FASHION Magazine

If you’re anything like me, the struggle to find a bathing suit for your body that not only flatters curves but figure flatters is one that fills me with more anxiety than finals, first dates and family functions combined.

Growing up, I was always on the chubbier side of the spectrum. Never morbidly overweight, but definitely holding on to my cozy layers of baby fat far into puberty. When summertime came and it was time for all us kids to get shipped off to summer camp, I dreaded days spent lounging on boardwalks and beaches, fearing the scrutiny of my skinnier peers. I remember the first bikini I ever bought that made me feel confident in my skin. It was a turquoise triangle bikini with thick bands, palm trees and pineapples adorning my teenage tatas. Since then, I have owned one bathing suit for nearly 7 years–a low-cut, black one-piece that screams “I don’t want to be wearing a bathing suit right now!”

Well, no longer. Sure, over the years I have slimmed out and have grown into my fuller hourglass figure. But most importantly, I grew into the idea that summer was meant for fun, and hiding under a beach blanket is no way to spend it.

Similar to shopping for the perfect bra or pair of jeans, swimsuit shopping can be downright daunting. There are just too many people out there telling us to suck in, cover up and, god forbid, wear a tankini if our mid-sections aren’t quite as chiseled as Candace Swanepoel’s. So, I will not sit here and barrage you with options for covering up your “ass”ets. Nope! Instead, I want us all to focus on highlighting what our mamas gave us. Embrace curves, accept flat chests, let your ba-donk-a-donk jiggle free! Here, we’ll show you how to find the right bathing suit for your body from long and lanky to pear shaped and beyond.

THE EXPERTS:
Sarah Ghobrial, swimwear buyer at Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com
Tom Mora, head of women’s design at J.Crew, jcrew.com
Fay Yeung, owner of Sandpipers, sandpipers.ca
Liliana Mann, owner of Linea Intima, lineaintima.com

THE PERFECT SWIMSUIT
HIGH-WAISTED RETRO BIKINI | ONE-PIECE MAILLOT | SPORTY

Q: How tight should a swimsuit be?
A: “Bathing suits and jeans should both be very tight when you buy them. The fabric will relax, and there aren’t many things less attractive than a bathing suit that sags.” —Mann

Q: Can you alter a swimsuit that’s not quite right?
A: “The straps are very easy to do, but I wouldn’t alter the sides because it would stress the seams. A swimsuit will stretch out a little bit, so you could wear it around the house until it gets comfortable.” —Yeung