Moontide “Twist” Swimsuit Comparison Review – Full Bust vs. Small Bust

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 😉

Beach-Ready with Gossard – The Sienna Swimsuit Review

How has everyone’s summer been so far? The Finnish one has been rubbish and to be honest, testing a swimsuit out in here has been almost impossible as public swimming pools are pretty much closed and the river is still +12 C which is cold af. Anyhow, I was so happy to get my hands on more swimwear options and the Gossard “Sienna” is an absolute babe, hot weather or not. Here is review of the beauty with the gorgeous Gossard Hot Tropic kimono. *Disclosure: These products were gifted to me by Gossard. All opinions are my own.*

When the wonderful Laura at Gossard asked if I wanted to try out their classic Sienna range, I was pretty happy as the range is everything a true 50’s gal can hope for: sleek lines, gorgeous cleavage and hourglass-hugging cuts. Even though black is not necessarily my colour, I did like it with the sexy silhouette of the onepiece as the colour toned down its vavavoom effect a bit. As I slipped into the suit I knew there was plenty of “look at me!” action going on already with my boobs + the deep v-neckline at the front. In addition to flattering my bust-line, I loved how the suit creates almost an illusion of an hourglass shape. I am already a curvy girl but the swimsuit took the curviness to a whole another level!

When it comes to sizing, I would stick with your regular Gossard size, unless you are super curvy at your hips. I am not a regular hourglass by definition meaning my hips are not very full but my backside has quite a lot of curve to it. This way, I was blessed enough to get the suit on without any trouble even though my butt-to-waist difference is 11″. However, if you are more of a regular type of hourglass with a very curvy front view, I would suggest going up a band size to get a better fit. I am wearing a size 32G in the pictures and it fits me flawlessly.

When it comes to practicalities the suit clips at the back like a bikini to ensure a proper support to ones bust. As the sizes go up to G this is definitely a plus and makes the swimsuit more wearable when actually swimming. The band bit of the suit is pretty darn tight compared my other Gossard 32 bands but it sure does what it’s meant to do! However, if you are between sizes with Gossard, I would recommend going up a band size with this – especially if you are not a big swimmer in the first place. The 32 bands digs a bit into my skin when worn dry but when wet, it feels already a lot more comfortable (I have noticed this is very common with cup sized full-bust swimwear as brand want to ensure max support while swimming with big boobs).

The cup part of the swimsuit might not be what someone would call the most practical option for actual swimming business but I do like a sexier option to my swim wardrobe as well. The suit can be worn with straps or no straps but I did find it fairly sturdy either way. The cups are made of extremely sturdy and thick materials which makes them fool-proof for any nipple showing someone could be worried about. On the other hand, the sturdy construction of the cup part takes a bit away from the comfort factor of the whole ensemble but that can be expected when heavy lifting takes place 😉

The kimono Gossard sent me to accompany my one-piece is a lovely touch to the feminine look the suit rocks so effortlessly. I am a huge fan of florals and the white base + the colourful print balance out the sex appeal of the swimsuit by creating a more soft overall look. It also reminds me a bit of Spain and tropical islands which would do me a whole lot of good after these pesky months of cold up here in the north! (I mean just look at my skin, Finnish weather has completely ruined it).

All in all, I truly am in love with Sienna and she will be my girl each time I wanna feel a bit btter about myself or when I feel like showing off my curves. One needs to have some options ya know 😉 If you would like to give this babe a try, do visit the Gossard online store as they still have plenty of stock left. The suit comes in sizes 30-38 A-G and sets you back at £60. Also, if you feel a bit hesitant about the one-piece, do check out the bikini options as well! There are some lovely high-waisted bottoms up for grabs. The Hot Tropic kimono comes in sizes S/M and M/L and it is now on sale for £37.

How do you like one-piece swimsuits? Or do you prefer bikinis? Let me know what have been your favourites so far this summer! xx