SO summer is coming, and I'm still really big and self-conscious (pre banded) What can I wear to a water park that doesn't look ridiculous but covers my strecth marked belly, dimpled thighs etc.?

Tankins, boy shorts are the way to go.

i really like the swim dresses, not the old lady types, but the cute ones, i have one that i bought last summer thats black with tiny white and pink polka dots, its very retro, i bought it at dillards, i am in luv with it. something like that shuld work for you.

I have this black bathing suit dress too and it looks really sexy, yet covers well. I also put one of those bottom wrap things on too, for when I walk around a beach. I only take it off right when I'm about to get in. I forget what they are called though...

Sarong (spelling?) I feel ya on the whole not taking it off until right before I'm about to get in :frown:

Yeah.. lol, one of those sarong things.. I make my hubby stand right behind me and go in with me and then I hurry and take it off and then run in real quick. HA HA.. but, it hides my arse for that one moment.. ha ha

Shortskinis. I found one with nice, modest length shorts, but not ful l length or swinshort length (and definitely not boy shorts, which do nothing for fat thighs).

If you like more coverge, how about a swim top/swim short combo? Or top skirt? They give you the most versatility in actual combination as well as coverage.

I went with board shorts - swim shorts in light material, like what surfers wear. Boardies are virtually uniform here in Melbourne, apparently in Sydney men still get around in budgie smugglers (speedos).

Anyway, over recent years there has been a large number of board shorts for ladies, very popular now are hipster super short ones, but there's ones with more coverage as well. You dont need to cover them up, they're fine for streetwear too. I just wore them with a tankini top.

I cant wear lycra boy short styles. If you're the least bit hippy like I am, oh my god, they make my butt look HUGE, at least 2 metres wide. They sit right on my widest part, the saddlebags on my outer thigh. I honestly look much better in a briefer bikini.

Those swim skirts that Wheetsin's posted look great. I've never seen anythign like that in Australia.

i like bandeau mini swim dresses...here's a link where i buy before my summer trips : Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Twist Front Bandeau - Sizes 16W-26W - Style 67164W:thumbup:

Well, I do love my new found boobage from my new ex-cigarette lifestyle...with that came the other 60 pounds that led me to this site...lol

Point being, I'm going to try and go google some plus board shorts and a good tankini that will maybe be a halter top, pulls them together and makes them look nice. Since my stomach and legs are covered, I gotta show something.

Thanks for all the help!

I think we have a winner...tell me what ya'll think!

Women's Plus Size Swimwear - Hilo Halter Swimdress - Style#IO4519-08X - Size 16W-26W<br>JUST ARRIVED

Great one Bikini! good choice.. Very flattering and pretty!

I love halters and tankinis even though I have big boobs and cottage cheese thighs. I bought a nice halter tankini from Macy's about 2 years ago. It has a really fun blue and white pattern with a short black skirted bottom. As a cover up I usually wear this white terry polo dress I bought at Target or my hot pink silk sari.

KikiVal315 that is just my speed, in pink.! It is sexy but I can still dive in and jump off of the pool floor with it on without fear the girls will pop out.

It must be said that I refuse to wear black bathing suit. My favorite bathing suit was a cherry red halter 1 piece (no skirt). I know most people would disagree with me on no black suits but heres the logic:

I figured a long time ago that I was 346lbs at the beach/pool and no black suit is gonna make me look 146lbs. So I said screw it and now I wear color and lots of it, no florals though(Im afraid of looking like a walking jungle).

I am, as we speak, trying to talk myself out of buying a retro white malliot swimsuit.

I live in NYC and I go to the beach and pool with hundreds of thousands of other people (literally). I lost my modesty , insofar as swim wear, long ago.

you go chocolate!!! i agree with the black swimsuit thing;it was hard at first to go with a color other than black, but i got used to it, and there are so many cute plus size selections now.

that swimsuit is so cute. I need a new one i never saw that site before i think i will be making a purchase soon.

I feel too self conscious to wear a swimming costume so here's to next summer!! So wish i had the confidence!