Archive for the ‘Swimsuits Just For Us’ Category
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a size zero or one of those plus size swimsuits: for some women picking a swimsuit is like pulling teeth. Yes, some women have the self esteem and the fashion sense to walk into a store, purchase a swimsuit and walk right onto the beach. For others (or as I like to call them, the “normals”) buying a swimsuit is a tough process. Forget all the different styles and cuts to choose from, feeling confident in a swimsuit is a big thing for us girls. Men really can’t understand this because even if they feel self conscious they don’t exactly feel like everyone is staring at them the second they step onto the sand. Women feel like all eyes are on them when they are in their swimsuit, for better or for worse. Even if no one is looking their way, women can feel a thousand eyes boring into them like tiny little drills.
Okay, I know that sounds weird. If you are confident in your swimsuit then bless you for the way you feel. I wish I could feel like that. But like millions of women out there I dread the time of year when it’s time to put away the jacket and put on swimwear. And heck, I’m not even a very big girl (which I kind of lament sometimes, to be truthful). I wear kind of the opposite of what you would call “plus size swim wear”. Still, I hate that feeling of stepping out of onto the sand wearing that swimsuit for the first time. I feel like I want to crawl into a little ball and roll away.
Which is completely ridiculous, I know. I’m not one of those women who typically have low self esteem or even play’s that card when I’m around other women. I’m guessing that how many other girls out there feel as well. It’s like your brain is telling you two things at one time: “It’s all going to be okay”, and “Oh my gosh, there are people here, panic!”. What I’m told by many of my more swimsuit confident friend’s out there is that the key to feeling good in a swimsuit is to own it. In other words if you feel good in your suit, you’ll look as good as you feel.
The key to picking a good swimsuit is not just finding something that you like but also finding something that you are comfortable in. And not just comfortable as in physical comfort, but also something you are comfortable with mentally. That way you don’t walk out onto the beach with some sense of confidence, even if you feel like everyone is staring.
Kim Green feels much better when she wears one of her plus size swimsuits to the local pool.
It is a known fact among many professionals and psychologist that self-esteem stems from physical appearance, and typically a majority of the time this is due to being self conscious about weight. This play a little on the looking-glass effect, which was a term coined by Charles Cooley a social psychologists. Essentially the idea shares that individuals may be defined as people’s conceptualization of their own views of self, simply based on how others view them.
One may be wondering, what does this have to do with bathing suits? Truth be told, those with low self esteem due to weight, typically feel the most vulnerable during swimsuit season. Reasoning’s for this are on a multitude scale such as feeling insecure about the body type and not wanting to showcase it, stores not carrying appropriate sizes, and the unpleasantness of trying on the bathing suit in a fitting room.
But what is one to do? Simply avoid outings to water parks, beaches, and pool parties? This course of action should not even be taken into consideration, but rather embrace the problem and find a solution. It is understood that the average female American waist size nowadays is roughly a size 12, which incidentally was also the size of the famous Marilyn Monroe. Typically stores do not carry this size or over, due to the trend of “smaller is better”.
There are options such as plus size bathing suits. Most would dread the thought of wearing such a thing, and would prefer to not participate in social activities that would require swimwear. There is a company that has recognized the need for appealing swimwear and has provided these items online, for an easier and comfortable shopping experience.
And contrary to belief, the suits are figure flattering and fashionable. Curves are hugged rather than hidden. And despite the fact of being considered plus size, these suits remove that notion from the mind, thus building self confidence and self esteem. Based off the looking-glass notion, if one feels great on how they look, those perceptions are cast to those around them.
One must be able to embrace who they are, bulges, curves, and everything in between. Despite what media influences may say, many individuals do not bolster the notion of thinness. Thus, one should feel audacious enough enjoy summer events, rather than hide under an oversized shirt. As shared by the famous Paul Tillich, “The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.”
Author Kim Green knows how good it feels to wear flattering plus size bathing suits.
In today’s world body image is plastered everywhere. Commercials, magazines, television, and movies constantly remind us of what is considered the ideal body type. As a reminder, that body type, is thin. And what you may, or may not know, a majority of the population does not fit this ideal type, despite what the media will show.
With summer gradually drawing to a close, but the heat still lingering, the notion of beaches and swimming in pools seems ideal during this time of the season. But if you don’t fit this “ideal” body type, it makes one hesitant to go to the store and try to find some kind of makeshift suit that fits. And, if your body type is more closely related to the now becoming “normal” size, it doesn’t seem to work out in your favor.
If you think about it, the swimsuits in a majority of department stores are made for one size: small and stick thin. I understand I have curves. I also have hips. And my bust line may be a little brag worthy. But when faced with a dilemma such as finding a swimsuit that hugs curves rather than distorting them is difficult.
But, as if answering a call from the swimsuit Gods, there is plus size swimwear available! And contrary to belief, the swimsuits are actually fashionable and sophisticated. Despite having a “full figured size body”, the swimsuits fit perfectly and add a flatteringly appeal.
Being self conscious about going to the beach and hanging out pool side with friends was always a problem. The giant shirt covering the swimsuit when out, would never come off, and would end up getting soaked due to the fear of revealing my body. But when able to find a swimsuit that not only catered to my body type, but also gave me the luxury of purchasing it from home was the icing on the cake.
Though, it’s a recognized fact that I will never fit into a size two, the realization is that there are others who feel the same way as I do. Not only this, but there was a company that recognized the fact that not everyone has the “ideal” body type. Because, no matter the size, individuals prefer to look their best, and enjoy the fun outdoor activities that others take pleasure in as well. To be able to find a plus size swimsuit that fits well, and makes me look good, is a great item for anyone to have.
Author Kimberly Green is thankful for plus size swimwear.
So here’s a question for you: is it easier now for a plus sized woman then it has ever been before? I mean, is it more acceptable to have a little junk in the trunk then it was, say, ten years ago? With companies centered around plus sized clothing and plus size swimwear, are women able to find ways to look good without having to fit into previously defined ideas of beauty?
I know, I know, pretty heady stuff for a fluff piece, right? But I started thinking about this the other day when I was looking for swimsuits for the upcoming summer season. Now, I’m not really a plus-sized woman by definition, but I’m also not what you would call stick thin. Because of this, I have always had a little bit of a body image problem. I come from the age when women in magazine ads were rail thin. You know, the Twiggy era. The thing that I always found interested about that age is that I never met a single man who was into that look. Men don’t like rails, they like women with some meat, at least the ones I’ve known. Because of that, I always found it weird that women are set to this standard that men really don’t set them too themselves.
Because of this disconnect between men and women, we have a tendency to become our own worst critics. There is nothing more terrifying than having to pick out a new bathing suit for the summer, even though the only opinion we are really using is our own. Answer me this: when we are trying on different bathing suits do we ever ask our husband’s opinion? Not typically, because we feel too embarrassed to do so. Wouldn’t it make it so much easier to have someone else’s opinion when it comes to what bathing suit looks best on us? Yes, but we do don’t because ultimately we have decided that we are the best judges of how we look, even though we have a bad self body image. That’s a little weird isn’t it?
Unfortunately with that thought in mind I can’t really end this piece by saying “We just have to break through the barrier and feel better about ourselves” can I? We really have no one to blame but ourselves, even though we are really not to blame ourselves, if that makes sense. I’ll say this though, next time you’re trying on your bathing suits, ask your man, or woman, for their opinion. Chances are, they will be much nicer then you’d imagine… or that you would be on yourself.
Author Kim Green knows her husband loves her no matter if she wears plus size swimwear or not.
Spring means a lot of things: rebirth, sunshine, birds and bees, baseball. But for a woman it signifies something else. Something terrifying that we keep in the back of our minds during the winter months but don’t like to dwell on: it’s time to start thinking about fitting into a swimsuit.
Whether you’re looking to squeeze into some plus women’s swimwear or are a lucky super model who is looking to wear something sexy and expensive on a yacht, we all want to look good. The idea of getting into swimsuit shape is not something that we take very lightly. We want to look good, not just for the boys of there, but mostly for ourselves. God’s cruel trick is giving us a body that fattens up for no apparent reason while completely tying our self confidence to said body. We want to look good, not so much for the boys out there, but for ourselves.
Like everything else, getting proper swimsuit shape is just as much mental as it is physical. It’s about getting a workout and eating plan together that you can logically keep. It’s no use jumping into the thing willy- dilly (does anyone use that phrase anymore?) if you know you’re just going to fail.
For a woman, getting into swimsuit condition can be just as much about toning up as it is about losing weight. During the winter time, especially for us in cold areas, we don’t so much gain weight as we do lose our physique. If you’re used to running in the summer or swimming in your pool, the winter month brings nothing but snow and yoga (not all of us can afford a treadmill, especially on a free lancers salary). Because of this, when the sun comes out we need to run, stretch and lift our way to better abdominals, a tighter butt and toned legs.
I find that setting a logical regiment helps best. Chances are if you haven’t exercised outdoors in four months you’re not going to be able to run ten miles the first week. Take it slow and slowly build your way up. Make a list out on a piece of paper and get friends to join along so if you cancel one of your exercise dates you have someone to answer to.
Once you’ve gotten your exercise routine down you need to tackle you’re eating habits. In the winter, especially in cold places, you tend to eat heartier, fattier foods to keep warm. In the spring take advantage of the explosion of vegetable varieties and use them in place of carbohydrates and red meats to help improve your diet. Also, and I stress this, drink more water!
The road to a better swimsuit body will be lined with hard work and much sweat, but it will all be worth it. Before you know it you’ll be laying out seaside toned, fit and happy as a clam.
Kim Green thinks her plus women’s swimwear makes her look good while she works to lose weight.
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