(Originally posted on the old "Cafe Belle Blog" on Feb. 21, 2011)

I'll never forget when my friend and I went bathing suit shopping at the mall during my teen years. I hadn't yet fully embraced the size of my bust, but I figured that any bathing suit would work even though new curves were present that didn't exist before. Well, that didn't work out so well. I tried on my first bikini and walked out of the dressing room feeling so confident that my friend would say, "wow, you look hot!" Instead, I walked out and her mouth dropped, and then she started cracking up. When I asked her, "What?!," she explained through her chuckles, "Um...that does not fit you." When I looked back in the mirror in dismay, I realized that the bikini didn't exactly fully cover my new curves (it was more of a string bikini...yikes), and I was mortified. 

I hate to admit it, but that moment actually made me turn away from bikinis for a while, instead opting for full bathing suits that literally left everything to the imagination. I eventually began wearing bikinis in my early adult years, but made sure that they fit me well and accentuated my curves while not showing too much. As a 34D cup lady, I am fully aware that certain bikini tops and full bathing suits will not work for my body at all, while others fit me very well. Here are some of my top picks for women who are interested in rocking a bathing suit while still complementing a big bust (for this post, I would say a "big bust" is a cup size C or bigger): 

Before I jump into my selections, here are some pointers to keep in mind when choosing a bathing suit:

1) Look at bathing suits the same way you look at bras. You want your bra to fit you well, provide great coverage, and also provide adequate support, right? And for some of you, you may prefer a bra that not only gives you support, but also provides a "push-up" effect. Before I even think about trying on a new bathing suit, I check to make sure that the bathing suit provides enough breast support so I feel comfortable enough to wear it outside my house. 

2) Don't always believe that the way a bathing suit fits a model will fit you the same way. This may sound obvious, but I believe many women see how a bikini top pushes up a model's breasts, only to discover that when they try on the exact same bikini, it has zero push up effect. Remember that tricks (e.g., stuffing, taping, makeup shadow effects, bikini top altering, and PhotoShop) are employed to make their breasts look bigger and more pushed up in photos than they would be in real life in certain bathing suits. 

3) The way the bathing suit appears in the mirror does not mean you'll be comfortable in it on the beach. For example, your suit may look great when you are walking around or laying on the beach, but may be the most uncomfortable contraption ever created on Earth when you go for a swim. You don't want to be focused on making sure your bathing suit hasn't slid off, untied, or that your bust has somehow popped out out of the top while swimming. What kind of fun is that? Also, if you are the type of person who feels the need to "suck" your stomach in while wearing certain bathing suits, you should consider getting a bathing suit that has slimming effects/enhancements, so you're not always focused on keeping your stomach as tight as possible. 

Here is my list of my top bathing suit choices for big busts: 

Victoria's Secret's Push-Up Full Coverage Halter Top

I personally like having a "push up" effect when it comes to my bras, so I crave the same thing in my bikini tops. A lot of women crave the same thing as well with bikinis because a bikini top with no support gives the breasts a "sagging" appearance, which is not always a good look. This top comes with removable push-up padding, wide side band for added support, underwire cups, adjustable neck and back closure, as well as nylon/Lycra® spandex. 

My fave features in this top are the underwire cups because they provide such great support for a heavy bust.  I also like the removable push up padding to provide excellent lift as well.

Victoria's Secret Retro Push-Up Triangle Top

This top provides fabulous shaping as well as breast support. It has a "balconet" effect, providing for more exposure of the bust while also providing adequate coverage. This top also features removable push-up padding, underwire cups, adjustable back closure, fully lined, and has nylon/Lycra® spandex.

Victoria's Secret Wireless Push-Up Halter

I love this type of halter even though it doesn't have underwire support. It has a wide elastic band for added support, removable push-up padding, ties at the neck and back, and has nylon/spandex. I own one of these suits and will say that the only major drawback with this suit for me is the added cleavage support. To have the added "push up" effect, you need to really lift the neck tie and tie it up higher behind your neck, which eventually causes strain on your upper shoulders.

For those of you who don't care for bikinis, I strongly suggest wearing a suit that maximizes your bust while also minimizing your waist, to give or increase a Coke-bottle effect to your shape. Here is an excellent option to consider:

Miraclesuit D-Cup Solid Sonatina Swimsuit

This bathing suit makes you look pounds lighter by minimizing your waist and accentuating your curves. The deep V-neck accentuates your bust while the bathing suit provides adequate coverage and support. The straps are an added "plus", providing great support for a full bust. The high-leg cut also highlights a shapely look with your figure and makes your legs look longer than suits that end mid-hip.

Miraclesuit Solid Barcelona Tankini Top

This suit has excellent support for a full bust with an underwire molded cup and a halter neckline, which both heavily accentuate your bust. This tankini also slims your waist and shapes your back.

Miraclesuit Solid Escape Swimsuit

I love this suit because it has an underwire molded cup, with wide straps for support. It also defines your waist with a great leg cut that elongates your legs and slenderizes your hips. I want to draw particular attention to the center piece of the bathing suit, which is a sweetheart neckline. A one-piece bathing suit that has a decoration or an effect in the center of the suit has strong potential to make you look slimmer, as the eye is drawn to that center piece and, as a result, "draws" your figure inward.

Happy Bathing Suit Shopping! 

Written by: Cafe Belle's Fashion Barista