Swimsuit Roundup

Swimsuits are haaard! Sometimes they come as a set and you love one half but maybe not the other...or you see them all shiny and new at Target, get excited, buy 10...only to find out they look cheap or too "young" for you. How about shopping online where you're like, "I have no idea if I will like this on my body/in person or not"...and there is always the question of whether or not you should wear a one piece or still go for the 2 piece? Or should I spend $50 or $200? and on and on......

I live in the midwest and there is not a place within 30 minutes of my house where I can buy swimwear at a store (not including Target). That also means that when it's time to try on suits, my legs are pasty white and usually very hairy...that doesn't help.

I'm here to help! I'm not a rookie anymore, so I can impart a little bit of wisdom, and hopefully save you some time and energy! (always my goal!)

swimwear advice:

Don't solely rely on Target. Not to say you can't find a great suit there! I've done it many a times...but as the years go by, I think it gets harder and harder to knock it out of the park there. DO buy solid bottoms or tops, that you can mix and match with other suits. A simple black bottom?...buy it here every time. Buy 2 or 3! Or vice-a-versa; the solid tops if that is an easier fit for you. This can save you money in the long run, and allow you to buy more "designer" tops (or bottoms) to pair with. Shop end of the year sales on designer brands to mix with these items. The takeaway? MIX and MATCH your swimwear. High and low price tags.
If there is a place to try swimwear on near you...(An Everything but Water store is great for this!) go when you are showered and feeling your best. You will not have any success on an "off' day. When you finally get into a store to do so, try on everything!!! Even suits you may not think are your style or fav...you'd be surprised sometimes. You want to make the most out of your try on time (that doesn't come around for us mommas very often)...so try on tons! Take pics of each one you like. You can always call to order at a later date, if buying more than one or two doesn't make sense right now.
One piece or bikini?......that's up to YOU!!!! I don't follow age guidelines for how I dress. I wear both. I decide based on where I am going, who I will be with, what I will be doing and how I feel that day.
If you're doing an online order, do so at a store that offers free shipping and returns. You can order a bunch, try them on, and ship them back quickly.
Price range is your preference....They all snag, they all wear out, they all fade. The quality of a bathing suit is the fit. It's really the cut of the material, the material itself, and how it lays on you.
Here are brands that I like: