I spent way too many summers sitting under a beach umbrella fully dressed in a giant oversized t shirt and sweatpants because I was absolutely terrified of anyone seeing my body in a swimsuit. Every time my friends planned a pool day I would instantly get this knot of anxiety in my stomach and spend hours scrolling online trying to find something that would basically cover me from head to toe. It is just so exhausting wanting to swim and have fun but feeling like your body size means you are not allowed to enjoy the sunshine like everyone else. But right before a trip to Hawaii last year I just got so tired of missing out on memories because of my insecurity. I ordered a bunch of different plus size one pieces that actually promised to support curves instead of just trying to camouflage them like a giant tent. When they arrived and I tried them on in front of my own mirror it was like a total lightbulb moment. I realized that the right cut doesn't just squeeze you into submission but it actually works with your shape so you can feel completely secure and look incredibly hot at the same time.
The sheer magic of built in power mesh panels
If you have a softer stomach area like I do then you absolutely need to start looking for swimsuits that have built in power mesh lining on the inside. I used to think I needed those super painful corset style suits to flatten everything out but they just made me miserable and left red marks all over my skin. Power mesh is completely different because it feels like a gentle hug that smooths everything out without making it hard to breathe or eat a proper lunch by the pool. It gives your torso this really sleek and continuous line that makes you feel incredibly held together when you are walking around the sand. I found this beautiful deep plum one piece with a mesh front panel and it gives me so much confidence because I don't have to constantly suck in my stomach every time someone takes a photo.
Why a plunging v neck line is your absolute best friend
When you are a plus size girl there is always this weird societal pressure to wear high neck swimsuits that cover you up completely but that usually just makes you look way boxier than you actually are. Breaking up that solid block of fabric with a deep plunging v neck line is honestly a total game changer for your proportions. It draws the eyes upward and creates this really long and lean vertical line down the center of your torso which balances out wider hips beautifully. Plus it lets you show off a little bit of skin and cleavage in a way that feels super intentional and glamorous. I always look for options that have wide and supportive shoulder straps though because you want that beautiful lift without the fabric digging into your shoulders by the end of the day.
Getting that perfect waist definition with ruching details
Another design detail that I will literally fight for is strategic ruching along the sides of the waist and stomach. A lot of people assume that extra folds of fabric will make you look bigger but it actually does the exact opposite by creating a visual illusion that confuses the eye. The gathered fabric creates these soft diagonal lines that draw attention away from any specific area you might be self conscious about and focuses instead on creating a beautiful hourglass silhouette. It is basically the ultimate lazy girl styling trick because the swimsuit does all the contouring work for you. I have this one suit with side ruching that I wear when I know I am going to be eating a massive beachside brunch because it is so incredibly forgiving and comfortable.
The vintage skirted look that gives you extra thigh coverage
If your main insecurity is your upper thighs or hip area then you should definitely look into a modern swim dress or a drop waist skirted one piece. I know some people think swim dresses look a bit old fashioned but the newer designs out there are actually so chic and youthful. You want to look for a style that sits tight against your torso and then flares out just slightly at the widest part of your hips. It gives off this total retro pin up girl vibe that feels very playful and feminine while giving you that little bit of extra coverage so you don't feel exposed when you are walking to the beachside bar. It is also amazing for avoiding that annoying inner thigh chafing when you are walking around in the heat all day.
Rocking bold colors instead of hiding in boring black
For the longest time my entire swimwear drawer was just a sea of plain black because I truly believed that was the only color plus size women were allowed to wear if they wanted to look smaller. But honestly hiding in dark colors all the time gets so incredibly boring and it ruins the fun summer mood. Last month I took a risk and bought a vibrant tropical orange one piece and the amount of compliments I got was insane. When a swimsuit fits your body correctly and supports your curves you can wear literally any color or print under the sun and look fantastic. Stepping out in a bright color shows that you are proud of your body and that you are there to live your best life instead of trying to blend into the background.
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