In My Cart #1: The Bikini
A new series where I put my shopping skills to good use
Welcome to my new mini series In My Cart, where I share all of the clothing/makeup/shoes/etc I desperately want to buy but cannot all at once.
I know, this is different from what you originally signed up for. But why not shake it up a bit? After all, this substack was conceived to be a place where I could explore what’s on my mind.
And shopping is always on my mind.
What makes a good summer bathing suit?
It has to look sexy, or, it has to make you FEEL sexy. And by sexy, I mean powerful. Not, trying to stuff my boobs into cups that are meant to fit a tween girl . Not, these bottoms keep riding up my ass and my boyfriends parents are going to see I don’t shave everywhere. Not, I am intimidated by the instagram thot who is taking shots pretending this Santa Monica beach is her own private Mykonos.
A good swimsuit is something that when we put on, feels good, feels right, feels comfortable (or, if it’s uncomfortable, in a way that still makes us feel attractive).
I have struggled with bikinis—I mean, who hasn’t? I remember the first time I ever wore one. I was 15. Up until this moment I had only worn one piece swimsuits because I was fat. I was not actually “fat” I was just in a larger body than my peers (I was probably a size….L?) and felt that seeing my stomach hang between two pieces of fabric would bring on armageddon. When I first put on a bikini top, I was surprised the world didn’t split open. You could say that was one step towards my freedom, but with bikinis become great…disordered thinking.
Here’s one of the few photos of me in a bikini pre 2014. I’m 17 and I’m wearing a Shoshanna brand suit, and I have very bad disordered eating. (But I DO have a great tan!) I see how uncomfortable I was, trying to hide the natural folds in my stomach, to make myself look as thin as possible.
Now compare that to me today:
Not as good a tan, but feel waaaay better.
Look, a bikini isn’t going to magically give you self confidence or rid the world of fatphobia. But having a bikini that you feel good in will help. And if all else fails, just try to remember why you’re in a bathing suit to begin with. To swim! To eat hot dogs! To hang with your friends! To take thirsty pics to show your friends that even though you’re not sunbathing in Capri you can still be hot!
Before we jump in, I want to clarify that I am sourcing these bikinis based on how I think they would work for me personally (with a few exceptions at the bottom). I am privileged in the world of bikini shopping because my boobs are pretty proportional to my ribcage size. Meaning, that if a bathing suit is in a size like an L or XL, I can confidently buying it knowing it will fit the width of my ribcage and boobs. But for friends whose boobs may be larger in proportion to their ribcage, a bathing suit with bra sizing may work best.
Ok, now let’s get to the suits!!
THE SWIMSUIT I OWN AND LOVE
My personal, #1 recommend swimsuit that changed my life:
Youswim - Eva High Waist Two Piece - $145.00**
**This is going off of today’s currency conversion rate as YouSwim is priced in pounds. So for you currency market followers, if you see the pound value going down maybe time to hop on this suit!!
If you follow me on instagram you’ve seen me in this suit many a time. I have way too many of it, but it is WORTH it.
It’s stretchy. It hugs your body but does not squish it. Because it is one size fits most** the fabric moves with you. It makes my boobs look incredible. It is COMFORTABLE. I never feel like my gut is being squished into a pickle jar. It flatters my curves, highlights my waist. It gives my ass good coverage. Did I mention how COMFORTABLE it is?
YouSwim uses some sort of magical fabric (you can read more about it here) that allows the swimsuit to stretch to fit your shape.
For those of us who have bodies that change and oscillate sizes (like moi) this swimsuit will change with you. We LOVE clothes that move and change with us, and don’t punish the natural fluctuations of our bodies!
YouSwim also has options with a higher neckline and lower rise bottoms. This style is personally what flatters me the most, but I have the other cuts and they look amazing as well. I also find that you can mix and match the tops and bottoms with other bikinis as well.
This is the swimsuit I just throw on and feel good in. No worrying about parts of me bulging or falling out. It is truly a miracle.
**But, BUT. Let me preface this saying there are limitations to the “one size fits most” category. Namely, that they don’t fit people above a size 14. There are limitations in the cup size as well. I did read that they are trying to create a plus size version of the suit, but I don’t think that will be coming anytime soon.**
If you are nervous about how it will fit, Youswim lists the measurements of their models. I also would recommend that you get a measuring tape and measure your waist, chest, and hips, just so you have an understanding of what size you might be. Trust me, once you know those measurements online shopping becomes waaaay easier.
And in case you DON’T follow me on instagram, here is a photo of me wearing it.
Told you it is the tits!
The suits are notoriously always sold out, but just hop on the wait list. I promise you, it’s well worth it.
ANOTHER SWIMSUIT I OWN AND LOVE
I need to preface this saying I haven’t yet worn this suit out, BUT it makes my boobs look incredible. But that’s not why I’m highlighting this suit.
I am highlighting this suit because this fabric is AMAZING. it is so soft, buttery, COMFORTABLE. The fabric is so good that I’m considering getting some other suits by the brand, which have more coverage:
Pico Top - $89.00
If you want to enjoy our right to bear our tits, get the Fox Top, and thank me later when you get people sliding into your DMs after you casually post photos of your beach trip.
SWIMSUITS I DO NOT OWN, BUT WOULD
Dos Swim - Nero Top - Rojo Alicante - $99.00
Love the coverage this gives on top, without sacrificing any sex appeal. Adore the metal clasp in the front (I’m a sucker for front clasp anything). Plus we love a fun sexy print.
I would probably wear this in South Beach (I mean that in a good way). Also a great suit if you are feeling fully confident and want to only wear a suit and sneakers to the pool party at your friend’s restaurant chain owning parents’ pool.
The Swimsuit was developed by plus size model and beauty Paloma Elsesser - we love her.
Monday Swimwear - Maui Top - $94.00
Mykonos with your borderline alcoholic friend from college. A cruise with your boyfriend’s parents. Cape Cod with your WASPy grandparents. This bathing suit could do it all, and you’d look pretty good too.
**I’m also fairly certain I saw Alexandra Daddario wearing it in the first episode of White Lotus
HVN - Bra Bikini Top - Cherry $95.00
I meannnn have you ever seen anything more fun? Festive? Again your girl is a big fan of having the boobs supported, so I will always favor a bra style top over a string bikini. That being said, there is also a string bikini version of this print.
And can we talk about the back clasp for a second?? Adorable. All your friends will be asking you where it’s from.
Cup size friendly option
I want to preface this by saying that I have tried this swimsuit and it didn’t work for me. That being said, it may work for you! I found it a little bit too tight in the places I didn’t want it to be—my ribcage, my waist—although my tits did look amazing in it.
I’m including it here because I wanted to have some bra sized tops for some readers. As I mentioned before, I can get away with just picking a size XL or L bikini, but some people need bras that are proportional to cup sizes.
Cuup - The Plunge - $98
I’ve seen lots of ladies on my instagram who swear by their bras. If you’re looking for a simple, good support option, this may be your go to:
But wait, where are the swimsuit bottoms?
This is a good question! With the exception of the Youswim suit, I have only posted tops. It’s because I…don’t believe in paying that much for bottoms? (but maybe I am misguided in this and should invest in some more)
I find that basic black high waisted make me feel the best, and I have purchased those at Aerie . I also have these from Reformation which I have liked (not as cheap, I know, but still simple). I would try these from Andie.
That’s all I have for you today folks! Feel free to send me more swimsuits you love, lmk if you bought any I recommended and how they turned out.
Have a hot sexy hot girl summer!!