I just got back from an amazing whirlwind of a trip to Europe with my family where we traveled to Spain, France, and Italy via cruise ship and ended with two nights in Paris. Calling it the best vacation ever would be selling it short, and although it wasn’t my first trip overseas, Europe stole my heart again. But more about that later, let’s talk about this statement making swimsuit.
If you had told me that I’d be wearing a one piece swimsuit at 24 a few years ago, I would have laughed and told you that would never happen. However, after gaining the dreaded Freshman 15 my senior year of college and it not coming off after I entered the workforce (I know, cue the eye rolls), the one piece trend is one I’m extremely happy to embrace till I get my butt to the gym and get my abs back.
When I saw this Mara Hoffman lookalike at H&M, I knew I had to have it and couldn’t wait to wear it at our first port of call, Mallorca, Spain. Perk of a one piece swimsuit number one – all you need to do is throw on a pair of cut off jean shorts as a cover up, no top needed. I would even consider wearing this out as a bodysuit with shorts in a beach town with my girlfriends! Perk number two – the wild pattern and low cut top drew attention away from my lower stomach (which I’m most self conscious about), so I didn’t feel the need to constantly suck in every second like I do when I’m in a bikini. Paired with a straw hat I snagged in a boutique in Barcelona and some statement bracelets, the best accessory was that I actually felt confident in a swimsuit for the first time in about a year. There’s been a huge positive body image movement in the past year or so, so embrace it! If you feel comfortable in a bikini, rock it, if you prefer a one piece, then work that too.
Swimsuit | H&M
Hat | Barcelona
Shorts | Forever21
District Damsel 