I realize there have been moments this week when I’ve made light of the fact that we are in the midst of a swine flu pandemic, so I feel like in all fairness I should be serious for a minute and provide some tips on how to avoid contracting swine flu. Fortunately, my friend Corrie sent me this photo which serves as an excellent reminder of behaviors that should be avoided.
You’re welcome.
And seeing that pig serves as an unwelcome reminder that swimsuit season is right around the corner. Only the Shred can help me now.
Several of y’all have emailed with questions about swimwear and I wish I could produce some miracle of modern spandex that would solve all your woes. Just remember that you have nothing to fear except the fear of a swimsuit.
I don’t even know what that means.
In the interest of laziness and the fact that it’s way late since I stayed up to watch a live video feed of the Compassion bloggers in India, let’s start with a few tips that I blatantly copied and pasted from last year’s swimsuit edition of Fashion Friday.
When trying on a swimsuit:
1. Make sure you actually move around in it like you will when you wear it. Bend over, lift your arms, and move around to make sure everything stays in place. Because when your child takes off a full speed towards the deep end of the pool, you don’t want to have to worry about the girls falling out in mid-run.
And, hypothetically speaking, if your pool has a brand new slide that you decide to go down to impress your daughter, you don’t want to have to worry about almost losing your bottoms. Hypothetically speaking.
2. On that point, try different sizes to get the right fit. If the bottoms don’t have enough coverage, then try different bottoms. Going up a size isn’t going to necessarily help and may just give you saggy bottom syndrome once they are wet.
3. As painful as it may be, look at yourself in a three-way mirror to make sure everything you want covered is actually covered. Just a quick look is all it takes, don’t torture yourself.
4. Last of all remember that NO ONE will be more critical of how you look in a bathing suit than you. Every other mama is a lot more worried about how she looks than how you look. Find something comfortable that you feel good in and call it a day.
I realize this advice is over a year old, but it is still relevant. There are certain truths that will always remain and those are a few of them.
Now for a few recommendations:
If you’re looking for a suit that may perform a few miracles, then Lands End is a great place to start. They have swimsuits that offer all-over control and have a cute retro look to them. There’s also this halter-style one-piece that offers control.
If you need a little (or a lot) of underwire with your swimsuit, then one of my favorite sites is Aerin Rose. It’s a great line of swimwear with one-pieces, tankinis and bikinis that all have great support. Plus, they’re having a sale right now.
Here are a few more links to sites that have good swimwear selections. Beachbliss, Figleaves, Swimsuits for All, Lion’s Lair Specialty Swimwear, and Best Swimwear.
And here are a few suits that will get an extra shout out just because I think they are so cute. I love this Tommy Bahama suit, this paisley one-piece , and this darling tankini.
One last thing, check out all the cute cover-ups. I am particularly in love with this one and this one that can be worn as a skirt or a strapless cover-up.
Of course you could always go with something like this, rock a side ponytail, and channel Chrissy Snow from “Three’s Company”.
On a completely unrelated note but of much greater substance and importance, there are not words to describe the power of this post by Melissa and this post by Angie from the Compassion India trip. Both left me in tears as I read them yesterday. INCREDIBLE.
Y’all have a great Friday.
Here’s Mr. Linky if you have something to add on a fashion-related note.
As I was reading the first part of this post (not the pig part, the bathing suit part), I was thinking, “Lands End!” “Lands End!” And there you had it first! How smart am I? I love their grecian-looking suit.
You are cracking me up about the swimsuits. I was talking about this w/some co-workers yesterday. My p.o.v. is that no matter how thin, no matter how great your body…we’ll still all find something wrong with it. None of us is ever really happy w/how we look in a swimsuit. But if there is someone out there who is–please prove me wrong!
That picture is totally great!!!
I have to get up off this chair to go do Day 2 of the Shred, only I’m not sure I can lift my arms. And my thighs are arguing today as well. There is no way I can make it 30 days.
Not techie enough to add a linky but there are some great suits from Athleta (website or catalog) and they are now a GAP store so if you’re ordering from GAP, Old Navy or Piperlime, etc. You get one shipping rate!! Just thought I’d throw that one in for everyone!!
Some great advice and cute things! I really like that cover-up that can be a skirt or dress!
I would just like to say that you are costing me money. I purchased the dress you suggested last week from Francesca’s and it came and I love it from the depths of my being. You really should write a book or something – I think you would outsell Rachel Zoe by a mile.
Great swimsuit advice! I like all the links. You’ve chosen some good places. I especially like the one with all the underwire suits.
I need a new one, but hate to actually buy one.
-FringeGirl
Too funny! I just posted the same exact photo on my blog. My hubby emailed it to me this morning. Amazing how fast the internet works!
Now I need to go back and read your fashion advice.
Have a great weekend!
Erica
Although a wonderful post with some great ideas, my blood pressure is still rising at the thought of swimsuit season. I think I will wear a sweatsuit at the beach with a photo of me in my 15yo body with that little purple bikini and walk around with it taped to my head. That shouldn’t raise eyebrows at all.
That picture made my day – I am so tired of hearing about swine flu! and I love your sense of humor.
On a side note, I have been reading your blog for quite a long time now, but this is the first time I’ve commented. You have an awesome style of writing and I look forward to reading your post every day. Thank you!
i had a hard time moving on to swimsuits after the swine flu prevention awareness photo. i’m sending this to our pediatrician. we saw her, herself a mother of 8, yesterday for a well-baby appt and a portion of our conversation went as such: “any concerns?” “no” “not even about the swine flu?” (smile) “no, should we be more worried about that than the other flu strain that outwitted our vaccine 2 weeks ago?” (smile) and then we went back to talking about our non-shrinking waist lines that must yet be related to our babies and not the left-over easter candy the kids ignore. i’m so excited to share such enlightened information with our pediatrician on the topic of the h1n1 flu AND bathing suits. this is why i’m a proud follower. God’s blessings.
I’m so glad you included Lands’ End in your advice! Have you tried their “My Virtual Model” on the website? I think it’s amazing- my model looks so much like me it’s scary, but I can get out of an awful looking swimsuit with just a click of the mouse, and I’ve discovered some styles that look decent that I probably wouldn’t have tried on in the store. You still have to put on the real thing eventually to know if it’s right for you- but what a way to narrow the options down!
My mom sent me that picture!
I almost fell out of my chair, I’m laughing so hard at that photo. Your remark about how it reminds us it’s swimsuit season was almost the fatal blow. 🙂
You just seriously make me laugh.
The best part about the swine picture is the smile on the pig’s face as his nose is getting a wet willie!
Ugh. Swimsuits. That is all.
That picture is precious. I’m just thrilled that swimsuits with shorts and skirts are cool again.
And I don’t care how good or bad I look in a swimsuit, I will NEVER EVER walk around a water park in my bathing suit.
Friends of ours, when asked if they want to go swimming with us always replied, “We’d love to but (fill in name) still wears her grandmother’s swimsuit and there’s a hole in the knee.”
My kinda people, folks. MY kind of people.
I swear by Lands End swim wear. Their virtual model rocks!! I have purchased my suits from there for the past three years and I couldn’t be happier. It covers eveything it says it’s going to cover!! And at my age I need all the covering I can get.
This may be rather lame, but I’m compelled to share… I swim in a class three nights a week, and I have noticed that the women who work at the pool and wear bathing suits each and every day seem to walk around as though they are wearing street clothes. (and by that, I don’t mean that they wear the clothing of prostitutes… just to be clear) They are seemingly unconcerned by jiggling thighs and whatnot. And they also do not have perfect bodies… they just seem to be confident. I find myself really appreciating that and thinking that perhaps it is the most important thing when wearing a scrap of fabric, aka a swim suit.
I got this same email! The funny thing is that this pandemic was traced back to a young boy in Mexico who lives by a pig farm! HAHA! Thanks for the tips on swimwear!
easily the best picture ever!
And all this swine flu news is yet another wonderful excuse to stay in our air-conditioned homes and out of this wonderful humidity!
Yeah, I really don’t think I’m comfortable wearing something called a “romper.” Plus, she might look hot with it on, but how awkward is she going to look trying to get it on and off?
I agree that Land’s End has terrific swimsuits. Yes, they’re pricier than one you might find at, say, Wal-mart or Goody’s (shudder), but they LAST. Plus I love it that many of them come in long torso, a must for me. 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the photo. 😉 You know, I always have a wealth of knowledge on the subject of health and wellness…feel free to seek my advice any time. LOL
And Lands End suits are great but never have enough “support” for me…I’m anxious to check out the Aerin Rose suits! Thanks!
Land’s End has great stuff. Personally, though, I just make every attempt to avoid needing to don a swimming suit AT ALL.
I love your advice about swimwear. I got a really nice one this year from Land’s End…the price was a little high but I think it was worth it to finally have one that cover everything perfectly and that I feel very comfortable in. Love your Fashion Fridays!! Good luck with the shred!
Thanks for the swimsuit advice! Great variety and cute pics! Love it!
what i wonder is …
what dad took that picture? because no mom is thinking “what a great shot!”
no, she’s trying not to gag while snatching her tow-headed treasure up and baby-wiping that face pronto. being pregnant again, i’m trying not to hurl right now.
That picture reminds me of taking my then 2-year old son to the local fair. As he leaned his face in close to the fence to look at the enormous hog, the darn thing sneezed. Pig snot, mud, and hay do NOT make a great facial, but they DO make for a great picture. (so does llama spit, btw.. I think my son may be a magnet for barnyard bodily fluids). Anyway, I just had to laugh at how sassy you are–a couple of days on the Shred and you’re all up in our grill about swimsuits. Gah!!!
Hi sweetie, I found your blog through a friend and I hope it’s ok if I follow you!!!!
Tiffany
http://www.thepiferfamily.blogspot.com
lands end DOES have amazing stuff! love it!
I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD AT THAT PICTURE!
Thank you!
I’m totally lovin’ that Tommy Bahama Swimsuit. That bow is SO ME!
I’m thinkin’ I might need to order the Shred if I plan on wearing that though! haha!
Great swimsuit links! Thanks for all the great research!
Hi, Big Mama! Good tips today. I have a Fashion Friday question, but I wasn’t sure if I should post it here or email it you. Which do you prefer? 🙂
Dude . . . the picture is just . . . disturbing. And I was advising readers only yesterday to avoid kissing pigs!
PS . . . . a couple of months ago, after great hesitation because I NEVER buy swimsuits online . . . I got the Lands End all over control swimsuit that you link to . . IT IS AWESOME. It does an awesome job of, well, all over control. Plus BFF didn’t even crack up when I suggested I look like Marilyn Monroe in it!
PPS . . . we have an award for you over at lipstickdaily!
I went to the mall this weekend and I saw a bunch of bathing suits with skirts. Is this something new this summer? I was confused. Itty bitty tops and then the bottoms have a skirt. I thought the skirt was for the person who wants to cover up (like after having a baby:)).
I posted a mr linky about some new HOT shoes I got:)
I’ve received several emails of that pick. The latest said Swine Flue Prevention Tip.
We’re eating bacon and eggs tonight. HMPH?
This post was right on time for me… my two oldest girls are buying my swimsuit for Mother’s Day. I haven’t bought a new swimsuit in six years.
Sad.
I’m going with a one piece this year. The big 40 is coming up and it’s beyond time. Not even a Tankini for me…
Believe it or not, I found one at Urban Outfitters. It’s a vintage style and I’m crossing my fingers it works out. Ordering online can be very scary when buying a swimsuit.
And last….I actually bought a romper like that several years back. I KNOW. Scary. But it was actually comfy and fine for the beach.
Thanks for the tips…