A SWIMSUIT PERFECT FOR ME!
Summer is HERE! We are outside, enjoying the sun, and all the water events this season has to offer! But first, a swimsuit!
When it comes to shopping for that "elegant, fun, perfect” swimsuit, it can seem like a daunting challenge to browse every brand and site across the internet, especially for plus and curvy women. The representation is lacking at times. The top may be too loose fitting, the bottom may be too small, too many straps to wrap around, not enough support for the breast or bottom and much more! Have no fear! You are not alone.
I had the privilege of asking four gorgeous women who face the same issue, have different body structure, and share tips of how and where to look for great swimwear! Yes, they make the swimsuit work for them and their body types!
How would you describe your body type and why this description?
(Tiffany Flamer) I would describe my body type as being an hourglass shape. I would describe my shape as such, because I have a well-defined waist that is significantly smaller than my bust and hips. Most people have described it as having a “Coca-Cola” bottle shape because of being smaller in the mid-section and having a fairly larger bust and hips.
(Faith Costa) I would describe my body type as an exaggerated hourglass. My curves are all over, but still relatively proportionate. I'm typically a size 26/28 or 4X for reference.
(Sheena Postell) I consider my body two body shapes. I do go up and down in my weight throughout the year so with that my body shape does change. I feel on my lower side that I identify with the triangle shape and on my higher weight I connect more with the oval body shape.
(Caroline Walker) I guess if you had to describe my body in simple terms as of a shape, I would say hourglass. Because my shoulders are broad, and my hips are wide but my waist is narrow in comparison. I often have to be aware of how the clothing I'm shopping for is supposed to fit so I can make sure it'll hit my waist right or have room for my hips. I'm usually two sizes, a 20/22 top and 24 bottom.
What do you think about the evolution of swimwear for plus women?
(Caroline Walker) I love the evolution of swimwear for plus women. The fact that it has evolved and become more inclusive of all different styles. I love being able to express my fashion sense with all the styles of bathing suits I have. After all that's the point of having different bathing suits- different vibes and occasions and comfort levels that I want to enjoy in every color and pattern and frill. Oh! Also, My evolution of swimwear was
● wearing a one piece with shorts
● wearing a one piece without shorts
● wearing a two-piece but the top kind of dangles down so it felt like it covered the 1 inch of belly that my high-rise bottoms left
● wearing a string bikini top with high-rise bottoms
● WEARING A STRING BIKINI!
(Tiffany Flamer) When I was a kid, I got one swimsuit each year. And often didn't fit into the one from the previous year. Now I probably have 15 different swimsuits and I'm already looking for new ones cuz it's fun! I'm not the simple black swim team one piece. I'm the Bohemian with a crochet one piece, or Hollywood classic with a high waist one color two piece, or gothic girl with one piece black with corset lacing.
Let me just say that I am HERE for the evolution of plus sized swimwear! We have evolved, arrived and are HERE to stay! Long gone are the days of your typical plus size swimsuits that were peplum style to hide our hips, bellies, and backsides and only came in solid colors or tankinis in unflattering prints. Plus size swimwear has evolved and I am happy to see all of the two-piece bikini options, mesh detailing, cut-outs, bold prints and colors. Bloggers like Gabi Fresh have changed the narrative of what plus size swimwear should look like and have brought us some of the flyest, fashionable swimsuits to the plus size community. Also, plus size model Tabria Majors whom I absolutely admire, have brought us some of the sexiest swimsuits with her collection of swimwear, that have shown plus size women that we can be sexy! We can wear cut-outs, string bikinis, cheeky swimsuits etc. Ladies! We are throwing those Granny swimsuits away!
(Sheena Postell) Evolution is a good thing as long as it makes room for more people to get involved. I never was a fan of swimwear as a young teen. I wore a t-shirt over every one-piece swim outfit until my early twenties, simple because there were no vibrant options that I loved. For a long time plus size swimwear came in different styles but the color was always black. Now that I am 40, I love all styles of swimwear and am ready to put them on in a heartbeat.
(Faith Costa) The evolution of swimwear for plus women has come a long way, I believe. Options for swim used to be conservative tankinis, one pieces or swim dresses. These can be great, but for a lot of plus size people (like me) I wanted my swim to be like everyone else's... trendy, beautiful and fits well! There are so many more options now than ever before. True plus size bikinis, sexy cut out designs, more two-piece options and plenty more! Swimwear has come a long way, but there is still room to grow. We still need more inclusive brands and more accessibility, but change is happening and I'm excited to see it continue!
What are some tips you can share about shopping for swimsuits? Where are some good places to look online and in-store?
(Faith Costa) When shopping for swimsuits, I think "feel" is the most important. Feeling of how it fits on your body and how it feels to wear it. Fit is extremely important. You should feel secure, fitted and not like you're going to "pop out" at any given moment. I always check the measurements and know my own so I can pick the size best for me. How you feel inside is just as important. Your body is something you deserve to feel comfortable in, and that means on the beach, by the pool, on vacation or anywhere else. Wear a swimsuit that makes you feel like yourself and makes you feel comfortable and confident. There are so many great brands now that fit so many different types of styles and are truly size inclusive! Check out Nomads Swimwear (size XS-5X), Alpine Butterfly Swim (size XS-6X), Superfit Hero (size L-7X), Eloquii (size 14-32). Target and Walmart are also great options! Just remember, you are worthy of wearing swimwear and you are worthy of feeling good in swimwear!
(Caroline Walker) If you were to look at all the tags on my bathing suits you would see online brands such as Shein and Amazon and AdoreMe. You would also see store brands such as Torrid, Old Navy, and even Land's End.
I often remember that swimsuits are going to fit differently by the brand but also I'm not as worried about fit cause swimsuits often have a lot of stretch where blouses don't. Often swimsuits have a lot more give and are more flexible in sizing for my body so I have some tags that say 18 even.
(Tiffany Flamer) Tips I would give when it comes to shopping for swimsuits would be to first get excited! Shopping is meant to be fun! Have fun looking and trying different styles, prints, and colors. Don’t be afraid to try things on. Sometimes the way something looks on a hanger looks totally different once you put it on.
● Invest in swimsuit staple pieces that you can mix and match with other pieces to create multiple swim looks. Swimsuits can get expensive, so mixing and matching and giving the illusion that I’m wearing a new swimsuit each time is definitely my thing!
● My favorite places to shop for swimwear are : Eloquii, Fashion to Figure, CupShe, Target, Walmart, and Rue 21,
(Sheena Postell) Where are some good places to look online and in-store? When it comes to shopping for swimsuits, people must think about how they feel in their undergarments first. Think about the shape of their favorite panty and shop for a similar swim bottom. Always put your comfort first because this will prevent you from tugging at your swimsuit. As for color, find your favorite color or pattern first and then venture out to wearing a new color. The point is to have fun and show your style.
Have fun showcasing that favorite swimwear and let the summer splash!
Photo credits:
Sheena’s images - @plusmodelphotography
Faith’s images - @adortphotography
Tiffany’s images - @mareazi_fashion_photographer
Caroline’s images - @cassieraedsgn
