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Saturday, November 28, 2009

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I Haven't Been Swimsuit Shopping in 3 Years, But These Glamour Pics Have Inspired Me to Go!

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OK, so not only haven’t I been swimsuit shopping in three years, I haven’t been to the beach in three years. I get countless invitations from friends and family every year, but I always politely turn them down. Truth be told, I love the beach. But I have legitimate reasons…First: because I’m very fair and I never tan -- I just burn, (SPF 500 notwithstanding) and I’m not a fan of looking like a lobster all summer long. After a few bad experiences in the sun, I’m extra careful, because skin cancer is a reality. But that’s not the real reason I've been skipping the beach all these years. The truth is, when I think of being seen in a swimsuit, I start to panic a little bit. I don’t think I’ve felt good in a bathing suit since I was five. I made a vow to myself that I would work on my body image baggage, but the swimsuit thing gets me every time . I just feel so exposed, with all of my flaws hanging out...Does anybody else feel this way?

Exclusive Body-Image Survey: 16,000 Women Tell Their Body Confidence Secrets

But then I saw these photos from Glamour's May 2009 issue. I was so drawn to them, but I didn't know why. And then one day, it struck me: I was drawn to them because the model is plus size, and she is beautiful.

OK, so I'm not a model, and I need to tone my body, (and with Body by Glamour's shape up plan, I will), but if this chick can strut her stuff in a bathing suit, then so can I, right? So I'm inspired. And I plan on going to the beach this year. How about you? Have you started thinking about your swimsuit this season??

This is my favorite of the not a dental-floss-thong-kind of swimsuits. Which one is yours?

Photo: Patrick Demarchelier

Related: 10 Things He's Thinking When You're Naked!

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Related: swimsuits, plus-size model, body image, body by glamour

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 17
  • 80'sgirl's Avatar
    Posted by 80'sgirl Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:42am PDT

    Yes if course!!!!!! I hate bathing suits.

    The ones that you want to cover your specific problems are so ugly.

    I'm also a full C so the boobies never look right and the padded ones are horrific.

    Ok so I need a bathing suit like this:

    must have ample breast support (no padding)

    must cover inner thigh area (problem area for me no matter how hard I work out)

    must have enough material in the funuder area so its doesn't ride up.

    Report Abuse
  • Shawna P's Avatar
    Posted by Shawna P Fri Apr 17, 2009 11:56am PDT

    I want that bathing suit! It is so cute and retro.

    Report Abuse
  • rene's Avatar
    Posted by rene Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:55pm PDT

    Is it just me or are that models eye brows f'in weird????

    Report Abuse
  • countnchickn's Avatar
    Posted by countnchickn Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:19pm PDT

    I bought a bathing suit in Kohl's that looks like a short/tank top outfit. I am a pear shape with big ol' thunder thighs and booty. It looks great on and I am not that self-conscious. I say not that because I have a horrible self image and I believe whole heartidly this is the best it will ever get! Check it out 80's girl.

    Report Abuse
  • Mizt's Avatar
    Posted by Mizt Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:36pm PDT

    I want that bathing suit! I want it in red too! At least I have an idea of the style of bathing suit I want when I go shopping this weekend.

    Report Abuse
  • fffabulous's Avatar
    Posted by fffabulous Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:36pm PDT

    Such a nice picture and such a cute swimsuit! It's exciting that you're gonna go shopping for a new swimsuit. There are also some very cute cover-ups out there, that 'cover up' the body part that you don't want to show and that are still super elegant and sexy. Here are a few resources for you: http://www.fffabulous.com/swimwear/

    Happy shopping!

    Report Abuse
  • Teethwiz's Avatar
    Posted by Teethwiz Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:56pm PDT

    I have a feeling that a lot of woman are going to be in that swimsuit this season. LOL As for me I would like it in navy blue or a rich chocolate brown. TW

    Report Abuse
  • JuliaL's Avatar
    Posted by JuliaL Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:07pm PDT

    I love this! The model is Crystal Renn--I've seen her in a bunch of stuff for Lane Bryant & in magazines...she's one of the more well known plus sized models (and that's "plus size" at a size 12!)

    It's nice to see someone with a more realistic body modeling swimsuits making it a little easier for us to strut our stuff on the sand :)

    Report Abuse
  • JuliaL's Avatar
    Posted by JuliaL Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:07pm PDT

    I love this! The model is Crystal Renn--I've seen her in a bunch of stuff for Lane Bryant & in magazines...she's one of the more well known plus sized models (and that's "plus size" at a size 12!)

    It's nice to see someone with a more realistic body modeling swimsuits making it a little easier for us to strut our stuff on the sand :)

    Report Abuse
  • JuliaL's Avatar
    Posted by JuliaL Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:09pm PDT

    I love this! The model is Crystal Renn--I've seen her in a bunch of stuff for Lane Bryant & in magazines...she's one of the more well known plus sized models (and that's "plus size" at a size 12!)

    It's nice to see someone with a more realistic body modeling swimsuits making it a little easier for us to strut our stuff on the sand :)

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 17

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