Swimsuits for Every Body?
If there is one magazine cover line that suckers me more than any other, it's "The perfect _____ for your body type!" promise.
Why? Because finding these so-called "perfect" prom dresses/jeans/swimsuits for my body has, historically, required a lot of frustrating and fruitless labor, and I know I'm not alone in that (tall, big-bottomed ladies unite!).
Nothing makes me stabby quite like shopping for swimsuits. Take this weekend: I tried on some 30 different suits with no success. After an hour of playing "this top is too big, this bottom is too small, this color really brings out my cellulite," I gave up and left empty handed.
So, while grocery shopping, when I saw that a popular women's magazine was offering advice on finding the perfect suit for "EVERY (yes, even you!)" body type, I was powerless against the blatant manipulation and flipped to the article. Unsurprisingly, it was the same as every other version of that photo spread ever printed.
The takeaway? Finding a swimsuit is easy if you're a model and have professional hair and makeup. Plus, the body types are totally subjective -- and often infuriating. For example, this particular article featured a suit for the "athletic body."
Annoyed, I showed a friend and demanded, "What the [mumble] is an athletic body type?! Athleticism isn't a size!"
"Well, according to their picture, athletic bodies are skinny with big boobs," he offered.
Sad, but true. (Also: completely untrue.)
So I'm cutting myself off. No more unrealistic, ultimately unhelpful guides to buying flattering clothes. It's just so ridiculous to base shopping decisions (and potentially self-worth) on the belief that the eight body shapes that magazines decide are Normal are the only ones that exist. And that fashion editors get to decide what clothes look good on my body.
Can we all just agree that the best swimsuit for your body is the one you feel good wearing? That the perfect swimsuit doesn't actually exist, but your body confidence can make any piece of clothing work for you? Finding clothes that fit well is important, sure, but owning and loving your body -- as it is right now -- is the only way that any of us will ever be able to wear our stretch marks and dimples with pride.
I'm never going to have the perfect body with which to wear the perfect swimsuit. But I have my body, and I'm learning to be happy with exactly where I am -- cellulite and all.
(Photo by anyjazz65.)
You said it, Kaeti! Tall big-bottomed women of the world unite (though I've met you and might contradict the latter half of your description)! I'd like to add that many of the images we see on magazine covers have some airbrushing or touch-ups that most of us never get when we show our bodies in person.
Hi Kaeti,
First, I have the same frustration when it comes to _________ shopping (insert swimsuit, jeans and practically any other apparel item except shoes) I always have the confidence for a new pair of strappy sandals.
Anyway, I was actually contacting you about the upcoming 13.1 Minneapolis that I am helping to promote. In fact, I'm reaching out to a few run/fitness bloggers for two main reasons. The first is a great reason, but the second is even better. First - I have discounted and freebie race entries for you and your readers. The second reason: I'm looking for inspirational stories of 13.1 MN racers that have overcome a big obstacle or had some other personal achievement by running the race (told you the 2nd reason was even better).
If you fit the bill for the achievement story, I want to know and if you just want a freebie or discount, that's cool too. Email me and I'll share the details.
Thanks,
Dani Luffey
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