Summer to me means hot days, ice-cold drinks, and lots and lots of beach and pool time.
But let’s face it, not everyone is ready to rock that “itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini.”
As the summer season nears for many it can either be a time of excitement or a whole rush of feelings of worry as the clock ticks down for achieving that “perfect summer body” look. Between beautiful Instagram influencers and every swimsuit model looking like they haven’t eaten in months, it’s a hard world out there for us women to confidently sport bathing suits that seem to get smaller and smaller every year. Especially in the area of girls Japanese swimsuit styles.
Every individual body is unique and different. Fear shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying the best season of the year right along with everyone else. Here are some tips for how to feel confident in this poolside season and start bathing with self-esteem.
Forget the “Summer Body” Look
From gym membership sales to diet plan marketing, too much pressure is put on getting that “perfect summer body”. As women, we are already subjected to continuous judgment and critique. We grew up surrounded by skinny models in advertisements and other unreasonable body image definitions. Of course, if you want to use that “summer body” goal to jumpstart your fitness and health goals, you go girl! However, those goals should be for your personal self-achievement, not just to fit in better at the pool.
Once you move past this outdated notion that you need to look a certain way to enjoy the same hot summer pool days just like everyone else, bathing with self-esteem becomes a whole lot easier.
Practice Around the House
As strange as it may sound, put that swimsuit on and just rock it while you’re home one day. Whether you are doing dishes, laundry, reading a book, or cooking dinner, just start getting comfortable wearing your suit. Building self-confidence takes time and practice. If you aren’t comfortable walking around in it by yourself, how are you going to confidently wear it this summer?
Practising around your house not only can boost your confidence but it also helps you determine if the suit is possibly too big or small. It’s better to find that out now when you have time to go shopping for a new one rather than when you’re in the middle of changing to go to the pool with your friends. Or even better you might just discover while wandering past your bathroom mirror that the swimsuit bottoms make your booty look amazing. Hello confidence builder!
Surround Yourself With Empowerment
Body shaming is a real thing. It doesn’t even have to be directly aimed at you but even someone shaming others around you or comparing themselves (or you!) will only add to any self-doubt you may already have. Try to surround yourself with friends and family who will help bring you up rather than tear you, or other people around you, down. Of course, you are still going to find those people that want to compare themselves to others which only leads to more feelings of insecurity. When you situate yourself with people who love you for you, you are more likely to be confident in yourself as well. Bathing with self-esteem is so much easier when you’re surrounded by positive vibing people too.
Find the Right Swimsuit for Your Body
Sometimes all it takes to build your confidence for rocking a swimsuit is to find the perfect one. Swimsuits vary in all different styles from tiny, barely covering bikinis to full coverage one-piece suits. Visiting a department store or starting to look online can be overwhelming with all the different options.
As with bathing suit styles all over the world, many Japanese swimsuits for girls are becoming more and more revealing as well. There are a few styles that flatter different body types and that will help you start bathing with self-esteem in no time.
One Piece
A one-piece swimsuit is a go-to for any girl looking for more coverage and maybe more support. This classic suit is perfect for a wide range of body types as they typically range in different styles and coverage as well. If you’re not confident about your stomach, there are some one-pieces that have side panelling or ruching for extra tummy love.
Bikini
This is another classic style that typically refers to the basic bikini triangle shape with ties around the neck and behind the back. This style is great as you can loosen or tighten the strings as you need them.
High Waist Bottom
One of the newest trends to come into the girls’ Japanese swimsuit scene are bikinis with high waisted bottoms. This style brings back the retro fashion from the 1950s where the bottoms come up over your hips and up to the belly button. A high waist bikini is perfect for those wanting to emphasize their booty.
Tankini
The tankini is a fashionable style that lets you feel even more covered while still maybe rocking a fun deep cutout. Tankinis usually have a fitted bust with an empire waist that provides full coverage but also isn’t skin tight.
Underwire Swimsuit Top
For those looking to “hold up the girls”, an underwire bathing suit top gives that extra support if you have a curvy chest. If you’re looking to emphasize your chest more, similar to a bra an underwire swimsuit top can provide a little extra boost as well!
This being said, if you find that yellow polka dot bikini and it’s calling your name, don’t hold back! The most important swimsuit characteristic is that it makes you feel good.
Throwing on a swimsuit and bathing with self-esteem is no easy task. Sometimes it takes practice, empowering friends, shrugging off a juice detox advertisement, or maybe just finding that perfect swimsuit. In any case, try focusing more on how much fun you’re having out enjoying the summer with your friends or on that dream vacation with your family. Whatever it takes, it’s important to know that every single body is a summer body and no one else needs to understand that more than you!