The Hellobee boards inspired this post! Last summer I was on the prowl for a postpartum friendly suit that would hide the extra 20 lbs I was still carrying 4 months postpartum. It was a really emotional process. I knew I wanted a one piece, something that had ruching and was cute. This year I’m more prepared going into it – I know what to look for and what looks good now. I may have lost all the baby weight, but I still need to hide the loose skin on my stomach, newly acquired love handles and “lovely” stretch marks. Here is a round up of some great swimsuits that are mama friendly!
1. Modcloth Sailorette Swimsuit – Definitely a more daring option for those feeling adventurous, but this suit with its retro high-rise bottoms has vintage appeal while covering up stretch marks and loose skin.
2. Athleta One-Piece – Athleta is a really high-quality brand. What I love about their swimwear is that it’s designed for sports, so it provides a lot of support and the use of quality materials. After having a baby and buying a swimsuit last year, I realized that chest support was vital – and my swimsuit didn’t have that so it always felt off. I love that Athleta sizes by cup size.
3. Divinita Sole – All of these swimsuits are gorgeous, colorful and offer plenty of coverage. One thing that really sets this brand apart is that they offer style and fit guides based on your body shape. If you are pear shaped for example, they reference the swimsuits that would best complement your shape.
4. J. Crew Off-the-shoulder – I love how elegant this suit looks with its draped one-shoulder effect. It’s ruched all the way down to hide the stomach and love handles.
5. Albion – This one is thanks to @BabyJMama and her thread about mom-friendly bathing suits! This site has so many adorable options, specially designed for women no matter their size. I think the designers even had post-partum mama’s in mind!
6. Lands End – This is where I bought my ruched tankini and high-rise bottoms last summer and I love them! I felt great even though I was carrying an extra 20 lbs.
7. Miraclesuit – Albeit expensive, I’ve heard only glowing reviews about how amazing this brand is. Lots of ruching and great bust support – it’s a new mom’s dream suit!
8. VS Retro One-Piece – This is a suit I debated getting last summer – I love that it has the option to be a halter or strapless, it has ruching all the way down in the front and back and is a little longer to hide any cellulite or stretch marks on the butt and upper thighs – win!
Do you have a swimsuit you love for your new mama-body?
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Cute! I like 3, 5 and 7!
GOLD / apricot / 315 posts
I think #5 is super-cute with the little ruffle on the shoulder!
I’ve had this bathing suit from Modcloth for years now and I would buy another one in heartbeat. It was flattering before I had kids, while I was pregnant (until it stopped fitting around month six or seven) and has ruching and longer sides to help the postpartum fit as well.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/onepiece-swimwear/beach-blanket-bingo-one-piece-in-soft-black
honeydew / 7488 posts
Very cute! I am a big fan of Lands End swimwear. I love their mix and match options and how you can filter based on your body type. It’s also great that you can return to Sears. They also make great suits for kids that are practical and not too “sexy” ( I want my kid to look like a kid in her suit, not an adult!).
grapefruit / 4400 posts
I LOVE retro swimsuits! #1 looks amazing.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
OMG, No. 1 is so cute, but I didn’t have the body shape to pull it off even before I started growing babies! I have envy for anyone who can wear that because it’s just darling.
coconut / 8305 posts
I have a suit much like #8 but it has ruching pulled to one side instead of all the way down both and has a floral pattern instead of solid. I’ve always felt really cute and kind of vintagy in it so it’s a win.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I love #1 and #8!
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
I was eyeing the Lands End catalog the other day and looking at swim suits. I need one that covers the postpartum horror show and is appropriate to wear in front of my students at our neighborhood pool. I really liked their flouncy swim mini, but wasn’t sure if it would hide or highlight my lower half.
guest
cute! I like #5. I bought a 1 piece from Gap online last year and still really like it.
apple seed / 4 posts
I love J. Crew swimwear! Their one-pieces are pretty, especially in that special Italian jersey!
pomegranate / 3383 posts
Love #1 and #4!
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
@Mrs. Tricycle: Go ahead and order … you can return to Sears, which is what I did last summer.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
I own 8 but my boobs are too big for it! It is a super cute suit for someone a little smaller!
cherry / 158 posts
Love that the miraclesuit model has curves and thighs – she makes that suit gorgeous and my top pick.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@Mrs. Bee: Good to know! I’m glad I didn’t buy it then. Last summer I was a G! I’m now back down to my pre-pregnancy cup size but I’m still on the large end.
@Sarah Crowder: I was actually trying to find more for women with curves – it’s hard! but Fig Leaves and Modcloth had a nice collection of curvy swimsuits
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
Pretty!
I rocked this post-partum in a plum color last summer: Was super flattering!!
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/swim/onepiecetanks/PRDOVR~34952/34952.jsp
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
I just ordered this one: http://www.breakoutbras.com/product/Panache-Veronica-One-Piece-Swimsuit-Lagoon-SW0640/One-Piece-Swimwear
It has a tummy control panel and is fitted to your bra size. Hope I look super hot in it, it’s busy shipping it’s way to me.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@Mrs. Superhero: that is super cute!!! let me know how it looks
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@Mrs. Blue: I wish I could just try it on to see how it looks because it’s ADORABLE!!!
clementine / 958 posts
I love Athleta bathing suits – I own 3! They have great customer service, too. The plastic hook on the top of one of my suits snapped after a couple wears, and they replaced the suit. They even paid the shipping cost for me to return the broken one.
cantaloupe / 6923 posts
Oooh I love #3. I have a one shoulder swimsuit like #4 but it is striped and I adore it. So fun and different!
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
@Mrs. Yoyo: I have about 20 Lands Ends things to return to Sears right now — trying to get together a small PP work wardrobe. It’s not pretty. Sigh.
I’m all over a Lands End bathing suit, but I’m waiting a few months to see if any more of this PP weight goes away before I pull the trigger.
pomegranate / 3032 posts
I spotted this one on pinterest and I think i might buy this one for the summer
http://www.swimspot.com/Athena-Heavenly-Bandini-Tankini-and-Tunnel-Swimsuit-Bottom-3847.aspx
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
@Mrs. Tricycle: I feel ya … and I’m 19 months P/P! Here’s a pro tip: Don’t be like me. Step awaaaaay from the sugar.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Cute and awesome list! Thanks for sharing!
olive / 51 posts
such cute suits! i started loving retro style one pieces last year (even before getting pregnant) now I am just worried about this summer when I’ll be ready to pop!
grapefruit / 4671 posts
4 and 8 are gorgeous.
GOLD / nectarine / 2884 posts
@MissKabers: last summer when I was preg I had this vintage-y suit: http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=94439910083&MasterCategory_Id=MC9
I loved it! I used it from May to August (so from month 4-9) and we have a pool so it got almost daily use. I put it back for baby number two! It was so cute I am almost sorry to have to find something new
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
All so cute! I hate bikini bottoms, so actually wear boy shorts or board shorts and a top most similar to #6. I actually find it super hard to find the types of bottoms I prefer.