Under the Sea
(“floating on the pool in a raft” wasn’t quite as catchy) 😉
Swimsuit shopping is kinda like jeans shopping: you either don’t mind it, or absolutely hate it. I don’t mind it that much, but I’m a big fan of all things shopping-related, so there ya go.
Here are some of my swimsuit shopping strategies:
-Every year, I’ll buy one expensive suit and a few very inexpensive suits, usually from Target. I’ll usually splurge on a classic style that I know I’ll be able to wear in the next couple of summers, too, and as far as the Target suits go, I’ll get whatever looks fun and don’t have to worry about it getting snagged or lost.
This year, for my investment swimsuit, I’d like to get one of the vintage style swimsuits that I’ve been eyeing since last summer (when I pretty much stopped going to the pool because I didn’t want to cook the baby).
Anthropologie has an AMAZING selection of maillots and vintage style bikinis:
My fave:
I haven’t bought a one-piece in quite a while, so it will be fun to switch things up a little 🙂
-I also love the swimsuits at J Crew
and the ones from Victoria’s Secret. I like to get VS swimwear at the very end of summer- they go on super clearance and then they release a majority of the exact same styles the next year. I’ve picked up swimsuits for less than $30 each, and then the next year, I’ll see them again for full price. They’re tricky like that.
Forever 21 and H&M are also good spots to find inexpensive suits.
-Experiment with different styles. I found out the hard way that bandeau tops give me a uni-boob, a for me, regular style bottoms are more flattering than the boyshort variety. It’s a trial and error kinda thing.
-Go in the morning, or at least before hitting up the Indian food buffet. I speak from experience, and needless to say, did not come home with a swimsuit that day.
-Do the bend test in the mirror to make sure your goodies stay under wraps.
-Watch out for metal embellishments and blinged-out swimsuits. They get very hot in the summer sun, and I’ve rocked some very sexy square-shaped burn marks on my hips before. Ouch.
Any swimsuit shopping tips? Where do you usually pick yours up?
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I’m due on April 21st… I am absolutely horrified that I will be post-partum in the summertime. I really like the idea of a one piece, though, and those anthropologie suits are super cute!
Jcrew is usually my go to for bathing suits, but those one pieces from Anthro are SO cute!
I remember getting a bikini a few years ago that had a wooden circle between the breasts and one at the hip. Totally cute, but oh Lord, that was the most painful sun burn I have EVER had. It was like two rings of FIRE.
I love the Red one and the checked one,and I like the one you picked out too! I am so excited for summer!!!!
I too buy 3 or 4 fun Target suits and one really good one Great Minds think alike 🙂
Ah, I know what you mean about metal embellishments – I also found out the hard way! I love Target for bathing suits, too, and Victoria’s Secret. I recently found a new good source – Land’s End Canvas. They’re cute and made really well with thick fabric – always a good thing.
Check out pin-upgirlclothing.com, awesome vintage style swimsuits.
I love J Crew and Victoria Secret 🙂 I agree with what you said about the VS sales!
I was looking at a suit a few weeks ago but I don’t have anywhere to swim. So sad because I love it! Can’t wait to have access to a pool some day soon. 🙂
While the more expensive suits are usually quite flattering, I have a really hard time spending $50 per piece of tiny spandex blend, or like those shown above, over $150 on a one-piece. So, I usually go with Target and Old Navy.
I can’t do bikini bottoms that literally tie together at the hips–they give me a saggy bottom. Also notice at Target, etc that the style you want, there’s only an extra small top and extra large bottom left? How does that ALWAYS happen?!
buying one that expensive is very rare for me, too. i figured since i didn’t buy any swimsuits last year, my investment one can be a little more pricey than usual, if i find one i really love. target and old navy have great swimsuits, and you can’t beat the prices. i bought a butterfly one at old navy a couple of years ago for 3.97 at old navy.. for the entire suit! haha
and you’re totally right about the sizes! it always works out that way
I love that bathing suit. I’m all for these vintage one pieces. I bought my last bathing suit, a two-piece, for $20 or $30 at TJ Maxx!
oh i forgot about tj maxx! that’s an AMAZING place to shop for swimsuits- i love their coverups too
i love bandeaus, thats all i wear!
i’m totally loving the vintage look though, that black and white one is super cute! i’d totally like to rock one of those
Those Anthro suits are retro and cool! I am tall and have a really long torso so there’s no way I could wear a one-piece like that. I need two pieces, whether I want to or not, that’s the only way I can fit into a suit. Otherwise it would be like, well, impossible 🙂
I always buy them at the end of summer at dept stores on clearance. I just realized this week I have 4 brand new suits I bought last year!
that’s a smart way to do it!
I buy mine at Old Navy or Joe Fresh at the Superstore (only available in Canada). I bought a Joe Fresh one for $5 once.
I do not buy new suits every year….maybe every other year and only 1 at most. I swim primarily in lakes (and not that often), so no yucky suit-destroying chlorine!
thanks for the tips! i hate bathing suit shopping.
i usually buy cheapie victoria’s end of season suits for weekend trips so i can ditch them and not feel sad, caring for wet swimsuits is a pain. i’ve thrown away at least two $15 swimsuits in that dingy public restroom on miami beach. good times:) i get my “real” suits from Burberry or Ann Taylor. i like burberry because they are sexy but i don’t look like a “hip hop hunny” which can happen with my body type. never thought about anthro, good call!