How to Shop for a New Bathing Suit

At some point, everyone needs to get in that dressing room, and look at yourself in the giant mirror wearing underwear underneath an ill-fitting bathing suit. But not everyone has a Jack.

I am embarrassed to say that I have not bought a new bathing suit in two years.  And that suit was made for sitting by a pool, at some distant location, with a large sun hat and big round sunglasses.  Not for family time at the beach, or any type of local pool.

A few weeks ago I took my post-baby body {which is what I will call this until I get it back to my normal} I took myself and both boys to Old Navy.  Have you tried to find a cute bathing suit mid-season?  Not easy.  Basically everything that was left either had some serious shimmer and sparkle, or it was the wrong size.  This is what I tried on.

Keep in mind I have Jack with me, who says whatever is on his mind. {He may take after his mother.}  As soon as I put it on, he said, "Mom, you look like you're in a fashion show."  I'm pretty sure he thinks people are wearing costumes as they walk down the runway, so I left that one at the store.

This week we joined a place that has a pool, so now this whole shopping bit was serious business.  Plus, we're spending next week with 8 kids and 8 adults on a beach, so I needed to find a suit! I hauled both boys into the "family dressing room" at Target.  This time I was more brave and tried on a two-piece.  While I'm changing, Jack says, "Mom, your belly is shrinking."  If he said nothing for the rest of the day, that was enough.  I finally pull and stretch and tuck my underwear into the edges, and VERY loudly, Jack said, "Mom, you look too sexy in that suit."  I burst out laughing.  I couldn't help it!  Everyone in the dressing room area was laughing too.  He said it as a warning, not as a compliment.  Then, while I pull myself together, he said, "Mom, what does sexy mean?"  And everyone roared even louder!  I said, "Sexy is when someone feels good in their own skin."  I had heard that from someone else when Jack was a baby and filed it away for this exact moment.  

I ditched the bathing suit, and grabbed a one piece on the way out, in two sizes, hoping that 1) I would like it, and 2) that one of them would actually fit without looking "too sexy" or like a Halloween costume.  Finally, I landed on this little number from Target.

And yes, I look exactly like the model and always stand in that awkward position! 

If you have a precocious child in your life, it might be a good idea to bring them with you when looking for a bathing suit.  If nothing else, they are honest and keep the mood light when you might otherwise consider screaming at the three-way mirror.

Where is your favorite place to shop for new swimwear?