Bathing Suit Shopping

Hmmm. Should I shop for a bathing suit today or have a root canal? Given the choice, a majority of women would opt for the latter. Still, there comes a time when one must be strong and shop for swimwear.

Before setting out with the objective of finding something to wear at the beach or pool, keep the following in mind:
the mirrors in dressing rooms are notoriously horrible;
you will have more color and feel more comfortable in a bathing suit after the first few wears;
and finally, looking for a great-fitting and looking suit has never been easier.

Yes, it is true! From getting a custom-made suit right up the coast at the Bikini Factory in Summerland, to ordering one from Lands End after talking to their super helpful staff over the phone, anyone can find a bathing suit these days. Linda, who has been at the Bikini Factory for many years, is a fantastic swimwear specialist. Sure, it may not be fun, but it is definitely possible. Try J. Crew online, Nordstrom, and Athleta (a favorite) for a variety of terrific bathing suits.

Let me leave you with my own, real-life bathing suit story. I was at Macy's and was determined to find a suit that day. So I loaded my arms with at least 15 suits and took them into the dressing room. Because no salesperson was around to help me find my size or to suggest brands or styles, I was on my own. This became glaringly clear when the following nightmare ensued. After trying on each suit and becoming more and more exasperated and depressed, I decided to make one more round of the racks. Since I was pooped, I simply threw my black pashmina around my waist and wore a bikini top out of the dressing room. Heck, I thought, I will only be gone a minute.

Unfortunately, the door locked after me and there I was, half-naked with no salesperson in sight. I briefly considered trying to slip under the locked door, but I figured getting stuck would be worse than cruising around half-dressed at Macy's. After 10 minutes of searching in vain for someone, anyone to unlock my door, I located a salesgirl. She then had to page another saleswoman who had the key to the door. Tick, tock, tick, tock. When I at last made it back into my room, humiliated but more determined than ever to find a suit, I tried on the ones I had found with all the time I had had to peruse the racks. Eureka! I did find one that fit beautifully and covered me just where I wanted to be covered. I am pretty sure that Macy's sales staff was very happy to see me leave (fully clothed again).