It's still winter, it's still cold and summer seems very far away. So why on earth am I writing a post about bathing suit shopping? Well, here's the thing...the beginning of March is the time when stores stock all the best of the spring fashions, including bathing suits. I've learned from experience that if you wait too long to pick out a suit, you have less choice and may end up with something you don't love. So get ready to shop. Sorry dude!
Having a difficult time shopping for a bathing suit has become a lady stereotype. Honestly, I think that the problem isn't the suits, but is that most of us are uncomfortable looking at ourselves in a teeny bathing suit in a raggedy store change room. It's not the suits -- it's us! There's are so many options, shapes and colours available in swimwear these days. You will find something that works for you. Here's what I was able to work out
The Issues
- bathing suit shopping stinks
My Solutions
Through trial, error and years of practice, here are my tips for bathing suit shopping:
1) Open up your mind
Don't bother to go bathing suit shopping unless you're feeling good. There's no use in even looking if you're having a sad or feel gross. You won't think that anything looks good -- even when you look great. Come up with something that makes you feel confident or happy prior to going to the store. This can be anything from getting a spray tan, to working out, to having a cocktail. Also, make sure that you keep your mind open to trying on different styles. You may think you want a string bikini, only to find a hot one-piece that looks even better!
2) Be prepared
You'll have a better idea of how your suit will look at the beach if you prep a bit before trying stuff on. I'm risking being gross here to help you out (because I love you): get rid of some of that body hair and make sure to wear the right underwear to try on bathing suits. It doesn't have to be a thong, but it at least should match your skin tone. A bathing suit will not look good if you have polka-dot granny panties hanging out the bottom. It's also a good idea to wear an outfit that is easy to change in and out of, so that you aren't wasting time getting dressed and undressed. No tights or boots that are hard to get off/on.
I go by myself to try on bathing suits. My friends and family are awesome, but they are also kind and I worry that they will tell me that a suit looks good just to spare my feelings. Even your honest friends might not be a help. Don't ask the salesperson for help unless you are at a specialty swimwear shop and are sure they won't make commission on your sale. If you are on the fence about buying a suit, snap a picture of yourself with your smartphone and make a decision the next day from home.
3) Try on everything
Grab lots of suits in lots of colours, lots of styles and lots of sizes! You may normally be a medium in clothes, but you might find that a medium suit bottom is too loose and saggy. Or you may have to go up a size on top because a halter style fits better that way. If you're going to order a suit online, make sure that the website has a good return policy, so it won't be a hassle to return the suit if it doesn't look amazing.
4) Keep it real
Keep your lifestyle in mind when trying on suits. That one-piece with all the lacing might look awesome, but may not work when you're crashing in the waves or surfing. If you're nursing, you may also want to try a nursing swimsuit so that you don't have to struggle in and out of wet spandex when your teeny buddy is hungry.
5) Own your style and work it
If you're pregnant, don't fall into the trap of buying a grandma bathing suit just because you think you should. I wore a bikini while pregnant because it was more comfortable and didn't look too bad looking back. My stomach is not even close to being flat anymore, so I'm going to be sporting a retro bikini with a higher waist this summer.
Good luck with your bathing suit hunt and see you on the beach!
Shirred Swimsuit (michaelkors.com)
Red Carter Deep V Ruffled One-Piece (shopbop.com)
Calais Floral Halter Top & Side-Tie Bottom (jcrew.com)
Nursing Tankini (glamourmom.com)
Worldly Wise Bikini (anthropologie.com)
XOXO
Emily
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