“Bathing Suit Season.” The phrase drives fear in the hearts of women everywhere. And its almost here.
*collective sigh*
Well, regardless of how ready we are, the swimsuits have hit the stores. And you know that we need to snatch them up now because if we wait to June all that we’ll find are XXS bottoms, XL tops and Halloween costumes.
So let us begin.
The best swimsuit investment I ever made was buying a bunch of pieces from the same collection to mix and match. Mine is from Gap. I have a variety of pieces in black that I mix and match according to how skinny I feel, including the essential tankini top, essential halter bikini top, essential bikini bottom and swim skirt. I also have the essential one-piece halter suit.
I purchased them over about 3 years, both from the store and from the outlet, I didn’t pay full price for a single piece. I remember I picked up the one-piece at the outlet for about $12 last year. The skirt? $3. Awesome. Because they’re all from Gap, the pieces are totally interchangeable.
I know it seems like a lot, but if you purchase classics like these over a year or two, you’ll be set for years!
Budget suits:
I’ve had good luck over the years with suits from Old Navy and Target.
I love this Navy Paisley tankini from Old Navy, if you’re looking to liven things up with patterns.
If your tummy is your problem area, I highly recommend a tankini with a swing top, like this from J Crew. I bought a similar tankini from Target for my post-baby summer and it was so comfy, was easy to nurse in and hid my postpartum tummy nicely.
Perhaps you’d like to swim in a diaper? (Can I get a WHAT??!!)
I bought this dotted tankini for the summer. I wanted something strapless, so I wouldn’t have tan lines to worry about for my sister’s wedding this summer. And, while I always wear bikinis at the beach, I feel weird wearing a bikini to the little kiddie pool at the Y 🙂 So I almost always go with a tankini. I bought both pieces on sale, so for under $30, I got a super cute suit!
These Bandeau Shirred One-Pieces are adorable! And since they’re from Target, buy two! Ooo – it comes in a tankini! And polka dots! And this one is so cute – it looks like a dress! I love it!
Investment suits:
Unless you swim every single day, your swimsuit will probably last several years with proper care. So it might be worth investing in a really nice, classic suit that will last you awhile instead of buying a new suit every year.
Spanx has a line of swimwear now that not only is really cute, but slim you as well! I would get this Bandeau One Piece, since the ruffles would provide some interest in an area where I was not abundantly blessed:
There are some really, really cute ones at Anthropologie, if you want a more unique look (since is it me or does every other mom at the pool have the Lands End Tankini?). This Mariana one-piece is fabulous! The polka dot pattern is fun and the shape mimics the wrap dress with its draping ruffle, which looks great on so many body types. For a similar look without the ruffle and polka dots, try this suit from J Crew. Athleta has gorgeous swimsuits that will last for years. The Batik flower swim series is really pretty, but I think the Indian Swirl Bowback Tankini is my favorite!
Lands End is always a great bet as well. They also have a line of slimming suits (try the Carmela Slender Swimsuit – absolutely classic). I love their mix and match collection – the swim skirts have tummy control as well. The Faille Empire Tankini is my absolute favorite. If it came in my size, I would be all over this!
You can read more posts about fashion and family on Melissa’s blog, Girlymama.
Philaburban Mom 