Not Your Mama’s One Piece Swimsuit

If the words “one piece swimsuit” make you think of your childhood Speedo swim lesson suits, think again. One piece suits have been trending for several seasons now and they’re here to stay. Despite what you might think about one pieces, they really can suit everyone and flatter every body shape!

Not Your Mama’s One Piece Swimsuit

I used to think one pieces were unflattering and not cute, at all. But these days there are so many options available, it’s almost impossible not to find one you love. Whether you’re looking to show off your body or find something more conservative, there’s something for everyone.

With that being said, I truly believe that there is no such thing as the “perfect bikini body” (I’ll save the my self-acceptance and self-love speech for another post). BUT, I think most of us have struggled with our bodies at some point and worried about how we look in a swimsuit – I know I have. I think we could all use a reminder on the importance of learning to love your body and accepting your “flaws” (which in reality are not flaws at all, but what make you unique : )).

swimsuit: nasty gal

If you’re still a little nervous about picking out the right suit, keep these tips in mind when you’re shopping for a one piece swimsuit:

Strategically placed cutouts.

These are one your best friend when choosing a one piece suit. They can enhance or give the illusion of curves. You’ll find that most one pieces have some sort of cutout – this keeps them from giving you the dreaded swim team suit effect : ).

Get cheeky.

Cheeky bottoms are perfect for smaller gals like myself. If you choose to go with a skimpier bottom, make sure you’re comfortable so you aren’t tugging at your suit the whole day. Keep in mind that you will most likely be moving around quite a bit in your suit, so constantly adjusting your backside will get old, fast.

To give the illusion of longer legs (who doesn’t want that?) – pick a higher cut at the sides. This is perfect for shorter girls.

Anything but basic.

Patterns and prints are extremely flattering on athletic or straight and narrow body types – ruching, ruffles, anything that adds to a suit can work on less curvy gals. And if you are blessed with curves, don’t shy away from colors and print! They can work on everyone.

Leave something to the imagination.

My general rule of thumb is to show off one body part at a time. If your suit has an extreme plunging front, try to keep the back covered and the cutouts to a minimum. If you’re going with a cheekier backside, go with a higher neckline.

Comfort is key.

Personally, I like to move around, so I make sure to stick with suits that I’m not constantly worried will fall off or come undone. As I said before, if you’re constantly fidgeting with or adjusting your swimsuit, you’ll be uncomfortable and won’t be able to enjoy yourself – and isn’t that the whole point of a beach day or pool party?

Bonus: wear your one piece swimsuit as a bodysuit with your favorite denim cut-offs for an easy summer outfit that transitions on and off the beach.

I’ve rounded up my favorite one piece suits below (seriously want them alllll).

I’ll be talking about figure flattering swimsuits, how to get ready for the beach, and all things swim related all summer long. Let me know if there’s anything in particular you’d like me to talk about : ).

xx, Amy