Top 5 Tips for Buying a Bathing Suit While Keeping Your Sanity

It’s that time of year again….when many of us are heading to a sunny beach destination entirely too soon after eating our faces off over the Christmas holidays. It happens every year & we gnash our teeth and scream “Why did I eat all that Christmas candy? Why?” All the while holding a piece of fudge in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. See, I feel your pain.

What makes it worse? Having to buy a new bathing suit! That chore that is the bane of even the skinniest, most toned woman on the planet. What is it about the lighting in bathing suit shop dressing rooms? However, all hope is not lost! Here are a few tips that I’ve found help take the pain away a bit.

1. Go to a shop that only sells bathing suits – Though you will probably pay more, their swimsuits tend to be of a much higher quality. The people who work there are usually better trained to help you find a suit that will fit your body best while highlighting your features and downplaying your trouble spots.
2. Ask for help – The well-trained staff can only help you if you let them. This is especially important if you, like me, have a hard to fit “area” of your body. I have big bewbs so some bathing suits just don’t work for me. Asking for help means I only have to live through trying on the ones that have a hope of working.
3. Prepare so that you look your best in that horrible mirror – Shave your legs & your bikini line, put lotion on your legs, wear skimpy underwear (better to hide under the bathing suit bottoms) and TAKE OFF YOUR SOCKS. No bathing suit EVER looks good when you still have on your socks.
4. If possible, shop at the beginning of the day – It’s not overly realistic but shopping before you’ve had 3 meals, 4 coffees and a snack will probably leave you feeling more beautiful than after.
5. Buy a suit that is suitable for the activities that you will be doing – I wear bikinis when I am going on a beach holiday with my husband only. I know I won’t be doing anything more taxing than reading a book and hoisting a margarita. However, if I’m going to the beach with my 5 year old, something more substantial is needed. (I do not want to scar any children for life by having a wardrobe malfunction!)

And last but definitely not least:

Give yourself a break – Buy the best looking suit of the bunch and then stop stressing. Most likely, you won’t be the skinniest or the fattest person on the beach and even if you are….who cares? You are on vacation & spending time with friends and/or family. Enjoy it and don’t waste a second thinking about your bathing suit. Confidence is beautiful at any size.

Do you have any tips or tricks that I missed? Please share!