The Ultimate Guide to Bathing Suit Shopping: Finding Your Perfect Swimsuit and Coverup

Hands down, shopping for bathing suits is THE most dreaded type of shopping for most women I know. And I get it. You feel exposed because, ummm, you are. 

Bathing suits don’t offer much coverage - even those with adult-type coverage still leave you feeling practically naked. And if you’re like me, I prefer my package wrapped - it most certainly looks better with the optical illusion that clothing provides.

And yet, I don’t want to be that person that is fully dressed on the beach. Or the one that won’t go swimming with my kids because I’m too self-conscious to be in a bathing suit.

So, I suck it up and go shopping for a swimsuit…

And then, that self-critical voice in my head starts screaming… you know, that one that compares your reality to the filtered highlight reel of everyone you see on social media and in magazines. And it gets extra, extra loud. Especially when you’re looking in the dressing room mirror, with shitty overhead lighting and wearing a bathing suit, it can be torturous. But I’ve found a few things that help me achieve the desired outcome and make it slightly less painful.

My #1 Tip for Swimsuit Shopping

Shop online and try it at home (and maybe have some wine!!)

This is, by far, my best tip for approaching swimsuit season and the shopping that it requires.

For me, one of the ways I save my sanity and also find a few bathing suits that I can feel comfortable in is to shop at home. This allows me to be more relaxed in my home environment. To know that the mirror is not lying (I hate those skinny mirrors at stores) and to schedule the try-on session when I’m in the proper head space. If I’m being honest, a glass of chardonnay doesn’t hurt either. 

Pro Tips for Swimsuit and Cover Up Shopping

Here are my other pro tips to help the process be practically painless and also successful:

Look to the past so you can plan for the future

Survey the other suits you currently have and wear (or have worn). What do you like about them, and what do you hate?

Personally, I’m a fan of a two-piece (because going to the bathroom when wearing a one-piece is just too much work for me), but my stomach has a huge scar down the middle. So an actual bikini doesn’t usually make me feel confident. I’ve historically opted for a tankini style - and use those shapes to influence my future swim orders.

I also like how halter styles or one-shoulder styles look on me. Bandeau styles tend to fall down and make my bust look low.

Take note of your clothing styles and translate that to swim

If you don’t have any bathing suits you can use as a benchmark, try using party dresses. What necklines do you like yourself in? Strapless? Spaghetti strap? Racerback? Knowing this can help you find a similar style in a swimsuit.

Start basic and then go bold.

If you’re just beginning on the bathing suit acquisition journey, opt for a solid color suit, maybe in a basic color like black or navy. In the same way, it’s best to build your clothing wardrobe first with basics. i.e. workhorse pieces, and then add ones with more interest - so too in swimsuit styles. 

Once you are comfortable wearing a black bathing suit, you’ll likely be more comfortable branching out into brighter colors and patterns.

Incorporate the cover up ASAP

Think of your beach or pool ready look as a whole. Meaning the bathing suit AND the coverup. If you’re like me, I keep my cover-up on most of the time I’m at the beach or pool, so that is the item more folks see than my actual suit.

Pay attention to the details.

Make sure the bathing suit and cover up work together. That the straps and colors play nicely with one another. You don’t want to wear a strapless cover up with a racer back suit, the lines will be off.

Also make sure the cover up is comfortable to wear and in a fabric that breathes in hot weather. Being mindful of these details at the start, helps create a complete outfit and prevents the cover up from looking and feeling like an afterthought.

Lucky for you, many suits are made with coordinating coverups these days, making this step a bit easier.

Plan to order A LOT 

Don’t worry, you will return most of them. Think of your order as bringing items into a dressing room - you are going to need to try various styles and even sizes to see what works (and what does not). Similar to ordering jeans online, you need to kiss many frogs to find your prince.

Please pay close attention to return policies so you’re not stuck with a frog that does not have princely potential. 

Be nice to yourself!!

Love and embrace yourself and your body as it is TODAY. And wear what you feel great in. I remember back to my honeymoon and not wanting to get up from the chair without a little sarong skirt on. When I look back on photos from that time I can tell you I was cuckoo! My body was good, even great - but sadly I didn’t feel that way then.

Now, I’d give my right hand for those abs and that ass!! And in 25 years I will likely look back on my bathing suit body of my 50’s with envy as well. So, I am speaking to you as much as myself when I say, wear the bathing suit, enjoy the sun and surf and pool and wear it with a smile!!

Shop My Favorite Swimwear

I’m rounding up my favorite bathing suit styles - use my tips to decide which one is right for you and order away! Also, let me know if you find any princes and what styles they are - I’d love to know!!!

Bikinis

Tankinis

One pieces

Cover ups