are black or very dark. Maybe a bright Kaftan is a good move so I don't look too dull. I think my legs are ok, don't mind having them on display. Have purchased some dark shorts and a 'swim skirt' to try on too. Really a lot of black in this summer wardrobe now that I think of it!
Away from the beach I am making sure to bring only my most flattering dresses, and girlie prints too.Debt free (finally) and saving a deposit for my first home.0 -
Hello - I can't help with the sizing issue but I wanted to share something with you.
I have a feeding tube that goes into my stomach and there is about 12 inches of the tube visible on the outside. I am a very thin size 4 - I look scrawny and I hate my weight. Unfortunately, this is a malnutrition issue as I no longer have my stomach and am reliant on tube feeds.
I digress.........my OH and I have just come back from a two week holiday in Turkey. I took with me a variety of swimwear - bikinis, costumes, tankinis, shorts and vest tops. I was really worried about wearing anything that showed either my bones or the tube.
The first day was scary and I spent most of the day covered in a towel until my OH made me take a good look around at everyone - there were ALL shapes and sizes and no-one was taking a blind bit of notice of anyone else - I suspect they were all worrying about themselves.
By the end of the holiday, I had progressed to a bikini with everything on show and no-one batted an eye. Be brave and just enjoy the holiday - I promise you no-one will notice or care other than you!
Have a great time x0 -
Exactly what pinkdebster says
you get all het up about this before you go and two days in you realise that 90% of people on beaches have lumps bumps scars and wrinkles. It's good to have a swimsuit you're comfortable in but don't let these worries get in the way of looking forward to your holiday!
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Im also pale and a size 14-16 although I do have boobs, matched only by my curvy backside and I went to spain in august and wore a bikini with no problems, there were women twice my size wearing bikinis.
No one will care. Also why should it be an issue that your bf is younger than you or that everyone else is a size 8-10.
We are all different shapes and sizes. Ive actually lost about 2 stones recently having put on a lot of weight after an injury and there have been times when Ive felt really awful about myself, but honestly, there are so many people out there with different body shapes, no one will be looking at you and thinking, what does she look like, everyone has their own insecurities.
Also, how you feel about yourself good or bad has to come from within, if you go thinking, god look at me Im so self conscious you might not enjoy but if you go thinking, you know what, I look great and I have a bf that loves me, you'll have a better time.0 -
Bikinis can actually be a lot more flattering than trying to cover up in tankinis and swimsuits, in my opinion.
Look at it like this.... you wear your bikini just as it is for lying down and for going in the pool/sea. Unless you are planning on taking part in activities which involve balancing on inflatables in your swimwear etc. then all other times you're going to have a cover up on.....
And there are still some lovely cover ups in the Next online clearance section - in my mind these are far better to spend your money on than what you will be wearing to primarily lie down!
I've always worn bikinis and have been 16-18 at one point and whilst I knew I didn't look as good as the 8-10 girls actually nobody cared and I think I would have been pulling at a tankini or costume.
Go for it girl!0 -
Hi all,
Sorry I've not been back sooner, thought I'd set it to alert me if I got a reply. Oops.
Thanks for all the replies, has definitely given me some perspective.
Pinkdebster, thanks for sharing your positive experience. Though I know it's not the same, and you've clearly been going through it lately, the positivity in your reply shines through and that has helped.
belfastgirl23 I may have just found one 'safe' swimsuit that will do for the first day while I get used to the idea, and then I'll pack others for later in the week as I hopefully start to relax.
paulineb: You are of course right. My self consciousness will draw attention not so much my figure. Confidence is hard to manufacture though.
SandC: Its been a nightmare to find a bikini in my size, the small sizes are pretty much all sold out, but I have found 1 and its on its way. Will try it on at home and see how I feel. Would be a self esteem boost if I could make myself wear it in public.
Thanks ladies. All the people going are lovely, its just me not liking what I see in the mirror that's the big issue. I have never been that naked in front of his friends before and feel pretty vulnerable. There is literally no one going I wouldn't consider to be pretty perfect figure wise.Debt free (finally) and saving a deposit for my first home.0
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