Bah, humbug! I don't know about you, but this cold weather has turned me into Scrooge. Like I get it, it should be cold in February/March, but the South should NEVER be below seven degrees; southern people are not made for this kind of nonsense! Okay, I lied. I am bipolar when it comes to the winter. I love "sweater weather" in October, November and December, but after Christmas, I am so over it! Jack Frost needs to take his cold, frozen self somewhere else. I am seriously one ice storm away from moving to California.
Right now, I am looking outside to a frozen pool, daydreaming of what it will be like if it was summer, wishing I had a piña colada in my hand while laying out. My thoughts: I need sunshine, 75 degree weather, and new swimwear as soon as possible. Which brings me to my next topic….
Swimsuits
This topic can make most women cringe, shriek, or maybe even cry and somehow we are never quite ready for swimwear season, including me. I always tell myself, "next year will be different and I'll be ready." Well reality set in when I realized summer is right around the corner! And, even if I am not ready, then there is nothing wrong with purchasing some new swim gear, right?!
Here are some of favorite affordable swimwear websites
Triangl
Triangl provides swimsuits that are made out of 100% Neoprene, which is the same material as a wetsuit. In return, they hardly stretch and they are extremely form fitting. However, the material gives this product a rare look that you cannot pass up. You know how some girls are top heavy- well, I am personally bottom heavy. My chest size is 36 B and my jean size is 27 (EUR), 6 (US). By looking at their sizing guide, I thought a medium in the top and bottoms would suffice for my body type. Once, I got the package, I could not wait to try it on and see how it looked on me. The top fit my chest perfectly; however, the bottoms did not fly as well. They were a little too cheeky for my liking. Yes, I could wear them, but I would look like I was about to star in a rap video- It showed off too much of Kristen. I realized I was uncomfortable with how I felt in the bottoms so I returned them and went a size up. I received a large and they were still cheeky, but a lot better than before. My advice for you is to double-check the sizing chart and pick a size that is appropriate for you. Personal experience, I always go a size up in the bottoms. My two favorite Triangl pieces this year are "Poppy- Blu Crush" (left) and "Milly- New York Noir" (right).
Right now, I am looking outside to a frozen pool, daydreaming of what it will be like if it was summer, wishing I had a piña colada in my hand while laying out. My thoughts: I need sunshine, 75 degree weather, and new swimwear as soon as possible. Which brings me to my next topic….
Swimsuits
This topic can make most women cringe, shriek, or maybe even cry and somehow we are never quite ready for swimwear season, including me. I always tell myself, "next year will be different and I'll be ready." Well reality set in when I realized summer is right around the corner! And, even if I am not ready, then there is nothing wrong with purchasing some new swim gear, right?!
Here are some of favorite affordable swimwear websites
Triangl
Triangl provides swimsuits that are made out of 100% Neoprene, which is the same material as a wetsuit. In return, they hardly stretch and they are extremely form fitting. However, the material gives this product a rare look that you cannot pass up. You know how some girls are top heavy- well, I am personally bottom heavy. My chest size is 36 B and my jean size is 27 (EUR), 6 (US). By looking at their sizing guide, I thought a medium in the top and bottoms would suffice for my body type. Once, I got the package, I could not wait to try it on and see how it looked on me. The top fit my chest perfectly; however, the bottoms did not fly as well. They were a little too cheeky for my liking. Yes, I could wear them, but I would look like I was about to star in a rap video- It showed off too much of Kristen. I realized I was uncomfortable with how I felt in the bottoms so I returned them and went a size up. I received a large and they were still cheeky, but a lot better than before. My advice for you is to double-check the sizing chart and pick a size that is appropriate for you. Personal experience, I always go a size up in the bottoms. My two favorite Triangl pieces this year are "Poppy- Blu Crush" (left) and "Milly- New York Noir" (right).
Both swimsuits cost $89.00, which is not bad considering you are buying the top and bottoms. Keep in mind this price does not include taxes and shipping. If this is not in your price range then Victoria's Secret and Target provide swimwear that looks similar to Triangl.
Victoria's Secret
First I would like to thank Victoria's Secret for motivating me to go back to the gym. I checked the mail the other day to see a VS catalogue laying there, screaming "Kristen, summer is not far away, now go workout!" Obviously I would never have a body like those girls do- some people are not genetically blessed like them aka ME.
Now back to the swimwear. Victoria's Secret is possibly the most popular site to purchase swimsuits from for the summer. This year VS has a top and bottoms guide, which I find this extremely helpful! It shows the different types of tops and bottoms they offer. With my body type, I always go with "the hottie halter" top (makes me look bigger than I actually am in the chest area) and for the bottoms I make a safe decision with "the knockout bikini" bottoms. It covers up my behind well enough to comfort my modest-self. I usually wear a medium in the top and a large in the bottoms. I am obsessed with Victoria's Secret tops, but unfortunately the bottoms have become too revealing for me. If you feel like the bottoms show a little more than you want then you can always buy them from a different place like Target.
While stuck in the house and becoming stir-crazy, I found these two beauts that totally caught my eye. I cannot wait to rock both this summer, even though I may have some crazy tan lines!
She Made Me
She Made Me is a company that sells handmade crochet swimwear that is based in Australia. For the past few months they have been increasing in popularity and blowing-up social media. I found She Made Me through Instagram and I became fond of the look of the swimsuits- the crochet swimwear gives off a bohemian chic feel. I usually do not go for that particular style, but there was something about this brand that caught my eye; maybe it is because each piece is handmade or maybe it is because the swimsuits are unique. My favorite top is the "Essential Halter Bikini Top, Sand". The top features the signature She Made Me tassel details with dyed ends and antiqued cowrie shells (shown below in the bottom picture).
I ordered a S/M, I was nervous that it was not going to fit, but it covered everything perfectly. However, I am not sure about the bottoms. Looking at the pictures provided on their website, they seemed too small for me so I plan on wearing black basic bottoms with my She Made Me top. I will accessorize the swimwear with a floppy black hat and wedges.
The price for each top ranges from $86.00 - 104.99. These pieces are a little more than what I usually would pay for a swimsuit top, but I love how the cotton and lycra lining feels so it is worth it. Also, I love the overall look!
The price for each top ranges from $86.00 - 104.99. These pieces are a little more than what I usually would pay for a swimsuit top, but I love how the cotton and lycra lining feels so it is worth it. Also, I love the overall look!
If you are unsure which swimwear is right for you then I would visit Everything But Water. This website provides an incredibly useful "fit and style guide" section- you will find illustrations for each swimsuit shape and descriptions about which ones will best fit your body.
www.everythingbutwater.com
As we enter into prime-time for sun, sand, and swimsuits, think about which pieces you would like to rock this summer. Maybe we will be wearing the same thing. Happy shopping!
Xo,
The Blonde Stylist