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Save or Splurge Modest Mom Swimsuit Haul

Searched through hundreds, tried on over 50, now with all the hard work done, I turn over only the best to you. Swimsuits for the bodies we live in.  Following are 10 modest swimsuits that can survive pool parties, sandcastle building, and sprinkler running.  And in each category I found you an investment option and a budget option, so if you’re going to be wearing it all summer you can trust that it will last.  Or if you just want a cute swimsuit for pool chairs, I’ve got you covered as well.

Tribal Halter One-Piece

So why do some swimsuits cost so much?  The biggest feature you’re going to get in an investment swimsuit is the fabric.  It will be soft, smooth, yet supportive.  Inexpensive fabrics tend to be coarser and less supportive.  They’re great if you only need to wear it to layout a couple of times.  But if you want to spend a summer playing in the water with your kids, the investment swimsuit is less likely to fade, pill, and stretch out.

Trina Turk Tribal Halter One-Piece Trina Turk Tribal Halter One-Piece Swimsuit

The execution of the pattern on the Trina Turk is more flattering and sophisticated.  I love how the symmetrical arcs defined my waistline and brought the eye in visually. The feel of the fabric is also superior, particularly the neck tie.  It was wide and soft which means it wouldn’t be digging into my neck after a few hours.

Ekouaer Tribal Halter One-Piece Trina Turk Tribal Halter One-Piece Swimsuit

I actually appreciated that the Ekouaer option offered much more backseat coverage, but I was still won over by the overall look of the Trina Turk….until I got the lookalike from Zilin in the mail.  It came too late to photograph, but I had to share it with you.  This copy cat doesn’t have the beautiful watercolor pattern of the Trina Turk but the cut is virtually identical.  It has straps across the back and slightly more fabric across the backside.  The only fit difference I noticed was a little back gap.

Trina Turk, Ekouaer, Tribal, Halter, One-Piece, Swimsuit

Asymmetrical Wrap One-Piece

If you’re looking for a swimsuit that provides coverage for a shy stomach, look no further than this Asymmetrical Wrap One-Piece.  Rouching or shirring over an area you’re less than confident about immediately minimizes and disguises superfluous bulges.  Supportive fabric can also have a compressive effect without being uncomfortable.

Runtlly Asymmetrical Wrap One-Piece Swimsuit

The first option is from Miraclesuit. This swimsuit offers firm compression and looks modest without being matronly.

Runtlly Asymetrical Wrap One-Piece Swimsuit

Its copycat is by Runtlly.  While the overall look is very similar, it has more mesh areas than the original and does not smooth or contour.

Side by side, I picked the Miraclesuit over the Runtlly.  I believe it’s worth the investment for the superior fit, fabric and visual results.  The biggest downside to the Runtlly option in my opinion was the saggy fabric around the front brief.

Peplum Tankini

If you struggle with finding a swimsuit that can keep your bottom covered, there are a few areas you should consider.  First, how much coverage does it offer in the back.  I’m personally more conservative in this area.  Especially since I have a swimsuit devouring bottom. Three steps and my seat can make a meal of any rear coverage I started with. Second, if it’s a tankini or bikini how high does the brief reach.  You want it to corset in the widest part of your torso.  Below it will give you muffin top, above it will give you kangaroo pouch.  Finally, and often overlooked with the width of the crotch.  Since I have wide thighs, I don’t like the crotch two wide.  Otherwise I’m not going to be comfortable and the swimsuit is going to look awkward.  These two peplum tankinis stood out to me because they eliminate long torso issues by breaking the swimsuit into two pieces.  I also love how the ruffle offers some coverage for soft, delicious centers.

JCrew Peplum Tankini Swimsuit

I actually purchased this peplum tankini from JCrew last season.  I loved how the halter was adjustable as was the empire wrap tie.  The bottoms offer a high rise brief with a slightly higher cut in the back which was flattering without being uncomfortable.

Verano Playa Peplum Tankini Swimsuit

Verano Playa Peplum Tankini was also a winner in my opinion.  It offered a few different details which are perfect for certain body types.  The waist on this option is a true waist, so if you narrower at your waist than under your rib cage, it can highlight that.  The brief is a lower rise but the back cut is more generous.  I also really liked the mismatched patterns.   I’d consider switching out the no-show bra pads, but other than that I was taken with this budget friendly look-a-like.

JCrew, Verano Playa, Peplum, Tankini, Swimsuit Since both the JCrew halter top/ high rise brief tankini and the Verano Playa Peplum Tankini tied in my opinion since both offered different options for different body types.  The fabric on the JCrew option will definitely last longer, but the Verano Playa Peplum Tankini could be a fun extra if you already have a robust swimming wardrobe.

High Neck Criss-Cross One-Piece

My booty has always been my first focus when swimsuit shopping, but after I breastfed three kids, my chest also got prioritized.  It had less volume and shape post child-bearing.  This is when I became a fan of high necklines.  What a high neckline offers is an uninterrupted line of your curves. Breaking a broad expanse into smaller pieces immediately makes it look smaller, which is great when you’re trying to minimize an area, but can lead to gaping overexposure when the area is dainty to begin with.

Kenneth Cole Criss-Cross High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

The criss-cross high neck and mesh waistband immediately drew me to the design of this Kenneth Cole One-Piece.

MyCoco Criss-Cross High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

But the Mycoco look-a-like offered a virtually identical fit and look.  The inexpensive option did have a small flaw in the mesh at the waistline, but the overall look was spot on.

Given the price difference, I’d still probably go for Mycoco over Kenneth Cole.

Colorblock One-Piece

Your dress size may not be your swimsuit size, particularly if you are wearing a one-piece swimsuit.  You need to take into account the length of you torso in addition to the circumference of your curves.   If you have a long torso, I recommend buying a tall or sizing up.  Also if it’s European, Asian, or from a Junior Retailer, you’re going to want to size up at least one to two sizes.

Coastal Blue Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit

Coastal Blue has a superior support if you’re nervous about any jiggling.  It’s a smooth, comfortable fit with a fun, expected color palette that keeps the eye moving.


CupShe Colorblock One-Piece Swimsuit

CupShe has hundreds of fun styles but their fabrics lack support.  If you’re just looking for a swimsuit that can survive a day on a pool chair, it will definitely do the trick.  One of the features I appreciate most was the adjustable straps.

Coastal Blue, CupShe, Colorblock, One-Piece, SwimsuitThe only area that left me disappointed is the Coastal Blue was that the bra pads were slightly visible.  Based on the feel of the swimsuit I initially favored the Coastal Blue, however when I looked over the pictures I loved how the CupShe one-piece defined my waistline with the centered strip of color blocking.

If your heart is set on an investment swimsuit, but your pocket book isn’t sure, you need to download the Shoptagr app.  I’m obsessed with this service. Shoptagr is a free smart shopping app  where you can get alerts from hundreds of stores (including Amazon) when your item of choice goes on sale, is low in stock, or has been restocked! Everything with regards to stock inventory is updated in real time.  This ensures that I can get exactly what I want at the best price possible.

Shoptagr sends an alert to your computer, tablet, or phone so you can act quickly and not be left empty handed.

posted Filed Under: Swimwear, Uncategorized

5 Swimsuits that Flatter During and After Pregnancy

I am now in the eighth month of growing our third son. And the temperature continues to rise here in Arizona. Swimsuits are no longer optional, and with a due date smack in the middle of swim season, I want a suit that I can wear before and after the baby is born. Following are five non-maternity swimsuits that still flatter and compliment a fertile figure, a post-partum figure, or even a standard middle figure.

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Thanks to Hapari for sponsoring this post.  Use the code “BEACHBUM” for 20% off your order, and enjoy Free Shipping on all orders over $100.

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Option one is the Seafolly Vintage Vacation Boyleg Malliot. It possesses one of my favorite swimwear features: an adjustable tie neck. Not only will this allow me to adjust the cups from pregnancy to nursing and beyond, but it also allows easy access for feeding. The ruching along the sides fully accommodates my burgeoning belly and the lower legline hits at the sweet spot between coverage and maximum leg length.

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The Hapari Mikado V-Neck Tankini with Red Diamond Dot Tie Bottoms is a playful experiment in mixing and matching. Hapari allows you to separately select the best top and bottom for your figure in a myriad of colors, patterns, and shapes. Thanks to tie closures, both pieces are entirely adjustable, allowing the suit to be immediately taken in as your body shrinks post partum. The long tank can be pulled down or gathered up depending on the curve of the torso while the adaptable tie neck can accommodate a variety of cup sizes.

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The sporty Seafolly Costa Maya High Neck Tankini and Bottoms was probably my favorite style of swimsuit. Two pieces are accommodating to a pregnant bladder and the neckline cut-outs give full coverage across my abundant curves while minimizing and streamlining my round torso.  The all-over geometric print provides core camouflage before and after the baby arrives.

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The Kenneth Cole Reaction Ruffle-licious Tiered Tubini is simultaneously comfortable and flirty. It can go from first to fourth trimester with ease. Whether you’re trying to hide a few undulations left by your baby or you’re wanting to highlight several months of gestation this piece fits both bills.

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The Kenneth Color Tribal Beat One Piece gives beautiful support through the upper half thanks to supportive underwire, and the keyhole allows you peek in on your gestation without overexposing your baby-to-be. When selecting a maternity swimsuit be sure your details fall above, below, or around your belly. Natural waist details that stripe either horizontally or vertically across the belly should be avoided.

how-to-wear-regular-swimsuits-for-maternity

posted Filed Under: Maternity, Motherhood, Nursing, Pregnancy, Summer Wear, Swimwear

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