It is on its way. Are you ready? Mentally, you are. Even your wardrobe might be ready. However, many women overlook their bathing suit stockpiles, wearing the same few suits over and over. And over again.
I have a bathing suit problem. Although it is not quite what you'd expect. I own close to 30 bathing suits. I am truly a beach baby and over the years have managed to collect a ton of suits. In my eyes this is no more a problem than having a ton of money. That is to say, it's not a problem - unless of course you ask my husband. I thankfully haven't grown in size much over the years so I still fit in that cute O'Neill suit from college. And my Burberry suit that I splurged on. Oh and the VS one with the heart cutout that you need to be really tan to wear and whose metal heart shaped cutout digs into your back as you sun, but worth every wear. This poses a problem though when trying to convince others, namely my husband, that I need another suit. Luckily, the man above must've seen my dilemma and sent me a solution.
I entered South Moon Under's Sink or Swim Instant Win contest on Facebook.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.southmoonunder.blogspot.com |
And guess what? I won!! I've never won anything in my life so I was super excited. Not to mention that it was a prize as good as gold in my book! I was able to choose from a bunch of suits and it was mailed to my door - for free. What a company. Thank you South Moon Under!! I chose this little Trina Turk number. Isn't she gorg??
.jpg)
LOVE! South Moon Under even sent a 'wet bathing suit' bag by Raisins (who make adorable suits btw - very SoCal). And it was all wrapped so nicely. What can be better than that?!
So this got me thinking. Most people, women especially, dread bathing suit season, bathing suit shopping, and some even dread bathing suit wearing! So sad. There's a world of suits out there to be had and they're waiting for you! I'm here to help. After all my years of bathing suit shopping, trying on, and ahem, buying, this is my guide to bathing suit shopping for all body types.
General Rules
{Buy a suit that fits.} Even if that means choosing different sizes for the top and bottom. Or even if that means going up (or down) from your normal size. A suit that's too large will hang and droop once wet, or can even be lost (!) in the ocean waves. A suit that's too small will cut into your sides making you appear larger than you actually are. I'm terrified of the latter so I tend to buy bottoms that are too large and am left hanging on to my suit for dear life with each successive ocean wave.
{Get a tan.} Tans instantly make you appear trimmer. I recommend a faux glow just to be safe. Sunspots are not pretty ladies and gents. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Womp womp.
Victoria's Secret has a great tanning line (not to mention amazing suits). I prefer the Instant Bronzing Spray ($15) - spray it on and you have color immediately. You control how light or how dark it is and you see it right away so as you rush out to the beach you can give yourself a spritz.
 |
| Photo courtesy of ww.victoriassecret.com |
Whether you are getting a faux glow in a salon or diy, feel free to contour yourself. Get extra tanning solution sprayed around your abs and on the outside and inside of your thighs. You are creating the illusion of abs and teeny weeny legs. This will make it seem as if you have been working in the gym for months - without the sweat or hard work.
{Know your body}.
{Large Chested}
You want to look like this...
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com |
But you wind up looking like this....
 |
| Email me for the source, I don't want to embarrass anyone on the internet! |
The difference between these two pictures is NOT the model or the size thereof. It is NOT that one suit is a bikini and one is a tankini. The difference lies in that the bottom picture clearly depicts a natural woman (not photoshopped) whose chest naturally droops.
This bandeau becomes un-flattering as her chest sinks and flattens. The ruffle and pattern only draw attention to this. This type of suit is best left to the small-chested and the silicone chested.
The same goes for most triangle tops. You need support. And it's okay. There are still cute options, don't fear.
The fix - Choose a halter or push up top with not too deep of a V and a lot of support.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.leonisa.com |
Support, solid color, halter = FLATTERING
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.DHgate.com |
LOVE this suit! Underwire for maximum support, large band around the chest and back, and straps to keep everything perky and in place.
My friends with large chests often feel as though they only have ugly suits from which to choose, but I think these last two are quite stylish no? (If you prefer a tankini, keep the same rules)
{Small Chested}
Many people think it's easy for these girls to choose a suit and in some respects, I agree. BUT, there are things small chested girls should be wary of. For example, suits with strings that come up from the middle only serve to sag your chest in an outward, downward shape, while flattening at the same time. Take a look....
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.butterfliesandbikinis.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.swimwearexpress.com |
If they're already small do you really need them to look saggy too? I think not.
I think halters and tops with underwire are great for smaller chested girls. Halters and underwires pull up, creating much needed volume. Bandeaus tend to flatten you out and that is really the opposite of what you need. (Just a note - bandeaus look best on women with moderate sized chests. Or the models.)
{Big Bottomed}
Whether it be your booty, your hips or both, just remember this rule...
The smaller the bottom, the larger your bottom will look. And the more likely your bottom falls out (sorry for the pun, just had to!).
A great option for you ladies with a lot of junk in the trunk are hipster bottoms or bottoms other than string such as regular bikini bottoms, or hipkinis. Be careful with boy shorts. They can often look saggy if they don't fit properly or at times can appear frumpy and may even make your bottom look larger (no!!!). I think hipkinis, aka hipsters are the most flattering.
{No butt}
Watch for saggy butt in your bikini bottoms. This happens most often in string bottoms. Brazilian or cheeky bottoms are a good option for you. Draw attention to your top half with color, details such as metal, ruffles, or sequins so no one notices your half-butt.
{Love Handles}
Who named these anyway? I don't feel any love toward them or from them. And I most certainly don't want my loved one grabbing me by them as the name suggests! Nothing on my body should be referred to as a 'handle,' or muffin top for that matter, ugh. I don't even like muffins. But nonetheless, many of us have them. What to do?
You're going to think I'm nuts, but buy the suit that fits your HIPS and then alter the rest of the suit to snugly fit your butt. You do it for pants and those cover WAY more of your body. Why not for your bathing suit?
Definitely avoid bottoms that are really low rise and go straight across your hips. This will only serve to emphasize love handles and the infamous 'pooch' by which so many of us are plagued.
{Tummy}
If you're looking to camouflage your midsection tankinis, monokinis, and one-pieces are your best bet. Your situation will determine which type of camoflaging you need.
Tankini - To me these are 'mom suits' (and I refuse to wear one). BUT if these are the suits that make you most comfortable find one in an updated, younger pattern. Colorblocking is always classy and less frumpy. Be sure it fits well. I think the makers of tankinis tend to make the tops unsupported and very low cut to compensate for all the coverage elsewhere. Drives me nuts.
Monokinis - If you are just self-conscious but don't have much of anything to cover up, a monokini is a good choice. These often have cutouts and there's nothing worse than flabby skin seeping out of a cutout bathing suit so be sure to choose one that's flattering.
One-Pieces - Be sure you know your measurements. Despite being 5'2" (and a half!) my torso is quite long. I cannot order petite one-piece swimwear otherwise I look like I'm wearing a bathing suit from 1985 where the leg opening comes halfway up my body and I'm constantly hiking the top part up.
Speaking of the leg opening. Beware. If you have larger thighs a high cut may thin them out, whereas a lower cut that's more straight-across can make them look larger. Also, turn around. If the suit digs into your butt, thus giving you an extra butt outside the suit it's no good, move on! And this is why I don't wear one-pieces.
Too many things to worry about that aren't adjustable in the way I wear it.
{Plus Size}
Unfortunately there aren't many options for you ladies (which is just wrong!) and many companies create these deep plunging necklines (a)assuming all plus size women have large chests - which they most certainly do not and (b) to detract from problem areas such as the midsection or butt.
A plus size women is often already self-conscious about being in a bathing suit, why make a suit that requires her to tug, pull and adjust her top the entire time? Makes me mad.
Jessica London, One Stop Plus, Old Navy and Lands End have some good plus size options.
Here are some suits I love from Jessica London and One Stop Plus.
My personal fav,
Anyway...
-Look for suits that have a higher neckline.
-Ruching is your best friend. Any suit that pulls the material diagonally to one side or vertically will create the illusion of a smaller waist.
-Thick straps help to support you and are in proportion to a larger frame. Skinny straps on a bigger body just make it look, well, bigger.
-Don't feel you need to be plain and just blend into the background. Choose a suit that matches your personality and rock it with confidence.
----------------------------------
*Just Remember* It's all in how you carry yourself. If you need a security blanket, splurge on a fancy cover up and rock that suit proudly.
~And that my friends is worth a glass of champagne!~
I think halters and tops with underwire are great for smaller chested girls. Halters and underwires pull up, creating much needed volume. Bandeaus tend to flatten you out and that is really the opposite of what you need. (Just a note - bandeaus look best on women with moderate sized chests. Or the models.)
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com |
{Big Bottomed}
Whether it be your booty, your hips or both, just remember this rule...
The smaller the bottom, the larger your bottom will look. And the more likely your bottom falls out (sorry for the pun, just had to!).
A great option for you ladies with a lot of junk in the trunk are hipster bottoms or bottoms other than string such as regular bikini bottoms, or hipkinis. Be careful with boy shorts. They can often look saggy if they don't fit properly or at times can appear frumpy and may even make your bottom look larger (no!!!). I think hipkinis, aka hipsters are the most flattering.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.victoriassecret.com |
{No butt}
Watch for saggy butt in your bikini bottoms. This happens most often in string bottoms. Brazilian or cheeky bottoms are a good option for you. Draw attention to your top half with color, details such as metal, ruffles, or sequins so no one notices your half-butt.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.google.com |
{Love Handles}
Who named these anyway? I don't feel any love toward them or from them. And I most certainly don't want my loved one grabbing me by them as the name suggests! Nothing on my body should be referred to as a 'handle,' or muffin top for that matter, ugh. I don't even like muffins. But nonetheless, many of us have them. What to do?
You're going to think I'm nuts, but buy the suit that fits your HIPS and then alter the rest of the suit to snugly fit your butt. You do it for pants and those cover WAY more of your body. Why not for your bathing suit?
Definitely avoid bottoms that are really low rise and go straight across your hips. This will only serve to emphasize love handles and the infamous 'pooch' by which so many of us are plagued.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.google.com |
{Tummy}
If you're looking to camouflage your midsection tankinis, monokinis, and one-pieces are your best bet. Your situation will determine which type of camoflaging you need.
Tankini - To me these are 'mom suits' (and I refuse to wear one). BUT if these are the suits that make you most comfortable find one in an updated, younger pattern. Colorblocking is always classy and less frumpy. Be sure it fits well. I think the makers of tankinis tend to make the tops unsupported and very low cut to compensate for all the coverage elsewhere. Drives me nuts.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.nordstrom.com |
Monokinis - If you are just self-conscious but don't have much of anything to cover up, a monokini is a good choice. These often have cutouts and there's nothing worse than flabby skin seeping out of a cutout bathing suit so be sure to choose one that's flattering.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.macys.com |
One-Pieces - Be sure you know your measurements. Despite being 5'2" (and a half!) my torso is quite long. I cannot order petite one-piece swimwear otherwise I look like I'm wearing a bathing suit from 1985 where the leg opening comes halfway up my body and I'm constantly hiking the top part up.
Speaking of the leg opening. Beware. If you have larger thighs a high cut may thin them out, whereas a lower cut that's more straight-across can make them look larger. Also, turn around. If the suit digs into your butt, thus giving you an extra butt outside the suit it's no good, move on! And this is why I don't wear one-pieces.
Too many things to worry about that aren't adjustable in the way I wear it.
{Plus Size}
Unfortunately there aren't many options for you ladies (which is just wrong!) and many companies create these deep plunging necklines (a)assuming all plus size women have large chests - which they most certainly do not and (b) to detract from problem areas such as the midsection or butt.
A plus size women is often already self-conscious about being in a bathing suit, why make a suit that requires her to tug, pull and adjust her top the entire time? Makes me mad.
Jessica London, One Stop Plus, Old Navy and Lands End have some good plus size options.
Here are some suits I love from Jessica London and One Stop Plus.
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.jessicalondon.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.jessicalondon.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.onestopplus.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.onestopplus.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.onestopplus.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.onestopplus.com |
 |
| Photo courtesy of www.onestopplus.com |
Anyway...
-Look for suits that have a higher neckline.
-Ruching is your best friend. Any suit that pulls the material diagonally to one side or vertically will create the illusion of a smaller waist.
-Thick straps help to support you and are in proportion to a larger frame. Skinny straps on a bigger body just make it look, well, bigger.
-Don't feel you need to be plain and just blend into the background. Choose a suit that matches your personality and rock it with confidence.
----------------------------------
*Just Remember* It's all in how you carry yourself. If you need a security blanket, splurge on a fancy cover up and rock that suit proudly.
~And that my friends is worth a glass of champagne!~
In all the years we've been going to the beach together, I don't think I've seen you wear the same bathing suit twice... you truly are a bathing suit connoisseur!! ~JK
ReplyDelete