We’re all girls inside. We all want to be able to stand in front of the mirror with the same bliss as when we were in pigtails and minus a tooth or two. However, it is necessary to acknowledge to yourself that, as you’ve probably heard before, every body is different. Very few “real life” people look as good in their swimsuits as those who model them. As anyone who has ever gone swimsuit shopping with a friend will laughingly agree, when comparing body flaws, your friend will inevitably reply with, “You think that’s bad? Look at my [insert body flaw]!” But this doesn’t erase any of your fears about your breasts looking saggy, your tummy flabby or your thighs abnormally large. But consider that number one, everyone thinks they look worse or bigger than they actually are and number two, your perceived body flaws aren’t that obvious to other people (who are too busy trying to reconcile with their own body issues to notice yours).
Girls’ swimwear for when you’re actually swimming!
One-pieces are much more comfortable for swimming around the ocean, lake or pool. You can get more support from a one-piece. And they provide many of us with the joy and relief of not having to reveal our stomachs in public. Look for a one-piece that doesn’t cut into the shoulders, doesn’t ride up in back, and has comfortable, stretchy fabric. You don’t want anything to come undone or slip off while you’re swimming laps or snorkeling off a crowded beach.
Tips for finding girls’ swimwear for different body shapes
- If you’re bigger on top: You will need extra support. If you’re looking for a two-piece suit of some sort, look for one with a top that provides underwire support. Recognizing that not everyone is the same shape (finally!), many stores and magazines now sell two-pieces separately so you can buy a larger top, a smaller bottom, or vice versa, and wind up with a perfect fit.
- If you have short legs: Try suits that are cut higher on the thigh. This will elongate your legs. If you are short and curvy with a small waist, try a string bottom or a cut that will accentuate your waist.
- If you don’t have a waist: Create curves by wearing a one-piece suit with a thigh-high cut. It will draw the eye to other places and show hip rather than waist.
- If you want to minimize your waist: Look for a “tummy tamer” suit. These are usually one pieces that have an extra panel in front to provide support in that area.
- If you’re small on top: You can go with a small bikini top. Bright prints on the top of a suit will help to equalize your figure. Suits with an inner bra will help push up your breasts.
- If you have wide hips: Some suits come with a skirt pre-attached, or you can buy a sarong and discreetly wrap it around yourself without looking like you’re self-conscious. Dark colors on the bottom work as well.
Other tips when looking for girls’ swimwear
- If you’re buying a suit to take on vacation with you, buy the suit before you go! Otherwise, you will end up overpaying at a resort or on a cruise ship. Take your own measurements with a tape measure before you start looking for girls’ swimwear, and use those measurements as a marker, instead of relying on manufacturers’ sizing.
- For whatever reason, manufacturers size up when creating swimsuits. So don’t freak out when you have to buy a size larger than what you feel is your “real” size.
- You can never have too many swimsuits, especially if you’re going on a warm-weather vacation to a tropical destination, on board a cruise ship, or simply down to Florida. If you find a suit that looks great, buy it in another color, so that you can wash one suit and wear the other. Chlorine and salt water can be damaging to the color of a suit, and it’s important to make sure that your suit retains its natural color.
- If the suit doesn’t fit right in the dressing room, it will never fit right. And don’t try to fool yourself by making a mental promise to go on a diet. Once you have your suit on in the dressing room, move in it – lift your arms, jump, twist and mimic swimming motions.
By Virginia Zignego