To be honest I really struggled with the idea of putting on a swimsuit after having my kid. It is just such a weird transition because your body feels like it belongs to someone else for a while and that skin on my stomach just didn't want to snap back no matter how many walks I took. I used to be a bikini girl through and through but suddenly the thought of all that loose skin being out in the open made me want to just stay inside with the air conditioning. I spent way too much money ordering random suits online and crying in front of my bedroom mirror because everything felt either too tight or like a giant diaper. But after a lot of trial and error I figured out that a one piece isn't just a boring mom suit if you pick the right details. It is actually possible to feel like a normal human being again at the pool without constantly sucking your stomach in until you can't breathe.
The total magic of ruching and gathered fabric
If you only take one piece of advice from this let it be that ruching is your absolute best friend. I used to think those little folds of fabric would just make me look bulkier but it is actually the opposite. When you have that gathered material across the midsection it basically acts like a camouflage for any lumps or loose skin underneath. It creates this textured look that tricks the eye so nobody can tell where the fabric ends and your actual stomach begins. I found this one suit with side ruching that goes all the way down and it is honestly the first time I felt lean in years. It is such a simple design trick but it makes a world of difference for your confidence level.
Why you should look for power mesh lining
I didn't even know what power mesh was until I started getting desperate but now I check the tags for it every single time. It is basically like built in shapewear that is actually comfortable enough to wear in the water. Some suits just have a thin layer of nylon that does nothing to hold you in but a suit with a mesh panel across the front gives you that extra bit of support. It doesn't feel like you are wearing a corset or anything crazy like that but it just smooths everything out so you feel more solid. It is great for when you have to chase a toddler around the edge of the pool and you don't want everything jiggling around more than it needs to.
Go for a wrap style to create a new waistline
Another thing that really worked for me was finding a swimsuit with a wrap or a crossover design at the front. A lot of us lose that defined waist after pregnancy and everything just kind of blends together in the middle. The wrap style creates this V-shape that pulls the eye inward and upward which gives you back that hourglass silhouette. It is way more flattering than a straight across tank style because it creates new lines that weren't there before. I usually look for ones that tie at the side because you can adjust how tight it is depending on how you are feeling that day.
Darker patterns are better than solid colors
I know everyone says black is slimming and yeah it definitely helps but I actually think dark busy patterns are even better for hiding a soft stomach. If you wear a solid bright color every little shadow and ripple shows up when the light hits you. But if you have a dark floral print or some kind of abstract design the pattern hides any unevenness perfectly. I have this deep navy suit with a small white leaf print and it is basically like an invisibility cloak for my stretch marks and my belly. Just stay away from giant horizontal stripes because those usually do the exact opposite of what we want.
Don't be afraid of a higher cut leg
It sounds counterintuitive to show more skin when you are feeling self conscious but a higher cut leg opening actually makes your torso look shorter and your legs look way longer. When the leg hole is cut low it creates this heavy blocky look around your hips that just emphasizes the stomach area. By lifting that line up just an inch or two on the hip bone you stretch out your whole frame. It makes you look taller and more athletic which somehow makes the belly area seem much less prominent. It is a scary move at first if you aren't used to it but once you see it in a photo you will totally get why it works.
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