College students around our lovely nation are either planning or have planned their Spring Break booze fest right about now. If you’re lucky and are a working professional who was smart enough to become an educator (all those paid vacations, you lucky dog) then you might be planning a little springtime getaway yourself.
Spring Break is pretty much all that pulls most of us through the tail end of the cold weather, and while this can be a joyous occasion in one’s life, it can also be a bit traumatic.
Body issues, whether they be gender-related or cellulite-related (or even boob-related), mean no one really likes to pick out swimsuits. That dressing room lighting never really does much for anyone.
Occasionally, I’ll come across a two-piece that works for my life. Because I’m less endowed in the chest area, triangle-shaped tops are usually the best route and actually draw attention away from a less-than-flat stomach. What I’m saying is that even if you aren’t stacked and don’t sport a six-pack, you don’t have to shy away from a cute bikini.
And if you’re like my girlfriend, which a lot of ladies are, you might still be opposed to a skimpy top. The good news is that you can find all sorts of two-piece suits in every variety of cleavage bearing (or not), and you can mix and match to your heart’s content.
My girlfriend is a big fan of J. Crew, and when it comes to swimsuits, I am too. Boasting mainly solid colors in almost every variety and cut, they make it easy to put together the top and bottom that’s perfectly suited to your body type.
They also have a few interesting patterns that aren’t too obnoxiously juvenile (I still heart you Delia’s; I’m so sorry for that dis). If you live in or are at least close enough to an urban area, you’re likely to have a J. Crew store nearby where you can try on the fit that you need. Then later you can go online to order the ideal color and make, if you can’t find it in the store.
Vintage shops of all kinds add an interesting and incredibly affordable option. Back in the day, suits were made for, you know, actual women’s bodies. It’s a nice change of pace! Ebay is great for scouting out this look as well, but be careful, as sizes are off. A size 12 in a vintage one-piece or two-piece could easily fit a size six of today. If you’re ordering online, make sure to get the measurements before you invest, and make sure to cut out the cone-shaped bust they sometimes try to insert in there. Gross.
Wherever you may be vacationing, or if you’re just a good planner and buying your suit for the summer months ahead, now is definitely the time to purchase – before the selection gets slim and you’re forced to grab one after they’ve all been picked over. If you’re particular, trust me and don’t wait. Are you psyched for sun?
