People do not typically associate bikinis with plus-size women, but that should change–two-piece bathing suits are great for us all.
The other day, I did a shopping guide dedicated to bathing suits that come in plus sizes. While there are quite a few great ones out there, I also had that yearly reminder of an aspect of fashion that is a bit dull in the autumn and winter months: brands, designers, retailers, and regular folks still think some sizes simply aren’t “for” plus-size women—namely, bikinis.
Women who are over a size 4 or so are typically not shown in bathing suits in magazines, on television, or in films–although, to be fair, women over a size 4 are barely shown in the media at all.
Any woman who has a larger-than-C cup bust size or wide hips is supposed to be motherly, matronly, or frumpy, according to the entertainment industry, rather than sexy or even just existent.
It’s hot in the summer. Like, really hot. Don’t we all deserve to swim in our bathing suits and feel good about it, or at least not feel bad whatsoever?
So, to disprove the theory that bikinis are to be left out of the wardrobes of plus-size women, here are plenty of reasons why itsy bitsy two-piece swimsuits are for us above-4s; too!
Plus-size bikinis finally don’t suck!
Back in the dark days, bathing suits for plus-size women essentially looked like spandex tents (thus the name of my plus-size bathing suit shopping guide).
Nowadays, there are so many designers that actually create incredible pieces for women sizes 10 and up, from Madison Plus Select, who collaborated with plus-size supermodel Robyn Lawley to SwimsuitsForAll, who worked with the ever-incredible Gabi Fresh.
No longer do women need to settle for boring black and deep blue pieces (unless you really want to, I s’pose); instead, we can actually find bright ones, printed ones, ones that have the same weirdo tan lines as “standard size” bikinis! If you have had trouble in the past with finding a two-piece in your size, 2021 is your year: seize the day, seize the string bikini.
Tankinis are stupid
Yes, I am writing off an entire type of bathing suit. Tankinis are almost exclusively recommended for women who aren’t “supposed” to show off their bodies, meaning “anyone who isn’t athletic with a BMI of under 20,” according to most fashion magazines.
Many of the supposed to alter how you actually look by “concealing tummies,” which is stupid because that implies your body isn’t good enough the way it is and primarily reminds me that the term “tummies” is inappropriate when applied to anyone over the age of two.
If you are going to wear a two-piece, go for it. If you are going to wear a one-piece, also go for it. But for goodness’ sake, can we please erase tankinis off the face of the Earth now?
The fit is easier to find
A one-piece has to fit you in the shoulders, breasts, waist, and hips–that’s a lot to have perfect in one single article of clothing. When you go for a two-piece, you can choose something that is a size 12 on the top and a 14 on the bottom, of a 36DD on the top and a Medium on the bottom. You don’t have to try so hard to locate a piece of fabric that will probably not fit perfectly regardless–and is typically nonreturnable.
Boobs
While not all plus-size women have large cup sizes, we do tend to have more stuff we can prop up, and a bikini is a perfect way to do that. Using a halter bikini top, in particular, you can basically just push your breasts up a la Mae West and be on your merry way.
Bikinis add definition
I’m not saying you need to run out and get a bikini because of how it will make your body look; if you want to wear a two-piece, wear a two-piece regardless! That said, if you are seeking to get that particularly defined pinup-girl style or even simply to look a little curvier in silhouette, bikinis are probably the easiest way to get that. While one-pieces and tankinis (ugh) skim over your body, a high-waisted brief style and supportive top achieve that goal wonderfully.
The more (you buy), the merrier
This is purely a principal thing: if we stop letting some retailers bully plus-size women into wearing bathing suits that are boring, plain, and purely made to be “flattering” by buying the sexier, more exciting bikinis, then they will make more of them! And wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Trying to disappear is silly
One of my least favorite tropes that appears in so many fashion magazines’ summer content is the idea of styling one’s body to make it sort of disappearing into itself. There are so many tricks that are meant to “disguise,” “distract,” or “hide” the way your body looks, as though it is unworthy of being seen.
You know what is silly about that? Everything. You’re not a magician; you do not need to confound the world with your optical trick of a bathing suit.
Your body is a body! It deserves to be treated like one. Sure, if you like to wear navy blue tankinis or knee-length skirted swimsuits, then, by all means, do so! But if what you actually want is to don a bold floral bikini to the beach, then do that this summer. You will look wonderful, feel better, and not GAF what anybody else thinks because you’ll be too busy having a good time.
