Finally Friday: Classic Sheath One-Piece Swimsuit
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Last summer, when I had to admit that I really needed to buy a new swimsuit, something completely unexpected happened: I found one I actually like. I read a lot of reviews and checked a bunch of websites, from Zappos to Lands’ End to Athleta, looking for a bathing suit that was flattering and forgiving, covered a bit more than usual, and still looked cute and not frumpy. A tall order, to be sure, but the Amazon reviews for this suit were promising (300+ reviews, 4.4 out of 5 stars), and I was hopeful about the “slimming, shaping tummy panel,” so I bought it (in two sizes to be safe — it does run small).
The verdict: I really like it! It’s comfortable, flattering, cute, and retro without making you look like you’re on your way to a costume party. I have the black/white polka dot print pictured here, but there are many, many fun options, from solid colors to gingham to cherries, anchors, or hibiscus flowers. The suit, which is made in the U.S., is available at Amazon for $25-$82 (with many Prime eligible); here is everything from the brand that’s available there. Over at the “Official Esther Williams Fan Page and Swimsuit Shop,” it’s a bit easier to get an idea of what’s available (and avoid Amazon’s oddly-Photoshopped, unnatural model photos at the same time). There the suit is $77-$79, in sizes 4-16 and 16W-26W. Esther Williams Classic Sheath One-Piece Swimsuit
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Sales of note for 12.10
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals on skincare (ends 12/14) including La Mer, Kate Somerville, Dior, Sunday Riley, Dyson, and gift sets — the deals include reader favorite lip balms Dior Addict, NARS Afterglow, and Clinique’s Black Honey, as well as Too Faced mascara and Sunday Riley’s Good Genes.
- Ann Taylor – 40% off your purchase, up to 50% off outerwear
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale + extra 25% off 2+ items
- J.Crew – Up to 60% off everything, with 40% off their newest styles
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything + extra 25% off when you buy 3+ styles
- Macy’s – 15% off beauty, including Tarte, Clinique, Dior and gift sets
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
- Talbots – 50% off everything + extra 25% off when you buy 3+ styles
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
I have this swimsuit and really like it. It does a nice job of keeping everything in without being too tight. I will say if you have a larger chest, the built in bra is not super supportive. I ended up attaching a minimally used bra inside to give me more support. My boobs looked dumpy without it (30FF).
I had luck with swimsuits at LL Bean. I actually feel better in my new mom suit than I used to in skimpier suits for younger, pre-baby women! (I feel better in a lot of my clothes. It’s kind of nice to be approaching 40 and feeling like I can be polished and elegant — and more covered up — rather than trying to feel s3xy the way I did when I was in my 20s.)
For those looking for a cute bathing suit – I really like one that I got at Walmart of all places. It’s called “Suddenly Slim by Catalina Women’s Slimming Shirred Halter One-Piece Swimsuit” (was $32.96, now on sale for $25). I would link, but don’t want to get stuck in moderation. There are over 2,000 reviews and it has 4.5 stars. It came highly recommended to me and did not disappoint. It camouflages a postpartum belly (and hips) pretty darn well and you can’t beat the price.
Anyone have any experience with the Graham Glider from West Elm?
We’re looking for a glider with a high back and arms that looks nice and costs less than $800. I don’t love the look of wood frame gliders. This should not be as hard as I have found it to be thus far.
Any suggestions?
A “would this bother you” daycare question… I’ve sung the praises of our daycare before, and we’ve been very happy with them. There are a couple of things that came up this week, though, that are bothering me. The first is that I learned that they are adding a new class by cutting my son’s classroom in half, so his class (young toddlers – DS is 2) will have half the space they currently have. The room is already small, and adding another class of toddlers in there will make it pretty cramped.
On top of that, I also learned that the older kids in his class (including DS – he’s the oldest one in his class) aren’t being promoted to the bigger toddler room this year. So he’s going to spend another year being the oldest one in his class, and in a space about half of what they currently have.
On top of THAT, I also learned that the class above him, which includes kids who were born only 2-3 days before him, is going on a field trip to the aquarium, but my son’s class is not. So it feels like not only is my son going to be the oldest kid in his class for another year, he also is going to miss out on the fun activities of the older class, even though he’s only 2-3 days younger than those kids.
Would you be bothered by this? I asked the center director about it, and she kind of hemmed and hawed about space and not having room in the older class, and I don’t think there’s much she can or will do about it. DS is happy right now, but it does feel like he’s outgrowing the space he’s in, both mentally and physically. The thought of changing daycares is so daunting, and I’m not sure if this is change-worthy. What do you all think?
I need work maternity clothes. I have moved to a new, bigger, more formal city and what I got away with in my last office during my last pregnancy is just not cutting it. And it is summer, so my prior somewhat-nice uniform of ponte sheath over maternity leggings with boots is certainly not going to work. I am an 18 pre-pregnancy. The archives and recommendations here do not typically (ever?) include anything in my size. Any advice?
My biggest problem with the slimming suits is that they tend to be tight in the leg holes even if the rest of the suit fits me.
Does/did anyone here have gestational diabetes, and can you share some tips? A close friend was just diagnosed, and she’s struggling with it. She’s felt crummy pretty much the whole pregnancy (throwing up daily still well into the 2nd trimester), and carbs were one of the few things she actually craved and didn’t feel sick after eating or preparing. She’s supposed to eat a lot more protein and veggies, but those don’t appeal to her at all, and take a lot more time to prepare when she’s currently exhausted.
Any suggestions for something I can do or make to help her? I’m not a great cook, but I thought I could at least do some chicken in the crock pot or rotisserie chicken and shred and freeze it to give her some quick grab and go protein. Any other suggestions for foods I could help her stock her freezer with so she can eat the healthy things she needs? Are there any low sugar/low carb protein bars or other shelf stable snacks she could stock up on? I’ve found a few by googling, but I’d prefer some recommendations of things people have actually tasted and could tell me if they are worth putting in your mouth or if they are utterly disgusting or cardboard-like.
Very cute!
Surprisingly, even given post-baby bulge and hormonal issues contributing to additional weight gain, I also found a suit I liked – at Sears, which is not my typical go-to for clothing. It is one of the few flattering plus-sized options I’ve found, although I wish it had more support in the bust. For taking the kiddo to the lake or the pool, it was a good buy.
It’s currently 65% off
http://www.sears.com/a-shore-fit-women-s-plus-swim-dress-paisley/p-017VA81577512P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14