Spring break has either come and gone, is happening right now or is just around the corner for you. Either way, spring break is that little taste of summer that you get for a week, which often means spending time at the beach or a pool, which ultimately leads to bathing suits.
Bathing suits can be a stressful thought for anyone. Usually one or two small items of clothing that you wear in the bright sun which exposes your body in some type of way.
Many people struggle with bathing suit season; while not feeling comfortable in “trendy” bathing suits and/or being embarrassed wearing a less revealing bathing suit while most of the other people their age are all wearing bikinis or swim shorts with no rash-guard.
Bathing suits can be a struggle for everyone, so it’s incredibly important to remember to NOT judge anyone’s bathing suit choices this spring/summer season. Here are some important things to remember:
The girl in the one-piece bathing suit is not a “prude”: Not everyone is up for flaunting their body, and that’s totally okay, or maybe it’s just as simple as they thought it was a cute suit and decided to wear it that day? Either way, one-piece suits are adorable and nice options for people who aren’t totally comfortable with exposing their midriff. And DO NOT EVER say to someone who is wearing a one-piece, “Why are you wearing a one-piece? Your body is nice enough for a bikini!” You might think it’s a compliment, but just trust me, it’s not.
The girl who doesn’t have a quote on quote “skinny” figure is just as allowed to wear a bikini: There are some people who don’t fit into the “skinny figure” stereotype that is shown in bikini campaigns, who still love to wear bikinis and flaunt their bodies, and that’s awesome! Loving the body you’re in can be challenging, and we should be applauding anyone who loves their body just the way it is, not making mean, unnecessary remarks or giving rude stares.
The guy who doesn’t have abs is allowed to wear swim shorts without a rashguard: Basically the same gist as the last one. Some people feel more comfortable in a rash-guard and that’s okay! But not everyone wants to wear an extra layer of clothing, especially when it’s the middle of summer and it feels like 100 degrees outside. Body positivity is important for every gender, if someone doesn’t feel the need to wear a rashguard, even though they do not have rock hard abs, then that’s fine! Again, loving the body you’re in is challenging, don’t bring other people down for it.
Lastly, the girl who wears a push-up top and/or cheeky bottoms is not a “slut”: What you wear to the beach does not represent your dignity! Cheeky bottoms have become the latest trend in bathing suits and I personally love them. They stop those weird looking tan lines and don’t sag like normal bottoms do. But of course, people have to unnecessarily comment stuff like, “why would you want to show your whole butt off?” “Is there any modesty left these days?” “I don’t want my children seeing that!” It’s. Not. That. Deep. Let people wear what they want to wear without putting your two cents in. And as for your children, maybe it’s time to tell them that… hear me out…. everybody has a butt!
The bottom line: wear whatever bathing suit you feel comfortable in, and do not judge other people’s bathing suit choices. I know bathing suits can be a struggle for everyone, so whether you decide to wear an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini, or swim shorts and a rash-guard, you’re awesome and I admire your confidence!
