OMG, let's talk about swim suits!

Refreshed in 2024.

I hate the idea of trying them on, especially for the first time after a long, rainy winter in Oregon. For me, swimsuits are just flat-out depressing, and the shocking part is that it has always been this way. I don't remember ever feeling excited about the time of year when you have to strip down and walk around mostly undressed in public.

Yes, I do wear them. Some years it's maybe easier. One thing I've realized is that I felt this way regardless of my weight—whether it was 110 or 160 pounds (when pregnant). I never felt like strolling around proudly. I always thought I looked "meh."

It definitely gets easier throughout the summer if you do it often enough. We have a community pool (HOA), so the kids always want to swim. At some point, I adopt a 'meh, who cares' attitude, but the first few times, I do care and hold my breath as I put it on and hold back my horror at the sight of myself.

Swimsuits are hard to find. I dread looking for, buying, and wearing them. I struggle because I have a long torso, so if I buy a one-piece (which I have for the last several years), I'm constantly pulling it down, even the 'long torso' versions. This time of year, I am always reminded of my own insecurities and wonder why I can't be like the women on TikTok dancing in their swimwear, promoting any body type. Maybe next year I'll get over myself... but I confess, it's a huge waste of time, and I haven't unlocked that box just yet.

This year, I decided to order online and test them out. You can filter by what you're looking for and then refine by size, color, etc. The reviews are helpful as well.

Andie Swim: I bought two. This year, I thought maybe I'll try a two-piece because, strangely, they are way more comfortable (for this long torso gal).

The website is slow and often does not load, which is annoying, but it's better than trying on 20-ish swimsuits at Nordstrom. I can't seem to get the sizing right. The two-piece, super cute, came and the bottoms fit, but the top was too small, and even in a larger size, I think it would have fallen off if I dived into the deep end. The one-piece is quite lovely; it's black and ribbed, but the large is too big, and the medium I bought last year was too small (the constant tug-of-war of pulling it down). I'm keeping one and returning the other. The return process seems really quite easy as well. On their site, you just go through a few prompts, package it up, and print a label.

Amazon: I decided to try Amazon. The swimsuit arrived the same day I ordered it—how nice is that? It's called a Cupshe. I was pleasantly surprised—I love the top; it offers nice support and coverage, and the colors are great. I got a medium, and it fits, but I have no idea how it will hold up in the chlorine or ocean, so I ordered a new one in blue for options. I also got two one-pieces, one black and one in a fun color.

I'll update the blog or write a review once I get the new ones. However, returning items with Amazon is easy; they arrive fast, so I can try them on and literally move on!

My conclusion on swimwear—it's not fun, and as I get older, it's gotten worse (which is sad, but honest). Until I am okay in my literal own skin, I have more to cover—but buying online has been far easier than I thought, and I don't usually buy clothes online. It's made it easier to sample and return.

I asked GPT-4 to help write this blog and it was sort of a letdown, not very human—or maybe too human—and at the end, it suggested I just take a deep breath and strut my stuff... yeah, okay, like every other self-help magazine hasn't already said that.

I'm just going to say: do what you gotta do...

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