Are you like me? I go to my dreaded swimsuit drawers (I have expanded to two) to search out bathing suits and what do I find? No less than 17 combinations of one-pieces, two-pieces, tankinis, shorts, swim dresses, and cover-ups.
Sizes range from large to, well, larger. Summer after summer, I just keep cramming those puppies in. I’ll buy a suit on sale at the end of the season. Never discarding. Hoping each year–when I open that swollen drawer–I can find something that fits and flatters. Yikes… I hope those swimsuits can breathe in there.
Today I decide to go through my swimsuit drawer. “Yes.” I say, “I only need one drawer for swimwear. Let’s delete, let’s simplify…just like I do each week when I edit my blog. Keep the best, and get rid of the superfluous.” Right?
Herein lies the problem. I have pieces that I think I might wear (and still can) but I’m not sure. I have found that there’s no substitute for trying suits on.
My cowriter Janna advises gals to put on some lipstick and fix our hair before trying on bathing suits. Why? “Because we women are so hypercritical of our bodies, it’s good to start out looking and feeling the best we can before we hit the dressing room.”
Okay, hair combed, lipstick on…let’s begin.
I categorically recommend throwing out swimwear if:
- You try it on and you feel as though you are being asphyxiated by a mighty rubber band.
- Ruffles you thought were once flattering at your bustline, have moved to your waist.
- You stretch the suit and the elastic powders up in your hand and disappears like a magic trick.
Yes, definitely trash–basura–into the garbage.
But I also discovered I could save some suits I thought were goners. Here are some problems and possible fixes for your old swimsuits:
Nipple Viewing – I found a wonderful old suit I had forgotten about in my SS drawer. Problem: When I put it on, there wasn’t enough padding to conceal my nipples. And the fabric wasn’t a dark color–it was a beautiful aqua, so my nipples not only looked perky, but bright.
There are nipple covers made specifically for this purpose. They are called nip covers or breast petals. (My husband refers to them as pasties.) But I’ve found, in a pinch, that duct tape works well to disguise the protruding spot. Really. I tried it.
It’s waterproof and cheap. My suggestion is to cut a small circle out of a paper towel, then stick it onto the larger piece of duct tape. (The paper towel circle will cover the ‘pencil eraser’ part of your nipple.) Also, you should remove the duct tape while you are in the shower. Moistening beforehand definitely reduces the pain of peel-off.
Saddle Bag Camouflage – If you have a swimsuit that still fits, but your thighs are a little more thunderous than they once were, consider wearing a pareo or a large scarf tied at your hips. Less bulky, and more stylish, than a towel.
Misfits – Got swimwear pieces that don’t fit? Toss them. But don’t be afraid to mix and match the leftover tops and bottoms, even if they’re not twins.
Here’s how I got maximum space from my swimsuit drawer using a divider I made from a cardboard box:
Voila, swimsuits and cover-ups at a glance…ALL in one drawer. Hallelujah!
Here’s one cover-up I think I’ll keep.
Okay, stop laughing.
PLEASE, PLEASE comment below and tell me how many swimsuits you own. Hopefully I’m not the only hoarder out there.
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8 Comments
Still laughing about your “perky and bright,” nipple comment. Great tip about the duct tape. I wonder if paper tape would work. Not sure it’s waterproof.
You do have a lot of bathing suits. Where did you get your divider? The divider idea could be used for other items also.
My problem is that if its in a drawer, I forget I own it. Probably related to my learning style.
Nancy,
No need to buy a divider. I just cut the top panels off a stiff cardboard box and taped them together to create my own divider. Make the divider a little longer than your drawer, then fold the edges and tape edges of cardboard to the sides of the drawers. Maybe I should have shown more detail in my photos. Customize dividers to fit any drawers!
I do have a pool at my home, so maybe that’s why I have more swimsuits than most. When I asked Janna how many swimsuits she has, she answered, “One.” Now I do feel like a hoarder. Ha. Thanks for writing.
I have 5, ranging in size 14 to 20! I even have 2 of the same in different sizes. I feel I need to be ready for whatever the scales throw at me!
Thanks so much for the divider tip -it will come in handy.
Janine,
I can totally relate. Who knows what size we will be from one season to the next? It’s always a mystery.
I LOVE your quote: “I need to be ready for whatever the scales throw at me!”
Thank you so much for writing.
Sharon
Oh, Sharon,
I did the Swimsuit Drawer clean out last summer. Now I’m the owner of only 4 swim suits?❤️!!
I loved the blog and I so identified with your 3 examples of the large rubber band, the disintegrating elastic, but especially the bustling ruffles that had dropped “south” to my waist????????!!!! That was one of my worst discoveries a year ago. I wore many strapless suits which are now things of the past !
Great article which I thoroughly enjoyed! (Oh, I believe I liberated 4 swim suits last year?!)
❤️Diane
Diane,
You ARE good. Only 4 suits. Now I do feel like a hoarder. I guess I’m keeping suits that I used to wear in hopes that I’ll wear them again, but it’s not happening. You have inspired me to cull MORE.
I did include cover-ups in my count. I’ll subtract them. It will definitely make me feel better. Ha.
You are a dear for writing.
Sharon
I have 8 suits and 5 cover ups. A couple of suits will only see the light of day in my own back yard pool!! I usually purchase one or two well constructed (it takes a lot to keep the girls covered), pricy suits and wear them for a couple of years before buying new. I may have a small problem of letting the old, much too small suits go?
Lori,
Now I do feel better. I guess when you can go out into your own backyard and not worry about onlookers, you can wear an old suit that you’d NEVER dream of wearing in public. Ha.
Sharon