Need A Swimsuit? Here Are The Best For Your Shape
Tina, here.
Shopping for swimsuits. Oh joy. This is a post I write every year with dreams of going to the beach, and last year really messed that up for us, didn't it? But not this year! I've had a handful of conversations with friends this past week about swimsuits. The myriad of emotions we have is not surprising. I've been in enough closets over the years to know we all have some negative conversations with ourselves. I feel deeply women's struggles with body image, and the terrible ways we harass ourselves with negative self-talk. I struggled with anorexia for nearly 20 years. You can read more of my story in this post. Not everyone has my extreme experience, but replace your negative self-talk, my dear friends, with a love language, and be free! Don't speak of yourself in a way you would never speak to your best friend.
I wrote this last summer - and when I was re-reading it to make sure I didn't say the same old thing, I thought, wow, this is actually what I wanted to say again anyway, so why rewrite it? I hope you don't mind. It's been a crazy week, so this really helps me, too :-). So, first, we must address the elephant in the room, the reason we all groan a bit when it's time to find a new suit. Those horrid dressing room mirrors! The ugly lighting! Then there's that feeling of being naked around people at a pool! And our negative self-talk gets louder. My friends, let's stop with that already! Maybe we can make peace with the bodies we currently occupy at this moment. I tell my clients, dress for the body you have today.
Are you ready to come out of hibernation?!
Take a listen to this testimony from a recent client!
The Best Swimsuits And Coverups For Your Shape
Which suit is right for you? I'm not doing the apple, pear, banana categories. I don't like those ways of defining ourselves. I'm going to talk in terms of how can we get to feeling less self-conscious, so we can forget about ourselves. So,.....The immediate filters to apply are, is it see-through, does it have enough padding in the chest (no headlights, please), and do I love love love it? Do not buy a swimsuit you don't like out of desperation. There are tons of options, and hopefully I can introduce you to your love match today. Good news! One piece swimsuits are all the rage. So are those '50's-style high-waisted, low cut (on the hips) suits. I don't like the Betty Boop cartoon-like suits, but I do like that I can find something besides string bikinis.
Start here > What's the area you'd like to think about less while you're in a swimsuit? Bum, Chest, or Mid-Section, Or All The Above?
Bum-vicinity
If you'd like more coverage for your legs, bum or hips, or to draw attention away from them, consider darling little skirts. These also come in handy when you're being visited by Aunt Flo, or haven't had the time to enthusiastically shave.
Sidenote - over the years I've come to the opinion that when I find a swimsuit I like, I just buy it, and I don't beat myself up about the price unless it's outrageous. I would never have spent $100 on a swimsuit ten years ago. Now I will because I need so much from it. :)
'nother sidenote - I'm not kidding when I say, if you see it buy it. I've never seen inventory so scarce!
Chest-vicinity
If you'd like more coverage for the chest area, or to minimize or to draw attention away from, a crossover swimsuit with a deeper neckline (not plunging - we're not in our 20's anymore) is a great choice. You'll probably feel more comfortable with an underwire, too. Avoid halters and straight-cut necklines.
If you'd like to feel a bit more buxom, you can get away with more doo-dads around the chest area, like ruffles and color-blocking. Halter tops are a good choice. The goal is not to look too juvenile.
Mid-section
If you're looking to minimize, draw attention away from, your mid-section, you'll love a surplice cut, a crisscross or crossover top, like the ones above under "chest vicinity." I'll add here I'm not a fan of the swing tops to camouflage the mid-section. I think there are more attractive ways to accomplish the same goal - ruching or a crossover top.
These are suits I like, just cause I like them. That's all.
Coverups
When it comes to coverups, I'm on team nice coverup, i.e. no old t-shirts and gym shorts. We're grown-ups, now. Not camp counselors. I primarily stick with solid colors so I can mix and match them with any swimsuit.
Related: [Now Released] Pull Over! All New Spring Must-Haves!
Can you repair or alter a swimsuit?
Yes. Things I've had done over the years include adding chest pads to the inside so there's a little more between me and the world :), replacing the elastic, taking in straps. You can also raise the cut on the leg, but that's expensive and you may as well look for a different suit.
Thank you so much for stopping by - and remember, don't delay! Here today, gone tomorrow!
Best,
Tina
This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, and if you click a link or purchase something we have recommended, we may receive a thank you commission from the website. Clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, but does help me keep my site ad free. All the clothes I wear are mine, and are not given to me for any promotional purpose. I buy what I love and wear what I love!
