Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Two Beaches, One Blue Bikini

Unlike super models, bloggers come in all shapes and sizes. That fact is one of the primary reasons I started reading blogs a few years ago, and why I felt compelled to start a blog of my own. It is so important for women and girls to be exposed to images in the media that are realistic. My hope was that if just one thick-thighed, pear-shaped woman out there would see my blog and think "hey, she looks like me and she wears what she wants!",  then I would have made a difference.

If there's one item of clothing that can make even the most confident, body accepting and self assured woman cower in body shame terror, it's the bikini. I know I'm not the first chubby girl to put up a picture of herself in a bikini for the world to see, and I sure as hell hope I won't be the last, but it was really important to me to do it.

In short, I've been wanting to do a swimsuit post all summer, so imagine my disappointment when I realized I forgot my camera on our first vacation beach day. I improvised and had Mike snap a few cell phone pix, but I just wasn't super pleased with how they turned out.




Thankfully we were able to get in a second beach day and get some better pictures with my little point and shoot.


So what does it take to feel confident in a swimsuit? I have no clue. What helps me is to have a suit that is comfortable and fun to wear. I don't mind showing my stomach, but I like to keep my upper thighs under wraps, so I usually go for a skirted bikini. Not because I think my thighs need to be covered, but because that is what makes me feel most comfortable.

Swimsuit: Victoria's Secret- Bottom, Top 

Normally I advocate trying everything on if you can, but this bikini was an adventure in online shopping that actually worked! I had a gift card to Victoria's Secret leftover from my birthday and a coupon so I decided to take a glimpse at their sale swimwear. Low and behold I found a skirted bottom and supportive top in the color I wanted! I ordered it knowing there was about a pretty good chance that the XL bottoms would be too small, but hoping they would fit.

The skirted bottom fits perfectly and provides the perfect amount of coverage. The top is supportive and has two sets of straps that can be worn lots of different ways. The sizing is by bra size, so it's really easy to find the right fit, it VS carries your bra size. This is definitely my new favorite swimsuit, and if I lived somewhere where I needed a lot of swimsuits I would totally order another color!

I had a great time at both beaches and I'm happy I have these photos to share with you:)




24 comments:

  1. That suit looks so cute on you! I love the color and it has a great vintage vibe that makes you look like a pin-up girl :) And it's definitely all about being confident and comfortable. I have a Victoria's Secret suit similar to that and bought the little skirt to go with it - I always feel more comfortable with something over my upper thighs also. Otherwise I feel like I'm practically naked!! :D

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    1. Exactly! I feel totally naked in traditional bottoms.

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  2. This was such an inspiring post! Your confidence comes across in the photos...you're rocking that bikini, Tashia! Almost all of mu bikinis have come from VS...they provide such a great fit.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Enter my new giveaway open internationally!

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  3. Wow you look great in this suite! :) Really love the ones with the camera phone, you look so cute. This is such a great post!! :) :)

    Sara
    http://seventwentysomethings.blogspot.com/

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  4. Girl you are a total BABE!!! You look AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL!!! Rock those curves honey!!!

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  5. Tashia, you look amazing! I LOVE this post and love seeing your confidence. That is a great suit for you, love the color and it fits you perfectly. :)

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  6. You look Fabulous. Thank you for sharing this....I'm one of those thick thigh, pear shaped gals and I don't think I would be as brave as you. Bravo...this is an inspiration.

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    1. Pears unite! Be brave lady:) Thanks for your support.

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  7. WOW, online shopping for a bikini, you're brave! You really did score though, that suit looks great on you! I go for the skirted look as well. I also like a more supportive bra-like top, not because I have a lot going on up there, but just because I feel a little more confident that everything will stay on and hold together nicely ;)

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    1. Yea. I'm still shocked everything fit. Thanks:)

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  8. Wow! You're a smokin hot babe! The color is great on you and it's especially cool that you found the elusive bra-size bikini top! I might be a bit jealzies about that actually.. ;) LOL You look gorgeous. <3

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    1. Thenks so much. They carry 32-38 A-DD so if you fit in that range go for it. I'd love to see more retailers go that route and a bigger range of sizes.

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  9. What an inspiring post, and you look fantastic! I just found your blog, and I've been enjoying your posts. I am also pear-shaped, and yes, it is so nice to see someone who is shaped like me, rockin' awesome outfits and having fun. The blue-trimmed hat is a nice touch!

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    1. Aw thank you! I love new readers, especially such friendly, supportive ones:)

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  10. You look great! I love your pear-shape and womanly hips! I am a classic apple- ugh! It's funny that you posted this. Kiyonna posted my swimsuit pictures on their facebook page yesterday, and I couldn't believe the amount of hateful feedback- I was disgusting, flabby arms, fat thighs, nasty, blah, blah, blah. Plenty of women commended me and complimented me but that was so lost in the criticism! Anyway, my point is- what makes a person look good in a swim suit is not only confidence, but self-love- which I have quickly discovered are two totally different animals. I am glad you have both!

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    1. I am so sorry to hear that. It's amazing how cruel people are when they can hide behind the anonymity of the internet. Your swimsuit shots are awesome, and you're beautiful:)

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  11. I think you look fabulous. And if I had your enviably flat tummy, I wouldn't mind showing mine either. Seriously, you look great!

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  12. You look amazing!!! That bathing suit is so flattering on you and I love the color. You're so inspiring pretty lady!

    xo,
    Angela
    headtotoechic.blogspot.com

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  13. You so have the body to wear a bikini, you have such a tiny, tiny waist! This is a really killer suit, I had no idea that VS made such great tops. (I'll have to check them out, I always have such a problem with swim tops and no support.) The bright color looks really amazing on you, I think this is one of the cutest and most flattering swim tops I've ever seen. You look really stunning here and I think that it's awesome that you choose to wear a bikini, it seems like the mind set has gotten to where only slim girls can wear them and look good, where I think most body types can wear a bikini and look fantastic. (As you have proven here!)

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  14. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include.
    Σετ μαγιό

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Thanks for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts!