Haul // Swimwear (and some advice I wish someone had given me!)

Saturday 12 July 2014

Hello my lovelies!
Here is my first proper post of this new blog and it concerns a type of clothing (clothing?) that has been the bane of my life this past month or so. Yes, by that, I mean swimwear.

When it comes to Summer you cannot walk ten steps down any high street without seeing size 8 mannequins wearing really skimpy bikinis reminding you that your holiday (if you are lucky) is fast approaching and you need to invest in some swimwear.

I have been searching high and low, near and far for my swimwear this year and am finally happy with my little collection - here it is!




Sainsbury's
 Top: £8 
High waisted bottoms: £8
(in store only)

This set is actually the last one I picked up. I went to change a tankini my mum had bought and I saw this and had to pick it up. the pattern is so cute and I was so surprised that a supermarket had a high waisted bikini (at such a great price!). The top comes in bra sizes and has detachable straps so fits really really well whilst the bottoms come so high only 2-3 inches of skin is actually visible. Perfect.


Next
Bralet: £16 (here)
High waisted bottom: £10 (here)

I absolutely adore the styling of this bikini. Again, the bralet comes in bra sizes so you know it will fit well. The bottoms come up really high so, again, only a couple of inches of skin are on show and the monochrome is just so chic and gorgeous.  This set is really flattering on and has such a vintage vibe - especially with the halter neck straps (which are also detachable). Sure, it was a little pricey but it fits really nicely and it is so gorgey.


Next
Swimsuit: £20 (in store)

This was the first swimsuit I picked up this year. I love the mesh detailing - again it looks so chic and sophisticated! There is some stripe detailing along the waist which really gives you a bit of defined shape (if you are a little bit shapeless like me!). The sport luxe look is so easy when it comes to swimwear - just add some metallic sliders and you are done!

Now, don't get me wrong, I have spent long, hard hours on finding swimwear I like. There is no way I could be considered slim and so a cheap, string bikini is not going to work on me (I think people would go running away screaming if they saw that) so I went for what worked for me. Through the past month I have learned some valuable information to help in the future because swimwear shopping is just like shopping for jeans - impossible!

1. TRY IT ON - the shops these days have absolutely awful sizing. It is not just Primark. The whole of the high street (in my opinion) have not got uniform sizing. Sure, there are some stores such as Next, Debenhams etc. that have a much higher success rate but if you walk into Primark expecting a bikini in your size to fit properly you are looking in the complete wrong place. I have ordered sets from ASOS which have been inches (and I mean 5 inches) too small. I've ordered a third set from Next that was identical to others I'd ordered but over an inch smaller laid flat. Moral of the story - try the set on before you leave the store or be prepared to take it back. If you don't feel comfortable - you won't look it.

2. Nicely leading on from my first point MAKE SURE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE - I know I am not going to look good in a tiny, high leg bikini bottom with string top that leaves nothing to the imagination. I want my stomach covered and I want a nice structured top - simple as - and so that is what I looked for. When I put them on they look good, so I feel good, so I am not worried about walking around in them on holiday.

3. However, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - Don't get yourself into a rut. Do you always wear one pieces? Try a tankini! Do you want a neon bikini? Go for it! When else can you wear neon on a daily basis and not get strange looks? Look in places other than your usual shops. Sure, Topshop have some stunning swimwear but so do the supermarkets. I never look in Next and I have two swimsuits from there this year. Mix and match. If you find the perfect bottoms in one shop get them anyway and look somewhere else for a top. You have a 28 day return period so go use it! This is your money and your wardrobe - you want to make sure you are spending it wisely.

4. More often than not YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR - If you pay £6 for a whole set it may be amazing. It may also be cheap material that clings and goes see through or doesn't fit quite right. I know it doesn't seem like a good idea to spend a lot of money on swimwear considering it gets worn for one week every year but when you get something you love, that fits well and is fashionably timeless what is to stop you from wearing it next year, or the year after that? Nothing, that's what! If you want something that bit different, go to Debenhams and get something cute. If you want to throw it away make sure it is cheap but you may have to kiss some frogs (or try on 20+ sets in boiling fitting rooms) to find your perfect set.

5. ACCESSORISE, ACCESSORISE, ACCESSORISE - Would you wear a dress without shoes? Would you wear a plain cami top without a necklace? Why should you treat swimwear any differently? Grab a big floppy hat, a bright lipstick, a kimono, an oversized t-shirt, anything to add to your look. I'm not Gok Wan asking you to strut around Magaluf wearing nothing but a swimsuit. I've have spent just as much money on cover-ups as I have on swimwear. From Kimonos to crisp white shirts and denim shorts, the outfit doesn't stop at your swimsuit. At the end of the day, if you are in the water no-one can see your legs anyway. If you are on a sun lounger, wear your cover up if you feel a bit self-conscious. You may not get a tan but you won't burn either! (warning - watches and necklaces can leave awful tan lines. Wear at your own risk!)

So there is my swimwear haul and a few tips to help you on your mission to find your perfect bikini. Have these tips helped at all? Do you have any you'd like to add? Let me know!

23 comments :

  1. I love this post, and I LOVE those bikinis, If I hadn't already had my holiday this year I'd deffo be heading out to get them, especially the sainsburys one, the pattern is gorgeous, and so cheap. I was unsure on high waisted bottoms this year as Idk if they'd be flattering on me or not, but I love the look of them.
    Also your tips are so right, feeling comfortable is the most important thing, wearing a bikini is pretty daunting so you've got to feel as comfortable as possible. This year I persuaded my friend out of a swimsuit and into a bikini for one of the first times, and although she was nervous she was so happy and proud of herself which was amazing :D

    Emma x
    Writing Essays With Wine

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    1. Thank you so much! I definitely have a love-hate relationship with swimwear. It's such a pain but I love a vintage style bikini!

      Congrats on managing to help your friend! Go you and her! Sometimes you just need that push to do something different. I've managed to get my Mum to actually buy swimwear this year - I'm taking that as a win haha!

      :)

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  2. Oh my goodness I cannot believe that bikini is from Sainsbury's it's so gorgeous! Really love the print :) I totally agree that it's most important to feel comfortable and also to try on your swimwear, something I only started to really appreciate this year!! Xx

    A Blonde Moment

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    1. Isn't it just!? It fits so well too - it is literally perfect (and so cheap!)
      It took so long for me to finally pick three sets (and I only wanted two!). When you find sets you like you just can't take them back!

      :)

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  3. love all of your picks! wish i was going away somewhere so i could buy some

    from helen at thelovecatsinc.com

    ps. you can win a cute Dahlia trench in my little giveaway! click here

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  4. SO happy to read a post about swimwear that I can fully relate with, as opposed to seeing costumes that I would look an eye sore in! Absolutely love the sainsburys one, how gorgeous is that pattern?! High waisted cozzies are my go-to at the moment, but as I don't have any holidays I haven't really tried any out. I recently bought a swimming costume from Matalan which is uber flattering, the waist looks sinched in from the ruffled material on the front. I'd deffo give Matalan a try if you haven't already! Love the tips too, I don't mind too much what I wear underneath, as long as I have a beach cover up! They're so handy for wearing day to night too :) xxx

    Hannah xo | hannatalks

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    1. I just couldn't leave it! I popped into my local Sainsbury's today and it was completely gone! There wasn't even one piece left and I only picked it up three days ago. Crazy.
      I work in Matalan and yeah, there are some brilliant bits and pieces! I think I know the swimsuit you are talking about - it's so lovely! I would have picked it up myself but I already have too much swimwear haha!
      The thing with beach cover ups is you can wear them away from the beach! I have two kimonos for the beach that I have worn like mad anyway and will definitely continue to wear. It looks a lot less 'oh this is beachwear' and more 'yeah, I'm at the beach. I'm not exactly going to go shopping for a cover-up' look (which is my fave!)

      Longest comment ever! :)

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  5. what a lovely post.
    Love them all but I really like the one with the pattern.
    I totally agree with you, It is so important to feel comfortable in what you wear xo

    http://urbanbeautylush.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Thank you so much!
      I think all I have said is common sense but sometimes reading it makes it actually click you know?

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  6. Seriously cannot believe that the top one if from Sainsburys, I never think to look in there! And i love the whole high waisted, sophisticated theme you have gone for! So glad I found your blog- I Love It!

    From Mollie @ mollieisabella.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much lovely!
      I couldn't believe it either! I went back 3 days later and there are none left. I'm obviously not the only person who liked it. High waisted bikinis do look so sophis (and are much more comfortable!)

      :)

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  7. Great post! I love the swimsuit from Next. I definitely need to get myself a holiday booked just so I can go and buy it!

    Natalie xx

    Petal Poppet Blogs ♥

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    1. Thank you! If you want a holiday cheap as chips look down your local high street. I have 4 travel agents in my town and a couple have all inclusive holidays for as low as £175 a person (crazy right!)

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  8. Love this post, i've also been struggling with my swimwear this year but you've given me some great ideas and i'm heading down to Sainsbury's for that bikini, it's amazing! Have a lovely holiday.

    Fashion Found Me // UK Fashion & Personal Style Blog

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    1. Thank you so much! Good luck finding it - they had a floral one too (but I don't need 5 bikinis after all!)
      Also have a look in your local Boots store. Mine had half price swimwear today so you may find a bargain hiding amongst the rails!

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  9. Couldn't agree with you more. Brilliantly written and so true :)

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  10. I do have a slight obsession with swimwear. I'm not so sure why! Perhaps because I haven't been abroad in years and I am collecting bikinis so I can wear a new one each day. I absolutely love the tropical print one from Sainsbury's - it's going on the shopping list right now x

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    1. I did that last time I went on holiday and I cannot find any of them! I guess it is an excuse to buy more!
      They had a floral set too but I just adore that print - it's gorgeous!

      :)

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  11. Love this post, some really good tips, I adore all these costumes, gonna make a quick dash to Sainsburys and next I think!

    Charlotte // The Goodowl

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    1. Thank you my lovely! I found that M&S and Asda also have quite a few cute sets. There is so much gorgeous swimwear and not enough holiday time to wear them!

      :)

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  12. This makes me want to buy more swimwear. Why can't it stay sunny? :'(

    http://asseenonsophie.blogspot.co.uk

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Thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate every single one of them and will get back to them as soon as I can :)