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[ Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 ]

Summer's the season for sexy swimwear

Collegian Staff Writer

Ahh -- SI swimsuit edition, Victoria's Secret Swim -- what a glorious time to be carrying a little extra flub.

It's almost Spring Break, a delightful a time to have a three-pack of tummy rolls.

It's the time of the year when the fried food, six-packs, and skipped sessions at the gym catch up to us and we think "(Expletive!) I'm a beast."

And then wow, almost immediately after this revelation it's time to go bathing suit shopping! So it's no surprise somehow that the very words -- bathing suit shopping -- send people running .

But all this revulsion of swimwear makes me very sad, it's a shame really. Unfortunately, all the paranoia and self-consciousness have led to a stigma around the general idea of bathing suit shopping.

Collegian Illustration/Melinda Reidenbach
Collegian Illustration/Melinda Reidenbach
Strut your bodacious body in this teeny bikini by American Eagle Outfitters and soak up the sun in style.


Bathing suits are more a source of anxiety and self-hatred than they are celebrated as a really fun, diverse, expressive fashion item. They're no different really than jeans or tops; the trends change every year, they can be sexy, they can be trashy, they can be sporty, they can be girly, and most importantly, depending on comfort and fit, they can make or break your confidence.

So, we need a new attitude! You gotta stop thinking about bathing suits as measuring your worth physically and start thinking about them like an accessory or shoe, it's just fashion, ergo, pure fun.

As for handling the whole body-image thing, well, that's a whole other boob-job -- just kidding! -- but the bottom line is you just gotta get over it. Now, I know it's not easy and this isn't coming from a perfect body -- trust me I'm no supermodel -- but you're never going to be comfortable until you accept your body -- curves, flubs, skinniness, itti-bittiness and all.

So get to it -- NOW -- stop wiggin', yo, so long as you're wearin' it with self-assurance, nobody can hold you down. Just trust yourself; you're beautiful, rad, and fab.

My top three suggestions for you this swimsuit season:

3. American Eagle Outfitters

Super affordable, American Eagle has a great selection of colorful girly halter, bikini and tankinis. $25-30 a piece, or be like a bunny and act quick to snatch up some $19.50 on-sale items.

2. Victoria's Secret

My obsession with Vicki doesn't wane any when it comes to her swimwear. The perfect combination of skank-ho, femininity, and pink; you can't be shy to sport one of Vick's suits, cuz trust me, there won't be many secrets left.

1. ViX Swimwear

Pricey -- average around $120 a set or $60 per piece -- but oh gee-whiz if I had the money. These are the most gloriously gorgeous bathing suits ever. Colorful and detailed yet simple and elegant. If you're saving up for something special, bingo.

 

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Updated: Thursday, March 03, 2005  1:46:26 PM  -4
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Created: Wednesday, May 07, 2008  6:52:30 PM  -4