For my entire life, I have struggled to find a one-piece swimsuit that was even somewhat comfortable and not so awkwardly tight that the front stretched down as far as it could go.
I’m sure there are many long-torso gals out there who can relate to this look… somewhat OK for an 8 year old — not so much for an adult!
Although I usually just resorted to wearing 2-piece suits or tankinis, I actually ended up making 2 or 3 of my own one-piece suits in elementary school because I needed a one-piece for swimming lessons and for various school functions that prohibited 2-piece suits.
Ahhh… so much better!
It’s been a LONG time since I owned a comfortable one-piece suit though.
For the most part, I have been completely satisfied to wear a 2-piece suit or a tankini… until having 3 kids in 3.5 years!
I am not ashamed of my body in anyway — but I also don’t need to be flaunting my stretch marks and wearing a swimsuit style that doesn’t flatter my figure. And since most tankinis cut off right around the bellybutton area, leaving the lower few inches of my stomach totally exposed, I have had to re-think my swimsuit situation over the past couple of years.
For the last 3 years, I have been intently searching for a fabulous one-piece suit that was both cute and comfortable (I honestly didn’t even care about the price, I just wanted ONE suit) and although I have searched and ordered and tried on and returned more one-piece suits than I can possibly keep track of, I have yet to find even one suit that fits me well enough to keep it.
Not ONE!
I have been making due with a cute “swim dress / top” that I got from Target back when I was pregnant with Nora. It is apparently supposed to be a ‘dress’ but it only goes down to my hip bone — however, it’s much longer than a traditional tankini, and it was right around $11 in the clearance section!
I’ve been wearing it with bottoms I already have for that mix-and-match look that is very popular right now.
This suit even got extra “points” because it worked as a maternity suit too (I’m 6 months pregnant with James in the picture below).
As you can imagine, after wearing this top for the past 4 years (including 2 pregnancies) it’s time for me to get something a little newer — and maybe not so stretched out 🙂
So, a couple months ago, I posted a plea on my Facebook page asking for any and all suggestions for swimsuits that fit a VERY VERY LONG torso. There were several very good suggestions — but I kept coming up empty handed and I was getting frustrated all over again.
Although I’m not one to easily admit defeat — I decided that I have simply spent too much time searching for a one-piece that will actually fit me, so I stopped looking.
Instead, I focused my attention on other options — and I actually visited the fabric store to look at swimsuit patterns I could make myself!
Thankfully, I found a solution before I took on the task of making my own suit!
My solution = High Waist Bikini Bottoms!
Thanks to Taylor Swift and other fashionable celebrities, the high waist bottoms are now in style and readily available at stores like Target!
Although these bottoms are usually paired with cute bikini tops, I found that if I pair a high waist bottom with a tankini top, I get the look of a one-piece suit without hunching over to get the straps over my shoulders!
Plus, we all know that 2-piece suits have a huge advantage over one-pieces suits when it’s time to use the bathroom!
My New Long-Torso-Approved Swimsuits
Doesn’t the black suit look like a full one-piece? You can’t even tell it’s 2 separate pieces!
Oh, and if you’re wondering about the photos, we recently got new swimsuits for the kids from friends or various second-hand sales — so over Spring Break, we pretended we were going somewhere fun and had an “everyone try on our new swimsuit” party in the living room. I think Nora stayed in her suit for a few hours after we took the pictures!
Where I Found My Swimsuits
I’m not sure how long this link will work, but here’s the link to ALL the high waist bottoms available at Target right now (which is where I got mine).
I purchased this Merona bottom in both black and navy, and then purchased a black tankini halter top as well as a navy and pink floral strapless top.
Thanks to a special sale, a coupon code, and using Ebates, I got all 4 items for around $52 total!
I now have TWO brand new suits that look cute, fit wonderfully, and feel great on me — and since they are 2 separate pieces, I can easily mix and match them with other tops or bottoms (if I find anything else I like in the future).
Also, if you’ve ever shopped for “extra long” or “tall” swimsuits, you know that finding 4 pieces for $52 is an absolutely insane deal — so yes, I’m just a little excited!
Thank you, Taylor Swift, for helping to bring back the high-waisted bottoms — they seem to be a perfectly simple AND frugal solution to my long-torso swimsuit woes.
Bring on the backyard swimming pool fun, my friends!
NOTE: here’s the link to my massive post about our Costco pool (pictured below).
Do you have a long torso? If so, what swimsuit styles or brands have worked well for you?
Jill says
Lands End Ultra high waist swim bottoms (regular or skirt) are awesome. I am have a long torso but also need plus size (they are in regular sizes too). I love that they come up over my belly button and hold things in firmly
Andrea says
good to know! Thanks!!
Bridget says
I feel like a copycat because I ended up trying this idea and got the same floral and blue set! I’ve also had a long torso issue and still can’t find a one piece. I always have to try a Large for length but then it’s too big everywhere else! Now, after 6 kids the high waist might be the best option for holding it all in in the stomach area and the suit didn’t cover my belly button either!! You might have given a lot of people same idea because target online was sold out of the floral one in all sizes but one. 🙂
Andrea says
haha — well we will be twins if we ever see each other at the beach 🙂
Glad to know that combo is working well for others too!
Trisha G says
I don’t think I necessarily have a long torso, but I’m pretty modest and don’t like showing too much of anything and I have had a hard time finding cute modest swimsuits. I love this idea of pairing a tankini top with a high-waisted bottom to ensure my post-preggie tummy is well tucked in! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
You’re welcome Trish! I think this sounds like a great solution for you too!
Bev @ The Make Your Own Zone says
It looks like you found a great solution! You’ve got me wondering though, it must be that the high waisted bottoms are actually high waisted on you? As a tall person, I’m always surprised at how the rise on most pants and jeans aren’t designed for tall people. For instance the inseams might be longer on a “Long” pants, but the rise isn’t and it’s like you can’t pull them up high enough to where they should be! So do high waisted bottoms actually make it to your belly button? Hopefully not too personal a question 🙂 They sure look like they are working out good in the pictures.
Andrea says
The high-waisted bottoms are significantly higher than my traditional bikini bottoms (probably 5″ higher) but no, they don’t cover my belly button. On a “normal” body, they are supposed to cover the belly button, but no for me 🙂
They still come plenty high enough that a tankini top covers them though — so they work for me!
Dakota Falls says
I’m so different! I wear a 38″ inseam but am extremely short waisted! My thumb print is THE wish between my hips & ribs! My 6’is all legs. I used to but from Long Elegant Legs online but the rise on most items was way too much yet some inseams were only 32″. The clothes are very cute along with dresses, PJs & tops with longer torso & arms! http://www.longelegantlegs.com
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing this resource!!
Mandy says
Oh man the long torso struggle is real! Thank you for posting this. Great idea! I moved to the beach two years ago and you have just saved me!
Dawn says
I can’t even tell you how much love I have for you at this moment! Ha! I did just happen to find a Liz Claiborne suit at JCPenneys recently, was still $60 on sale, but happened to fit “okay” on my long torso. Can’t wait to try your idea!!!!
Kaitlin @ The Mom on Purpose says
This is brilliant! You just saved me! I have been on the hunt for a swimsuit for vacation the end of May and have struck out at 7 stores! I have a similar problem. I’m 5’10” and nothing actually covers my stomach and one pieces just do the awkward stretch under my arms! I’m heading to Target to get these tonight!
Andrea says
Yay — glad to help Kaitlin!
Just an FYI though, the Target stores probably won’t have near the selection of the website. I haven’t actually been to a target store to look for them, but when I was shopping online, many of the options said “online only” so you might want to check that out before driving to the store.
Have a fun vacation!
Linda says
This is a great post however I have the complete opposite problem. I have no waist. Pants and skirts all come right under my bra. Bathing suits do not fit as there is too much fabric. It overlaps. Possibly a two piece would work well. I could probably use a bikini bottom and a petite top.
Andrea says
yes, I have friends with your “problem” too 🙂
I suppose that if you could sew at all, you could hem up the bottom of the tankini tops… or, as you suggested, shop for a petite top.
Sorry, I am not much help in this department as I’ve never had to worry about that!
Jennifer says
I have a tankini with bottoms that have a sort of ‘yoga’ style waistband – it’s ruched at the sides and you can flip it up or down. If I flip it down I get about an inch of belly showing (this was pre-baby – haven’t tried it on since the baby!), but it can also be flipped up and that way it covers my belly and the top comes down over it.
I got my suit in the UK (in John Lewis if anyone’s interested!), but if you see any styles with a similar yoga waistband, they might work similarly!
Andrea says
YES… this is actually what I started looking for before I found the high-waist bottoms. I was thinking, maybe something with a flap that I could flip up. I never found one like you are describing, but that search lead me to the high-waist bottoms — so a win for me 🙂
Alicia says
I JUST (no joke) bought a high-waisted bikini swim suit! As a mom of 3 myself, a traditional bikini doesn’t cut it for me anymore. But the high-waisted bottoms are AMAZING!
I’m not sure how I feel about the bikini top. It’s a little much for me and I may need to pair it with a tankini top like you did – which I honestly never even thought about doing until reading this post! Thanks for the great suggestion!
Andrea says
Yes Alicia, I’m not sure I could pull off a bikini top at this point — but the tankini option is working wonderfully. My “issue” with wearing a bikini top is that my torso is SO stinkin’ long that even the high-waist bottoms are still a couple inches under my belly button (and they are supposed to cover the belly button). In my opinion, it looks weird to have my belly button still showing over the top of the high-waist bottom… so I’ll probably stick to the tankini for now 🙂
Mandy says
I just bought a pair of high waisted bikini bottoms! They are much more flattering (especially after having a baby) and are modest without making me feel frumpy!
Andrea says
my thoughts exactly! glad you found something that is working for you too!
Beatriz says
I am actually really self conscious about my tummy and this seems like a great solution for me! I like your idea 🙂
Andrea says
I’m guessing you would love the high waist bottoms! They make various types too — if you’re willing to pay more, you can get the “tummy control” versions with thicker, stronger elastic across the front.
Ann says
Yes! I must admit that I was first excited when I found my first high-waisted swim suit bottoms and then immediately felt ashamed for laughing at my mother’s high-waisted suit back in the 70s. Oh well, let my kids laugh. I am thrilled!
Andrea says
haha — yes, this thought has crossed my mind too! We used to always “mock” my mom for wearing “mom jeans” (a.k.a. jeans that came up super high) now I’m doing the same thing with swiming suits!
ShellyL says
Brilliant solution! I’ve been struggling with finding a suit and I am going to try this. Even though I am not as slim (or as young lol) as you are, I think it could work. The funniest thing though is that I was reading this at work and marveling at your courage to post swimsuit pics after babies. Then I thought, wow in this picture, she looks remarkably like Taylor Swift! Haha It was Taylor. I should pay more attention. Just had to share my laugh! Great post!
Andrea says
haha — yes, I originally wasn’t going to use pictures of myself, but Dave talked me into it. I do feel like it’s probably more “real” if I use the photos of myself — but I still wanted to keep the cute one of Taylor Swift in there too!
Debbie says
I think you look great in the swimsuits you posted so glad you listened to Dave. I especially like the floral strapless and optional strap.
Andrea says
well thanks Debbie 🙂
I usually feel that Dave’s opinions are pretty reliable, so I’m glad I trusted him on this one too!
Amy says
I too have a long torso and struggle to find one pieces that fit. I’m also a DD cup with a small waist which makes it even more difficult. I did something similar with high waisted bottoms…from Walmart of all places! Their tankini tops come in special D cup sizes that I haven’t seen anywhere else for a reasonable price.
Andrea says
glad you found a good suite for you… I do not have the same DD cup “problem” as you — but I’m glad to know there are options for everyone out there these days!! It makes summer more enjoyable for sure!
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
I’m glad you found something you’re comfortable in! I’ve gotten great deals on clearance suits at Lands End. I like their tall tankini tops since I have a super long torso too. I’m not too worried about complete coverage like you though, I just want to feel comfortable.
Andrea says
yes, my swim suit selection was MUCH broader before I wanted to cover the bottom 3 inches of my stomach 🙂
Enjoy your Land’s End suits — I’ve heard amazing things about them!