Swimsuit shopping

Two words to strike fear in most any woman.  Well that was the mission that I took on recently.

I'd been wearing a black CK swim dress (kinda like this one) for pregnancy and postpartum (the last two summers), which I'd gotten a million years decade ago in Boston for $30 for just that purpose, and have now clearly gotten my money's worth out of it.  I have a closet full of bikinis, thanks to my long torso, and though I didn't have any trouble losing the baby weight, thanks to breastfeeding and an insane metabolism, my bikini wearing days are (happily) over given my stretch marks are so large and severe I look like I got into a fight with a bear. 

I would have to wear one that looked like this to cover below the navel. 

And though it is cute, I just couldn't.

This is why one pieces were invented and honestly who wants to be that mom at the pool that looks like she is trying way too hard to cling to a meaningless vestige of her previous life.  Not this one.

I've been looking at suits online, since who has time or the sanity for trying them on in store with kids, which narrowed my focus significantly.  Places like Garnet Hill had lovely options and others like Land's End were very practical, but I ended up going with J.Crew swim yet again, since I had to finally decide, just like I have for most of the last 20 years (and hate if you must, I wear the same size I did then).

Ruched femme tank

(in long torso)

I got this recently (in dark blue) and am very happy with it.  My only critique (besides not having more long torso choices) is it has wider straps, which I don't usually go for given one of my least favorite things are strap lines, but I like the way it is cut and hangs.  Their swim sale is over, but the entire site is 25-30% off now w/code "SUMMER".