Every summer we’re faced with a challenge: to find a swimsuit that encapsulates the carefree, easy-going spirit of our summer. It’s the swimsuit that empowers us to dive off that cliff or throw the frisbee on the beach without feeling self-conscious. Your swimsuit of the summer is meant to inspire you to do it and feel really good in the process. And above all, a beach or pool day is about relaxation and you find it when you’re comfortable in your own skin. Finding the right swim is stressful and the requirements for the perfect swimsuit are based on how we’re feeling about our bodies. It’s no longer about following the latest swim trends and instead, it’s about how your swimsuit makes you feel.
“My relationship with my body and swimwear has been ever-evolving.” Taylor Peer tells Teen Vogue, “I’ve definitely become more confident within the last few years with wearing what I want and the focus has shifted less on my body and more on how I feel in whatever suit I’m wearing.”
Once you’ve done the work and found your swimsuit, you can finally embrace summer and all of the adventures that come with it. Summer in the time of the COVID pandemic means making your own beaches and finding creative ways to soak up the sun and cool off.
We asked seven girls how they’re creating their own beaches this summer (in their backyards, apartment rooftops, you name it!), and styled them in some of our favorite swimsuits.
What's your relationship with your body and swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
I feel more confident now than I ever have. I usually feel best when I know I’m taking good care of myself and my body and that’s becoming more and more important as I get older.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
I've been going on a lot of socially distanced walks and spending as much time in nature as possible. Nature is so healing.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
Literally everything! When you think about it, the sun is why we’re all here. All of those ancient sun-worshipping religions were really on to something!
What does your perfect beach day look like?
A perfect beach day is sunny, hot, and involves a picnic with my sweet pup.
How are you spending your summer in quarantine?
Spending most of my time home, hiking, or in my community garden.
What's your relationship with swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
My relationship with my body and swimwear has been ever-evolving. I’ve definitely become more confident within the last few years with wearing what I want and the focus has shifted less on my body and more on how I feel in whatever suit I’m wearing.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
Luckily I have great roommates so when it’s a nice day we can go drink and sunbathe (with SPF) on the roof together and I’m planning to go to the beach soon, with distancing of course.
What does your perfect beach day look like?
My perfect beach day involves an umbrella, sunblock, friends, drinks, snacks, and good music!
What's your favorite bathing suit ever?
My favorite suit I’ve owned was when I was 5, I had a purple one-piece with Dot from Bug’s Life on the front, iconic.
What's your relationship with swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
You know those dreams where you’re being screamed at by your ballet teacher and then all your teeth fall out at once? That is how I felt about swimsuit shopping as a kid (ages 11 to 20). I would rather have had someone pull each of my fingernails out and feed them to me than make me stand in a dressing room trying on one ill-fitting tankini after another. Thankfully I now have much less anxiety around the whole process, primarily because I now order everything online and then get to have a breakdown in the comfort of my own home. But also the swimsuits available for bodies like mine have expanded so much. Not everything has to have some floral skirt attached or ruffled curtain meant to cover my “problem areas.” The shit is actually cute.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
I’m listening to Phoebe Bridgers's new album every day and painting a lot and watching a lot of TV and journaling and also allowing myself to cry and feel overwhelmed. I definitely spent the first few months being like “everything is fine!” But everything is most certainly not fine and that’s okay. It’s okay to feel that.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
I love what it does to my skin. Growing up I used to avoid it because I got so much darker (hello internalized white supremacy!) but now I love it. I get all warm and dark and it's beautiful.
How are you spending your summer in quarantine?
Phoebe Bridgers, art, crying, lots of dancing, and going on bike rides around my neighborhood, and yelling at Republicans on the internet.
What's your relationship with your body and swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
I’ve finally reached a point in my life where I’m unapologetically myself; I love every inch of my body whether I’ve gained weight or lost it. I used to think bikinis were only attractive on slimmer bodies, but I told myself nobody was going to dictate what I can and cannot wear to the beach or pool. It took me all my teenage years to accept myself, but now all I want to do is show off my body because I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
I’m definitely just feeling grateful that my family, friends, and I are all healthy. I’m still able to go outside on walks, relax at the park, read, rollerblade (badly), and luckily I’m still able to work! A lot to be thankful for because not everyone has that privilege.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
Anybody who knows me knows I thrive in the summer. The sun gives me so much energy. A type of warmth and love that I can only experience in the summer and my plants love it too! I photosynthesize and recharge right alongside them.
What's your relationship with your body and swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
My relationship with my body and swimsuits over the years has been pretty much non-existent up until the past couple of years. Growing up I was always the "big" girl and stayed away from anything involving having to wear a swimsuit. If I had to go to a pool I would wear a basic one-piece, a t-shirt and gym shorts to cover my body because I was ashamed of it. I grew up thinking there was something wrong with my body like it was something I needed to change. Now, I buy a ton of swimsuits. My fears I had of swimsuits growing up have changed as I've changed my relationship with my body. I love my body. I love how strong it is and the story my body can tell of my journey. Swimsuits and being comfortable wearing the "cute" ones I've always wanted are part of that journey.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
In a time like this where everything feels so heavy and so much negativity is around us, I am trying to make the best of my summer by really being grateful for what I have right now. I have resources to be able to stay informed and learn where I need to. I have amazing friends and family I can Facetime when I need someone or just to laugh. I can go outside and take a walk around the block if I need air. I have access to a park if I need a little sun outside. Even though things may seem dark sometimes there is always light somewhere.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
I love the feeling when you close your eyes and you can feel the heat on your skin. It makes me smile thinking of it.
What's your favorite bathing suit ever?
My favorite bathing suit I ever owned was my very first bikini. It was a little over 3 years ago and it was such a big deal for me to wear a bikini. I would see other curvy women wear them but I never felt strong or confident enough to try it myself. The first time I wore it I went to a beach with my best friend and she encouraged me the whole time. It was my favorite and symbolic to me because it was the first one I ever wore out in public and felt confident in.
What's your relationship with your body and swimsuits and how has that changed over the years?
In the past swimsuits were one of my least favorite things to shop for. When puberty hit, I went straight from Limited Too tankinis to matronly one-pieces because that was all I could find in my size. I always wanted to have plenty of coverage because I was self-conscious of my stomach and back rolls. Unfortunately, none of the cute bathing suits provided coverage so my choices were limited. It was a long time before I felt comfortable enough in my own skin to take the risk of wearing a bikini, but once I did I never looked back. I have finally reached a point where I am not self-conscious in a bathing suit and it is so freeing. The key to this is blocking out the hatred towards our own bodies that society has taught us. Posing in the middle of a crowded park in a bathing suit for this shoot is the height of self-acceptance in my opinion.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
This has been the most productive summer of my life. I don’t have anywhere to go and all of my forgotten projects are staring me in my face. I have refinished an entire set of furniture, cleaned out my parents' garage, and reorganized my closet. I would never have had the time to do all of those things without quarantine.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
The sun has been an important part of coping with everything that is going on. Going outside is like walking into a nice warm blanket of Vitamin D that reminds you of the warmth of a hug, something I miss a lot right now.
How are you spending your summer in quarantine?
I’ve spent a lot of it reflecting on what summer means to me as an adult. As a kid, it was always a time of freedom and laziness. This summer reflected that a lot, in the beginning, I had nothing to do and lots of free time. Being reminded of those carefree days made me realize the importance of taking a break for yourself and having time to reset, and summer is the perfect time to do that.
How are you making the best of summer despite the state of the world?
With the current state of the world, I’m not able to travel to do any activities that don’t include social distancing so I’ve been visiting parks and working out outside as often as I can.
What about the sun makes you feel good?
I’m a sun baby and earth sign so I love how it warms up my skin and gives me an external glow anytime I’m able to go into the sun I take full advantage with sunscreen of course. If I’m ever feeling sick or down a few minutes in the sunlight always make me feel so much better.
What does your perfect beach day look like?
Some sweets with a good book and about 30 mins of writing down any thoughts and feelings that I’ve been having or have at that moment. If there is a bike path or boardwalk I love to rollerblade. I think the key to the perfect beach day is staying at present as possible and enjoying what’s around you.
How are you spending your summer in quarantine?
I’ve been sewing so much more with my mom, I grew up sewing with her and it’s nice that I finally have more free time to be creative and spend time with her. And of course, learning some new TikTok dances.
