Ah, swimsuit season. How I loathe thee.
I have shed some weight lately. Not as much as I had hoped to by the start of summer, but 20 pounds is no small feat, either. I'll keep trying.
Meanwhile, I need a new swimsuit.
I was wearing a 16/18. Not anymore! That's the good news.
I've been swimsuit shopping twice in the last week. No more plus sizes for me! Now, I'm trying on 12s (and even some 10s!). This is a Big Deal.
Except...
Suddenly I realize that I will never be able to buy a swimsuit in a size 10 or 12.
It appears that the swimsuit manufacturers think that only fat girls need bust support.
"Oh, we have bra sizes. We go up to DD," says the sales girl proudly.
Well isn't that fantastic. I was a DD in college before pregnancy and breastfeeding took their toll on the girls. We need to travel a little further along the alphabet to get to where I need to be.
Thankfully, there are some beautifully made bras out there that help to mould your poor, sad, tired girls back into shape.
Seriously, ladies... Most of you are wearing the wrong size bra. I promise. A quality bra that fits correctly will do wonders for your figure and your self esteem. Stay away from department stores. They are not your friend.
But I digress...
Unfortunately, the same does not hold true for swimsuits.
Bust support is non-existent, even with the suits that proclaim their supportive attributes.
The girls end up either squished flat, oozing out the sides, pouring out the top in a grotesque parody of a décolletage, or just totally distorting the intended shape of the swimsuit.
It's a nightmare.
I found one (ONE!) that would work for me. It was a miracle. It was also $135 dollars. Just for the top.
Back to the drawing board...
I decided to try a local plus size store, thinking I'd have better luck. They laughed me out of the store.
Girl, what you think gonna fit you in this store? What are you, a size 8?
Why no, but thank you, you just made my day.
Try Old Navy, they carry your size.
No one seems to fully understand The Boob Problem.
The husband's advice? Wear a T-shirt.
Why yes, nothing says I'm uncomfortable with my body like a chick hanging out in the pool with a T-shirt on. Sigh.