Since nothing says end of winter like a 40-something blogger putting half-naked photos of herself on the internet (Yay! Every year!)…let’s do this. (Even better? This is prob the first of many swim dressing room selfies this year. ‘Tis the season.)

And YES: it does feel even earlier than usual this year. I blame the groundhog, because the Googles don’t lie. Everyone on the internet (and me, tbh) is looking for cute swimwear —— allllll of us. Like, right now. So I’ve been ordering and trying and snapping and — most importantly — messing with the clarity filter because I HAVE MY VANITY YOU GUYS. (Sidenote: if you’ve never messed with the clarity filter before you are welcome.)

Per usual, if you guys end up finding gorg swimwear, help a mama out and send in a pic. It doesn’t even have to be gorg — it can just be swimwear you feel good in. I promise that I’ll go nuts on the clarity filter so you, too, can be…flawless in that ever-so-slightly-out-of-focus way.

BTW, when you’re done here, be sure to check out all the new bathing suits in our annually updated Swim Shop!

One-Piece Swimsuits

My Favorite One-Piece Swimsuit

Let’s start on a high note, shall we? Color me SHOCKED, but it turns out that bright white looks super-classy even on my pale February skin. I mean…I knew white looked amazing with a tan (or on darker skin) but on white winter skin?? WHO. KNEW? (pale redheads everywhere prob knew, but whatever)

I also really appreciated the subtle ruching, the neckline, and the bum coverage.

Featured suit: Kate Spade Grove Beach One Piece (size small) – also available in blue or yellow.

Kate Spade Grove Beach One Piece

The One That Makes Me Look Naked

From far away, I would literally look like a naked person walking down the beach. Maybe if my skin were darker. Maybe if my skin were tan. Maybe if my skin wasn’t so darn pink, IDK.

Featured: Mikoh Lana Swimsuit (wearing a size small – and oh look! The model has darker skin and looks freaking amazing)

Mikoh Lana Swimsuit (size small)

The Red One That Doesn’t Give Baywatch Vibes

Red suits are tricky. Growing up, I was a lifeguard, and we always had to wear red suits. Trust me, the Baywatch jokes got old. (“Har, har, never heard that one before…except for 5 minutes ago and 5 minutes before that and 5 minutes before that…”)

This one, though, counters the sportiness of the color with a really sweet neckline, and the whole thing is more feminine than sporty. I also appreciate the full backside coverage. I’m not opposed to cheeky, but sometimes I’m just not feeling it.

Featured:  Kate Spade Scalloped Cut-Out One Piece Swimsuit (size s)

Kate Spade Scalloped Cut-Out One Piece Swimsuit (size s)

The Red One With Potential

Turns out, nothing sucks you in quite like smocking. And this suit really sucks you in. It’s also shockingly high-cut in the legs, so, uh, ya know. SHAVE. That said…this one was too small. Going up a size (or two??) might make this suit absolutely perfect, especially for soft tummies.

Featured suit: The Upside’s Latisha Shirred Swimsuit (size 0, which is a small)

The Upside’s Latisha Shirred Swimsuit (size 0)

The One With a Surprisingly Sexy Back

Shoshanna makes seriously amazing, high-quality swimsuits. This one is no exception — the fabric and construction are both really high-end. However, this particular suit was either too small or too…slippery for a girl who has had a mastectomy & reconstruction. If I wasn’t careful, that halter front would slip riiiight between the girls.

However. If yours are more real (and by “real” I mean less hard, cold and barbie-like) you likely won’t have these problems. (Don’t feel bad for me — I can jog without a bra, haha.) And the back? It’s pretty spectacular.

Featured suit: Shoshanna High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit (size 0, should’ve been a 2)

Shoshanna High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit (size 0)

The One From Last Year That I Still Love

I wore this Mara Hoffman one-piece all over Greece last summer, and it was basically a JOY to wear. Stays put pretty well, too. It’s still fully stocked at Amazon, FYI, and the XS and L are both on sale.

Featured suit: Mara Hoffman Tie-Front Suit (xs)

High-Rise Bikinis

I always appreciate a good mix-n-match bikini, but for some reason, the high-rise bottom trend seems especially made for a mis-matched top.

My Favorite High-Rise Bikini

This is the one I ended up keeping. It’s the one that is making me want to plan a desperate warm-weather getaway. The fabric of this top is seriously like a dream — nice and thick, with good texture — and the bottoms are ribbed, and don’t fall down OR squeeze my soft stomach.

Featured suit: Marysia Mexico Top (size small) & Mara Hoffman Ribbed Bottoms (size small) – more sizes here or here

I reallllllly like these bottoms. Primarily because you can sit cross-legged without fear, which, in a piece of swimwear, is SAYING SOMETHING. And they kinda/sorta hide what happens to 40-something tummies when sitting. I mean….don’t look too close.

Marysia Mexico Top (size small) & Mara Hoffman Ribbed Bottoms (size small) – more sizes here or here

The Bottoms I Thought I’d Like

I had originally envisioned these girly and romantic floral bottoms with that Marysia Mexico top. In reality, not so much. However, these bottoms are pretty and abnormally high. So. If you have a very long torso and have been trying to find a high-waist bottom that is, in fact, high waisted…these.

Featured suit: Top (small) & She Made Me High Rise Bikini Bottoms (xs but needed a small)

Top (small) & She Made Me High Rise Bikini Bottoms (xs but needed a small)

The Mara Hoffman Top

Both of these pieces are Mara Hoffman…and man. That brand just nails swimwear. Everything is basically perfect.

Featured suit: Mara Hoffman Abigail Bikini Top (size M) and Ribbed Bottoms (size small) – more sizes here or here

Mara Hoffman Abigail Bikini Top (size M) and Ribbed Bottoms (size small) – more sizes here or here

One More Mix-And-Match

Same Mara Hoffman top, but this time with a striped bottom. Such a cool pairing, but this particular pair of briefs really sort of cinch in at the waist, right where I, uh, cinch out. Moving around makes it worse, standing and posing makes it better. You pick.

Featured suit: Mara Hoffman Abigail Bikini Top (size M) & Suboo High Waisted Bottoms (size 2)

 Mara Hoffman Abigail Bikini Top (size M) & Suboo High Waisted Bottoms (size 2)

And Finally, Matching Stripes

I had really high hopes for this cute little LOFT set. But I think I’m too pink to rock this color without a tan. That said, the fit is great for a petite person. I worry that the bottoms don’t come up high enough for someone who is tall (or long torso’d).

Featured suit: LOFT Wrap Front Bikini Top (small) & High Rise Bottoms (xs)

LOFT Wrap Front Bikini Top (small) & High Rise Bottoms (xs)

Cute Bikinis

The Really Expensive One

I’ve been eyeing up Marysia swimwear for years. It’s just so…pricey. I need to do a full review (ya know…actually swim in it and stuff), but for now, I will say that the fabric feels totally lux, and the colors are even more gorgeous in person than they are online.

That said…the bottoms are too small. Even after sizing up. You can see how they squeeze my soft spots. I mean…maybe we don’t care about this? Mike would prob love it. I am realizing that this might be one of the differences between my 20-something self and my 40-something self and so…oh well?

Oh, well.

Featured suit: Marysia Top (size S) & Bottom (size S) – in hindsight, I should’ve gone with these string bottoms, I think.

Marysia Top (size S) & Bottom (size S)

My Current Fav

I’ve been a huge fan of the brand Solid & Striped for years. This bikini is one of my all-time favs. The fabric is ribbed, and is almost as nice as the Marysia fabric, and the colorway (light blue and caramel) feels fresh and unexpected. LOVE this one.

Featured suit: Solid & Striped Top (size M) & Bottom (size S)

Solid & Striped Top (size M) & Bottom (size S)

OK — for the next round, which brands/styles should I try? I’ve gotten a few requests for Summersalt — I’m on it. I need to do Marysia because the price is just confusing. Anything else?

xo,
S