Listen I’m no Supermodel but I do know how to style my outfits to squeeze the absolute best possible me I can out of them. And you know what? I’m pretty happy with that. There’s no magic to it, only hard-earned confidence & many years of trial & error. Oh the trials & the monumental errors….
Trust me as soon as you stop caring what other people think you’ll feel a whole lot better about the way you look. Here’s a tip – Fake it until you make it. Sure it’s a cliché but it works, I know. I’m turning 50 in a couple of months & speaking from genuine experience here. Please believe me when I say I wasn’t always this confident, on the contrary, far from it. Yet now here I am exposing myself for the world to see, the funny thing is I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks about the way I look. In fact there isn’t anyone who can dent my confidence now after all the trials & tribulations I’ve survived. If you don’t feel the same way then why not? Only you can change the status quo. Nobody has that power but you. And for the record I shot this post at a public swimming pool with a tripod & remote control. There’s nothing more ludicrous than that but here’s the wonderful thing about self-confidence, I looked as if I was meant to be there. Nobody gawped or laughed or asked me to move. Quite the opposite actually. One couple even apologised for accidentally getting in my shot! They asked if I was shooting for a magazine Hahahaha I wish! No I told them, it was me who was interrupting their morning swim then I thanked them for their patience & finished up the last outfit shots. You see what I mean?
The Best Vintage Chanel Necklaces
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British brand M&Co asked their customers to complete a survey about their swimwear style & received a whopping 1300 responses! One of the most interesting findings was that 53% of women buy swimwear to hide their problem areas. This got me thinking if the swimsuit has to do so much why don’t we make more use of it? With some basic styling a well chosen one-piece swimming costume makes the ideal bodysuit. With that in mind I decided to show how my holiday cozzies convert to bar side chic with just a couple of simple additions.
Let’s start by discussing what a good swimsuit needs to do…
Structure is now essential at my age & I think that’s true even for a smaller bust. This cozzie has excellent support & ever so light padding which I like because I sincerely dislike nipplage. Furthermore the incorporated strap fits well & is adjustable so we’re good to go there. My second requirement is also covered brilliantly with slightly ruched tummy control. Finally, & this is very important to balance my silhouette, a low-cut leg.
So I’ve chosen my swimsuit & feel completely comfortable wearing it poolside. Incidentally the survey also found that ladies aged between 65 & 74 are the most confident in their swimwear. I must say I’m a tad disappointed that the age isn’t much lower. I had assumed women in their 40’s were overall much more comfortable in their own skin. In all honesty I never compare my body to other women, the only issues I ever have now are when I feel not quite myself. Does that make sense? For example my body is generally softer these days because I’m losing muscle tone as I age. Yet I could workout, exercise & lift weights to build up. Although to be honest am I bovered? Nah, I don’t care enough to go out of my way & do all that. I feel OK as I am with my skinny arms & lumpy thighs… For now, never say never right? I think the point I’m trying to make is that unless it bothers you, who bloody cares?
Preferring instead to use my experience of styling to distract the eye from my negative points & draw it to my positive ones. Such as wearing mid to high-rise pants & wide shoulder straps which gives my body shape balance. Add a heel, some seriously awesome bling & hey presto I’m relaxed glam at the beach bar sipping Aperol Spritz!
You should merely consider one simple guideline for wearing your swimsuit like a bodysuit – The look works best with pants or a maxi skirt, not shorts or short skirts. Bare ankles as I have in today’s post, are sexy however wide leg palazzo pants look amazing too. If retro Studio 54 isn’t your style try French Riviera chic instead. A cool, fresh, white pair of linen trousers like the ones I wore here will work beautifully.
My Second Swimsuit to Bodysuit Look
Perhaps the red coloured swimsuit doesn’t suit you? That’s absolutel fine as long as you go for a block colour it really doesn’t matter. Whether that’s a bold primary colour, pastel or plain black just keep it simple, no print. This gorgeous green swimsuit has all the fabulous support of the red one but the straps are convertible so you can cross them at the back if you like. Having the straps wide apart at the front gives the same effect as the wide straps of my red cozzie by balancing my body shape. However a halterneck swimsuit like this one, could work better for your shape particularly if you have broad shoulders. Seriously ladies it’s all smoke & mirrors. Now don’t worry if you’re unsure what shape would suit you best, let me know so l can advise you.
Currently I’m deeply in love with pairing green & pink, making these tropical print pants the obvious mate for this swimsuit to bodysuit outfit. I bought these pants several years ago but have managed to find quite a few gorgeous alternatives for you below. For some glamour I added my new Castaner espadrilles & the basket bag that goes with everything, you may recall it here & here. My green tinted aviator sunnies are pretty old but hey Prada never dates right?
If you fancy trying out my swimsuit to bodysuit look for your summer holiday take advantage of the RCM discount code RETROCHIC10
Terms & Conditions: 10% OFF FULL PRICE – 10% off full price valid online at www.mandco.com until 31st July 2017. Excludes promotional or sale items and online P&P charges. Items from non-participating concessions are excluded from this promotion. Returned items will be refunded at the discounted price paid. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
My Pick of Tropical Print Pants
MY FAVE ESPADRILLES & CROPPED FLARES
*This post is sponsored by M&Co but the content is entirely created by RCM. My opinions are sincerely my own, obvs. Bye for now my beauties xx
Comments ( 34 )
Simplement Lui
Very nice post and outfits 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/summer-queens/
MT
Thanks honey x
chicatanyage
It is a great idea and I used to do that look when I was younger but now prefer the more covered up kaftan approach.
MT
Oh yes I like Kaftans very much too Josephine x
Jamie
Nipplage is the worst! I love how you styled both of these. You look fantastic!
MT
Teehee glad you get my drift Jamie 😉
lisa
You pulled both looks off fabulously Michelle! You go girl! XO
MT
Thanks Lisa! xx
Nancy Baten
Wow wow wow!!! What a brave and selfconvidant woman you are! I shall never dare to do that! I even don t dare to let my pictures taken in public, with all my clothes on! Wow! Jealouse!
But that aside, this Summer is the first Summer that I think:I need a swimsuit instead of a bikini! I always thought they looked so awfull, but they are growing on me!
MT
No way really? I bet if you tried taking your pics in public just once you’d be absolutely fine. I think it’s often the dread that is the hardest part to get over, you know what I mean? That first time is more about what you perceive than how it actually is. Can I talk you into trying it just once Nancy? xx
sequinist
You look amazing in both swimsuits. I love how you’ve styled them (give me that Chanel necklace and those foliage print trousers!). Brava to your confidence to shoot with a tripod at a public pool in a swimsuit; that takes cajones!
I often wish I could prescribe confidence like a vitamin pill. It makes everything so much better, and we should have more the older we get. I like the survey showing older women are confident (and I assume grateful) about what they have. xx
MT
You are welcome to borrow this necklace any time Lisa 😉 A confidence pill would be handy although as I said to Nancy just now, I think fear of the imagined scenario is the killer of confidence. Rarely is anything as bad as we perceive it to be. Before I had confidence I found just jumping in straight away & not giving it too much thought was the best way over it. After a while the confidence came naturally because I realised nothing bad was going to happen.
No Fear of Fashion
Darling Michelle, it is very hard to imagine for us, mere mortals, that you have any flaws, you goddess.
Both outfits/swimsuits look divine. My preference is with the red one, as the wider straps and the V-line create the best lines. IMHO.
Greetje
MT
Pah not true… We are none of us perfect, that is for sure 😉 but I adore you for saying such kind words my dear Greetje xx p.s. Yes I prefer the red too!
melissa
Soooo. You’re awesome. I definitely feel like I am in still stuck in the trial and error stage. We need to stop moving around, lol so I can find my groove! You look so great in both of these suits and the styling is just perfect. You definitely DO know how to get the “best you” out of an outfit! Love your posts.sharing.
~Melissa
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
MT
Hi Melissa, Trial & error is a lot of fun too! xx
ABby@Midlifecrisisnut
Never in a million years would somebody tell that this hot body is turning 50 soon! Looking like a Swimsuit Illustrated babe there! Lots of love! xx Abby
MT
Bahahaha woman! That’s very sweet Abby, you’re a doll xxx
SUzy Turner
Michelle, you look absolutely stunning in both outfits but the red one… WOW, you look like a supermodel in it!! I love that you did this photoshoot on your own, in a public pool You’re so much braver than me!!
You’re right about accepting yourself for who you are. I’m a heck of a lot more confident now than in my 20s and I hope that it will continue to grow, I’m sure it will 😉
Fabulous post, Michelle!
Suzy xx
http://www.suzyturner.com
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
Good grief woman – HOW hot do you look?!!!!!!!!!! And to choose a red swimsuit as well… wowsers. So much to say here:
1. Both cossies work really well as bodysuits. Such a genius idea, and I love a tropical trouser or two.
2. You’re so right about body confidence! I’m definitely a “show off your best bits and hide the worst bits” kinda girl so most people think I’m slim all over… I ain’t!!
3. I too wish the age of feeling confident about yourself was lower, let’s hope that that will change over time. I’d like to think that ALL women will feel confident, no matter what their age. It’s all about letting go of being worried about what others think of you.
4. I’m a little disappointed that I’m still waiting for you to give me that basket bag. Ho hum #waitingpatiently 😉
Fantastic post MT, you could wear a cossie or bikini in every post and I’d be happy, haha!!
Catherine x
MT
Aw thanks lovely, such kind words 🙂 xxx
jacqui
Brave and stunning all in one. You look amazing, love both these outfits. Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
MT
Nah not brave Jacqui. It takes bravery to do this the first time but after that it’s easy, trust me you can do it! xxx
Ada
I love when clothes do double duty which you have proven in two great outfits. I would have never guessed those were bathing suits. Plus I am a huge fan of both red and emerald green. Both outfits turned out great and I particularly love look #2. The floral pants and espadrille wedges are so fun!
I am so glad I found your blog. I am Ada by the way and I run a style linkup on Thursdays and I’d love for you to join it and share your awesome style with all of my readers. Thanks. Hope to see you there.
http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com
Ada =)
MT
Oh blimey Ada I’m so sorry I missed your link up! I’ll set it in my diary for next week & be there for sure xx
Lizzy
Well you may not ACTUALLY be a supermodel but you are doing a very good impression of one! You look amazing in both swimsuits and accompanying outfits and accessories. I’m always amazed by how brilliant your photos are. You’re amazing you know and isn’t confidence a priceless attribute? xxxx
MT
I love you Liz….:-)
Laurie
You look amazing here Michelle. Love the Red! I chuckled about the older couple! I came across some weird looks from some elders in the park that day when I dared to bare!
Laurie xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
MT
I’ll bet you did Laurie, anybody say anything? You know I once had an elderly gentleman properly flirt with me when I was doing an outfit shoot on the street! He even did a second walk by bless him 😉 Your cozzie blog post was lovely by the way xx
Seiber
Thanks for sharing this with us. I really find this post useful, i have to bookmark these page for future purpose. Awsome post with nice pxi!!!
MT
This is music to my ears Seiber! Thank you for telling me you bookmarked my post, it’s the reason I do this xx
Michelle
Bloody hell woman your body is HOT!!
I love, love, love your enthusiasm for confidence. As you know I used to be the woman in beige, but the older I’m getting the more confident I feel. Never in a millions years would I have believed ten years ago that I would be strutting my stuff in front of the camera – both still and video!
I truly believe that the more us mature bloggers flaunt our ‘flaws’ (not that you have any woman!) the more confidence it instills in others.
Well done lady, well done xxx
MT
Aw thanks mate…I agree with what you say about setting the example. I think it helps all of us at one time or other to see women with confidence, the sooner the better xx
Kelly
The idea of using a swimsuit as a bodysuit for nighttime is brilliant. Do you have any particular swimsuit styles that you find work best for this double-duty purpose?