[016] Midweek Check-In: Bathing Suits

Seeing as how it's currently 80+ degrees in my neck of the woods, I decided to blog about something that has always been a point of stress for me (and many other women): bathing suits. Ever since I developed an awareness of my own body, bathing suit shopping has been nothing but torturous for me. It got worse during my teens, when my weight shot up and self-esteem took a dive. Even after managing to lose a good amount of weight, I still hated shopping for bathing suits.

Bathing suit shopping yielded the following observation: bikinis or one-pieces. Being as self-conscious as I am, bikinis intimidated me. I did not want to show off my unfit body in some body baring suit. While I do own two bikinis, I have only worn them a few times, and thus they remain stuffed in my closet. I intend to wear them again, when I get more fit, but in the meantime I'm left with one-piece bathing suits.

Up until recently, the only one-pieces I saw were fit for older women; they aren't very flattering or cute and would age me in a matter of minutes. As a 20-something woman, I need something that flatters my body and makes me actually look, well, 20-something. I'm young, dammit! I intend to keep my youth as long as possible, but what one-piece won't make me look old?!

Luckily, with the emergence of retro-inspired styles comes retro looking bathing suits. My friends, I have fallen in love with the below, as designed by Esther Williams:

Bathing Beauty One-Piece in Red from Modcloth, by Esther Williams.

I think, for the first time, I have fallen in love with that bathing suit. Taking a look at the reviews on Modcloth only heightens my love for it. Though I haven't ordered it (yet), I fully intend to within the next two weeks. I am excited, scared, and oddly thrilled at my future purchase. This bathing suit is everything I need: a one-piece, hides my stomach, cute neckline and is a nice, bright red. And look how happy the model looks wearing it! I want to be that happy, too!

Though I'm sure I will still feel shy when I go out in public in that, I'm sure I will feel way more confident than I used to in a suit. And, if I'm feeling especially brave, maybe I'll snap a photo or two for you to see. ;) Otherwise, you'll just have to take my word that I love it or hate it.

See you on Sunday with the weigh-in!