A little confused on swimsuit vs tri top

I just signed up for my first triathlon and was planning on wearing a tri top and tri shorts for the entire thing so all I needed to change was my shoes. But as I'm looking online it appears that most of the tri tops are not form fitting. Are they intended for swimming also and do they drag in the water? I'm overweight so a bikini swim top is out of the question and I'd prefer not to wear a one peice becuase I don't want the seams of the crotch under my tri bottoms on the bike.

Are the pictures just misleading?

I've never seen a tri top that wasn't tight. That's the point-so it can be worn during the swim. Must just be bad photographs.

They are definitely designed for swimming, too. They are supposed to be very tight but some are tighter than others. If you can feel it swishing in the water as you swim then, yes, it will cause drag.

As DB said, what you are seeing may be a matter of the model/photography.

the model was probably too skinny and the XS was too big- and her tri shorts were probably baggy, too. ;)
Some of us (ME), don't have that issue.:p

You want it tight like a bathing suit.

When is your tri?

That's what I thought, but it's so hard to tell in the pictures. I think I'm going to get a pair of Pearl Izumi elite tri shorts. I found a pretty good deal online and I had a tri top gifted to me so I'll get to practice in that and get a feel it.

I'm really excited. I only have 8 wks to train, but I'm fine for the bike and with a few swims I'll be okay with that area too. I just need to really work on my run. I haven't run since about 6th grade so I have a way to go. I can't wait to see my improvement by the triathlon.

You'll do great! I think most people struggle with the run (well, except for the fast runners who can do it in half the time as me). :)
Good luck with your training, and when you do that tri- come back here with a report and pictures so we can celebrate with you!!

jenniferh: i just finished my first sprint tri. the open water swim was scary but not hard, the bike was easy, and the run was very hard for me. i ended up doing a great deal of walking--but wasn't the only one walking. i am training for my next one. good luck with your first one. it will be lots of fun.