Summer has arrived in Finland – actually just three days ago. We are finally having 23 C instead of 5 C and that my friends, is an absolute miracle. So you can imagine where I have been the past two months: lurking in my bedroom, curtains closed and doing my uni work diligently without having to worry about missing out on the weather. Uni work or not, I have enjoyed going out in the sun for the past three days and will be doing so today when I finish this review. But a lovely and very interesting review it is so let’s not jump ahead of the business!
As sun comes out we often start to wonder what to get for those sweaty days on the beach or for a well-deserved long destination holiday. You know what I’m talking about – the dreaded swimsuits and bikinis, which are always a bit of a task to find for the fuller busted. “The bikini problem” is however something that not only us full-busted ladies suffer from but when you are in your skimpiest outfit, all body types and sizes want to find something that suits their taste and body perfectly – which is not always the easiest thing to do. I have usually resulted in swimsuits, as having two piece outfits is not my thang in general.
Today I am reviewing one of my favourite swim findings so far, the Moontide classic Twist swimsuit! This beauty was sent to me by the ever-so-patient and generous UK Swimwear team, who sent me not only one but TWO swimsuits (will tell you the story in a minute!) and also a lovely Ted Baker coverup to match my ultimate beach outfit.
The story behind this comparison post is that I was accidentally sent the regular Moontide Twist suit, which is designed to go up to D-cup and thus would not suit my bodytype. The UK Swimwear team was kind enough to send me the full-bust version of the suit as well so I could gift the regular version to a friend to make a comparison post on the fit. I was over the moon, as there is not a lot of info on this suit in the blogosphere so I could now give the firsthand information on this swimsuit and its sizing to you, my dear readers.
I called my burlesque buddy aka mega-babe Eeva to my help and she was happy to model the smaller swimsuit for me. The regular swimsuit was in a UK size 10 and the one I am wearing in the pics is 12 but I wouldn’t say there is a lot of different to them in the body section. I could easily wear a ten with this one as well, but wanted some extra rooms for the ol’ boobies so I could be sure they fit in.
(Isn’t she an absolute stunner?!) Eeva is a burlesque performer, a freelance dancer, model, singer and an all-around artist who works a lot through and with her body. She goes swimming now and then too and this is why I picked her to be my partner in crime. Also, she happened to be perfect size for the swimsuit!
So what is the sizing difference between the 10 Regular and 12 Full-bust? The difference on the bust department is quite remarkable. When talking to a Moontide representative a couple of years back, I recall him telling me that the regular swimsuit is meant for bust sizes A-D and the fuller bust version should fit sizes E-G. They also have cup sized swimwear but the classic Twist swimsuit, which is a best-seller for them, only comes in regular dress sizes and has two option for bust room.
For reference, Eeva usually wear a size 65F or 70E in UK bra sizes. Thus, she should technically be a bit out of the size range for the regular swimsuit but as her underbust is rather small, she can easily fit into the suit with no problem. I would say that the regular swimsuit would go up E-cup, as there seems to be no overspill on the bust for Eeva. The swimsuit’s material is very comfortable and super stretchy and thus it accommodates a plethora of breast sizes and shapes.
The full-bust version of the suit holds its promise about fitting up to a G and even though yours truly is a bit above that, I could actually comfortably swim in it with only a few adjusting moments along the way. You can see there is a lot of boobage and cleavage going on – and even some double boob – but I am proud of the suit as it still contained my 30H bust while swimming. After all, I am not about the perfect fit when it comes to swimwear – it’s more the comfort and practicality aspect that counts.
So does it hold up your girls while swimming? Well frankly, yes it does. I was a bit skeptical at first whether a non-cupsized swimsuit would be supportive and practical for a girl like me who usually requires underwires and some separation (you know what I mean!) from her swimsuit. However, I was surprised how well the swimsuit held up my chest and kept me feeling sturdy on my swim. The straps are adjustable with both the regular and the full-bust swimsuit so you can make it work for your height and coverage preferences. As said, there are no underwires but as the swimsuit is well-constructed, it doesn’t need them per se. The bust part is lightly padded too, so if you prefer not to flash your nipples and like the feeling of no underwires, this is the suit for you!
When it comes to the look of the suit, I cannot see a lot of people hating the style of it either. We decided to style the suit into a 40’s kind of theme, as we both love pinup style and old Hollywood glamour. However, if pinup is not your thing, you can always wear this suit with a classic wide-rim hat and some huge sunglasses and it will turn you into a modern-day beach diva. This is probably not the most fashion-forward of swimsuits this season, but it is a classic that will hold its style after years and years of wear.
The perfect classic swimsuit always needs some accessories to make it relevant and here come in the beach coverups that can make your beach look even downtown appropriate, if you dare to bare a little. I chose to accessorize my Twist swimsuit with a Ted Baker beach coverup which almost resembles a real dress – it’s just a tiny bit more see-through 😉 Unfortunately I couldn’t find Ted Baker on the UK Swimwear site anymore, but the website has an array of different options to change your swim outfit’s style from sexy to cute or feminine in a instant.
If you are interested in the Moontide “Twist” swimsuit, you can find the regular version here in UK sizes 10-18 and the full-bust version here in sizes 10-16. Both of them cost a very reasonable £55.95 and are a great option for those who want something classic and flattering, no matter your bust size. Besides, the pound is sinking again so all the more reason to treat yoself 😉
Two cakes on a plate 