In our last Haute Style, post we just finished preparing for our perfect beach day, but then we remembered…
…it’s time to put on our bathing suit.
Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like this during the start of bathing suit season? Pasty white legs, less than admirable abs, if there even were ever abs to start. It’s like I’m related to the Pillsbury dough boy, and it wasn’t his cute little laugh I inherited.
Personally, I dread swimwear and am constantly searching for a better “suited” suit. Just ask J.crew and Bloomingdales. They’re equally as excited (not) by the 40 bathing suits I order at a time, only to return, and then do it again. You think they would have blacklisted me by now.
But, this year will be different. This year, we have a plan! Just like this pretty lady below, we’ve been struck with a great idea!
BTW, We have no idea who this girl is; we just thought the picture was hilarious. Kudos to lightning bikini girl!
Our first part of the plan – get rid of the paste! Spend money on GOOD self tanner- not on cheap orange glow. Self tanner can instantly hide some of the flaws about which we worry so much. Do your first application a good 48 hours before your beach trip. Be sure to exfoliate and shave before the application. Then do it again 24 hours later. By beach time, you should have some nice insta-color, which the waves won’t wash away.
We love the St. Tropez starter kit– great color, easy to use, and a mitt to prevent your fingers from turning brown and dirty looking (yuck!) It also has a great moisturizer. I like to put the moisturizer on my knees, ankles and elbows first to prevent over-staining.
Clarins has always been my old standby; time-tested and true!
Okay, so now that our bodies look a little more toned, if only in skin color, 🙂 we can begin with the second half of our plan. Work what your mama gave ya! This is all about picking the right suit.
SHORT TORSO
If you have a short waist, generally, you also have long legs. Here are our suggestions to work those long gams, and to elongate your back:
The low back and angled stitching on the front of this Becca suit will give the illusion of a longer waist.
Here’s another low-back with a downward angle print by Red Carter.
ROUND TUMMY
Geesh, round tummy sounds sort of cute, like Winnie the Pooh. But, we know it’s anything but cute. Thankfully, the swimwear industry has developed numerous suits with built-in “spank” type panels.
The color and cut of this Miraclesuit is absolutely gorgeous! It’s complete with an underwire bra.
TIP: Bathing suit sizes run the gambit. Be sure to pay attention to each designer’s measurements.
Victoria Secret also has their own line of shapewear. We think this halter, colorblock style is HAUTE!
BIG BOOBIES!!!!
If you are large busted, the most important thing about your swimsuit is support. You also need to decide if you want to show off the girls, or hide the cleavage.
Here’s a bust minimizing suit from JCPenney.
This suit by VIX allows you to be both modest and daring. It has both a wire cup bikini top, and a rash guard you can throw on top.
This suit has as hidden built-in coverage for up to a DD. We like the contrast on the sides for its slimming affect.
SMALL BUSTED
If your tea cup does not runneth over, no worries, there are plenty of tricks to give your bust some shape.
JCPenney has some fantastic options for small busts. We love this push up top.
This suit from anthropologie is adorable, and has padded and molded cups.
Here’s another that does exactly the same thing.
AMPLE BOOTY
If you have a tiny bum, really anything goes. For us girls who have a little more sway in our swagger, you can either play it like J.Lo, (which we love!) or find a suit that is a little more modest.
This bikini has nice back coverage and a fun print!
Here’s a boyleg maillot with a fun retro feel.
Badgley Micshka has a great ruched skirt. You can mix and match different tops, or the tankini top that comes with it.
Here’s one last suit by Gottex we wanted to share. Because really, it would look good on anyone, and we thought it was just too pretty!
JCPenney has a great system that breaks down suits by body type. It’s definitely worth checking out!
So, we are now toned and we hopefully have the right suit for our body. What’s the last part of our plan? Put on a thick suit of confidence! This really is the secret to being a “10.”
Honestly ladies, confidence gives you a glow no self-tanner could match. Those perfect bodies we see in swim magazines aren’t on our beaches. Actually, with photo-shopping, most of them do not exist outside the pages of the catalog. What’s even more perfect than those bodies, is that we actually come in so many beautiful shapes and sizes.
I know it can feel as though all eyes are on our flaws when you’re mostly naked on a beach. But, just think, when you’re at the beach, do you have out a pen and pad of paper and take notes about how other people look in their swimsuits? I hope not! And if you’re not minding the physique of everyone else, odds are they aren’t paying serious attention to yours either. Instead, they are watching the waves and enjoying time with friends and family.
Wear what makes you feel the most comfortable, and wear it with a smile. Because if all day long your tugging at your suit, or have your arms across your belly, you may become so preoccupied you might miss creating a treasured memory.
We hope our tips will help you feel more like this confident little lady and enjoy your day at the beach!
Have fun!
Jess 🙂
