WE’VE rented a villa in Italy and it has — oh bliss — a pool, but I’m already beginning to panic about my swimwear. There will be some skinny youngsters around the place as well as friends and I don’t want to look like the old frump I sometimes feel. I’m about a stone overweight and want a swimsuit that holds things in rather than lets it all fall out. Please don’t tell me just to keep out of sight and wear a shroud.
AH, SWIMSUIT time is not good for many of us. Before you even think of buying one, get some sarongs (Accessorize if you’re feeling poor; Heidi Klein for glam) — then you can glide gracefully to the edge of the pool, where you oh-so-lightly drop the sarong and slip into the water.
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As to the swimsuit, once upon a time I would have had almost no answers — stores seemed to expect one to do one’s swimsuit-buying in February, tiptoeing across the frozen tundra to undress in chilly, dimly lit dressing-rooms. By June, of course, they had all sold out.
But things have changed, especially with the arrival of the internet. www.figleaves.com is the site for you — normal delivery is free and express delivery (ie, next day) costs £5.
It tells me that its swimsuits have been the buzz of the summer, largely because the high street seems to be offering only bikinis. There has been much excitement about the Miraclesuit, which claims to take off 10lb — nice thought, shame about the reality. The 10lb stays firmly in place but the suit does have three times more Lycra than most, which does control the wobbly bits (stomachs and bottoms) rather more firmly.
It also has some panel control over the stomach, good support for the bust, and you can buy it in sizes up to a 26. It comes in black, brown and a cheetah print, with different sorts of straps (spaghetti look less matronly than wide) and with a solid black bottom half, and turquoise or lime green. For £100, it could be the one.
Figleaves also sells cover-ups — gauzy tops, sarongs — that are a good way to feel glamorous (modesty is so much more appealing than the flaunt-it-all approach). Next month figleaves will have another brand called Seaspray which it is pretty excited about — this has what it calls “soft cuts” so that the top gives good support but in a natural way, and there is a variety of leg lengths from high-cut (not advised unless you’re skinny or firm) to mid-thigh length.
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Gottex has long been a good brand. It has a dramatic black swimsuit with curving white lines that are immensely flattering — and they come with good internal support. Tankinis are a nice idea, too — they have the insouciance of a bikini (and very practical it is, having a two-piece) but cover up as well as a one-piece.
Never forget Rigby & Peller — it knows all about proper support for bosoms (the key to a well-fitting swimsuit). Its swimsuits have cup sizes up to a G (not sure if that’s you but other larger woman may need to know this). The company doesn’t make swimsuits to measure (as it does bras) but will alter them and answer questions by e-mail (www.rigbyandpeller.com). It will also send them out to try. Brands that Rigby & Peller recommend are Freya (also goes up to a G cup), Footprints, Shan (pictured above, £110) and Gideon Oberson.
Penny Klein, one of the brains behind Heidi Klein at 174 Westbourne Grove, London W11 (020-7243 5665), has been giving some thought to swimwear for those who have been pregnant and/or are past that firm-fleshed, youthful skinny phase (ah, me . . .). Look for a suit with built-in “shelving” she says, ie, a discreet support band under the bust. Solid colours are better than prints. Older women shouldn’t wear swimsuits that are cut too high, as the flesh below bulges out . . . not a pretty sight. Melissa Odabash, as seen here, £111, is one of the brands that she recommends.
E-mail asklucia@thetimes.co.uk or write to Ask Lucia, T2, The Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT, with a description of your style dilemma. Include your age and personal details. Lucia cannot enter into personal correspondence