Well I got in the pool this week, for the first time since winter finished, and it has occurred to me that I desperately need new togs (yes that is what we call them in Queensland - and anyway, what is WITH every state having a different name for these things?!). I am in two minds about tog shopping - on the one hand there are SO many styles and colours so that makes it fun, but on the other hand it involves baring all and that is pure torture.

So how do you approach shopping for "outfits for swimming"? Do you like higher-end brands, or are you happy with ones from Target? Do you usually wear a tankini, or strapless, or a kini top and boardies? How many pairs of togs do you own? It used to strike me as strange that people would own more than one set, but nowadays I usually tend to have four or five on the go. I am strictly a "bikini and boardies" kind of girl, no one sees these upper thighs unless they are being paid with sex! :chuckle:

I find shopping for bikinis fun, not because I look particualrly great in them (I am pretty much resigned to looking very ordinary when swimming) but actually because I have lower standards than I do with real clothes, so I am easier to please! :chuckle: As long as it makes my boobies look good (and holds them in) I am pretty happy. I prefer halters as they make my shoulders look nice and squarish.

Over to you guys!

Oh gawd, I can't believe it's almost togs time. Terrifying Togs Time!

I bought a bikini from Victoria's Secret a couple of weeks ago, and while I love it, secretly dread the thought of the try-on. But it's got a booster bra, good rear coverage and it's black. So can't go too wrong with that, surely?

As I was saying to Medusa, if all else fails - bring on the caftan baby!

I love those little brazilian bikinis, you know the bandeau tops with the strings from the middle going around the neck? or am i makking no sense at all??
hehe

I find just a simple black triangle bikini looks hot and works best. I also have a gorgeous metallic blue bandeau one i picked up for 30$ in Barkins last season!!

I love Jets by Jessika Allen.

I'm a togs girl thru and thru oz!

OK I used to be happy with the middle of the range togs.. but last year just for kicks (and after i'd lost a few kgs) i tried on some SUPER expensive togs at DJ's - full piece, red, ruched bodice, halter neck - think the desperate housewives magazine cover style... and loved them but at $300 couldn't do it!

this year i'm going to look for new full piece and bikini and hopefully look just as good for a third of the price

seafolly, jets, are my top brands

I'd love a Zimmerman 'kini, the prints are so cute and the cuts really flattering. Not sure I can justify the price though :shakehead:

hate, hate, hate togs shopping. I have a black tankini, I wear it with boardies. Doesn't exactly hold the girls, restrains them sllightly, and gives the uber-tum coverage.

I don't get why WA'ers call them Bathers. What are you English? I say togs or cossies.

I have a few & they are all in mint condition because I hardly ever wear them. First of all, I hate the look of me in them and secondly it has to be sweltering hot for me to take a dip. I have always found it a nightmare but now with a post kids body its worse.

One piece's are near impossible to find now but last year I found a great one in Target. It is quite glam looking too in a matallic brown with a plunging neckline. Thank god for the padding in the top. :whistle:

I have a few & they are all in mint condition because I hardly ever wear them. First of all, I hate the look of me in them and secondly it has to be sweltering hot for me to take a dip.

Hell no!! I am not getting wet!! I only go in the water to retrieve a boogie board, or a child. I take the boys to the beach/pool a lot though, so wear them often. They just rarely get wet.

Geeze - I have bathers (yes we call them that down here in Tassie) but I hate wearing them but I do for the sake of exercise! They leave nothing to the imagination and in my case that is not good. I usually swim in a private pool so thank goodness for the poor people who would have to see me in these otherwise!!

My swin suit is navy blue and a one piece of course (someone with my shape would give people nightmares in anything else)!! It has an inbuilt tummy sucker inner thingy and has boy legs. Horrendous to wear, horrendous to look at! Nuff said!

Boylegs & tummy sucker in?! :penguin: What brand and where from? Please PCC?!:worship:

Haha Medusa, believe me, your body is ten thousand times better than mine! I manage to just forget about looking crappy and enjoy having a swim - I love the beach. It's the horrible change rooms that are the main torture time!

I have a mix of togs and boardies - a few from places like Target and Kmart, but my favourite ones are a couple from Jets. I'd love to spend $500 on Jets stuff at the beginning of every summer!!! Their stuff is really good for curvy girls with boobs. It's very rare for me to be able to find a non-underwire halter bikini top that gives good support, but I have a Jets kini that makes my boobies look almost fakely good! Woo!

I wish I could find some nice strapless togs that give me good support (and avoid the slight tan/burn lines that appear despite my best efforts with the super duper SPF), but alas, it is not meant to be.

I have just been thinking that its nearly time to go and get some new bikinis - for probably the first time ever I am going to try for the one piece, since having a child I can't seem to get that stomach back to the way it was and middle age spread is slowly creeping up on me!!!
I was thinking of going to a place here in Melbourne called Swimwear Galore, I heard it has alot of variety - although last year I did see the most gorgeous pair of brown bikinis in DJ from Lisa Ho - they were hot, (and with a hot price to match), so I just had to dream on! :redcheeks:

I HATE wearing swimmers (that's what I call 'em). I always feel morbidly obese in them. I have a Victoria's Secret bikini that I love and a Seafolly 1 peice. I always but a little matching beach skirt to hide the bum.

I'm a huge fan of the usual bikini, and have so many pairs! Every year I insist I need a new pair, and I usually wear them all. When I go on holidays it's great because I usually always have a new pair for every day :)

I HATE wearing swimmers (that's what I call 'em). I always feel morbidly obese in them. I have a Victoria's Secret bikini that I love and a Seafolly 1 peice. I always but a little matching beach skirt to hide the bum.

:chuckle: I always feel morbidly obese in them too, don't worry VeeE! To make matters worse I also have a few stretch marks on my hips and tummy from where I stacked it on a few years ago during a really crappy time in my life. They are the ever-present scars to remind me of that time, grrrrrrr. But I have to say, fake tan is a godsend to curvy girls when swimming! I dunno why but everyone looks way better and sexier when they are tanned - tan seems to make cellulite and stretch marks not look so bad. Normally I am a "pale skin is beautiful and sexy" girl but not on the beach I am afraid!

I used to go the matching beach skirt but then I realised it's sort of like saying "I'M TRYING TO COVER UP MY BUM BECAUSE I FEEL FAT!!!". I guess boardies are pretty much the same thing but hey at least you can get cool boardies!

I'm okay with people thinking that I'm wearing a skirt because I want to hide my bum and I feel fat. :chuckle:

At least all you girls are happy in a bikin! I have never worn one. I have a gorgeous Zimmerman tankini, white with red halter straps and gold squares on the end, with little Italy pictures all over them. I love them but they are a bit too skimpy on me at the moment - have quite a few more Weight Watchers kilos to lose before I feel comfortable in them!!

At least all you girls are happy in a bikin! I have never worn one. I have a gorgeous Zimmerman tankini, white with red halter straps and gold squares on the end, with little Italy pictures all over them. I love them but they are a bit too skimpy on me at the moment - have quite a few more Weight Watchers kilos to lose before I feel comfortable in them!!

Celeste I wouldn't say I'm happy in a bikini, LOL. It's just that I HAVE to wear boardshorts - that is not negotiable - I have the most horrendous thighs in existence. And boardshorts worn with a tankini top or a full swimsuit is just too much cover-up and I feel like it draws attention to the fact that I am trying to cover up my body (which I am - haha - but I do try to fake confidence). But if it came down to having to wear a bikini with no boardies, or a one-piece, I would go the one piece, because the other part of my body I hate is my lower stomach, just above the pubic bone. ICK!!

Celeste I wouldn't say I'm happy in a bikini, LOL. It's just that I HAVE to wear boardshorts - that is not negotiable - I have the most horrendous thighs in existence. And boardshorts worn with a tankini top or a full swimsuit is just too much cover-up and I feel like it draws attention to the fact that I am trying to cover up my body (which I am - haha - but I do try to fake confidence). But if it came down to having to wear a bikini with no boardies, or a one-piece, I would go the one piece, because the other part of my body I hate is my lower stomach, just above the pubic bone. ICK!!

I don't like ANY of my tum, from under my boobs down til that bottom bit. My legs and bum are ok - not perfect - but in decent shape. Isn't it funny how we all have such different follies?

I don't get why WA'ers call them Bathers. What are you English? I say togs or cossies.

:chuckle: we do don't we??

I grew up calling them togs coz we are from NZ, they call them that over there too...... back me up here precious_star...;)
over time 'bathers' crept in...
I'm quite happy to buy them in Target if they are nice ones - but they generally only last 1 season for me. I bought a pair from Bras N Things for around $80, I don't think I would spend over $100 for a pair. I like to have more than a couple on the go!

I don't like ANY of my tum, from under my boobs down til that bottom bit. My legs and bum are ok - not perfect - but in decent shape. Isn't it funny how we all have such different follies?

Oh if I could cut my legs off and get new ones, I would. I hate my thighs, and not in the Charlotte from SATC way - my thighs are DISGUSTING and I hate everything about them!!! I would give anything to have nice shapely legs, even if they were on the fat side, because i constantly feel self conscious in anything that is above knee-length. But really, I hate every part of my body if I am honest (terrible hey) but some parts I just hate less than others. I think I have nice shoulders though!! :chuckle:

Oh and I might add - yes I am aware that I am a huge complainer about my body and yet don't do anything too real to fix it - I am screwed up i guess!! :chuckle:

I have always worn boardies (mid thigh length) because I'm not overly confident about my shape - but hopefully by this summer I will be confident enough to do it!

I am just reading all these threads and seriously and not one of us has said anything nice about our own bodies and I think its really sad. I cannot stand my stomach and I hate the way we have such insecurities about our own bodies when we should be happy with what we have. I know nobody is perfect, but I wish I felt happy with my body and would stop obsessing about my gut!!!!!!! No wonder we all have different opinions on our bathers/swimmers/togs we are all trying to cover up different parts of ourselves..

I am just reading all these threads and seriously and not one of us has said anything nice about our own bodies and I think its really sad. I cannot stand my stomach and I hate the way we have such insecurities about our own bodies when we should be happy with what we have. I know nobody is perfect, but I wish I felt happy with my body and would stop obsessing about my gut!!!!!!! No wonder we all have different opinions on our bathers/swimmers/togs we are all trying to cover up different parts of ourselves..

I think it's sad too but I probably won't stop hating my body. I'm going to trot out the old and worn cliche here, but it's true - we are constantly saturated by images and ideas of how society believes women should look. When we fall short of that (eg "No Fat Chicks" bumper stickers, men calling women "paper bag jobs" etc) of course we are going to be insecure. We are told to a monumental degree that if we are not attractive, our value to society is diminished.

It's amazing I even go out in public in togs at all!!!! :chuckle:

I think it's sad too but I probably won't stop hating my body. I'm going to trot out the old and worn cliche here, but it's true - we are constantly saturated by images and ideas of how society believes women should look. When we fall short of that (eg "No Fat Chicks" bumper stickers, men calling women "paper bag jobs" etc) of course we are going to be insecure. We are told to a monumental degree that if we are not attractive, our value to society is diminished.

It's amazing I even go out in public in togs at all!!!! :chuckle:

Gah! What you said makes me want to cry!:tears: Why are women judged so harshly?!?!?!

I think it's sad too but I probably won't stop hating my body. I'm going to trot out the old and worn cliche here, but it's true - we are constantly saturated by images and ideas of how society believes women should look. When we fall short of that (eg "No Fat Chicks" bumper stickers, men calling women "paper bag jobs" etc) of course we are going to be insecure. We are told to a monumental degree that if we are not attractive, our value to society is diminished.

It's amazing I even go out in public in togs at all!!!! :chuckle:

So true. I agree with everything. It's sad that none of us are happy with our bodies, and also sad that we are made to feel this way. MAN I hate those 'no fat chicks' bumper stickers. But - have you ever seen an attractive man driving a car or whatever with that sort of sticker on it? They're usually fat feral red necks, In my opinion!

I just wished that I was one of those women who were confident and loved the way they looked even if they were overweight or had stretchmarks, cellulite etc. they were still happy within themselves. It is so true Oz its societys fault, we are all trying to keep up with what we think is acceptable in society. Its not fair!

It's not fair OR realistic. How many people do you know who look like the girls in the magazines? I am (un)fortunate in that I have lots of gorgeous slim friends... but they still have their issues and are not magazine-perfect. I think we all need to re-watch Adam Hill's old comedy routine, where he said the girls in the magazines do not even look like the girls in the magazines, and that all a guy wants is a girl who laughs at his jokes and has a favourite episode of The Simpsons

I make sure i self tan big time before i go shopping for a kini. If you feel hideous nothing will look good, so i need to be in right frame of mind.

I always go 4 a bikini i dont have enought curves to go for a one peice cept if its a really funky cut-out one peice. I figure i cant make my body something it isnt so work with what youve got.

:chuckle: we do don't we??

I grew up calling them togs coz we are from NZ, they call them that over there too...... back me up here precious_star...;)
over time 'bathers' crept in...
I'm quite happy to buy them in Target if they are nice ones - but they generally only last 1 season for me. I bought a pair from Bras N Things for around $80, I don't think I would spend over $100 for a pair. I like to have more than a couple on the go!

Oh yea totally, go the 'togs' :chuckle:

It's not fair OR realistic. How many people do you know who look like the girls in the magazines? I am (un)fortunate in that I have lots of gorgeous slim friends... but they still have their issues and are not magazine-perfect. I think we all need to re-watch Adam Hill's old comedy routine, where he said the girls in the magazines do not even look like the girls in the magazines, and that all a guy wants is a girl who laughs at his jokes and has a favourite episode of The Simpsons

Oh have you seen Adam Hills's girlfriend?? She is absolutely gorgeous and quite curvy, she would be a 14-16. She is a soprano and is on Spicks & Specks quite often (was on this week actually). Why can't we all be that lucky, darn it all!

I agree that we all need to take a step back and realise that no-one is perfect, and also acknowledge that men DO realise that we're not all models. However, I think men are so judgmental when they are in a peer group situation, and it's that that I hate. One guy at the beach will barely take any notice of you in your togs whether you look average or spectacularly bad. But a group of guys - you can feel their critical nasty eyes on you. It's the same at the pub or somewhere - I saw a girl push through a group of guys the other day at the pub, and yes she was probably a little bit rude but no ruder than you have to be to get to the bar - and one of them (not the one who was pushed) said "Jesus, watch where you're going ya stupid fat bit ch". Now I am sure that he would not have said that on his own, and the thing that gets me is SHE WASN'T EVEN FAT. I would have loved to have had her body. Makes me wonder what men say about me with my size 16 ass. Probably nothing good.

I hate that men feel like they have a licence to comment on women's looks, no matter what THEY themselves look like. I remember the blogger Sam de Brito did this thing on youtube where he dressed as a woman for a weekend and went out at night and stuff. He said that he felt so judged and criticised by men and felt really angry that men felt like they had the right to look really obviously at a woman when she walked down the street, and wolf-whistle, and comment etc. I was really glad that a man finally realised what it is like.

SORRY - off my soapbox now!

I saw a girl push through a group of guys the other day at the pub, and yes she was probably a little bit rude but no ruder than you have to be to get to the bar - and one of them (not the one who was pushed) said "Jesus, watch where you're going ya stupid fat bit ch"

that is really mean, some guys just have no respect.

OR that they have the right to oggle you with their creepy eyes!!!! Or say really crass rude stuff.

I despise walking past building sites - they are the worst. They dont just stop at the oggling!

Oh have you seen Adam Hills's girlfriend?? She is absolutely gorgeous and quite curvy, she would be a 14-16. She is a soprano and is on Spicks & Specks quite often (was on this week actually). Why can't we all be that lucky, darn it all!

I agree that we all need to take a step back and realise that no-one is perfect, and also acknowledge that men DO realise that we're not all models. However, I think men are so judgmental when they are in a peer group situation, and it's that that I hate. One guy at the beach will barely take any notice of you in your togs whether you look average or spectacularly bad. But a group of guys - you can feel their critical nasty eyes on you. It's the same at the pub or somewhere - I saw a girl push through a group of guys the other day at the pub, and yes she was probably a little bit rude but no ruder than you have to be to get to the bar - and one of them (not the one who was pushed) said "Jesus, watch where you're going ya stupid fat bit ch". Now I am sure that he would not have said that on his own, and the thing that gets me is SHE WASN'T EVEN FAT. I would have loved to have had her body. Makes me wonder what men say about me with my size 16 ass. Probably nothing good.

I hate that men feel like they have a licence to comment on women's looks, no matter what THEY themselves look like. I remember the blogger Sam de Brito did this thing on youtube where he dressed as a woman for a weekend and went out at night and stuff. He said that he felt so judged and criticised by men and felt really angry that men felt like they had the right to look really obviously at a woman when she walked down the street, and wolf-whistle, and comment etc. I was really glad that a man finally realised what it is like.

SORRY - off my soapbox now!


OH WOW was That Adam Hills' girlfriend?! I was watching it and thought DAMN she's hot! Nice one Adam (although I do have to admit I was trying to check out her body more to see how big she was :redcheeks: I can't help it)

And what a prick at the bar. That does bother me, how no matter how fat or ugly a guy is, he will pass judgement on a woman, Damn!

I despise walking past building sites - they are the worst. They dont just stop at the oggling!

Yes men in trades are the worst....no??? I avoid all building/construction sites like the plague.

OH WOW was That Adam Hills' girlfriend?! I was watching it and thought DAMN she's hot! Nice one Adam (although I do have to admit I was trying to check out her body more to see how big she was :redcheeks: I can't help it)

And what a prick at the bar. That does bother me, how no matter how fat or ugly a guy is, he will pass judgement on a woman, Damn!


Me and my partner always notice this Celeste. If a guy comments on a girl my boy will be the first to say 'and did ya see him' ha ha so true.:chuckle:

I work in construction!!! some of the mine sites are unbelieveable, you would think half the men have never seen a woman before the way they stare, and most are older men...

I work in construction!!! some of the mine sites are unbelieveable, you would think half the men have never seen a woman before the way they stare, and most are older men...

I can just imagine :chuckle: :chuckle: poor jaime :hugs:

I work in construction!!! some of the mine sites are unbelieveable, you would think half the men have never seen a woman before the way they stare, and most are older men...

Older guys are the worst!! Some of the stuff they come out with is amazing (and not in a good way!!):spin:

Oh Rosie I agree, the oldern men are the WORST! The way they look at you up and down, or purve when driving in car, I want to poke their eyes out they are creepy! And.. would have their lovely wives at home not having a clue!

well u girls have been busy posting away:waving:

i nearly bought a mega tummy sucking in cossie in the US but just couldn't justify $200 , i think $100 is plenty
particularly as i don't look great,:shakehead:
i tend to buy new swimmers every 2 years or so , i normally have a one piece , if i am in the sun for long periods i will wear a rashie & boardies [i am o so fair]

i bought a great black halter neck one piece with tummy rouching & plunging neckline from ezibuy last year
& am quite happy with it , i think it was about $80 & [bonus] i had to send it back & get a smaller size - i normally always have to upsize:clapping:

i have in the past worn a tankini with boardies

I think tankini's look good. They are especially good at hiding jelly belly's

Do you think? I find the tops are always too short showing the muffin top in all its ungloriness. :shakehead:

yeah some do sit too short.

i had one that was quite long got it at myer , though it ended up looking quite old ladyish :whistle:

I like things about my body - I like my shoulders and arms and decolltage area. I love my rack. I like my bum, despite the dimples, I like my legs are seperate entities again, and my tummy is one entity (albeit a bit soft after not being allowed to work out for 3 months) I like my ankles ... legs...not so much a fan!

I really need to get some bathers, not sure where to start or what will suit me though!

I like things about my body - I like my shoulders and arms and decolltage area. I love my rack.

ha! I like all this about me too!!

And being from Adelaide originally, we all call them bathers!!!!! That's free settlers for you :chuckle:

That's free settlers for you :chuckle:

OUCH! :whipcrack:

hehe - i'm from adelaide orignally - you don't know how many jokes we get, it's nice to break the "free settlers" thing out hehee

I'd love a Zimmerman 'kini, the prints are so cute and the cuts really flattering. Not sure I can justify the price though :shakehead:

I like these too. Great patterns.