Mel at The Larson Lingo!
My post for today’s Get Pinspired linky party is going to be a little bit different.
Ok. It’s going to be a lot different.
I am going to be talking about swimsuits.
No. You’re not going to see me in a swimsuit.
People. I still have 4 solid weeks to get swimsuit ready.
And let’s be honest, you are never going to see me in a swimsuit. 😉
What you are going to see today are some Pinterest images that got me PINSPIRED to get ready for swimsuit season! And then I’m going to highlight around 23,000 swimsuits.
So, what inspired me on Pinterest to get my hiney ready for a swimsuit?
THIS card.
Hilarious, right?
I knew it was time to stop listening to my beloved red sweatpants with the
white stripes down the side and the drawstring waist.
What?
They’re AWESOME.
Okay…so talking about swimsuits isn’t my favorite topic in the whole world…
So, I thought before I started highlighting the swimsuits, I would help us find common ground.
Common ground found. CHECK.
Below is the 2nd image I saw on Pinterest about a week and a half ago that got me thinking about the fact that I really needed to get my hiney in gear. (Here’s something you probably don’t know about me. Every April-May ish I lose about 15 pounds. Then, I gain it back during the year.
Then, I lose it again in April. I am well aware that it’s stupid. It’s just how I roll. .)
Now, before I start throwing up a bunch of options, please remember that these are swimsuits we are talking about…so you will need to order 1 size up.
Did you read that?
YOU WILL NEED TO ORDER 1 SIZE UP IN MOST SUITS.
Also, you might want to get comfy. Once I got started highlighting suits, I found it hard to stop. I seriously must have looked at around 1,000 swimsuits for this post. I’ve chosen lots of my favorites.
I hope to be highlighting options for every body type and at varying price points.
But let’s remember that with swimsuits, you often get what you pay for.
Most years I buy Target swimsuits, and I like them for the season (they definitely have some super cute ones!)…but sometimes they don’t even last the whole season. Last summer two of my Target suits had to be retired before summer was even over. The underwire broke in both of them. Boo.
(fyi: I literally almost cried when my orange tankini with the little polka dots pooped out on me.
I LOVED it. I loved it a lot.)
So, you need to decide…do you want to buy a couple of different suits from Target that are most probably going to last you 1 season…or do you want to spend more $ on a suit that you love that will last for several seasons?
It’s kind of a toss up.
Variety? or Quality?
I’ve always gone for variety before, but I’m thinking this year that I’m going to go for quality.
I bought 1 suit from Target already, but I’m going to invest in 1 really great suit. (I usually buy 3-4 suits from Target…which is a little bit more expensive than buying 1 nice suit. We’re at the pool almost every day over the summer, so I justify my purchases!)
Decide if QUALITY or VARIETY is more important to you and then shop accordingly!
So….let’s get started!
I of course HAVE to mention THIS suit again.
In addition to the OUTSTANDING reviews online (seriously, go read some of the 269 reviews),
I also got the following blog comments this week.
Comment #1:
I have that swimsuit!!! I got it in navy a couple of months ago and it really is fabulous!!! Sexy, but not too over the top. The crochet in the middle totally tummy-tucks your belly!!!
Comment #2:
I, too, have been coveting that Nordstrom bathing suit! After your post, I finally ordered it! It came today, and I LOVE IT!!!!! I am in my early forties and have two kids, and it is still flattering! I ordered two sizes up. I cannot express how awesome this suit is! 🙂 You NEED it! 🙂
I am seriously considering ordering the above suit even though it is a little out of my comfort zone. I typically prefer to have my stomach fully covered,
but I think I might go out on a limb and try this one!
Okay…..
Let’s start with the more inexpensive options.
Like I said previously, I usually get most of my suits from Target, and I’m able to find some really great ones! But like I said, beware that they will probably only last 1 season. If you’re good with them not lasting long, HOW CUTE are these polka dots?!? And I think the bright colors are so fun.
And here are some one piece options from Target.
What about these cute tankini options from JC Penny?
Okay…now we are going to get into “nicer” suits that cost more $.
The good news here is that with more $ you often get higher quality lycra and better construction, two things that are very important in a swimsuit! You get what you pay for! And I’m TOTALLY willing to shell out some extra cash if the swimsuit is going to make me look better!
Do you happen to be extremely blessed up top? Here is an option that seems awesome!
If you want a little extra coverage, here are a couple of good options. They are from Zappos, and there are around 14 billion suits on Zappos if you want to do some browsing. Just click HERE and type what type of swimsuit you are looking for in the search bar. (You can see a cute red tankini with a bow detail and pleats HERE and a turquoise strapless one piece HERE.)
What about some suits with a little extra somethin’ somethin’ to make you look good?
There’s also another good option HERE that has some magic in it and some cute ruffles.
The next group of suits are ones that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have for myself.
I want all of them (in addition to the crocheted one above.)
I’m just going to choose 1, but I’m excited about having a well made suit this year! Is that weird?
I like all of these for different reasons,
and I think they would look great on lots of different body types.
Lovin’ these monokinis…although I don’t think I have the guts to wear one.
And I KNOW I don’t have the guts to wear these….but I love them. If I were to wear a bikini, I would love to rock one of these.
And here are some other bikinis that I really like:
a navy or black bandeau bikini HERE (with great reviews)
a hot pink two piece with great review HERE
a cute striped bikini with a push-up top HERE
Got a bun in the oven? I’ve got some options for you too!
Check out these Vera Bradley bags. DARLING!!!! Click on a pic.
A cute striped bag option HERE.
A neon yellow and pink bag option HERE.
And you of course need to have some cute shades!
And a beach towel!
Super cute one HERE.
Want to get your tan on safely before you even hit the pool?
I have 2 options for you.
Option #1:
THESE tan towels.
I used these last summer and really liked the results. Shay swears by them. They are easy to use and give a very nice color. You can also get the entire Radiance Set HERE.
Option #2:
THIS self tanner from Rodan + Fields.
Betsey, one of my sweet sponsors, sent this self tanner to me. I’m only 3 days in, but so far I LOVE it. It’s a foam, it doesn’t smell bad, and it goes on easily!
I will talk about it again next week after I’ve used it for longer.
Click HERE to order the tanner for yourself.
And you can’t forget about cover-ups. Just ask my friends, I’m the queen of the cover-up.
The middle one isn’t super practical for being at the pool with the 4 year old…but if you are planning on heading to the beach with the hubby, it would be awesome!
Other cover up options:
a multi-colored chevron stripe HERE
a turquoise chevron stripe HERE
a color block option HERE
this one might be my favorite HERE
Well…that’s it for my swimsuit guide!
I hope you saw something you liked!
Don’t forget to see my Mother’s Day gift giving guide HERE and enter the contest for the awesome Stella and Dot earrings!
Listen, I’m exhausted after looking at all of those swimsuits and thinking about all
of the lunges that I need to be doing. Are you?
If you have any strength left, then link up!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
That first suit is so you! You have to have it this summer! I also loved the polka dot options too. AND…you can totally model a swimsuit on your blog! I see you in swimsuits all summer long…girl…you totally need to post some pics of you in these suits. If you don't, I will :). I loved all of your Pin-spired suit options…and yes, I hate the girl in the first photo too. She should be friends with Jeni.
Denise says
Thank you for doing all the research on the items today. It is exhasuting just reading your blog, but I love it! What i really want to know is how you lose your 10-15 lbs in April/May? I definetly need to do that too! Any tips?
Sheaffer says
Hi Denise! Your blogger settings are set to "no reply", so I hope you check here. My answer is NO FUN. I just eat super super good…..lots of fruits, veggies, and proteins (and not much else). I also exercise A LOT. I know this is awful, but I only really exercise like 2-3 months every year to get ready for swimsuit season. We have an exercise bike at the house, and I hit that. HARD.
xoxo,
Sheaffer 🙂
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
Alright, I'm inspired now. IT'S ON! Time to stop eating entire bags of microwave popcorn by myself before bed. I'm scared straight.
Aubs says
Love your take on this months pinspired party!! That tommy bahama stripe suit is super cute!! I'm with you on the one piece or tankini and you linked to some really cute ones here!! Hope you're having a fabulous week!!
Lauren & Daniel says
I LOVE your blog, Sheaffer……even if it is going to be the death of my wallet lol. I wanted to mention that I tried on the crochet one piece you mentioned and it is fab! The only issue is that women with large busts might have trouble getting it all to stay in up top. Otherwise, it's a must have! OH, and thank you for the push to try on the famous wedges because they ARE super comfortable and now that I bought one color I'm trying to decide what other colors I "need".
Lauren 🙂
Betsey Gabela says
Sheaffer, I have three little letters for you……CPW….you can justify any purchase with these! Cost Per Wear……if you wear a pricey suit every day…it's only pennies (or less) per wear. Now, how can you argue with that math????
And I seriously need to be on your diet plan……
Also, glad you are enjoying the tanner!
J Brown says
Okay… So – I don't actually know you (obviously)… however, I bought my first pair of wedges this weekend and my first thought was "Shaeffer would be so proud". So, thanks for broadening my wardrobe horizons =)
Anonymous says
Your pinterest post said "The Pinterest Told Me To Swimsuit Guide! Suits for every body type! LOTS and LOTS of different types of suits featured!"
No plus size options here,,,, (suits that only come in sizes for the bigger girls.) such a disappointment 🙁
Caravan Sonnet says
🙂 i loved this!! Thank you so much for all of these thoughts. I do have one question though! Do you have any suggestions for us extra tall gals? (I am 6 foot 3) Any specific place to shop to find cute suits(besides a bikini?)
Thanks soo much!!
🙂 Rebecca
mel @ the larson lingo says
I am all about Target (duh) and I also get 3-4 Target suits each summer, we have a pool in our backyard, so we swim A LOT. I have the polka dot tankini…LOVE it. I also have the polka dot one piece from Target…So cute & vintage-y. And, you are crazy for losing 15 lbs….you are going to blow away!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Hold the phone…you lose 15 pounds in a month?!?! What are you doing, and how do you do it?! And second, where do you find 15 lbs to lose?! you are a tiny person already.
Love these suits, crazy about the striped, strapless, one piece. I love a good, classic one-piece…except I have a freakishly long torso (hence why I'm always wearing high skirts belted)…so one pieces are not comfy #cameltoewhat So I wear two-pieces (ok, bikinis) — but now that I'm 'mature' I'm starting to wonder if they are 'appropriate.' I'm fine with whatever raggedy suit I have around our pool…but when people come over, or we're out, that's another story. Anyway, totally babbling, and I have no idea why i'm telling you all this?!?
Rachel says
Sheaffer, I love those colorful Target suits! I typically get my swimsuits from Lands End because they are pretty and fit nicely. But since they last long, I never have the excuse I want to buy a new one 😉
floral&fudge
Jenna {Real Simple Girl} says
I love the striped suit! You found so many great options! I'm going to Hawaii for the first time at the end of this month, so I'll likely need a new suit, but I'm been pushing that aside and focusing on shorts and tops instead. Bathing suit shopping is the devil!
Joy says
Wow you did some great research!! Thanks for doing it for me. i think I might try to be brave and go with the sexy one-piece from Nordstrom. A little more than I like to pay but I live in Arizona and we almost the entire year in the pool. Oh and I hate that girl too! 🙂 Love your blog!
Dina says
It is weird that as I was watching DWTS I was thinking, I can't wait to hear what Sheaffer says about Mark sporting his hat with his hospital gown?!
And I am in total denial about bathing suit season. I need another year to get my lbs off!
Anonymous says
I bought my suit from here (http://www.divinitasole.com/designer) and plan to buy another – they are great too! Thanks for the swim suit post! 🙂
I don't have a blog and don't know how to reply without being anonymous?!?!?
Angie