Looking good sometimes starts to feel like a New Year's resolution - especially come summer. I mean, I know what I SHOULD do (*cough* apply self-tanner *cough*), but that doesn't mean I feel like slathering that stinky stuff on after the whole bathing, reading, lotioning, taking back to bed, nursing, crying, taking back to bed, rocking, taking back to...
Here on The Mom Edit, there is much talk about ways to cover our postpartum stomach while clothed. Personally, I've flattened mine with shaper camis, distracted from it with deep v-necks and fun swingy tops...but baring it all in a swimsuit requires actual...baring.
Obviously we should all wear whatever the heck we want, whatever makes us feel good, but if...
Ok, Mamas!! Get ready....it's Swimsuit Confidence Week! We've teamed up with Lands End and the CurvyGirl's Guide, as well as 20 other bloggers to all loudly proclaim:
WE HAVE SWIMSUIT CONFIDENCE!
(as I use my cute baby to strategically hide the pooch)
Swimsuit Confidence week was started to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes, and inspire them to have fun this...
"Go Buy Now" is our section dedicated to the stuff that sells out before you even know you critically need it. As soon as we find out one such crucial item is available, we'll give you a heads up, regardless of the fact that the timing of the content seems absurd.
If...
It's taken me over two years as a mom to be able to say this...but I now think that one-piece swimsuits deserve a little love. The current crop of one-piece swimsuits are not only practical and flattering, they are downright hot. Hot in a wildly sexy way. And let's face it, for postpartum moms facing a looong summer, do they really have any other valid options? The postpartum jelly-belly is pretty frightening. And even if you've managed to tone down the jelly-belly, many of us just don't look like we used to. So if the thought of lounging pool-side in a bikini (while your flab hangs out with its best friend, Gravity) makes you want to run screaming....fear not.
M and I have often thought that a killer Ain't No Mom Jeans article would be a before-and-after series using real moms and swimwear. You know - get real moms to volunteer, then help them find a more flattering bathing suit.
Any volunteers?
See, that seems to be the problem. Not many of us (myself and M included) have any burning desire to be photographed in our swimwear, then uploaded to the web. Not even for "educational" purposes. (NOTE: If you are that brave and live in Denver, shoot us an email. We'd love to help.)
Thankfully, Glamour magazine has found folks much braver than most.
Us Moms, we love ourselves some swim skirts. I say this, because every time I'm at the pool, the moms in swim skirts are out in force. And I get the appeal. After baby, there's just a bit more cellulite, a bit of softening, a bit of droop. Yes. But swim skirts are tricky - they are hardly the panacea of mom-friendly swimwear.
This post was updated June 2021.
Dressing a pregnant body has its challenges. Dressing a pregnant body in next-to-nothing, however, is a whole other ball game. On one hand, the boobs are fab. On the other hand, depending on the trimester and the type of pregnancy, one is dealing with an expanding waistline, butt and cellulite, as well as odd...
My sister texted me, in a rage: "I just bought a swimsuit at Target. Size? XL!!! Who can possibly wear a small?????"
My sister is not a big girl. In fact, she's pretty tiny. But places like Target (or Forever 21, or Old Navy) often end up making swimwear that is much better suited to a 23 year old body. Or for a 12 year old.