I have lost almost 120 lbs in the past 9 months, and am wearing a 10/12 on the bottom and a L on the top. I fit comfortably in those clothes-- they aren't tight at all and my 12's are generally getting a bit loose.

Today I went shopping for a one-piece swim suit. I have several tankini suits in my size, but my loose skin needs more "spanx" support than a tankini provides so I wanted something to hold in my middle.

To fit the length of my torso (I'm not that tall-- only 5'5.5") and to fit my breasts, I had to buy a suit in a SIZE 16! This is after trying on several sizes in several different brands.

To put this in perspective, my last one-piece that I wore 120 lbs ago was an 18W.

Now I get why even my skinny friends hate going swimsuit shopping. What the hell?

I hope you all are having better luck

Ugh! That reminds me of a little discussion I had with my mom yesterday-- discussing a recent vacation.

Mom: "When Tom told me that you brought your bathing suit from your honeymoon on vacation- isn't that amazing! It's 10 years later and you fit into that suit again, don't you feel great?!?!?"

me: "Um... actually I've been wearing that suit for the past 10 years. It never didn't fit me."

Mom: "...oh."

Anyway, my point is that bathing suits are awfully stretchy so don't get hung up on the fact that you were wearing an 18 120 pounds ago! 120 pounds... holy moly!!

I had great luck with the Land's End line of all-over control bathing suits. They have some very pretty styles and you can find them online and at Sears. I haven't lost nearly as much as you have, but when my husband saw me in my new size suit he said, "Wow."

Not to be too specific but are you taking apples to apples? A Misses 16 is several sizes smaller than a Women's 18. I've lost about 150 pounds and have only gone from a Women's 28 to Women's 22 swimsuit. Depending on how you are shaped you may want to check out brands that come in Long. I am not quite 5'4" but have a long torso so need a longer suit.

What's a "bathing suit"? lol

Rachel-- Yeah, my 18W was well-worn and well stretched out.

I think this is just one of those oddities of fit. My torso is a bit too long for one piece suits and so to get them to cover my large breasts adequately, they have to be a little big so I can use that extra stretch.

Lands End is where I got my Tankini's-- I love the quality of their suits (except the dye tends to fade super fast). I just wanted to get something cheaper-- I guess I got what I paid for I KNEW I'd regret not getting that yellow Juicy Couture one-piece at TJ Maxx that I tried on in the spring!

I had issues finding a swimsuit this year too...the way my body has adjusted to the weight loss is leaving quite a bit of fat and skin on the outside of my upper thighs and every swimsuit I tried on just emphasized it. My DH convinced me to try on some swim shorts and they are working great - I am getting good coverage on my thighs and I bought several tankini tops to wear with them so I'm happy with the results. I am starting to think a thigh lift will be in my future unless something drastic happens...

Swimsuit shopping stinks!!! I think they size them wrong...(at least that is what I tell myself!)

I had great luck with the Land's End line of all-over control bathing suits. They have some very pretty styles and you can find them online and at Sears. I haven't lost nearly as much as you have, but when my husband saw me in my new size suit he said, "Wow."

+1 for Land's End! I have THIS one in the DDD version and it's amazing! The straps are adjustable and you can unhook and criss-cross them in the back for extra support. You can pick which bottom works best for you. I got the longer skirt so I can pull it up to tuck in my loose muffin skin roll... I'm 5'6" and I've lost 94 lbs.

Oh, note from my boyfriend "Don't forget it makes your boobs look great too!" He's right! They're a little saggy now, but this top gives them a great shape!

Janiece

Macy's Bra Cups works great. I wear tankini top D cup. Around size 12, a medium bikini bottom with a surf shorts over them size 10 or 8 try them on. I was size 18 plus almost 3 years out 80 lbs down. Now is can fit large tops some medium. Size 6 or 8 pants. And loving my size. I'm at the beach weekly to SUP (standup paddleboard). Yes can't stand all the loose extra folds but you can hide it with clothes..And never be FAT again.

Swimsuits are a whole different animal. If buying a bikini I wont buy a "suit", I buy separates because I need a fairly small top - but I like a roomier bottom so that it doesnt grab at the hips - I dont have a whole lot of loose skin but my flesh is soft for want of a better word and anything that grabs will give me a muffin top.

One pieces, ugh. I'm 5ft 10. Now, I'm mentally converting to American sizes, but I'd be a 6 to 8 in clothing sizes and would definitely have to buy a 12 to 14 for a one piece - length is an issue for me, not only that but I find that my breasts sit ower than the suit is cut for - not beacause they're sagging to my knees, lol, but because my shoulder to breast distance is ALSO longer thabn average - obviously I"m taller so I have a longer ribcage. I dont even worry about what the size says, if a swimsuit looked good, I'd buy it if it were size 200! Its a matter of buying the right suit, and it can be completely different to the size/colour/style you had in mind. I've bought suits I loved but dont wear becuase they just plain dont look that great on me and I have a pale blue and white striped one piece that looks like nothing on a hanger but looks amazing on.