Beach Style: One-Pieces

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe

My post today is a look at my beach/pool style this year but I also want to talk about body image. This year I was all about the one-piece. It’s been a growing trend the past few summers, but this summer it really reached new levels of popularity. I used to hate one-pieces back in the day because they were seriously un-stylish. The only time I ever wore one-pieces was back when I was really little and didn’t care what I was wearing and the only times I wore them when I get older was when I was in college and working at a summer camp. Those suits were solid and plain. Plus when you’re a teenager or in your early 20s most girls are all about the bikini life. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good bikini, but over the years my body has changed (who knew that even into your late 20s and into 30 your body could continue to change and I don’t just mean in gaining and losing weight. I’m sure I’ve put on a few pounds since high school but not that many yet I’ve continued to get curvier) and I don’t always feel my best in a bikini. I love all the body positivity that is going around now and those memes that say every body is a beach body, but you also have to wear what makes you feel good and confident.

This summer I only went to the beach and pool a few times but for each of those outings I wore a one-piece suit. I thought I would round them up and share them with you here to show my swimsuit style this year as well as encourage you to wear what makes you feel good!

Tank Top: Express | Swimsuit: Abercrombie & Fitch | Shorts: Kohl’s | Beach Blanket: Just Lex Boutique

I love this black ruffled one-piece. It ties at the neck and around the back like a string bikini. It also came in red but I opted for black for a sleek, classic look. The sunglasses are old so I don’t remember where they’re from. Since the bathing suit is all black, I liked pairing it with bright sunnies and shorts and the tank top is so funny and cute!

Coverup: Target | Swimsuit: Aerie | Sunglasses: Quay Australia

This suit you got a glimpse of if you caught my post 4th of July in Cape Cod. I love this light blue and cobalt blue combo. This one offers more coverage than the black ruffle suit, but it’s still fun with the little geometric cutouts in the cobalt blue crochet center!

Coverup: Aerie | Swimsuit: Abercrombie & Fitch | Sunglasses: LOFT

You may have caught this suit too in my July Favorites. I love it! It is so comfortable and fits perfectly. The best part? It has a strappy back and no ties so there’s no fumbling to get it on and then trying to make sure it stays up/tied and then trying to unknot it when you’re taking it off. I love the deep v with the horizontal straps.

Floral Deep V One-Piece Swimsuit 1 — Not sunburnt just standing under a red umbrella! So weird!

Bag: Let’s B Modest | Tank Top: J.Crew Factory | Shorts: LookBook Store | Swimsuit: Aerie | Sunglasses: Express

I have no idea why I look sunburnt in the above photo because it was taken yesterday and I’m not sunburnt at all! I think it was because I was standing underneath a red umbrella maybe? Anyway, I love this floral swimsuit with the deep v. The straps criss-cross in the back and tie at my lower back. It’s perfect for me because it has no side cutouts but still accentuates my curves in a tasteful way. I mean, I’m not revealing more than I would if I wore a bikini! In fact, I’m revealing less. Anyway, the large sunflower print is fun and something a little different. P.S. that quilted, vinyl, floral tote bag above I scored on sale for less than $10!

Apparently I really love Abercrombie & Fitch and Aerie bathing suits. I guess when you find things that work for you and your body type you stick with them! I wore one or two other bathing suits this summer but they weren’t new and I just wanted to round up these new to the blog one-pieces.

If you don’t personally know me and you can’t tell from my photos – I’m short. I’m only about 5’1-5’2. I’m fine with my height because I’ve been small my whole life. Sure, sometimes I wish I was taller but I don’t really have any issues with it. The thing about my body is I have long legs but a short torso. Having a short torso, I feel, makes it hard for me to have a long, lean body. With that being said, I find that the super cute one-pieces out these days look good on me and help hide the love handles and whatnot. Even though there are cut-outs and deep v’s I feel like there’s a bit more coverage than with your average bikini and the main point is I feel more confident and it makes me feel good!

If you asked me 5 years ago I never would’ve guessed I’d be so into one-pieces but I am! Whether you want to wear a one-piece, tankini, bikini, whatever – wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. It only matters what you think anyway!