For quite a few women, the thought of trying on swimwear leads to moments of panic.
- My legs will look horrible!
- My stretch marks from pregnancy have gotten worse!
- Leg cellulite should never see the light of day!
Sound familiar? While those feelings are perfectly normal, they lead many women to make swimsuit blunders. Don’t let that happen to you. Prepping for swimsuit season begins soon, so avoid the mistakes listed below.
1. Going Cheap
Saving money is on the forefront of many a woman’s mind these days. From stagnant wages to rising costs for childcare and tuition, it’s tempting to squeeze dollars wherever you can. However—and this is truly an important however—don’t skimp on money when it comes to swimwear. It’s worth spending extra dollars to find a suit you feel good in (or relatively good in). Sure, a lesser-priced suit may cost only $10, but what’s the emotional, mental and physical cost to you? Why even go there? Opt instead for higher-quality fabric that better fits your body.
That said, if you find an inexpensive bathing suit that you love, go for it!
2. Being Unrealistic
Here’s a common scenario. Your friend wants to lose 20 pounds. To motivate herself, she shops in January or February to buy a swimsuit that is too small. Her aim is to fit in it by May. So, May rolls around, and your friend doesn’t fit. She loses morale and ends up buying a swimsuit that looks ghastly on her.
The lesson: It’s best to shop for swimsuits that fit your body as it is now. If you want to aim for a smaller suit, go ahead and purchase one in that size. Just be sure to also buy one that fits you now and that makes you feel good now.
3. Trying on Swimsuits in Stores
Interestingly, many department stores (and smaller, independent shops) fall down flat when it comes to portraying how you actually look in a bathing suit. Their lights are harsh, unforgiving, and inaccurate, magnifying so-called flaws on your body. Your swimwear is likely for pools and the beach, so what you need instead is something approximating natural light. An alternative option to the store is to shop online for your swimsuits, and try them on at home.
4. Focusing Too Much on the Suit
Perfecting your poolside or beachside look is about more than having a swimsuit. It’s also about, say, sunglasses, a hat, sandals, even a towel. Your hair, too. So, even if you’re not exactly happy with how you look in a swimsuit, the other items may boost your confidence.
5. Obsessing about Trends
This one is similar to the “going cheap” section. You may be so fixated on saving money or on riding the waves of the latest trends that you lose sight of what’s important. Namely, finding swimwear that heightens your confidence and that you feel comfortable in. Is buying the hottest “in” suit worth it if, say, you feel like you’re exposing too much skin or not enough skin?
Above all, do you. Do what feels right to you. Your feelings and your confidence are timeless. They remain with you long after trends have come and gone.
This is not meant to criticize people who are trend-conscious. If you love trends and have the confidence, desire and ability to keep up with them, then great! The good news is that 2017 should be an intriguing year, as one trend is nudity, or flesh-colored swimwear. The point here is only that you shouldn’t prioritize trend-setting over your own comfort levels.
6. Minimizing “Problem Spots”
Instead of trying to erase what you see as problem areas, a better perspective may be trying to play up what you do like. Hate your butt but love your bust? Focus on a suit that makes your breasts look awesome. Hate practically your entire body but adore your hair? Then look for suits that make your tresses stand out even more.
Hopefully, the above six mistakes have given you a head’s up about how to approach the swimwear shopping that is soon headed your way. As long as you focus on your strengths, are willing to spend some cash, and bypass the stores with harsh lighting, you should be on a good path. Shopping for accessories such as quirky sunglasses might add even more fun to the experience.
