Feeling Fab in Lilly & Lime!

Something I didn’t realize when deciding to get larger implants was how it would affect swim suit shopping.  It’s truly a pain!!  I was already wearing my proper fitting bras but when wearing swimwear you are very exposed and there’s always a chance of something showing that you would rather keep covered.  Showing off copious amounts of cleavage can be a bit awkward in public, especially when I’m with my 2 youngest kiddos and they are boys!  Suffice to say it’s been a struggle trying to find a cute and modest swim top as I prefer bikinis and triangle tops are much too revealing unless I’m staying in my own pool and not allowing visitors.  I have also struggled with very, very close set breasts so I was doubtful that anything other than a low plunge would work.  In fact, at first I told my fellow bloggers that I shouldn’t even try the suit for fear of it not working for my shape but boy am I glad I did after all (hint…I love it!).   I was kindly gifted the Stripe Balconette and the matching Stripe Hipster Tie Bottom by Lilly and Lime, a new Australian based swimwear company specializing in swimwear for D cup and up.  I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my package to find a very cute tote with my bikini inside, a special touch by the company that stood out to me.  I was even happier once I tried on my suit and my doubts soon faded as I finally found a modest and super cute bikini top that I can proudly wear in public.

I was sent the Stripe Balconette style in a 30GG which is my UK size and it’s the size I usually wear in Ewa Michalak unlined styles as well (this might help my fellow Polish bra junkies out there..wink…wink!).  The Balconette is the only style that has the option to be worn with or without straps which are fully adjustable.  For fun you could even cross the straps in the back!  As for fit…The band has a plastic clasp closure and is rather loose so I would definitely prefer a 28H so I could safely and securely wear it as the strapless option to avoid those extra tan lines.  The cups fit almost perfectly with nice projection and I would say they are comparable to my other 30GG bras but I would prefer the wires to be just a bit narrower.  The cups are lined with foam and there are no removable pads making it a stiff fit at first but the longer I had the top on the more it molded to my breasts and I must add that when the top is wet it kept it’s shape nicely.  I’m  also happy to report that my breasts were nicely separated  and the gore was actually comfortable!  This really shocked me as I have a very difficult time with high gores and this one is pretty wide too …good thing I didn’t judge it until I tried it 🙂  The wires are on the softer side so that probably contributes to the comfort, a huge bonus since that’s just as important as being cute for me.  As for support, I can’t accurately comment since the band is too loose for me to properly judge.  The bottoms are very cheeky for me;  I received a size 12 in the Stripe Hipster Tie bottom,  I usually wear a large or size 8 in US sizes.

I am an older mom of four and I nervously told my fellow bloggers that I didn’t think there was any way on Earth I could wear these cheeky bottoms after seeing pictures of other,  much younger girls in them.  Guess what …shocked again,  they look pretty decent and the ties are just the right fun touch.  I would still prefer more coverage in public and definitely in the waves but for floating in my pool they are perfect.  The fabric is very high quality, nicely lined and there’s a very cute Lilly and Lime signature metal tag detail that I love!  The stripes are a vibrant purple/blue shade and white…very hip and fun and for a twist this pattern would look super cute interchanged with either the Nectarine top or bottom.

Overall I am ecstatic about this new suit,  I feel young and confident in it…nothing could be better then that right?!  I look forward to more from Lilly and Lime!  There aren’t many larger cup options in swimwear so I am thrilled to find this new choice…super cute vibrant prints and high quality!  A huge Thanks to Lilly and Lime for this beautiful bikini!  My Stripe Bikini was graciously provided for review by Lilly and Lime.  All opinions are my own. Peace! 🙂

Swimwear That’s Not Minus Sized?

I fall into a size category that I find incredibly frustrating at times.  At 5’9, pants are flood ready, sleeves are closer to 3/4 length and tops can easily show off my navel.  Sometimes I get lucky finding things that are long enough, and sometimes brands will carry a sliver of a ‘tall’ selection.

My biggest frustration lately is swimwear.  One piece suits are almost always too short, making them so high cut, I look like I’m auditioning for a Whitesnake video.

Before I had augmentation surgery, I could usually just hike and tug a suit to land somewhere between Tawny Kitaen and JLO at the 2000 Grammys.  Nowadays, I have boobs that can and will fall out of something too low cut.   “Just wear a bikini!” you say.  Well, although I’m tall enough to be a runway model, I wear a US size 14 and I’ve had 3 children.  So, I haven’t felt comfortable in a 2 piece since 2003.  There are, of course lots of stores that carry ‘Plus sized’ swimwear, but I’m on the very low end of that spectrum, and I don’t think I should have to wear something that my Nana would think was “precious.”

While recently preparing for a beach trip with my husband, I made it my mission to find a few options that I would feel comfortable AND sexy in.  I bought and returned several suits from various online retailers, but I did manage to find a few very cute options!

First up is the Scarf City Push Up One Piece from Kenneth Cole.  It’s not available from the retailer I bought it from, but I did find one here.  It is a bit low cut and won’t work for everyone, but I love this style and find it sexy without being too revealing.  The fabric is just firm enough to feel supported and will give some tummy control without feeling constricting.  It ties behind the neck in a halter style and has what I would consider pretty full bum coverage. I ordered this in an XL.

Another option I found is, gasp! a 2 piece!  I recently ordered the St. Tropez bikini from Ewa Michalak reviewed in detail by our own Jelz here.  Sadly the bottoms just weren’t for me, but the top in 85G fits great and looks very cute in my opinion with the bottoms that I got as part of a set at Unique Vintage.  The top in the Monroe bikini set was too small, but the bottoms are great, as they don’t cut into my waist at all.  I got these in XL also and the fit is exactly right. They have ruching all along the front which hides a multitude of sins, and also a full coverage bum.  I highly recommend Unique Vintage if you like the retro style and are an easier fit in the bust.

Last but not least is an option that not everyone would  be comfortable with, and if I were anywhere but on vacation with my husband, I wouldn’t either.  It’s the Color block Plunge One Piece from Victoria’s Secret.  It’s not currently available, but it has been sold out and back on the site a couple of times, so if you love it, keep checking the availability.  I ordered a large, which is usually perfect from VS but this suit runs much smaller than any other suit I’ve owned from them.  I think it’s because the fabric has very little stretch.  It’s a bit revealing and racy, but I love it.  The front has a very deep plunge, partly because it’s actually a bit short for my torso and on me, it shows quite a bit of sideboob.  The back is a low plunge with very cheeky bum coverage.

 

Three new suits that I actually like is a huge score for me, and it gives me hope that I can find more options for my seemingly impossible proportions!  If you have any recommendations for your favorite brands, styles or retailers, share them!  Us Amazons need all the help we can get!

xo Treschic