Give Me Something I Could Use!

I have to be honest with you all: I’m getting a little bit tired of going over swimsuit suggestions online and only seeing models as examples! There are so many links out there with the “ultimate swimsuit guide”, or stuff like “if this is your body type, then wear this”, but when you look at the pictures, none of these women are even close to being pear shaped, have remarkably large busts, or have any need at all to hide their tummies. Don’t get me wrong, kudos to all those models, and to all of you out there that aren’t models but still look like them. You all look absolutely fantastic! But, those of us who are not on magazine covers can’t really relate to any of those body types. At least the true curvy pear shaped (AKA me!) is definitely not in there.

Where do all of us “non models” go for swimsuit ideas? Pinterest and Instagram have several great pictures of swimsuits for plus sizes and curvy girls, but even then every plus size or curvy bodies have different shapes. Besides all that, we have different skin tones, tanning patterns, and most importantly different styles. While some of us are comfortable with lots of skin exposure, others are a fan of vintage style swimsuits, which usually don’t show as much. Another extremely important fact is that there’s a huge difference between someone posing for a picture in full makeup and a beautiful scenario in the back, and us simply looking at ourselves in a mirror. There’s no Photoshop for the naked eye, right? 

With all those things in mind, I came up with an idea. But for that I’m going to need your help. I’d like to put together a log of everyday women in their swimsuits, in order to comment on the photos and suggest different shapes, colors, and patterns. And, of course, congratulate the smart choices! The comments will be merely suggestive; sometimes with a little tweak here, or a different color there, we could be wearing the swimsuit of a champion! Won’t it be fun to have a go-to place where we could actually see people like ourselves to have an idea of what really suits us?

So, ladies out there: if it isn’t too much to ask, could you all go through your albums and send me your swimsuit pictures? Old ones, recent ones, other family member ones… I want them all! Help me create a tool that we could all use. I’ll even start with myself, to get the ball rolling :)

Of course names and faces will only be displayed with consent. It’s body types, skin tones and swimsuits we’re looking for here, not candidates for a bashing session. I promise to give you my best work, if you promise to send your pictures my way. Pinkie swear!

Please send your pics to oh.my.swimsuit@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Happy Sunny Day

If you live in Vancouver like I do, you’re used to grey days and lots of rain, especially during these fall and winter months. For a city with such predictable weather you’d think it wouldn’t be such a hot topic, but you’d be wrong. And as much as I don’t want the finger pointed at me, I’m guilty as charged for having that exact habit: I complain about the weather all winter long! I guess people’s moods and feelings are really affected by the lack of sunshine, so maybe constantly discussing the weather is a coping mechanism we’ve developed to feel a bit better about the whole thing. At least that’s my excuse…

Although I am fully aware that I complain way more than the average Joe, at the end of my arguments I always try to remind myself of how good I feel when I’m in the sun. And I do that in several different ways: I think of my next vacation, or I try to bring back a memory of a sunny place I recently visited, or I even check the weather network to see how hot it is elsewhere in the world! Yes, I get that this last one makes me sound like a bit of crazy (I swear that’s a habit I picked up from a friend!) but I gotta admit that there is no vitamin D that replaces the happy feeling sunshine brings, even if it is through a memory or an anticipating feeling.

Yesterday, for example, a couple from my trampoline class told us they’re not going to be back for our next session because they’re going to Nicaragua for a few months. Right then, I imagined myself being in Nicaragua instead of here in the pouring rain, and I couldn’t help but feel good. I’m still taking a recommended dose of vitamin D, but that feeling was a definite freebie.

I’d like to invite you all to try my “sun-thinking therapy” today and see if it works for you. I mean today because it is a miserably rainy grey day here in Vancouver, but any grey or rainy day will do. When the weather is making you feel a bit discouraged, close your eyes and imagine yourselves at your next sunny getaway, or think about the last time you sat by the ocean, by a lake or a pool, or anywhere where you enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine. Doesn’t it make you feel better?

Keep in mind that this is my theory, and that I have nothing but myself to show for as a result. If anything, look at it as a chance to try something different, even if it is to prove me wrong. But who knows, it could also work for you, so try it and see!

Below is some inspiration if you’re having trouble imagining. This was taken today by a friend of mine in Las Vegas, it is 30°C there today!! 

Happy Sunny Day to all of you out there, whether it’s outside or in your minds!

It’s Always Swimsuit Season

Yes, winter is on its way, at least it’s the case for those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere. So, how is it that swimsuit season is not yet over?

Although a sunny beach or poolside are the first things that comes up when we think bathing suits, that’s not necessarily the only situation where they come into play. Cold weather is not a showstopper when it comes to swimwear. Several swimsuit related activities are done indoors, in the water, and (surprise, surprise!) outdoors as well.

Think of all water sports: swimming, diving, water polo, water aerobics… and so many others. All those activities are done indoors throughout the fall and winter, and require that we wear swimsuits while doing them. Hot yogis have, slowly but surely, started changing from their regular workout gear into their swimsuits for a more comfortable practice. Not really a water sports person? Well, it doesn’t all have to be about exercise. Spray tanning for example is something that you do in your swimwear, and a day at a spa will at some point require pool attire. The great indoors have plenty of opportunities for showing off that lovely new swimsuit!

When it comes to outdoors, there are obviously not as many examples. But, if winter brings snow activities (downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow shoeing, skating, etc.), it also brings the very sought after relaxation time afterwards. And where do a lot of us go to for that? Hot tubs! How good does that soak feel after a long day of exercise? Pretty good, right? But even better when it’s done outside, with a view of mountains, the moon and stars, or even of a few snowflakes falling.   

Last but not least, we have our winter getaways, for when indoor swimming and outdoor hot tubs are just not enough. Taking a break from our harsh winter to Hawaii, Mexico, and many other sunny destinations is a great opportunity for swimsuit shopping.

Whether it is indoors or out, there’s always a good reason to wear a swimsuit. Pick your favorite, get out there and look fabulous!

To Be or Not to Be Brazilian

A comment I hear a lot when talking about Oh My Swimsuit is something along the lines of “of course you’re great at this, you’re Brazilian!”

Yes, I am Brazilian. I’ve been living in Canada for almost 5 years now. And as much as my friends back home say I’ve changed so much since coming here, I seem to be clearly Brazilian to the folks on this side of the globe. I understand cultural differences, faced my own challenges while adjusting here in Vancouver, but I still wonder what it is that makes me stand out in such an “obviously Brazilian” way.

Although I have heard the term “Brazilian” to describe several different things, from hair do’s, to esthetical procedures, clothing and even body parts, I am always amused when I ask people what they mean by it. Rarely does it have to do with my country, its culture or my personality; it’s merely a simple word choice. For some reason this particular word seems to have some serious hype to it.

Never mind what the reason for that is, I’ll take all the hype I can get! And if what comes to mind when people think Brazilian women and swimwear is famous brands and models, then the natural conclusion which comes from that is extremely flattering. Think about it: Gisele looks great in a bikini. Therefore Oh My Swimsuit is a no brainer :) How kind of you!!

So, I guess the question I should be asking is what comes to your mind when you hear the word Brazilian, or better Brazilian swimwear. Does it mean women looking beautiful in a way you’d want to look as well? Or, are they beautiful, but perhaps a little too exposed for your opinion? Or do you just see them as too exposed all together, and not find that tasteful at all? 

Whatever your opinion is, you’re absolutely entitled to it, and there is no right or wrong. However, Oh My Swimsuit is about us feeling good about ourselves. As I’ve stated before, I strongly believe that we all can and should feel great, in whatever attire we decide to wear. And if passing that feeling on to others is part of what makes me so obviously Brazilian, then hopefully my “Brazilianess” is so contagious it will be felt by each every one of my clients, no matter where they're from.

A Swimsuit for Every Occasion

Swimsuit shopping is uncomfortable enough. That is, without the help of Oh My Swimsuit :) So when we finally decide upon one, a lot of times it becomes the equivalent of the Little Black Dress. Personally I feel you can’t go wrong with a black dress; I myself own at least 3! But when it comes to swimsuits, is there really one that we could consider a ‘Jack of all Trades’?

Well, that depends on a few things. First of all, how many activities do you do in your swimwear? Do you only tan? Tan and swim? Swim for exercise? Play a beach sport? Each of these answers could lead to a completely different swimsuit choice.

Clearly, a poolside type of person requires less of a swimsuit wardrobe than someone who water paddles, or plays beach volleyball. We could definitely dare to show a bit more skin, or not have the strongest support if we’re not jumping or rowing. The more movement we’re doing, of low or high impact, the more we feel the need for that extra bit of support.

So, do women who only tan have an advantage over those of us who exercise in our bathing suits? Should we choose another form of exercise in order to avoid the extra swimwear consumption? Not just yet.

Although it may not seem like it, the truth is that swimwear has evolved so much over time that we now have several different options and styles that allow us to truly multitask in our swimsuits. Straps can easily be put on or taken off, boy shorts are back in style, allowing for less booty exposure while moving, padding has been discreetly inserted into the swimsuit tops, which help with the shape and support… all of a sudden the same styles could be worn for laying by the water as well as for that long run by the waves. No matter what the situation, nowadays anything and everything goes when it comes to swimwear and its related activities. It, once again, comes down to what works best for you.

Having said all that, I have to admit I’m somewhat of a swimsuit collector. I have several pairs, of different shapes and sizes, for whatever mood I happen to be in. And as much as some of those could be worn for a swimming lesson as well as to a pool party, I’m just the kind of woman that enjoys having a swimsuit for every occasion. 
What about you?