I wear a tankini top and shorts. It looks extremely frumpy but, frankly, I don't like shaving my bikini line and I haven't had time to get to the waxing salon so it's shorts to hide the hairline.

I wouldn't say it does anything flattering for my tummy, because of where the eye breaks at the waist, so if tummy is your only concern I'd go with a one-piece.

Anonymous wrote:I second the advice to tell your husband to piss off. He "would die" if you wore swim shorts 6 weeks post c-section? I don't understand that at all. My only guess is that he must be really insecure.

or controlling. wtf?

YOU HAD YOUR ABDOMEN CUT OPEN TO GET AT A BABY THAT YOU CARRIED FOR 9+MOS! Wear a swim burka if that's what you want!

If your legs are still slim and shapely (mine aren't and never were) go with the swim shorts. Otherwise, they will make you look and feel frumpy.

I feel like swim shorts draw more attention to my, um, curvy thighs. I go with a tankini - they feel less frumpy than a one piece, but still keep it all covered. When I get out of the water I wear a skirt or sun dress though.

Maybe longer board shorts though if you really want to cover them up? More sporty looking and a little baggy rather than clingy on a problem area.

Anonymous wrote:I second the advice to tell your husband to piss off. He "would die" if you wore swim shorts 6 weeks post c-section? I don't understand that at all. My only guess is that he must be really insecure.

And a control freak.
I'm lucky with my husband. I bet he pressures her to stay slim.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I think one pieces might be worse than a tankini because at least the tankini top can kind of break up the visual lines? I was contemplating a tankini and possibly swim shorts (though I think my DH would die if I got swim shorts - he is already against swim skirts). Maybe I need a pattern on the suit?

Your husband sounds like a big ass. Mine would NEVER comment in such a thing.

SPANX!!! They're very flattering suits.

This one may be nice
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306621675&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446682777&R=663232510299&P_name=Gottex+Swim&N=306621675&bmUID=ksXG4Y0

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306621675&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446662248&R=883903489598&P_name=Karla+Colletto+Swim&N=306621675&bmUID=ksXGH67

Here's a pretty deep v-neck, but if you have a toddler you'll probably get your top torn off.
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306621675&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446664453&R=759258476715&P_name=Michael+Kors&N=306621675&bmUID=ksXHo6N

The best swimsuit I found post c-section was black, had a lot of ruching on front and back, and a deep v-neck to draw the eye to the boobs and away from the tummy. Funny enough, I bought it at Old Navy for like $15. I've never seen anything since even remotely as flattering at Old Navy, and I've never found a similar swimsuit at higher end places. Recommend dark colors, ruching, and v-necks.

OP here - thanks! I love the links and am going to go ahead and buy something today.

Also, I feel compelled to clarify my statement about my DH. He is actually very sweet and doesn't like the skirts (and presumably shorts) because he thinks I look great even with the stomach and should just wear a normal swimsuit and that I shouldn't feel the need to hide anything. He is my biggest cheerleader and always tells me that he thinks I should not worry about what I look like. But, I personally feel super uncomfortable in my current state and, like many women, already had my own body image issues, so though it's nice for him to constantly tell me I look great, it doesn't get me wanting to wear my old swimsuits just yet. Anyway, I think I portrayed him badly before and even though this is an anonymous forum, I feel a strange desire to clarify

Anonymous wrote:It is HOT! put on abikini that doesnt iritate you. That is all.

She will presumably be SWIMMING in a POOL. And not every woman looks good or feels comfortable in a bikini, particularly when they might be chasing around a toddler, sporting big nursing boobs, or having to uncover to nurse poolside.

It is HOT! put on abikini that doesnt iritate you. That is all.

The tankini top from Lands End is great - get one with a lot of pattern, and that will hide things even better than ruching. I got the bright blue with the dark blue flowers, and it's a really pretty color - better in person. I liked the tankini top I got because it had underwire.

I got the mid-rise bottoms in the navy color (shorts will do nothing for your stomach, so forget it), and that was the right rise - a bit under the belly button, but not much, and still not matronly.

Some of the tops and bottoms have 'control' too, but I think you'd be fine without it - it's just not that comfortable.

Agree that ruching is your best friend. I have this one and love it.

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/swim/solids/PRD~34952/34952.jsp?bmUID=krHtV0D

Land's End ultra high rise swim bottoms or swim skirt will be exactly what you need to hold your stomach in/together and feel comfortable when you need to be in a swimsuit.

A tankini top with lots of support would work well on top. Wear a rash guard over it if you want even more coverage.