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Supportive DIY Swimsuit Fix with Sports Bra

I’ve gone back and forth on whether I should post this or not, but I decided that maybe it would help someone else out there.  I can’t believe I’m talking about it, but if you can relate to this comic, you might just have the same problem that I do.  I don’t think I’m super “busty”, but for some reason I can NEVER find a swimsuit that is supportive enough!  I have tried every year since my son was born to find something, and he just turned six!  Before that, the last swimsuit that I bought was when I was 19.  That’s right, I haven’t had a new swimsuit since I was 19!!!  Needless to say, my 19-year-old, pre-baby body is a bit different than the one that I have now.  I’ve been tempted by the online stores that claim their suits are supportive, but who wants to buy online and have to return something?  Not to mention that those swimsuits usually cost upwards of $100!  Frustrated, I asked myself, “Why is it that I can find a cheap sports bra that does the job just fine, but no one can make a reasonably priced supportive swimsuit?”  Light bulb!  Why not sew a sports bra into my swimsuit?!  So that’s what I did.  I made a supportive DIY swimsuit.  (And don’t worry, you won’t scroll down to see any pics of me in my swimsuit…NO WAY!)

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Supportive DIY Swimsuit Fix

I went to Target and tried on a few swim tops until I found one that I thought would work for this DIY swimsuit fix.  Here she is.  I don’t know how anyone thought that skinny strap was going to support anything!  It was cute though, and black would make it easy to match with a sports bra.

Next, over to the activewear section.  You want to find a sports bra that is made out of fabric that feels the same as a swimsuit so it will dry quickly. The one I bought says it’s made of polyester and spandex.  I also recommend getting one that isn’t super tight.  The one I bought was a little difficult to get on once it was inside my swimsuit.

Depending on the type of swimsuit you bought, this part will be different, but I’ll show you how I made mine.  First thing I did was take off that useless strap.  Luckily that was easy since it was just hooked on.

Turn your swim top and sports bra inside out.  Find the middle of both by folding them in half and marking with pins.

Next, I slid my sports bra over my swim top, lined up the mid points and side seams, and added more pins.  I started at the back and just stitched a couple of inches at each of the three points to tack the bra to the swimsuit.  That’s really all you need. Remember, you are working with stretchy fabric, so I recommend a “walking” presser foot and a stretch or large zig-zag stitch.

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Now time to sew the front.  Take some measurements and line the straps up where you want them.  I think I tried it on at this point and carefully pinned them into place.  This swimsuit has ruffles on the front, so I lifted the top ruffle and sewed under that.  Again, I just sewed about an inch or two in the middle and then across both straps using a stretch or zig-zag stitch.

Put the ruffle back down and there you go!  This swimsuit was pretty perfect for what I wanted to do.

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Ok, so it’s not as cute as it was with the skinny strap on it, but it looks a million times better when I wear it than it did before!  Sorry, like I said, I won’t be showing you a photo of that. 🙂  Not bad for a DIY swimsuit fix!

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

I really hope that this helps some other “busty” girls out there!  Please tell me that I am not alone in having to deal with this issue!  I promise, this will not be a frequent topic on my craft blog.  Haha!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. You’re definitely not alone, and this is actually kinda brilliant! I also finally broke down and bought my first suit since having kids (only 4 years for me). And I can’t for the life of me figure out why every single tankini (that might possibly hold anything) has a halter strap. How is that going to hold anything up w/o breaking my neck? Do these designers not realize that some of us need to cover our baby pudge AND support the girls? Bravo for coming up with your own solution!

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  2. BRILLIANT idea! I was never busty until after my first baby, and the boobs stuck around. I went up nearly 3 cup sizes, and five years (and another baby) later, I’m still struggling to find a swimsuit as well. I am totally going to do this!

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  4. This is great! I don’t sew, but will be sharing this tutorial for those who could really use the extra “lift.” What a wonderful way to make a cute swimsuit work for you.

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  7. I recently took an Aqua Zumba class and it was recommended to wear a sports bra under your bathing suit – this would be a cuter solution!

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  14. So smart! I feel your pain…I can never find a swimsuit that works for me! Between a large bust and a sense of modesty, there’s nothing out there (that I could find, anyway)! My solution was similar. I found a $12 yoga top (all regular swimsuit material) at Walmart with a racerback, and sewed in an old Champion sports bra (it hooked in the back). I lucked out in that I could actually cut the bra straps, feed them through the yoga top straps, and sew them back to the bra. Took a bit of effort but works better than anything I could have bought and is so comfortable and supportive (though a bit annoying to put on and take off).

    Good work!

    Reply

  15. So clever! I am what anyone would call “super busty”. I have always had a hard time finding a swimsuit. However, I found one through Lands End. They have swimsuits with underwire and are sold for up to a size DDD. I am larger than that unfortunately, but, I bought one at the end of season and tried it anyway. Best suit I ever bought. I bought a second one in fact. So, if you are ever in need of a new suit and don’t want to try your handy trick again, check out Land’s End at the end of the season. =D

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  16. So clever! I am what anyone would call “super busty”. I have always had a hard time finding a swimsuit. However, I found one through Lands End. They have swimsuits with underwire and are sold for up to a size DDD. I am larger than that unfortunately, but, I bought one at the end of season and tried it anyway. Best suit I ever bought. I bought a second one in fact. So, if you are ever in need of a new suit and don’t want to try your handy trick again, check out Land’s End at the end of the season. =D

    Reply

  18. Thank you. I have always had a large bust so of course finding a swimsuit that would give me support especially after having 3 kids was hard to find. Yes, I do agree the stores online are so expensive and too much of a hassle to return something that you bought online if it just doesn’t work. I of course don’t get the straps that are thin. I know for me when I have tried to wear one it just dug in to me because of my bust was dragging them down. So thank you once again. I am going to try this.

    Reply

  19. Let’s just say I have something in common with Keurig machines. I found a swim top from Lands’ End that I can wear a bra underneath and it covers it exactly. For more coverage this year, I’m adding a rashguard that zips up the front so that I don’t have to worry about straps peeking in the back.

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    • LOL… Keurig machines! Good idea to have a rashgaurd. That would definitely make me more comfortable.

      Reply

  20. amazing.. i have the same issue.. once i broke down and went to a speciality shop and bought a 100.00 TOP… i went to walmart and bought the bottom for 10.00… LOL.. i used it until it evaporated.. now i can’t bring myself to spend that again. I am definitely trying this .. thank you

    Reply

  21. I’m pretty much the opposite of busty, but have trouble finding bathing suits that will stay put if I try to do something like, say, swim. I will definitely be trying this out!

    Reply

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