A cute bathing suit that covers "flaws"

J.Crew, $115 (US)

It’s finally hot and sunny with just the right amount of breeze outside! I love the sun, water, summer dresses, wide-brim sun hats, sandals…but, when it comes to bathing suits, it is the part of summer shopping that I dread most (but with pools set to open in the GTA on June 18, the pressure was on).

Let me give you a little background about my body type: I am just shy of 5’3 with broad shoulders, a sizable rib cage, not a lot of boobs, and let’s face it – I don’t have the tightest set of abs. When I go suit shopping, it seems that I'm never able to find something that flatters my body type, so as a result I look like a young boy in a bathing suit. The list goes on, but I should stop complaining and look for a resolution!

Guess what? I found one that will not only work for my body type but many others, too. This one-piece Jersey Lomellina Eleanora bandeau tank from J. Crew will hit the spot (and cover them up). In a dark colour and retro-chic style, this suit has a touch of glamour and femininity. The blouson on top has a built-in shelf bra, removable halter strap and boning on the side for added structure and support to compliment most body types and ages. The gentle ruching down the centre maintains the definition of your chest and eliminates the problem of uni-boobs. The loose draping and nipped-in waist underneath discreetly adds definition to your silhouette making you look effortlessly sexy. As for the bottom, it’s a nice and simple full brief holding everything in place.

There is an added bonus to the cute blouson top of this swimsuit. When you are done at the beach you can just throw on a simple skirt of your choice or a cute sarong, like Old Navy’s Beaded Sunburst-Print Sarong, ($10.50), and look put-together for a drink at a near by lounge.

Don’t forget to doll up those tootsies too! Slip on a pair of Canadian-designed Tkees sandals that come in a rainbow of colours! 

Washing tip: Remember to hand wash your swimwear to make it last longer.