Pear-shaped too and I would never wear anything but a tankini. I hate, hate, hate having to wiggle out of a wet bathing suit to pee.

Long torso here. I also have extremely fair skin that burns easily, no matter what and I have the cancer scars to prove it. But I'm active. I swim and water ski and boat. Swimsuits are needed when I swim. I understand the tankini drags in the water but I'm not racing. I like takinis because they better fit my long torso. Better fit: straps do not cut into the shoulders or back of neck, bottoms to not have to be pulled down as much over the butt cheeks as much. I also prefer those with skirts in the front: does not show off the razor bumps or rawness from the waxing. I did my share of skimmpy bikinis and more power to you if you still have the bodies and skin to wear them. I'm 5'6", 115lbs., mom of 2 boys. I'll take the age I earned and wear it proudly in a tankini that is comfortable and still shows the curves I work to maintain.

Tankinis have always looked awful on me, even when I weighed 105 (I'm short). Even in my post-two-kids body, I think I look better in bikinis and so does my DH. That said, I also have a one-piece I bought off the sale rack at Old Navy when I forgot my suit during a trip to a water park. It has A LOT of spandex and ruching in the midsection and actually looks quite flattering. I think the key is that if you want a tankini, buy one that is form-fitting.

Another pear here, and I much prefer a one-piece to a tankini. I find they look sleeker and more flattering, and stay in place better and are more comfortable. Get one with some ruching along the side. I like J.Crew suits--they have very modest one-pieces (meaning I don't have to be constantly tugging up or down while swimming and chasing a toddler) with a little bit of style.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I'm definitely pear shape. I'm mostly playing at the pool with the kids so no lap swimming. I do have a lands end tankini that is very comfy but I agree it is very mommyish. I will go to mall and try on a bunch of suits. Thanks for all the advice!

By your own admission, you're wearing the suit to "play with the kids." Why wouldn't it look mommy-ish? What other look are you going for? Sexy? Sporty?

Don't be dense.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I'm definitely pear shape. I'm mostly playing at the pool with the kids so no lap swimming. I do have a lands end tankini that is very comfy but I agree it is very mommyish. I will go to mall and try on a bunch of suits. Thanks for all the advice!

By your own admission, you're wearing the suit to "play with the kids." Why wouldn't it look mommy-ish? What other look are you going for? Sexy? Sporty?

After years of tankinis I started wearing (modest) bikinis, and not only do I look better but it's it's so much more comfortable in the pool not having wet cloth on your belly.

I'm pretty thin, but at 40 with three kids, my tummy is certainly not as toned as it once was! I wore tankinis for several years after the birth of my third child and they never really looked good. I always felt like I looked newly pregnant or post-partum. This summer I tried wearing both a one piece and a bikini and look way better in either of them. The bikini is an athletic cut and I'm still able to run around with kids and not feel self conscious at the local pool.

Find suits with ruching across the belly

I'm pear shaped, and I think one piece suits tend to look better on me than tankinis.

I do have a "faux" tankini that is actually a one piece, which keeps the belly tucked in. Something about the way they are attached splits my body in the right place, so I don't feel as dowdy as with a tankini.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Miraclesuit-GO-BOLDLY-RIALTO-faux-tummy-control-swimsuit-8-10-12-S-M-L-160-/121083521652?pt=US_CSA_WC_Swimwear&var=&hash=item1c3123ea74

Op here. I'm definitely pear shape. I'm mostly playing at the pool with the kids so no lap swimming. I do have a lands end tankini that is very comfy but I agree it is very mommyish. I will go to mall and try on a bunch of suits. Thanks for all the advice!

What are you using the swimsuit for? Actual swimming or just lounging poolside? I find tankinis insufferable to actually swim laps with because they drag in the water.

[quote=Anonymous]You may actually look better in a bikini - all depending on how your midsection looks. You said it was your only problem area.

if you wear a tankini you actually risk drawing attention to that area because of where the top and bottom cut you in the middle. it can look VERY mommy-ish.

are you apple or pear shaped? if pear, go bikini I say.[/quote]

I agree with this. Tankinis look awful on me. They make me look short and stumpy and just all around bad. Can have a similar problem with one pieces because I have a short torso and big boobs so I can look squished. If you have a good friend who can be nice but honest, take her with you to try stuff on. No one has an accurate idea of how they actually look when it comes to swimsuits!!

You may actually look better in a bikini - all depending on how your midsection looks. You said it was your only problem area.

if you wear a tankini you actually risk drawing attention to that area because of where the top and bottom cut you in the middle. it can look VERY mommy-ish.

are you apple or pear shaped? if pear, go bikini I say.

Lands End tankinis are surprisingly nice. And they sell them as separates, so you can get the best sizing and mix and match colors and patterns. Or even get a bikini top to go with the bottoms to give yourself that option.

I just find a tankini so much more comfortable and practical.

I own a few tankinis but I need to replace some. Should I try a one-piece swimsuit? They seem to accentuate the midsection which is the only problem area I have. Tankini selections seem to be pretty lacking so I'm trying to look at other options. I've looked at athleta but all the tops seem to flatten my already non-existent chest. Or just take the jump and go for a bikini ?