Let’s talk girl to girl here … there’s not a lot of fabric standing between your body and the change room mirror when you’re shopping for swimsuit.
It’s a fitting room situation designed to bring all our body issues together for one giant pity party for one.
I’m not much for pity parties so before shopping for a swimsuit, I give myself a good and proper talking to.
Self, I say, it’s time you and I had a talk. I want to go to the beach and swim with my kids at the pool and I really, really would like you to not stop me from doing that. Please don’t give me “that” look in the mirror. I know my body isn’t (Miranda) Kerr-fect but it’s not bad for an old chook. It’s produced three kids, so that’s got to be good for something, right?
Right, now that little pep talk is out of the way, it’s time to actually look at what’s available for a woman of a *certain* age whose bikini days have passed her by were never there in the first place. And you know what? There’s actually LOTS available.
Thanks to the resurgence of all things vintage, swimwear is no longer just for those seeking skimpy.
Here are five you might like to check out for yourself.
Hello sailor! I do love me a little nautical action and this one from Kiargo is a great style if you like to be a bit more active in the surf or even swim laps. It’s got great sucker-in-er features with double layered fabric too. If your bust is bigger, wear a couple of the buttons undone for a more flattering neckline.
See the ruching there? Yep, ruching is your tummy’s best swimwear friend. Not only do these from Nancy Ganz (yes, the do swimwear as well!) create a gorgeous silhouette, but they are made from a pretty powerful control fabric. The ruching is the icing on the cake, creating an illusion as to what’s actually under that fabric. It’s designed to be worn with or without the adjustable straps.
I love the swimwear that Australian label Gorman released this summer. There’s not a lot left but if this is your thing then I’d snap up a pair while they’re reduced. Don’t be afraid of the pattern. No siree. A pattern actually works to disguise any lumps and bumps and this pattern is seriously GROOV-AY.
Bombshell Bay arrived on the swimwear scene last year and already has made a (really sorry for the pun) splash. The reason: the swimsuits are simple, yet inspired by Hollywood starlets of the 1950s and ’60s. They’re made for women with shape. Miss Marilyn has that ruching I talked about above. The gorgeous silhouette is enough to make you pull out the red lippy … for the beach!
There’s something about polkadots. There really is. And this swimsuit has the cute vintage factor written all over it. It’s more for a small-busted woman but there is some great illusion work going on with the panels of the spots. See how the side panels have smaller spots? That’s like having a mag editor photoshop your hips off but in a more ethical way.
What do you think? Do you find it difficult to find a swimsuit you feel good in? Want to share a favourite brand or swimsuit you’ve found this summer?
PS. Come over and see what I’ve been blogging about on Justb. with the fabulous Pip Lincolne.
Comments 32
These are all gorgeous and very well selected, Nikki!
I am so not a swimsuit gal. I bought one in Byron Bay last year – my 1st in, oh, 20 years. It’s a Seafolly and is similar to the Bombshell Bay Miss Marilyn. It was the classic dismayed encounter with my imperfect body in the change room and a persistent sales person. It started raining heavily that afternoon and we came back to Sydney early. I have never worn it. My attempts to sell it on eBay and Gumtree failed. It sits in the wardrobe.
Anyone interested in an unworn, black, ruched Seafolly tankini?! Some garments just don’t belong to some people.
Author
Oh Jill, that’s a sad swimwear story. Hope it finds a new home one day.
what size and how much 🙂
I love the polka dot one! It reminds me of Sirens swimwear which I like as well – has a great retro feel. Although with Sydney’s weather of late I’m not sure when I’ll get to crack out a swimsuit! Fingers crossed 🙂
Author
Oh, I know … the weather here has been dodgy … WA is where the beach weather is at at the moment apparently!
I NEED that last one. *swoon*
I have a lot of trouble understanding how to shop for my body type though. Not everything suits me. I’m human too.
Swimwear is something I am actually scared of.
Author
Oh the last one would SO suit you Miss Pink, I just know it would!
All lovely suits but sooooo expensive. I buy my swimwear from a local brand here in Noosa called Swimalicious. They are flattering and so affordable that I have two! My fave is the frilly lilly in Orange, it is devine.
http://www.swimalicious.com
Author
I will check it out, Wendy! As I said below, I don’t mind paying extra when I know it will last with the kind of treatment I give them!
AAArgh swimsuits are a nightmare for me, I have so many, as we have a pool. Looove miraclesuits. It will help when I’m a bit smaller, they will fit better. Personally, I wouldn’t swim in the public town pool without boardshorts and a swim tee, so many of my students are always there and I am just uncomfortable when, to me, swimwear is kinda like underwear. That’s just me though and I don’t ever have a problem with what other people wear, ie the young, great figure possessing teachers in their skimpy swimmers at swimming carnivals or sport.
Author
I think as a teacher that’s something I would consider too. No matter what my size or shape.
the day I forced myself to a swimwear shop, tried on a billion and spent a decent investment on it was one of the best things I did for living by the sea…I have swimmers that I am confident in now and though it’s far from perfect I am happy to walk in for a quick dip in the ocean…and that’s what it’s all about for me
Author
Exactly! You really don’t want to miss out on that just because you don’t have a swimsuit that you’re happy with. x
Loving this post – Jets has long been a favourite of mine for their modest coverage and cute, retro styles! My only complaint is that the cuter and more retro the swimsuit, the more the price jumps further and further up! It’s a lot of cash for not a lot of fabric, but oh well!
Author
It IS but as I mentioned in a comment below, it’s been my experience that you get longer out of a swimsuit. The fabrication is of better quality. I’m all for a bargain but because I wear mine a lot, I don’t go budget on swimwear.
Oh nice, I do love a one piece swimsuit, you know on those days you just want to let it all hang out…The jets one at the bottom is DEVINE. I have an Isola by Megan Gale that just fits perfectly and I feel like I should be swanning about in the Carribean!;)x
Author
Oh, Karla, the Isola range is fantastic. And as you know, sometimes you need a swimsuit that won’t fall down the minute you hit the first wave in the surf!!
Have just snapped up a pair of those fab Gorman ones. Thank you! Just adore that pattern. Big risk buying without trying on, but no chance of getting to shop soon and have swimming lessons starting with Master 2 next Friday. Hopefully they will look good and be a bit kinder to my tummy than current bikini.
Author
Go Kirralee … I’m actually a big fan of online shopping for swimwear (avoids the looking in the mirror thing 😉 )
My sister gave me a swim suit from Cotton On. It’s a strapless black one piece cossie with detachable straps. I’d love it more if it was in a colour but I can’t fault it as it’s slimming and flattering.
I think the full price was around the $30 mark but she got it on sale for a lot less.
I love the swimsuits on your site this morning but hate spending big bucks on swim wear as they get wrecked so quickly.
Author
It’s actually been my experience that the ones that cost more do last longer because the fabric is (generally) of better quality. Essential for me when I live at the beach and we go swimming a lot.
Love some tummy ruching. I have swimmers this summer that mean I can play/swim with the kids and know that everything is held in! They are by Nancy Ganz.
In fact I’m wearing them right now as we are off to the beach before the temp hits 42 (again)…
Author
Oh, that means we’ll have more beautiful beach photos on Instagram! Got to love that ruching!
I recently bought three new pairs. All totally worth it. I finally don’t feel odd at the pool and have been going so much more. That little sticker that said “tummy control” was my new BFF.
Author
Ahh, love that little sticker!
Wow I love them!!! I have 3 suck you in swimsuits which are fab and I couldn’t get through summer without them! I’m a size 14 and after 3 pregnancies my belly is more that just a bit wobbly but these suits do the job!!!! I’m loving the bombshell marilyn one, so I’m going to see if they do it in other colours too…….thanks for the post xx
Author
No problems, Carla … love that you have a collection of sucker-in-ers!!
I love the Gorman ones and the Jets are so cute. Rachel xx
Author
Super cute and perfect for Redcliffe!
That TOP one is ME!!!!! This works – can you do all my shopping for me Nic??
🙂
BB
Oh, I gotta get me those Gorman bathers for our Port Douglas wedding trip… gorgeous!
Thanks for the hot find, Nikki!
Author
Oh, yeh Katy!