Summer is quickly approaching and whether you plan to spend time at the local beach/pool or you have a vacation coming up, one thing is for certain: you’ll need a swimsuit! Swimsuit shopping undoubtedly brings on some level of stress for everyone. Body image is so personal. It doesn’t matter how thin or how fit someone may be, she is still guaranteed to be self conscious about some aspect of her body.
Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way to make swimsuit shopping more enjoyable:
1. Try on at home: Dressing rooms don’t always have the best lighting, and after wearing a suit for a minute or two, you’re forced to make a split second decision about whether to buy. For me, this is the most stressful part about shopping for a bathing suit. Instead, I like to order online from a shop that has free shipping and free returns like Nordstrom or Topshop (Target also has some surprsingly great swimsuits this year). This way, I can purchase several suits, take my time trying them on in my own home, and then send back the ones that don’t work.
2. Try different styles and cuts: Even if you are looking specifically for a simple string bikini, try something else! Maybe you’ll realize that you feel great in a high waisted bottom or a cool one piece with strategic cut outs. You wouldn’t really know what will look the best until you try it.
3. Try on when you feel most confident about your body: First thing in the morning after a good night’s rest or after a good workout are the times when I always feel the slimmest and most empowered about my body. The worst time to try on a swimsuit is, of course, after a big greasy meal.
4. Don’t be discouraged if you have to size up: Swimsuits are made to fit snugly, which means sometimes they run small. I personally, almost always have to size up in bottoms. Just remember, how the suit looks and feels is so much more important than the number on the tag.
5. Move around: Once you have a suit you like, make sure it will stay on. Swimsuits are usually worn on days when you are extremely active: swimming, boating, watersports, etc. You definitely don’t want to have a wardrobe malfunction. Sit down, squat, touch your toes, raise your hands over your head, and do some lunges. If you still feel comfortable in the suit after that, you’ll know you’ve got a good one.
6. Don’t compare yourself to others: This is the most important thing! Models in advertisements are photoshopped and airbrushed, and represent an unrealistic ideal. As long as you’ve found a well fitting suit, you will look great and you should feel great!
7. Exercise: This goes without saying, but the more I make regular exercise a priority, the better I feel about my body. Sometimes, this just means doing some quick yoga poses and free weights in the morning, and I really do feel significantly better. Whatever this means for you, exercising will not only help you look good, but is also good your health!
Here are a few of my favorite one pieces:
Here are some two pieces I’ve been eyeing:
And you won’t want to forget some cute sandals and coverups, of course!
What suits are you eyeing for the season?
xo -L
