As I sit here on a cool and rainy morning, sipping hot Earl Grey from my favorite circa-70's coffee mug, I'm looking at the calendar and realizing that, indeed, "summer" started today.
Personally, I am so far from beach-ready, it's not even funny. And, unfortunately for me, swimsuit shopping is topped only by a root canal in my book of things I would prefer to avoid. The thought of heading out in public to do such a thing is nearly enough to make me voluntarily commit myself.
So what's the next best thing? Shopping online, of course.
Now, before you roll your eyes at me and say "For Pete's Sake, is there nothing sacred anymore? Do you buy everything online?" The answer to that would be "yes, and almost." Just for the record, can all of you whom enjoy shopping for swimsuits please raise your hands?
Hmm. Just what I thought. Not many.
My experience with swimsuit shopping goes a little something like this: Stacie goes to store in happy mood. Stacie stands under flourescent lights in drab fitting room trying on what seems like hundreds of bathing suits. Stacie leaves store, nearly sobbing, and drowns her sorrows in a huge plate of onion rings at a nearby greasy spoon. Sound familiar?
We, as women, are highly critical of our bodies. We notice every mole, stretch mark, and mild discoloration of skin. We could be the best-looking, most confident chick on the beach, and we'd still find something wrong with ourselves. And how can we not be? The latest winner of America's Next Top Model claims to be a size 10 and she's classified as "plus-size!" The fashion industry must have missed the memo that the average American women is now a size 12.
I've discovered the best way to confidently shop for a swimsuit is to first really take a look at your body style. If you've hit 30, like me, you might be dealing with what I lovingly refer to as the "muffin top." Whether it's low-fat or gluten-free really doesn't matter; there is that undeniable bit of bulge over the top of my hips and I really don't like it. So I, personally, am on the lookout for a suit that camoflages it.
Maybe you've had a couple of kids and, even though you're naturally slender, you've got stretchmarks that you're horrified by. If that's the case, you have two choices. Either invest in a stretch mark smoother, or buy a suit that masks those areas, such as a tankini or a one piece.
Top heavy but love your abs? A halter-style top with a simple bikini bottom will keep everything in place while giving you a wonderful silhouette. Ralph Lauren has one that is truly adorable and if you can wear it, I would highly suggest buying it. Simply put, it's too cute not to own.
"So, what if I'm not in love with my body at all? How do I enjoy the beach without showing up over-dressed?" Invest in a super adorable cover-up. I happen to love this Shoshanna cover-up, available at Nordstrom's - (edit for pre-summer 2009: too bad it's not available any longer, but take a look at it anyway. It was so popular, they're likely to bring it back in time for this beach season).
The bottom line is this: once you get to the beach, you'll realize that no one there really cares what you've got on anyway. The reality is, people nowadays are so self-consumed, they can hardly even focus on what is right in front of their faces, much less what's going on at the towel next door.
Grab a good beach read (I personally suggest this) and your beach chair. I don't know about you,but I think summer is far too short to hide inside.
