Happy New Year babes! I hope you all took the experiences and lessons from 2018 and are putting them to great use this year! One of the things I’m trying to focus on this year is loving my body in a swimsuit. I don’t know if ya’ll noticed, but last year I hardly posted any swim photos of myself and that wasn’t typical for me. I realized that something happened last year that affected how I felt about myself in a swimsuit. I have no idea what it was, but I’m the first one to show my skin when given the opportunity, except when it came to swimsuits.
This year my goal is to love myself in everything I wear, including swim. To get a head start before summer, I’m partnering with Aerie on their Love the Swim You’re In campaign, which encourages women of all shapes and sizes to embrace their swim body no matter what. But this campaign is so much deeper than swim–for every 100% unretouched swim photo shared with the hashtag #AerieREAL and tagging @Aerie, Aerie will donate $1 (up to $50,000) to the National Eating Disorder Organization(NEDA).
This campaign hits home for me because it’s literally my current situation and I’ve never spoken about this, but from ages 19 to 23 I was full fledge bulimic and on the verge of anorexia. I wasn’t happy and was repulsed with how I looked. I avoided mirrors, reflective windows, I wouldn’t eat in front of people and I overall looked extremely unhealthy. It was my biggest kept secret until one I was a year into relationship with my ex. We were eating and I immediately went to the bathroom and he heard me. It was the worst day of my life, but I’m so thankful it happened because it genuinely saved my life. At the time I didn’t know there was anyone I could talk to anywhere I could go so I’m forever honored to be part of this movement. I know I’m not alone so I’m more than happy to face my fears if it means I can inspire at least one fo you to do the same.
On a lighter note, lets look at some unretouched photos! This was another struggle because like anyone else on the internet, I smooth, adjust color, and add filters to my photos. So this was probably the easiest and hardest shoot I’ve ever done, but it was so worth it. In the process, it encouraged me to find more things I liked about myself instead of the things I didn’t, which was refreshing.
I chose three suits that were different enough, but still fit with my personal style. The first one is an Aerie color block cut out one-piece(here’s a similar one) that is the perfect resort swimsuit. I’m wearing the XXL and the fit is perfect for my personally. I like my one pieces to be a hair snug because it just holds everything together. Also this cutout is in the perfect spot, it still allows the bottom half of the suit to be a little high waist. The top half has padding and since one side has a strap it’s still supportive.
My next suit is a fun two piece! Haven’t worn one of those in a while. The top and bottoms are separates that I thought would look cute together(there’s actual matching green bottoms for the top). I’m wearing an XXL in both the top and bottom. The top is the Aerie Halter Wrap Bikini Top and it is a true wrap top on the bottom with a halter style tie around the neck and a LOT of support. Most of my suits are black so this olive green was a fun switch up. The bottoms are the Aerie High Waisted bikini bottoms in black with a floral print. They are truly high waist and super comfortable!
Our final suit is an Aerie Super Scoop One Piece in classic black it and made me feel like I was on Bay Watch haha. I’m wearing the XXL, it’s very high cut and the back is pretty open, but I felt like a sexy poolside superhero in it. It also comes in green, coral, burgundy and navy.
Again, these are all 100% unretouched which blows my mind because I think I look absolutely beautiful in each one. Don’t forget to post your swim photos with the hashtag #AerieREAL!
Here’s to a year of unapologetic swim bodies with Aerie!
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