Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Red Dolly Swimwear

retro swimsuit

We're in the full swing of summer, so I finally got the chance to try out these two swimsuits from Red Dolly Swimwear! The sweet folks at Red Dolly were kind enough to send me the Bella (a high-waisted two-piece black suit with white polka dots) and their Mint & Fruit print one-piece suit (which has the cutest little citrus segment print). Both suits feature lovely prints, a halter tie top and a gathered center bust (which is lined with an elastic band underneath).

vintage swimsuit
white sunglasses
red dolly swimwear

Neither suit provided much support, but the citrus print one-piece came with padded bust cups, which I really appreciated; unfortunately, the two-piece didn't come with them, but you can add them to any suit for a small fee – and I'd definitely recommend that you have them added if you're well-endowed like I am. I chose to wear an XL in both suits, as I hate when swimsuits are too tight and expose too much, but I think I might've been better off in the size large, as they felt a bit roomy. However, these suits served me well for my beach day (well, faux-beach day, since I was on Lake Ontario, not the ocean) and a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Red Dolly has a ton of darling designs to choose from (and they make matching suits for both babies and little girls!). I'm actually dying to try out one of their cute swim skirts, and they have a couple of pastel suits I love! If you're eyeing one of these cute suits, you're in luck: you can take 20% off their order at Red Dolly Swimwear when you enter the code SAMMI at checkout!

modest swimwear
polka dot swimsuit
pin up swimsuit

So here's the thing: swimsuits can be very scary little creatures if you allow them to be (and admittedly, I often do). As a woman in our society, we're constantly bombarded with manipulated images of seemingly perfect models in skimpy swimwear, and it's difficult (at least for me) to not get down on yourself for not looking a certain way when you bare almost-all in a bathing suit. It's stupid. It's unnecessary. It's harmful. I believe 100% in body positivity and loving myself at any size... in theory. In practice, it's not always so easy. I've struggled with my weight and body image for most of my life, and it can be a real challenge to not critique things about my figure – especially when swimsuits are enter the picture. I don't like to equate what I weigh with how beautiful I feel, but if I'm being honest, the two do tend to have some sort of correlation – not because I don't believe that I'm attractive when I'm heavier, but because I personally don't feel healthy and happy at a larger size, and I'm sure that shows through.

high waisted swimwear
cute swimsuit
rockabilly swimsuit

I've made a lot of positive changes in the last few weeks, including losing 10+ pounds on Weight Watchers thus far – though please be assured that I'm more concerned with feeling like the best version of myself than the number on the scale. I'm on a bit of a journey. Part of that journey is embracing and celebrating how I look in the here and now, which can prove to be difficult when you're so focused on a particular result. Sometimes you just want to skip to the end, to the "after" photo. But that ideology sucks and I want to be cognizant of loving myself unconditionally. That being said... I wasn't thrilled with how I looked in some of the photos from these sets. Instead of appreciating the cute suits from Red Dolly, I would end up fixating on my body's supposed imperfections. Of course, as a blogger, I have the task of editing dozens of photos of myself, and that gives me the unique opportunity to pick apart every little roll and bit of cellulite I see. That's hard, and it's even harder to break that habit. The idea of exposing parts of yourself often kept private to potentially the whole of the internet is... daunting (especially when you don't have much control over where they might end up or how people might judge you). But you know what? I felt really cute in these pieces. They're really fun. I like how I look in the photos I chose to show here (even with my hair up, which I normally hate!). I don't look perfect or like a model, but that's anything I've ever really wanted. I just look like myself – "flaws" and all – and that's a pretty beautiful thing.

red dolly swim
Outfit Details
Bella and Mint & Fruit swimsuits: c/o Red Dolly Swimwear
Sunglasses: similar  ||  Watermelon beach towel: c/o Unique Vintage
Red bandana: similar  ||  Orange swim sarong: Amazon

watermelon beach towel

10 comments:

  1. YOU GO GIRL! You look amazing in these suits! I recently decided to do a bathing suit blog post and actually edited the photos last night so I know EXACTLY what you mean by it being tough. I hear you on ALL of this - this past year has been challenging for me as I've been noticing I have been gaining weight and it seems my metabolism is slowing down. It's shocking when you notice it and it's awful that our first reaction is pain and sadness. I am trying to stay active and just be mindful of what I am putting into my body - but I also don't want to deprive myself and be miserable. If I want froyo on a hot day, I will have it! Haha!

    But you're right, it's a journey. I can either be miserable and try to lose all the weight and work out like crazy and count calories, or I can focus on being healthy and love my body no matter what happens and love it each step of the way!!

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love 50s swimsuits! They fit you perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So Lovely! Its all about how you feel! And it doesn't hurt that you look fabulous too! :) xo, Red Dolly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome post. And it makes me feel comforted to know I'm not the only one who thinks and feels like that. I mean this could have been written by me basically. The part about being all for body positivity in theory but it being difficult in practice - I feel that all the time! I want nothing more than to love myself no matter size and measurement of my waist, especially since I claim that everyone is beautiful no matter size! But when it comes to me I become judgemental and harsh.
    Anyway, enough rambling, I think you look great. The swimsuits are really cute and you are beautiful!
    Hope you're having a great week.
    Much love,
    Mona

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You look amazing and so happy in these gorgeous photos! I have the grapefruit print in the bikini set, I love the sarong over it! You go girl, lots of positivity and changes seem to be happening for you lately. Me too, I have been through some changes lately but am embracing it and enjoying the ride (even if I get a bit scared) :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. "As a woman in our society, we're constantly bombarded with manipulated images of seemingly perfect models in skimpy swimwear, and it's difficult (at least for me) to not get down on yourself for not looking a certain way when you bare almost-all in a bathing suit. It's stupid. It's unnecessary. It's harmful. I believe 100% in body positivity and loving myself at any size... in theory. In practice, it's not always so easy. I've struggled with my weight and body image for most of my life, and it can be a real challenge to not critique things about my figure – especially when swimsuits are enter the picture. I don't like to equate what I weigh with how beautiful I feel, but if I'm being honest, the two do tend to have some sort of correlation – not because I don't believe that I'm attractive when I'm heavier, but because I personally don't feel healthy and happy at a larger size, and I'm sure that shows through."

    That so perfectly sums up how I generally feel regarding my weight, too, and how, I strongly suspect, many of us do as well. Thank you, truly, for speaking so candidly and for being the shining inspiration that you are, dear Sammi.

    This post, just like you, is beautiful and deeply important.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it is so true- we all love the "100% positive body image at any size" but it is easier said than done all the time. And it is just as important, I think, to acknowledge that it isn't easy as it is to say positive body image is important, so kudos to you!

    That said- you look amazing in these. And I really, really love your hair up in that retro look. Congrats on your bravery for sharing and talking about these things.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The mint one piece is so so cute! It is very hard to feel 100% confident and I do not necessarily think that would be healthy. It is much easier to feel like "you" and once you are able to feel confident in who you are, things like swim suits get a lot easier.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are killin' it in every single suit!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...