Plus Size Swimwear Buyers Vote the Tankini as their Favourite Swimsuit

Online, September 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Buyers of plus size swimwear have long agonised over different cuts and styles of swimsuits, that fit adequately without chaffing, but cover everything that is meant to be covered. Following a survey of 250 women by budget swimwear advice site Discount Plus Size Swimwear.com, users have voted the Tankini as their favourite style in 2010.

The polls asked women to rate their favourite styles based on looks, comfort, cost and versatility. The tankini, a bathing suit combining a tank top, mostly made of spandex and cotton or Lycra and nylon, and a bikini bottom, came out on top overall in the survey of women sized 16 - 24. It's thought that many plus size women prefer the Tankini as it provides coverage of the mid section and works well for women with a larger bossom. Tankinis also come in a variety of styles, colors and shapes, some include features such as integrated push-up bras.

The Bandini, a two piece swimsuit that pairs a bandeau-style top with traditional bikini bottoms, came near the bottom of the polls, possibly due to the midsection being entirely on show, but it still faired better than the Monokini. Other styles such as the classic one piece bikini and the halter bikini did marginally better.

Mary Hales, a contributor to the site pointed out that although the tankini was most popular amongst plus size swimwear buyers, women should always take what they themselves feel comfortable with as their primary motive for making a purchase.

"Plus size women come in all different shapes and sizes and what suits one body type will not necessarily suit another. A confident size 16 can easily wear a Monokini without feeling self conscious, especially if she's well toned, but personally I couldn't feel comfortable wearing one and I'm a size 14! I think the Tankini came out best simply due to it being a good all round swimsuit offering lots of variety and even more in the comfort department".