When the sun comes peeking through the clouds at the end of April, do you breathe a sigh of relief that summer is almost here, or do you set your mouth in a thin line and resolve for yet another year to stay out of the pool because you don’t want to go through the trials that come with swimsuits this season? You are not alone.
Women everywhere will forgo the beach or the pool this summer simply because they do not have swimsuits in which they feel comfortable. Even more common are women who keep the same swimsuits for years. When those suits finally croak, these women give up because they refuse to go shopping for new ones.
Normal women of the world, fear swimsuits no more! We are here to equip you with 10 basic principles of swimsuits so you can feel comfortable grabbing them off the rack, hauling them into the dressing room, looking fabulous and taking them home to wear.
1. Throw out old swimsuits
If you are still holding on to your old swimsuits because you got them from your Aunt Bertha, then enshrine them in a shadow box. If you are holding onto them for any other reason and the swimsuits are starting to get threadbare or have any type of wear (i.e. pills on the fanny), then they have to go.
2. Stick with style
Try to pick out swimsuits that are new and stylish. If you are wearing something similar everyone else at the pool, you won’t worry as much.
3. Halters are hot, but not for everyone
An add-on to sticking with style: halters are all the rage, but they are not a look for everyone. Scrutinize your look in the halter before you buy.
4. “I Dream of Genie” pants
One of the greatest ideas cover-up ideas for your swimsuits is a pair of sheer pants with either a drawstring or elastic waist. The pants give you a great air of mystery and sultriness to go over any of your swimsuits.
5. Tummy control?
Don’t automatically reach for swimsuits with tummy control. Most department store swimsuits with tummy control really will not be able to make you look much different than simply the “right” suit without tummy control.
6. Swim dresses aren’t for old ladies
Some of the cutest swimsuits on the racks these days are the updated versions of the suits we saw our grandmothers wearing in their old photos. These new swim dresses are fun and flirty and flatter numerous body types.
7. Skirts hide flaws
Try on swimsuits with skirts attached and you will suddenly see how your hips appear smaller. Or simply wrap a fun board skirt around your various swimsuits (instead of board shorts) for a more feminine way to play down hips and thighs.
8. Padding helps
Remember when you were in sixth grade and you stuffed your bra? Well, today’s swimsuits will do that very same thing for you, and the built-in padding makes you look fabulous. Because so many women today wear push-up bras, they suddenly look unlike themselves when they get into swimsuits. These padded suits make you feel more normal, believe it or not.
9. Watch the print
Be careful about the kind of print you choose for your swimsuits. Many times, the best looking styles are the most understated and plain looking ones on the rack. Swimsuits that make you look like you just jumped out of the rainforest will probably not help you feel comfortable when you go to your first pool party of the summer.
10. Try to touch your toes
Do this when no one is looking. It is kind of embarrassing. Swimsuits that do not pass the bend-over test (i.e. creep up your backside) should be immediately disqualified.
By D. Blair Thompson