Yes it's that time of year again when the longed for summer holiday countdown starts :) I absolutely love our summer holiday...sun, sand & sangria - I mean what's not to love...two weeks off work, routine, cooking & housework.... just sheer bliss & nothing on the agenda apart from some serious sunbathing, chillaxing, siestas, eating & drinking plus of course some quality time with loved ones.
Of course summer holidays also mean having to strip down in front of complete strangers to expose yourself far more than you would normally. But thankfully due to the heatwave we've recently being experiencing it has meant that I have gone from blindingly white to lightly tanned to avoid having to blind everyone at the pool.
However, on slipping into a few of my bikinis these past few weeks I have noticed that the elasticity in a couple of them has started to go. Which let's face it isn't going to be a great look poolside, let alone the worry & horror of exposing the odd white bit by mistake ;)
So I have started the dreaded bikini hunt. Of course if I'd have known that I was going to be in the market for a new bikini I would have started my search earlier, cause of course a lot of the bikinis I like are now not available in my size, which is a result of either everyone getting in before me or the summer sales or of course both!!
Now I'm not sure about you but I'm not one to spend a fortune on a bikini. To me it seems madness to spend an arm & a leg on something which yes looks stunning but let's face it all I'm going to be doing in it is sweating (I'm guessing I'm building a great picture here!!) & cover it in suncream and chlorine. I mean I for one can think of far more exciting things to spend my money on that will be worn far more than two weeks a year plus the odd day in the garden.
Of course that's not to say I want to go too cheap on the bikini front either after having had a very near miss in a Primark bikini a few years ago! Now it may have just been me being unlucky as said bikini looked & felt great but the problem manifested itself when I got in the pool (which let me tell you is not something I do that regularly.....we're talking serious heat & near fainting due to said heat before I & the pool are acquainted) & came to exit said pool & let's just say water levels in the pool seemed to drop significantly upon my exit with the missing water seeming to end up in my bikini & me looking a bit like a child whose worn a nappy in pool & emerges seriously waterlogged!!!!! On a positive note it helped keep me cool as it was sooo water logged it wouldn't dry out for the rest of the day and we're talking mid to high 30 degrees here. Which on a positive note meant I didn't need to go back into the pool for the rest of the day.....thank goodness as there may have been an uproar from fellow guests as the pool would have been in serious danger of going from a swimming to a paddling pool!!!!
So to avoid such a disaster again & to avoid breaking the bank I tend to shop on the high street for said swimwear & pray to the god of swimwear that there isn't anyone else in the same bikini, let alone a stunningly 6ft, longed legged, firm & smooth as a peach blond stunner in the same one showing everyone just how good said bikini could look. Which is one of the reasons I tend to stick to plain swimwear & hope that with accessories if there is someone else in the same swimwear we won't look like long lost non-identical twins.
So having looked online to see what's out there here's my round up of the one's that have made my shortlist & surprisingly they're not from good old M&S, which is where I seem to usually end up but from ASOS & River Island. Both places I haven't brought bikinis from before so let's hope there aren't anymore disasters in the offing!!!
First up is this gorgeous floral number from ASOS. Now not being made from the same mould as the Baywatch models, as much as I love the little triangle bikini tops, which seem to be available in some lovely designs I need all the help I can get & this bikini top is the perfect shape. I find the balcony style top to be perfect as it offers just that bit more structure & uplift which I so desperately need & think the pattern & colours on this little beauty are stunning.
Next up is this gorgeous red bikini from River Island, which comes in my favourite shade of red, looks absolutely stunning with a tan & would look great teamed with some metallic accessories too. I also love the halter neck design, which helps give that all important 'lift' & the pre-moulded cups/padding helps in the Baywatch department, without the need to resort to gel filled bikini tops which can in my experience also feel a little bit unstable & insecure. Plus of course I don't want to necessarily look bigger just not have everything flattened & looking like it's heading further South than it is!!!
Next up is this classic bikini from River Island, which I love on several counts. Firstly I think the colour teamed with the gold bar is just stunning. Secondly I love the fact that it also has pre-moulded cups to help with shaping & support & thirdly I love that it has a removable strap so can become strapless to avoid those annoying white strap marks & isn't like a normal bikini in that you have to undo your straps. Which is a blessing if you're anything like me & prone to the odd sneaky siesta, as of course you have to remember on waking said straps are undone. Or of course when you leap up in shock when some kid/young at heart dad dive bombs into the pool showering you with freezing cold water in the process (of course this may just be me!!!)....then everyone really would be given the shock of their lives!!!
Now having said I don't generally go for patterned swimwear, I have this year decided to take Bet along on holiday with me. After 39 years I thought she deserved to get some sun too & I just couldn't resist this little number especially as it's in the same style as the red bikini & ticks all my boxes....although of course our son is rolling his eyes in disbelief!!
Finally I also love the look of this metallic twist bikini. I'm not sure if it comes with pre-formed cups or if it has removable pads (which I'm not a big fan of from a point of helping with shape plus have you ever tried putting the padding back after the bikini has been washed.....such a faff). But I think it would be worth further investigation as I just love the gold thread, which would look simply stunning with a tan against the skin.
Moving on to a quick round up on my New Look cami, I can report back that for the price it's fab.
Although personally I've decided that I would like one like my black Zara cami with a 'V' neckline as I just find it more flattering. So I've done a quick reckie of what's around & have found these great ones from ASOS which are available in candy, chartreuse, petrol, white (a little see-through for my liking I have to admit), black, soft nude & blush. My favourite of which being these colours.
Now unfortunately I've got it into my head that I especially need a cream one, which ASOS don't do (typical!!) so a little bit more internet cruising & I found this great one from Topshop. Now I have yet to see this little beauty in the flesh but I'm keeping everything crossed because I have already gotten soooo much wear out of my black one I know a cream one (& maybe a bright one too!) will be getting a lot of wear on holiday & if we're lucky & this glorious heat continues when we're home too!
Finishing with a round up of my outfits from the last few days.
Outfit One
Necklace - Brought in Italy
Dress - Monsoon
Bracelet - J Crew
Tan Wedges - Zara
Outfit Two
Draped Top - Zara
Necklace - Zara
Bracelet - J Crew
Trousers - Zara
Wedges - M&S
Outfit Three
T-shirt - Zara
Shorts - H&M
Sparkly Ballet Pumps - Zara
Outfit Four
Necklace - Zara
Draped Top - Zara
Leather Cuff - Banana Republic
Belt - H&M
Skirt - Zara
Wedges - M&S
So there you have it my round up of the bikinis which have made my 'to try' list. Sadly I won't be resembling anything near the models wearing them but if they cover the bits I want covered & stay in place I'll be happy(ish!!).
So do you have a bikini style that works for you? Or perhaps you've had a near if not actual bikini disaster? As always I love hearing your thoughts.
Have a glorious few days x
Remind me to avoid swimwear from Primark! Oh that did make me laugh! I am also off on our annual pilgrimage to the Costa's in a few weeks and am also in need of new bikini's but am looking for deeper bottoms this time. Your choices are lovely and my daughters get a lot of theirs from River Island xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon, it may have just been me with the Primark one but needless to say I haven't tried another one!!! That's good to hear about the River Island ones...fingers crossed & have a great hols too x
DeleteI have never yet found a bikini that flatters my shape (and I also hate swimsuits too) so I'm doomed really! Some lovely ones here - I love the halter neck ones from River Island - great shape. Lynne x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne, I just love halter neck bikinis and that red one is such a gorgeous colour too! x
ReplyDeleteHi! I love the red River Island one! I love my tankini but would love to get back into a bikini one day! You look amazing in the red dress! Ax
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea, that shade of red has to be one of my favourite & I bet you'd look great in a bikini. Hope you're well x
DeleteI am new to your blog having discovered it through Avril at Schoolgatestyle.
ReplyDeleteI love the style of your blog and Good Luck with the bikini shopping.
I just got a lovely new one from the Fig Leaves sale.
Hi, thank you so much for your lovely comments. It's always lovely to hear that someone new is enjoying my blog. I must check out Fig Leaves as that's one place I haven't looked at so thank you for the tip off! x
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