Pia Rossini Blue Casablanca Maxi Dress - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
Morning ladies it's that time of year again when we all start thinking summer holidays - lazy days spent lounging by the pool feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin & wearing next to nothing in clothing. Yup it's sun, sea & swimwear time.
There can't be many of us that don't feel a little *a lot!* uneasy at the thought of having to bare our bodies & although I promise myself each year that I'll feel that little bit less self conscious it doesn't really change. After all who doesn't like to participate in a spot of people watching whilst away?! Which for me includes noting what everyone's wearing & storing any styling ideas away to be used at a later date. But knowing that the majority of us all love doing this, also makes me more self conscious & I'm constantly in awe of other women you appear to be a hundred per cent confident in their own skin.
Of course I do think sun kissed skin helps with confidence levels together with trying to stay fit & healthy but the main factor I've found to help me is by wearing good quality, stylish & well fitted swimwear.
I've been lucky enough to have worked with Coco Bay, an online retailer specialising in holiday clothing & swimwear & now sportswear too, for the past two summers (see here & here) & one thing I can vouch for is that it really is worth spending a little bit extra on your swimwear. Yes we generally only wear it a couple of weeks a year but if you look after it, it will last. Plus & this is the biggie for me it will not only hold you in & stay put but will also make you feel good & we all know if we feel good about ourselves our confidence boosts too.
Needless to say Coco Bay have a stunning selection of not only swimwear but beach dresses & kaftans, not to mention all the stylish accessories you could need from sun hats, through to jewellery to beach bags & flip flops with new styles being added all the time.
With just under 3 months until we go away on our main summer holiday (yes we are already in countdown mode.....what can I say it officially began last September :-0 ) I've been lucky enough to have been able to choose some of my top picks to share with you. Plus they've kindly given me a fab discount code to share - 15% off everything including sale items with code MID1517 :-)
So let's get started with this stunning royal blue maxi dress. Available in two sizes, I'm wearing the S/M & even on my pale skin the colour is stunning. It's lovely & light to wear so perfect for keeping cool in the midday sun & easy to take on & off. Plus due to the texture of material doesn't need ironing :-) & has the most stunning lace detailing on the back. I'm planning on wearing mine mainly with my swimwear underneath but if you want to wear it as a dress for evening or sightseeing I'd suggest wearing a waisted underskirt underneath & investing in some form of invisible bra.
Pia Rossini Blue Casablanca Maxi Dress - 15% off with code MID1517
Talking of items that don't require ironing....always a big tick from me, especially when it comes to that huge mountain of clothing that far out passes the ironing basket on your return from holidays is this hot pink tassel trimmed kaftan. I've been wearing the navy version of this for the past two summers & it's ideal for throwing on over your swimwear for to & from the pool or when partaking in refreshments/lunch.
Seafolly Amnesia Kaftan Tahiti - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Shimmer Twist Bandeau Bikini Top - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Shimmer Ruched Side Retro Bikini Pant - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
Considering I wear so many neutral colours with my day to day clothing, come swimwear I just can't resist some of the more vibrant shades - although you'll still spot me wearing some black & navy, such as this lovely strapless black shimmer bikini. Which isn't so much discotheque more a very subtle glow.
Seafolly Shimmer Twist Bandeau Bikini Top - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Shimmer Ruched Side Retro Bikini Pant - 15% off with code MID1517
In terms of sizing I always go by Coco Bay's size guide, which you will find individual advice on per each item & what's brilliant is you buy your bikini tops separately to your bottoms so if you need a different size in each you can. Plus Coco Bay generally offer different styled tops & bottoms in each colour so you can choose your look & opt for something that's going to suit you & your body shape. Which is perfect for me as I've sized up in the top on the above bikini & then taken my normal size in the bottoms.
Personally I love strapless bikinis as you don't have to worry about strap lines or undoing them & then forgetting to do them up before getting up from the sun lounger ;-) And of all the strapless bikinis I've tried over the years these really do stay put. So much so that I no longer bother to take the detachable neck straps.
Seafolly Amnesia Kaftan Tahiti - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly DD U Tube Maillor Swimsuit - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Tropic of Blue Embroidered Kaftan - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Kiara Bustier Bikini Top - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Pleated Hipster Bikini Pant - 15% off with code MID1517
Two colours I think are totally timeless for swimwear have to be a vibrant red, which looks so good with a tan & also classic black. If you've been following the blog for a while you will probably recognise that I've got the above red bikini in several different colours & it really does have to be my favourite style.
Seafolly Tropic of Blue Embroidered Kaftan - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Kiara Bustier Bikini Top - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Pleated Hipster Bikini Pant - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
And just how stunning is this beautiful embroidered kaftan? Another summer staple that I can enjoy wearing year after year. I'm wearing a size S & would say it's pretty true to size.
Seafolly Kiara Bustier Bikini Top - 15% off with code MID1517
One of the reasons this bikini is a firm favourite is I just love the pleated bustier detailing, not to mention the fact that the moulded cups really do give a lovely shape & support.
Hipanema Luna Bracelet in White/Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
Seafolly Tropic of Blue Embroidered Kaftan - 15% off with code MID1517
I always seem to wear a lot more bracelets come the sunnier months & I love the idea of layering lots of different designs together to create an individual look. Although this can become a nightmare when packing as one year I would hate to guess at the amount I took to go with various outfits during the holiday! But these Hipanema bracelets are ideal for creating the same look & so much easier to take off with just the one clasp. Available in lots of different colours (see here), I opted to go for a neutral one that will go with everything & really earn it's keep.
Seafolly DD U Tube Maillor Swimsuit - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
As I get older the one thing I just can't be bothered with is suffering with uncomfortable feet. So for me come the daytime all I want to wear is a simple pair of flip flops that are not only kind on my feet but also aren't going to see me go flying on wet tiles around the pool. If you don't already own a pair then I'd seriously consider investing in some Havaianas - comfy, padded & with grips - just perfect. Personally I'd go for a neutral colour that will go with everything like these metallic silver ones but there are lots of other colours here.
Seafolly DD U Tube Maillor Swimsuit - 15% off with code MID1517
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops in Grey Silver - 15% off with code MID1517
Of course not everyone loves a bikini & having started to wear swimsuits the last couple of years I can definitely see the merits in going for a one piece & Coco Bay certainly have lots of lovely temptations here.
This year I've picked the above black ruched strapless number, which I also own in an emerald green shade. As with the bikinis there's no straps to have to worry about undoing/doing up & it really does stay put. Plus it's super flattering on the problem area most of us ladies really have a problem loving about ourselves & that's our tummies & it's design will never date.
And finally how stunning is the cutout dress? I just love the colour not to mention the fact it can be worn as I've shown below or as a sarong. Plus it's available in two other colours & also a longer version too.
Seaglass Cutout Dress - 15% off with code MID1517
As I've already mentioned at the beginning of this post these picks are just a small taster of all the stunning colours & designs on offer at Coco Bay, so please check out their full range here. And just to tempt you further, if you're after a statement swimsuit you won't do better than this, plus I just love this halterneck maxi dress & if you're one of these ladies that can cope with sleeves in the midday sun (I just end up getting all tangled up & stuck when trying to slip a longsleeved top on) then this kaftan has the real wow factor.
Back to today & sadly there's no cocktails & sunbathing on offer so I'm keeping things really simple with my frill detailed blouse from Marks, which I'm teaming with some boyfriend jeans & trainers.
Blouse - Marks & Spencer
Jeans - Baukjen - 15% off with code MIDLIFEFASHION217
Trainers - Golden Goose
Blouse - Marks & Spencer
Jeans - Baukjen - 15% off with code MIDLIFEFASHION217
Trainers - Hush
So ladies what are your thoughts on swimwear this season? Are you a bikini girl or have you moved over to the one piece? Or perhaps you're like me & prefer a mixture of the two? I'd love to hear which beauties are tempting you over at Coco Bay. Maybe you're already a loyal customer & thinking of investing in a couple of new pieces for your holidays this year? If so I'd love to know what. Or perhaps you've yet to take the plunge in treating yourself to swimwear that costs a little more. If so then why not invest in just one the piece & see how it compares this summer & perhaps make it a yearly treat to invest in one extra piece each year. And seeing as you can currently get 15% off everything including all sale items it's a really great time to 'click that button'. Just click here & use code MID1517 at checkout.
I don't know about you but all this talk of swimwear has got me longing for holidays. There's just nothing quite like it is there. No work, no chores & most importantly time spent with you're loved ones making memories - precious times indeed.
Enjoy your Sunday ladies & as always I'll see you in the morning.
Shop My Midlife Loves
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