I wear a sports bra-style bikini top under mine. The Carrie Underwood brand at Dick’s has some mix and match bottoms/tops/rash guards that are cute and fit me pretty well (also an 8/10 with a tummy, 34D).

Wear with a bikini top or light sports bra without padding or heavy lining. What's nice is that you can get the ugly colors that are more likely to go on sale since no one will see it! I sometimes tuck it in if it starts riding up. I would not be comfortable wearing just the guard with DDDs.

I like the Mott 50 rashguards bc the cropped close fit keeps them from bubbling up, and there are coordinating bikini tops and high waisted bottoms you can get.

I also wear the Lands End rash guard, and know what you mean about bubbling up.

I can see why some prefer the the tight-fitting ones - that would definitely be better for "real" swimming. My needs are just hanging in the pool with my kids, and I wear mine over a sports bra or tankini top.

Rash guards that can be worn without a suit underneath:

https://mott50.com/products/guanahani-fitted-long-sleeve-rash-guard-matcha
https://www.jcrew.com/mpdp/womens/categories/clothing/swimwear/active-long-sleeve-rash-guard/MP459
https://www.freepeople.com/shop/oneone-palmer-surf-rash-guard/

Alternatives to rash guards:

Bathing suits with full back and chest coverage (will still need sunscreen for arms and shoulders):
https://andieswim.com.au/products/the-malibu-flat-white-classic
https://www.summersalt.com/products/the-surf-leopard
https://annecole.com/products/anne-cole-womens-plunge-zip-back-one-piece-swimsuit (this one is lower cut in front tho)

Rashguard swimsuit (one piece):
Athleta Sun Shield One Piece Rashguard (cannot link to gap.com pages for some reason)
https://www.goodamerican.com/en-us/products/good-long-sleeve-swimsuit-knockoutpink001
https://mott50.com/products/mila-long-sleeve-one-piece-swimsuit-lavender-fields

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to bikini top. I've also, in a pinch, worn it over a one piece swimsuit, thought the amount of double coverage is kind of annoying.

To be honest, a few years ago I got really into rash guards for the same reason (not wanting to burn, not wanting to have to deal with sunscreen as much) and have since cooled on them because I find lawyering them somewhat annoying. The easiest thing is a well fitting bikini top and a somewhat loose rash guard, because then you don't get friction between items and it's easier to pull off the rash guard when needed. The downside of this is that I find a looser rash guard much less comfortable to swim in -- a fitted guard feels like nothing, a looser one I notice and sometimes feel irritated by.

I might consider a rash guard style swimsuit, or simply a one piece swimsuit that covers your back so you never have to worry about putting sunscreen somewhere you can't reach. That is mostly what I do.

this is why i prefer to just wear a well fitting rash guard and nothing under it.

Can you recommend your rash guard? The ones I've had have not been thick enough where I feel comfortable doing this, even if they are fitted. I'm used to a bathing suit that at least has a liner.

Anonymous wrote:I wear short board shorts and a sleeveless rash guard. Nothing else.

I am a 38DD and some probably consider my attire inappropriate but whatever. I am 44 so I feel like the gig is up in terms of me looking super cute at the pool. I go to the pool with a towel wrapped around me, hang up the towel, walk ten feet, get in pool, get out and walk ten feet, and wrap towel around me. If people have issues with me not wearing a bra under my rash guard for twnety feet, they can get over themselves.

I use lands end and athleta and coolibar rashguards. Athleta board shorts. I get what you mean about riding up soon but that only happens sometimes with me and it's only felt close to exposing my breasts a couple times and I quickly brush it down.

But maybe some folks will have suggestions for a rash guard less likely to do that.

Rash guards all do that, unless you tuck them in.

But, you know everyone can tell you're not wearing a bra/bathing suit while you're in the water, right? It's no different than not wearing a bra if you're in street clothes, IMO. You do you, but rash guards are like shirts, not like support wear.

I wear bikini tops under rash guards. I normally buy whatever is on clearance at Athleta.

Anonymous wrote:Yes to bikini top. I've also, in a pinch, worn it over a one piece swimsuit, thought the amount of double coverage is kind of annoying.

To be honest, a few years ago I got really into rash guards for the same reason (not wanting to burn, not wanting to have to deal with sunscreen as much) and have since cooled on them because I find lawyering them somewhat annoying. The easiest thing is a well fitting bikini top and a somewhat loose rash guard, because then you don't get friction between items and it's easier to pull off the rash guard when needed. The downside of this is that I find a looser rash guard much less comfortable to swim in -- a fitted guard feels like nothing, a looser one I notice and sometimes feel irritated by.

I might consider a rash guard style swimsuit, or simply a one piece swimsuit that covers your back so you never have to worry about putting sunscreen somewhere you can't reach. That is mostly what I do.

this is why i prefer to just wear a well fitting rash guard and nothing under it.

I wear short board shorts and a sleeveless rash guard. Nothing else.

I am a 38DD and some probably consider my attire inappropriate but whatever. I am 44 so I feel like the gig is up in terms of me looking super cute at the pool. I go to the pool with a towel wrapped around me, hang up the towel, walk ten feet, get in pool, get out and walk ten feet, and wrap towel around me. If people have issues with me not wearing a bra under my rash guard for twnety feet, they can get over themselves.

I use lands end and athleta and coolibar rashguards. Athleta board shorts. I get what you mean about riding up soon but that only happens sometimes with me and it's only felt close to exposing my breasts a couple times and I quickly brush it down.

But maybe some folks will have suggestions for a rash guard less likely to do that.

Anonymous wrote:I found a really cute simple bikini top at Target that does the trick.

https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-scoop-neck-bralette-bikini-top-wild-fable-8482-black-m/-/A-87763477?preselect=87763477

This is so perfect. I'm not OP, but I've often had this same question. I normally wear the shirt on top of a one piece, but this is better! I find the other way feels really bulky sometimes.

Yes to bikini top. I've also, in a pinch, worn it over a one piece swimsuit, thought the amount of double coverage is kind of annoying.

To be honest, a few years ago I got really into rash guards for the same reason (not wanting to burn, not wanting to have to deal with sunscreen as much) and have since cooled on them because I find lawyering them somewhat annoying. The easiest thing is a well fitting bikini top and a somewhat loose rash guard, because then you don't get friction between items and it's easier to pull off the rash guard when needed. The downside of this is that I find a looser rash guard much less comfortable to swim in -- a fitted guard feels like nothing, a looser one I notice and sometimes feel irritated by.

I might consider a rash guard style swimsuit, or simply a one piece swimsuit that covers your back so you never have to worry about putting sunscreen somewhere you can't reach. That is mostly what I do.

I found a really cute simple bikini top at Target that does the trick.

https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-scoop-neck-bralette-bikini-top-wild-fable-8482-black-m/-/A-87763477?preselect=87763477

Yes a bikini top or whatever type of bathing suit you prefer. Rashguards are usually worn on top of a suit for women

I am a 36D and burn easily, so a few years ago I bought a Land's End rash guard to wear with a pair of shorts instead of a bathing suit. The positive is that I can't remember the last time I had a bathing suit fit me well, and a pair of shorts and a shirt fit me just fine (I'm a size 8/10 but curvy with a stomach).

But the last few times I went to the pool, I realized that the shirt was bubbling up (not sure if that's the correct phrase) in the water. I eventually tucked it into my pants, but I also realized that I have zero bust support, and my nipples show when I'm out of the water.

I hate shopping, so I'm turning to you guys to help me out here: what can I wear under the rash guard (a regular bra or sports bra isn't going to work)? A bikini top? Or should I be looking at a different brand of rash guard? I really don't like spending much money on clothes, so please keep that in mind when responding (I'm obviously not one of the fashion-minded people on DCUM).

TIA!