I have to admit, I haven't been swimsuit shopping in years......I bought my last bikini in Bradlees, (which has since gone out of business), but my question is, how is it that bathing suits are getting smaller when the size of women are getting larger??? Now, don't get me wrong, I have ALWAYS had a difficult time finding a good fitting swimsuit, especially a 2 piece. These days, you can buy the tops and bottoms separately, but back in the day, well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. Now here's the thing, I'm a small size in clothing, an x-small or small, depending on the brand. But, I have boobs, (C or D cup, depending on brand), and hips, but a small waist......I know, I shouldn't be complaining, but unless I'm buying a dress, (which I'm rarely doing), shopping for anything is always a problem, (I still have to buy men's levis! thank god for the skinny 511 with lycra).
So, I started my shopping at Filene's basement, figuring that they would have good brands at a discount, (so I wouldn't have to venture to Macy's). What a joke. I don't know who fits into those bottoms, but it certainly wasn't me. This isn't Brazil, and I'm not interested in wearing a thong, just a bottom that covers my bottom! I don't want checks showing! No luck. Even the largest sizes, which were falling off my hips, didn't cover my ass! What do larger women do???
So, onto the tops......having a small ribcage, I usually wear an xs top, but the suits in any small size didn't come anywhere near covering my boobs, and the larger sizes that did, well, lets just say I could fit another person in there next to my ribcage.
Off to my next stop, Victoria's Secret. After looking at their website, I was confident that I could find some good suits, as they size the tops in bra sizes. Well, that was another joke, as they only had about a dozen suits, (total, not style-wise), and nothing in a C or D cup. But, I figured, while I was there, I'll stock up on some bras, being that I'm hard to fit there as well. I looked for my size, a 34D or 32DD, depending on the cut, and guess what......nothing! They had a few 34D's but not one 32DD or 32D for that matter. What do all of those skinny actress/models with breast implants wear???
Next to H & M on the recommendation of a friend......nada.
Then to Burlington Coat factory. They only had 4 small racks of suits, but they had sizes and the brands they had looked like the bottoms were cut wide, (to cover the ass!!). After spending an hour finally finding a top and bottom that go together, (no buying separates there), trying them on and being somewhat satisfied with the fit, (not 100% satisfied, but satisfied enough), I stood in line for another 10 minutes waiting to be rung up. Once I got to the cashier, I was told they weren't a matched set and I couldn't buy them......oye!!
Now I'm getting frustrated. I figure I would just stop into Old Navy and see what they had to offer, not expecting anything......well, surprise, surprise, they had a huge selection, it looked like some of the bottoms would actually cover my ass and they were all on sale for 50% off! After 5 trips back and forth to the dressing room to try on different styles and sizes, I ended up with the basic string bikini, in, get this.......an X-Large.......XL????
I have no explanation, as the other things I purchased there along with the swimsuit, (tanks, tees, and tunics, all on sale as well), were all XS.......so, someone please explain to me how I wear a S or XS in everything else, but an XL in a bathing suit????But the good news is that I found one, it covers most of my ass...(still not as much as I like!), and it was on sale for $16.50. Yes, both pieces totaled $16.50!
Now, if the sun will come out and it will actually get warm enough for me to wear the suit, then I'll be happy!
