One thing that goes unfailing each year is the hatred women feel towards swimsuit shopping. Even lauded supermodels and celebrities from Cindy Crawford to Kim Kardashian have insecurities about the way they look and scrutinize their bodies (perhaps that’s why they both wear so much fur!) We’ve asked stylist, Jene Luciani, to give us a round-up of the top celebrity swimsuit fears and the swimsuits created to blast our biggest qualms:
1. The “Badonkadonk” – “I don’t even know how it happened. And there are all these rumours about whether it’s fake or if it’s real.” – Kim Kardashian
Ø Jene’s Tip: There are ways to accentuate your assets, without baring too much. Stick with darker bottoms and higher-waisted cuts like Rosa Cha’s Plaid Bikini Bottoms. $178 at Shopbop.com.
GGA Cheap Pick: A good tip to find less expensive suits with more coverage is to look for vintage or retro-suits online or shop at places your Grandma would go to. That awful mu-mu dress store in the mall doesn’t necessarily realize the kitsch factor of that high-wasted, full-coverage leopard print monokini, but you so do.
2. The “Un-Hipster” “I have learned to accept that I cannot just wear anything that is in fashion because…not everything, you know, fits!” – Sofia Vergara
Ø Jene’s Tip: Conquering trends for your age can be difficult. I love this ruffled one-piece that still say sexy from Longitude. $69.99 at JCPenney.com.
GGA Eco Pick: Made from bamboo, this sexy side ruched one piece will have you looking sultry and cool, not trashy.
Kelly B Manhattan One Piece, $140 @kaightshop.com3. The “Mom-Boob”: “You start out happy that you have no hips or boobs. All of a sudden you get them, and it feels sloppy. Then just when you start liking them, they start drooping.” – Cindy Crawford
Ø Jene’s Tip: Fix drooping boobs with a swimsuit that lifts. Diane Von Furstenburg’s Floral Print Bikini Top with Built in Cups is great. $155 at saks.com.
GGA Cheap Pick: Available in numerous color combos, you can’t beat this supportive top.
4. The “Mod Bod” “I mean, I’ll show you that I have fat rolls.” – Jessica Simpson
Ø Jene’s Tip: Many women are so ashamed of their bodies, they won’t even wear a swimsuit. There’s no need to miss out on the fun, find a sexy suit that doesn’t bare it all like Juicy’s new Swimdress. $190 at Bloomingdales.com.
GGA Eco Pick: We like our coverage with a side of sunny, and a hint of skin. We’d rock this yellow submarine with a sarong to feel our unfriendly bits were properly covered.
5. The “Itty-Bitty-Titty-Committee” – “My so-called fabulous shape is due to airbrushing. I have small boobs and cellulite.” Sienna Miller
Ø Jene’s Tip: Luckily for women like Sienna Miller, brands like Victoria’s Secret have come up with swimsuits that use the “push-up bra” technique. The Daisy Push-Up Bra is only $24 at Victoria’s Secret.
GGA Eco Pick: We hate it when people assume that skinny girls want to show everything. The black suit below leaves a little to the imagination, and has built in push up cups that give you a little bit of stripper-style cleavage. Proud of your tiny teardrops? The nude fringed suit will bring the 70’s back to your beach, and show how chic a flatter chest can be in the right suit.
We love Jene’s tips, but some of us prefer to not support designers that have shown fur, even if they are showing cruelty-free items for summer. That said, our GGA picks are offered as alternatives to the (all-vegan) swimsuit and bikini options above who have designers who may or may not show fur in their collections.