Have you ever been that person? The one who goes to the beach, but stays in a cover-up? Or the one who swims in the pool with a t-shirt on? Or maybe you’re the one that doesn’t even own a swimsuit because you know you’ll never, ever wear it.
We’re going to change that. In conjunction with Land’ End, we are holding National Swimsuit Confidence Week. To celebrate, Lands’ End and Curvy Girl Guide will be encouraging women everywhere to gather their confidence and get back into the pool! We’ll also be hosting a Twitter party on Wednesday, May 25 from 1-2 pm EDT, where Lands’ End will give away 10 Lands’ End Swimsuits and 10 Lands’ End Beach Towels as well as announce exclusive swimsuit promotions!
The swimsuit confidence movement was created to encourage women of all shapes and sizes to embrace their bodies. And because we practice what we preach, check out photos of Curvy Girl Guide writers strutting their confidence in their Lands’ End swimsuits.
Brittany, find her suit here!
Heather, find her suit here!
Ali, find her suit here!
Allison, find her suit here!
Amy, find her suit here!
Angie, find her suit here!
Daisy, find her suit here!
Emily, find her suit here!
Greis, find her suit here!
Holly, find her suit here!
Jen, find her suit here!
Jenny Grace, find her suit here!
Katie, find her suit here!
Kelly, find her suit here!
Maria, find her suit here!
Meredith, find her suit here!
Mishelle, find her suit here!
Nanette, find her suit here!
Shauna, find her suit here!
Tena, find her suit here!
Yvonne, find her suit here!
This was no easy task, but I think we speak for all of us when I say, it was absolutely liberating!
Now, because here at Curvy Girl Guide, we go big or go home, some of our bathing suit clad writers will be taking this movement to the masses! Look for us on national television throughout the week, more details to follow.
Do you have swimsuit confidence? Join the movement! You can get a Twibbon for your Twitter profile here. And if you want to show the world that you’re proud of your body, post a picture of yourself in your bathing suit on your own blog and leave a comment with a link back to your post.
It’s time for women everywhere to take back the pool!
Related Articles:
{ 254 comments… read them below or add one }
Confidence, we have it!!! Everyone looks amazing!!
Nice job ladies!!!! Lovely!
You all look fabulous – beautiful suits, too! – but I gotta say… Yvonne, you are KILLING that red suit. Love, love, LOVE. :)
Thank you, Becky!
I double that…Yvonne you look fantastic!
delandbeal jr
I am strutting my confidence this week in my #LandsEnd swimsuit. Living out loud with pride. We have to shake off the binds of fear and self loathing. This is the first step in taking back beauty for real women!
SMILE!
Miss Lori
http://www.MissLori.TV
http://www.misslori.tv/2011/05/22/miss-lori-reveals-her-best-self-for-swimsuit-confidence-week/
I posted the exact same thing on my blog this time last year and I’m headed to Vegas with two Lands End bathing suits this week.
http://corrinrenee.com/the-one-in-which-i-lose-my-mind-and-post-pictures-of-myself-in-a-bathing-suit/
What a fun project, you all look gorgeous!
I participated as well on the blog http://www.mysentimentexactlee.com. Being able to be confident and curvy is achievable with a great suit from Land’s End. You all look gorgeous!
You are so cute. That suit looks fantastic on you!
There’s a blog on xojane.com (for those of us who remember our Sassy and Jane days) titled “If I hear one more thing about beach bodies, I’m going to strangle someone with a tankini” that supports the confidence and is hilarious!
What fantastic suits! You all look great. I love suits by Lands’ End. I have two of them in my closet right now.
The most beautiful and sexiest ladies in the house! You all rocked your swimsuits and I am proud to say that I am inspired by such amazing women!
Thank you for always helping me to chisel through my insecurities, layer by layer and allow the real me to come out.
Have a wonderful, amazing week — I’ll be cheering you on while my heart swells with happiness that I am not alone because I have amazing positivity around me — Curvy Girl Guide!!
We’re SO proud of the girls in NY being brave enough to represent us in all their swimsuit glory on national TV!
Thank you so much for standing with us – it’s amazing to have support from other curvy girls. :)
You women all look amazing and gorgeous, and I love the confidence. I would participate, too, but I don’t wear a bathing suit when I swim.
Oh WOW … this is really, really amazing. And bloody refreshing! REAL women, man.
Daisy looks like Kate Winslet. And that Heather Spohr looks like a deadset SPUNK!
xo
Holy sh*t, you guys totally have IT. You are courageous and beautiful and you are all totally BITCHIN’ hawt. Raaaaaawr.
Congrats! And I WANT Jenny’s blue tankini…. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
I must tell you that to do this, I had to force my 14-year-old brother to take this photo for me.
And this tankini is AWESOME.
kudos ladies!!!
you all look smashing! and it looks like i’m going to check out Lands End for a bathing suit for this curvy girl!!
I ordered mine online—which kind of scared the crap out of me for fear it wouldn’t fit—and used the live chat help desk. SO HELPFUL. She did a great job helping me pick the right size for my body.
I love this!
I love you lovely ladies.
I totally love this idea! It wasn’t easy to participate, but it was much more fun and liberating than I thought it would be!
Here’s my Lands End swimsuit post, if you’d like to check it out: http://www.whatnowkathie.com/2011/05/i-have-swimsuit-confidence.html
Loved your post, Kathie! I’m proud of you for doing it even though it wasn’t easy. You look great!
(P.S. I am in love with your deck. Wow.)
You all look AMAZING. I love how some of you have the same suit and you all look beautiful in it! My favorite is Yvonne because she and I chose the same suit. My other favorites are : Shuana, Mishelle, and Meredith!
Want to see my CONFIDENCE?
http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2011/05/i-have-vintage-swimsuit-confidence-outfits-modeled-by-women-over-45-lands-end/
I’d love it if you’d stop in!
The CHief Blonde
Meredith looks absolutely gorgeous!
Awww… Can you just follow me around ALL day and say things like this?
LOL I suppose I could. Does that mean someone will follow ME around all day reaffirming my beauty, too? <3
We are Swimsuit Sisters! :)
You all look marvelous! Way to go!
PS. The one thing you guys are sorely missing in your Curvy GIrls line up is a Girl over 45. I think I could qualify as a Curvy Girl (with 36dd). HMMMM Do you pay well?
You should send in a submission post to see if you can run as a guest post: curvygirlguide@gmail.com
That’s the first step!
This is fantastic! You all look so happy and proud!…And absolutely gorgeous!!!
Love. Just love… :)
It’s so much fun to see you all in your swimsuit loveliness. So proud to be part of this group of awesome women!
You’re all gorgeous! And now I want to go bathing suit shopping! :)
Everyone look so great!! Now all I need to know is where you got your suits, because I want to look as good! Seriously – mine is several years old and desperately in need of NOT being warn again. Where can I get some of these suits?
Hey Kristen! They’re all from Lands’ End. Aren’t they great?!
Ha – probably would have helped me to read the entire post instead of looking at all you gorgeous ladies! :-) Well, can I claim it’s because it is a Monday?
I blame Monday for everything! So yes. Ha!
What a great post. Love it.
LOVE THIS!
(humble request – can you please tell us the names of the suits featured? So great to see them on real bodies – I have shopping to do!)
Mine is this one: http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingPaisleyVneckOnePieceSwimsuit~216178_593.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::JN4&CM_MERCH=IDX_Swimwear-_-Women-_-ShopbyFitSolution-_-EnhanceBust&origin=index
both of my suits are mentioned and linked to in my post… http://www.mybottlesup.com/2011/05/i-have-swim-suit-confidence-and-cookies/
happy shopping!
This is mine.
Top: http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingPaisleyPrintVneckTankiniSwimsuit~216181_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::WWI&CM_MERCH=IDX_Swimwear-_-Women
Bottom: http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingShirredMiniSwimMini~216188_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_Swimwear-_-Women
We’re getting a list together of all our suits that will be posted later today (we hope). Make sure to follow @CurvyGirlTweets http://twitter.com/curvygirltweets for an update!
You all look terrific! I’ve heard good things about Lands’ End suits before, but to see them on real women who are confident enough to post the pictures online really proves it. Great job! :)
I’m proud of you Jenni and the rest of the REAL WOMEN putting themselves out there! You all look amazing!
This is fabulous! You all look so beautiful! As a super top heavy curvy girl myself it is great to see that Land’s End has suits for everyone! I don’t have a Land’s End suit yet but I am pretty sure that I am going to get one this summer! I may have to post mine sometime this week even though it is not from Land’s End!
Yes, you need to get one. Speaking on behalf of the super top heavy girls, Lands’ End has DD and DDD cup and believe me- it makes an amazing difference!
Seriously! Triple D! I am so in! It is hard when you are super curvy as I can tell you are too! DDD top and small waists are nice to have but hard to find swimsuits for! Thanks Tena!!
Great job, ladies! I love the suits, too. I have been wearing only Lands’ End bathing suits for several years, and I love the way they fit. After seeing those styles, I may have to buy a new one this year…
Would love it if this made it easier for us all to see the beauty in ourselves. Ya’ll are just gorgeous sparklers!
Way to go ladies, you all look great, love the confidence!!!
Thank you!
I love this idea! In the past 18 months or so I’ve lost 30lbs and the last 10 came off only a month or so ago. I finally feel confident to wear a bikini (even if my stomach is not flat, I’ll post a pic later on today – off to work now, but wanted to post).
However it is SO difficult to find a bikini top that fits me! I wear a size 36DD bra and 99.9% of bikini tops in stores are not made to accomodate my bossoms.
I know that on the Lands End website they do make a FEW (three total, actually) size DD bikini tops. HOWEVER, the Sears which carry their brand do not carry them in store (and this goes for most other brands and stores as well). As a busty woman, I cannot order my bikini top on-line in hopes that it might fit correctly, I have to try on the top before ordering.
This has been very frustrating in my search for a bikini (and still, the one I bought I am not happy with – as the neck strap makes my neck hurt with the weight of my breasts, the regular bra style is much better for bigger breasts). The one I did find is from Target for a mere $14 per piece.
I’ll post a picture this evening.
If you liked my suit – I am the same bra size as you. It lifts those girls right up there and makes them look pretty! And the strap doesn’t hurt. It’s a little padded.
I have one-pieces, that’s not the problem – it’s finding that bikini top that is the issue.
I like one of the Lands End one that has regular bra-style straps, but for $35 without coupons… and online, I cannot afford it :(.
lol
Thanks!
You can return Lands End stuff at Sears. That makes all the difference for me. I bought my first Lands End swimsuit last year, a tankini with the DD top. OMG. Amazing. Cannot overstate my excitement at wearing the first swimsuit of my entire life that fit me correctly and was even flattering. I bought two more this year (lots of beach time coming up this summer!) and one of the bottoms doesn’t fit right, so I’m just going to return it at Sears and order a different size online. I have to say, there are cheaper suits out there, but I have never in my life worn a suit that looks better on me AND lasts longer than my Lands End suit. (I’ve worn the one from last year a TON and it looks new.) I know I sound like I work for LE but seriously I am just the most grateful customer ever. :)
Thanks. Unfortunately they don’t have too much available. I wanted this: http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingDotSweetheartBikiniTop~220446_2136.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::IY5&CM_MERCH=IDX_Women-_-Swimsuits-_-Regular
But they have it in two colors in my size and without matching bottoms! :(
Awesome post! You all are ROCK STARS and look AMAZING!
Ladies, you look absolutely fabulous!
ya’ll look stinkin wonderful!!! love love love being a part of this project with you fantastic women. here’s my post… http://www.mybottlesup.com/2011/05/i-have-swim-suit-confidence-and-cookies/
I’m totally sitting around in my bathing suit eating Oreos too! We’re like twins!
oh good! it’s after 12 here, so i’ve moved on to beer.
Super awesome. Eating cookies in a swimsuit? Now THAT is confidence!
go big or go home. ;)
Wow, you guys all look amazing and the suits are beautiful! This is a great feature, I will definitely check Land’s End for a suit, I had no idea they had such great options.
This would make a great calendar! Hot!!!
What an awesome idea!
Shotgun December!
August!
I’m taking September. DONE.
May!
I LOVE THIS!! And you all look beautiful!
You ladies look beautiful! And I love Lands End swimsuits. In fact, it looks like Yvonne and I have the same taste.
You girls look amazing! Thank you for doing this. Here’s mine, I included my daughter also. Have fun in NYC!
http://momminitup.com/jenny-is-vain/never-say-never/
You both look beautiful!
So beautiful!
You ladies are great!
I wish I had your confidence, but I’m not there yet. I spent the weekend sad, actually, because I realized I’m about to go into swimming season and I don’t have a swimsuit I can fit into, even if I were confident enough to wear it in public.
I’m not in as good a place as y’all are, but thanks for the inspiration and motivation.
It’s a journey…
http://www.tenastherapy.com/2011/05/i-have-to-be-honest/
You’re not alone.
I’m right there with you both…
http://linzlovesyou.com/2011/05/the-bathing-suit-battle/
You all look amazing! I’ve never looked at Lands End for a suit…not that I’ve bought a suit in 5 years…but I’m going to go look now. Thanks for the inspiration!
Looking great ladies! Love the confidence, but most importantly the message. Because of you, I’ll be wearing my swimsuit proudly this Summer, for the first time in a very long time.
Http://GirlWithCurves.tumblr.com
You all look beautiful! This is such a liberating movement and I was so proud to take part in in on my own blog. Thank you for helping to bring this to the masses!
RAD. Everyone looks so great!
You all look amazing. You go girls!!!
Love it. You gals are amazing! And those suits are super cute!
I’m standing up and clapping for all of you. I know you can’t see, but trust me, I’m totally doing it.
Fantastic ladies! And this is why we all love y’all so much.
You all look fabulous! Rock the swimwear girls, rock it hard!
You ladies ROCK!! Wow – what a wonderful post. As a curvy girl myself, and a mom to three boys, I want to project confidence and let them know that uninhibited fun trumps superficial beauty every time!
I didn’t post specifically for this… but there IS a photo of me in my Lands’ End bathing suit in a beach post a did a little bit ago. I LOVE their swimsuits. The only ones I even bother trying and buying now.
http://www.amadisonmom.com/2011/05/day-at-beach.html
Lookit you! That’s exactly what we’re talking about. Huuzzaah!
y’all look amazing.
so proud of my friends.
<3 y'all
Word. I’m so proud of you guys… I don’t have the balls to do it, myself!
You all look great! I need to step out of my comfort zone, too, as I AM the gal who wears a teeshirt over her suit :)
So awesome! I love all the swimsuits. Would it be possible to post the names of each suit under the pictures? You ladies looks sooooo good!
Beautiful! And ballsy. So proud of all of you.
You all look fantastic. Bravo!
WOW, you all look A-MAZING!!! Curvy Girls rock!! :)
You guys kick so much ass.
You all look fabulous!!!
I’m so proud. I’m proud of myself, and proud of all of you guys.
http://awholelotofnothing.net/exposing-myself-in-a-swimsuit-on-the-internet/
you should be! you kick ace, mylady!
You TOTALLY should be! You’re gorgeous!
P.S. LOVE that color on you!
You guys made me cry. AT WORK, no less!
I was writing a post this morning about how I had failed at getting down to a “reasonable size” this year in time for swimsuit season. I actually saved the draft and wandered over here instead.
You all are GORGEOUS. Maybe I am too. Maybe we haven’t failed, right?
Great job, all. Thanks a million.
You ARE gorgeous, mama!
We ARE all beautiful!
You all look amazing and beautiful! Are you going to post the links to the various styles so we can find them easily? Now I want a new swimsuit!!!
yes, working on it now… watch out on @curvygirltweets
the post has been updated with links to where you can find which suits we’re all wearing. it’s also up on our Facebook page and on Twitter.
Much appreciated! Thank you!
I love this SO MUCH!!!! You girls are ALL rocking those bathing suits! I wish I could kiss you all. This is just so fabulous. Celebrating all of our different body types, etc. I love the suit Meredith has on because I think it would be good for me as well and it’s pretty.
YOU ALL LOOK GREAT!!! MWAH!
THANK YOU!
You are all so very beautiful!
This project is so kick butt!! I’m proud to be a part of the movement!
You guys look GREAT. What a wonderful idea.
You all look wonderful and I love that you are doing this! I discovered Lands End swimsuits a couple of years ago and have been a total fangirl ever since. I have a couple already, but saw some really cute ones on you ladies and think it may be time for a new one this summer!
Oh My Gosh, you gals all look SO great!! I wish I could be this confident in a swim suit. Or even in shorts. I’ve worn NEITHER for over 10 years. Talk about body shame. Thank you for making me feel a little more brave by your example. XOXO @Jasperblu
Woo hoo! You all look GREAT!
Look at you hot girls all out there strutting your stuff. I’m so proud of you all. You all look fabulous.
Now about Ali’s swimsuit. I need more info, because I think I could possibly actually buy a swimsuit that looked like that, and I would actually wear it too. Cause yes, I’m that girl who never seems to have a swimsuit at the pool or beach, but guess what, I just bought a house with a pool and with the privacy of my own back yard, this mama’s going to be struttin’ her stuff this summer :).
here’s a link to Ali’s suit: http://bit.ly/jB8mIX
you’ll love it!
It is an amazing suit. I am over-the-moon happy with it!
You all look fabulous! I’m proud to be a part of this campaign!
You guys look absolutely amazing! Seriously, what a gorgeous group of women! :-)
you all are unbelievably gorgeous.
after meeting a few of you in person, and seeing these pictures, and reading your words? I actually felt my nonexistent self-confidence sprout.
Maybe…just maybe…I look better in a bathing suit than I think I do. My eyes lie to me, and my head tells me terrible things.
And now I need a Lands End bathing suit.
Yes you do! I love the suits everyone picked. I may never buy a suit in the store again—that’s how awesome the online help was in buying the right size. :)
Love this. You all look gorge. I see some beautiful ladies and some fab swimsuits. Checking out Lands End now!
Bravo ladies and thank you for setting an amazing example. I am a big fan of Lands End and would love to know who wore which suit – I have some shopping to do!!!
Thank you all for posting your photos I’m feeling inspired to go bathing suit shopping! I’m feeling a bit braver!
Ya’ll are all AMAZING!!
Holy CRAP! You all look amazing and gorgeous and confident! So proud of all of you. *sniffles*
i’m proud of your face.
Beautiful. That’s all I have to say!
I love this! I am pretty self conscious in a swimsuit, but I told myself I would not miss out on fun because of how I feel about myself, so I just put that thing on and get on the beach or in the water with my girls. I have never regretted it! Also, Land’s End has the best suits!
You are all gorgeous, and the swimsuits are, too. More than that, even; you all look happy and are obviously having fun. (I haven’t had the guts to own a swimsuit for years.) What a wonderful idea, this!
Beautiful ladies!! Every single one of you looks amazing and you just gave me a confidence booster. Absolutely amazing!!
Ladies, you all look fabulous. Every one of you shines with confidence and WorkIt. This catalogue showed up in my mailbox this week, and I almost tossed it, but some of the suits looked really cute. ON THE MODELS. What is awesome, is that the suits look cute ON REAL WOMEN. Thank you for showing that. You rock, every one of you.
*whistle* Hot mama’s!
You guys look fantastic. I’m off to check them out for board shorts. I’m def. a board shorts kinda gal.
Love, love, love!
I’m tempted to join you — how awesome!
DO IT!
Please do!!
Total Hotness!! Each and everyone of you ladies. This is an amazing campaign that I hope inspires women to be proud of who they are no matter shape or size. I wish you tremendous success in getting the word out!
It’s all about getting one that actually fits your body type. All women can look good in a bathing suit if it works with their body. Kudos to all of you for doing such a gorgeously real shoot!
You guys look great. SO PROUD.
you look amazing, too, mama!
I love this program. Kudos to Lands’ End for dreaming up something that makes us feel good about our bodies. I’m proud to have participated.
http://www.momtrends.com/2011/05/hit-the-beach-with-lands-end/
Love this pic! :)
This is amazing! Let’s hear it for real bodies!
You’re beautiful. All of you. THANK YOU.
Way to inspire, ladies! Super cute suits too. Thanks for leading the body confidence way.
You are all amazing, confident and beautiful women! Brava! Can’t wait to see and hear more about this fantastic project. :-)
damn! if only we were bombarded with images of REAL WOMEN instead of constant illusions… wouldn’t we all be much happier?
thanks ladies!
Here’s my post: http://www.skinnysushi.com/2011/05/swimsuit-confidence/
Looking great!
NICE! you look beautiful!
I’m so proud to be a part of this, with all of you.
Everyone looks great, I am a new fan of Lands’ End and their swimsuits. Before this, I had no idea they have suits to fit women of EVERY shape & size.
Here’s my SWIMSUIT CONFIDENCE!
http://accidentalmommies.com/national-swimsuit-confidence-week/
LOVE IT!! xoxo
Woot!!
I am sad to think and of these stunners would hide in a cover-up or not join the fun at all. I am loving this movement! Rise up against insecurity and judgment!
Confidence is a everything in life. “OWN IT GIRLS” !!!
Have fun and know that you are appreciated and loved!
Word. XO
This is wonderful, empowering and amazing!
you are all beautiful. wow. well done, cute suits and cute poses too!!!
lovelovelove!
After hearing you guys speak at Gleek Retreat, I’m now addicted to this blog. Love that you guys did this! All you ladies rocked it in those suits. I agree – make this into a calendar.
Rock on sisters. This is awesome.
Everyone looks amazing! So proud of each of you and loving your confidence! Keep up the good work! :-)
Isn’t it amazing how we OBSESS (okay, I obsess) about being seen in a bathing suit – yet all of you look great!
Prior to this I had never owned anything by Land’s End and I swear that I may never buy bathing suits anywhere else again. They had SO many different styles and the quality is so much better than any where else I’ve bought suits from in recent years.
I’m so grateful to be a part of this and am proud of all you gorgeous ladies!
You all look GREAT! And so…so…smooth! What a weird word to use, right? But seriously, did Lands End partner with Photoshop? You girls are un(re)touchable! Gorgeous! :)
no cellulite or stretch marks were harmed in the making of these photos (no photoshop) as that would kind of defeat the purpose and integrity of the project. Cellulite screams integrity, no?
Haha, that’s what I meant– there was hardly any in sight! Amazing! I’m thin, but mostly lumpy and stretchy…or whatever the opposite of smooth is!
I must agree with Kelly. This does not take anything away from how much courage it took each and every one of the models to get out there and get photographed, but Heather’s photo *was* retouched. Now it’s less retouched than it was yesterday, but it’s still retouched. *Someone* did that and the lying about it is what’s making me really, really sad. I didn’t notice anyone else’s photo looking as unnatural as hers did, so I can’t speak to all or most of some of the photos being altered, but hers definitely was.
I still think it was awfully brave of everyone to post these photos and I certainly don’t want to take anything away from Heather. If the goal of the project was honesty and integrity, though, someone’s got something to answer for.
Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t know how to photoshop something if I tried. /shrug
First, thank you for recognizing how hard this was.
In hindsight, I should have spoken on my behalf only. I did not alter my photo in any way and it was my choice to not do that. It’s none of my business whether anyone else did or did not, frankly, I don’t know and I don’t care. It is clearly not a bunch of supermodels and I think that is the point- average women with average insecurities.
I think Brittany said it best that we are all in different stages of acceptance of our bodies. We have to respect that. Each one of us did what we had to do, whether that was taking the picture in a private setting or wearing a buttload of makeup or having a BIG glass of wine before taking the picture. I refuse to downplay that we, a bunch of regular sized ladies, are on the Internet in SWIMSUITS.
I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that this was out of all of our comfort zones, but we truly believe in this movement. It is all with good intention to get to that place of self-acceptance at our own pace and hope that others will follow.
I can’t say with certainty that I would have donned a swimsuit this summer. Having participated in this and seeing that the world didn’t end, I wasn’t painfully ridiculed and realizing that, damnit, I’m pretty normal, I will be able to feel OK bringing my kids to the pool this summer.
You ladies look amazing. The suits are fabulous, but your smiles and your confidence are even better!
WooHoo! Ladies, you ALL look fabulous and I’m applauding the “Take Back The Pool” notion. I’ve always hated swimsuit season, and it’s absolutely crazy. Because I don’t want my daughter to have the same hang-ups, this is the first year that I pulled out the suit early and hit the pool with her. I finally decided I’m just not worrying about what other people think, and it was amazingly liberating. Why did it take me so long to get to this point??
*Smooches* to all of you! Thanks for this post!
Alright – I finally got the pictures taken… so here I am in my bikini (haven’t worn one in 13 years)…
https://andsolifebegins.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/bikini-here-i-come/
you’re totally rockin’ that suit!
AWESOME!! :)
Congratulations ladies!! You all look GORGEOUS!!
This is Meredith’s husband from http://www.lifescrazyjoke.com. My wife looks amazing!!!! Curves for the win!!!
This is Shaun again. Seriously, look at those ta-tas!!! OK, I am done, she is getting chased around the house tonight…
My husband is in so much trouble for not leaving awesome comments here like you did about your wife.
LOVE it!!
She is absolutely amazingly beautiful!
You guys all look amazing and your confidence is inspiring. I was wondering about the suit that Brittany, Ali, and Allison are wearing. the reviews said that it didn’t offer much support and had too much material. Did you guys agree?
Nope, I opted for the plus version of it, because it had a better bra built in and thicker shoulder straps. For me, I don’t have an issue with it supporting my chest, it does great, and it very much feels like it hold my tummy area in.
I do also have a long torso, so i really didn’t find a ton of excess fabric, it seemed to fit correctly.
I loved mine, too. I feel like it offered a ton of support…and I have a big pregnant belly that needs support ;)
I do not have a long torso…I am 5’1 and a bit and small…and I didn’t find there was too much fabric at all! I have little-ish boobs – 32b – and I found there to be more than enough support in the boob area for me.
Listen, I can’t begin to tell you how hard it is to put a bathing suit on, and it’s doubly hard to be photographed in it. This movement is positive, and about women trying to learn to be comfortable with themselves. It is so ridiculously hard.
I did lighten Heather’s whole photo because it was taken in an alley with uneven light, but as you can see, her legs are very much the same.
And considering she is being doubly brave and going on national television in her bathing suit live, I’d say she has nothing to hide, so I am going to go high five her, as well as every other woman who participated in this event, and all the amazing posts that were linked here and on FB.
Bravo. And high-fives all around!
You all are amazing and beautiful! You’ve inspired me to buy a suit that is a) from Land’s End and b) not black!
Way to go Val! I never thought I’d have a non-black suit, but alas now I do and I love it!
WOW! I am so excited to see this I almost can’t believe it. If I’m dreaming DO NOT wake me up. Everyone looks so pretty and happy and the suits look fabulous! I’m going out and buying a lands end suit JUST BECAUSE they appreciate women and don’t discriminate. These should be home page images on their website though!!!
Love this! Great swim suits, everyone looks gorgeous!
I’m in love with the suit that Meredith is wearing! You all look AMAZING. Land’s End did exactly what they were hoping to do – got me to realize that I CAN wear a bathing suit. Who cares if I have lumpy thighs or a mushy belly? I’m a curvy girl who CAN look great! Love Curvy Girl Guide, love Land’s End!
Thanks!
Amazing! All of you! Bravo!
Amazeballs, ladies!! I’m so proud of your bravery – each and every one of you – this rocks so hard!! (Lovely suits too!!)
Good for you… xox
This is wonderful. I have a few curves where I’d rather not have them, and I try not to think about that when I’m enjoying the pool or the beach. But shopping for bathing suits is not a fun thing for me. How great to see so many fabulous women in different styles of bathing suits! I was considering Lands End for this year’s suit, and this may have just sealed the deal.
I posted some pictures on my blog too! Everyone deserves a great suit that makes them feel great and sexy!
http://mrslauradubjay.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-have-swimsuit-confidence-or-crazy.html#comments
Love this suit. You look wonderful in it!! :)
How much do I love you guys? This is awesome – it’s about time we quit hiding under cover-ups and show some skin!
Not a swim pic, but I did promote your initiative over at All Things Chic!
http://allthingschic.net/2011/05/its-national-swimsuit-confidence-week-are-you-in.html
Thank you!!! :)
xoxo
Meredith,
That swimsuit is AMAZING and so incredibly flattering. You look really great in it.
While I admire and applaud the effort behind this campaign, as someone who is in the middle of being filmed for a major 5-part documentary about obesity – the epidemic and the stigma, and who has written for Women’s Day magazine about my own struggles with obesity (I’m down 150+lbs in the last year and have 197lbs left to go!) and being a social outcast because of it, I have to say that for me personally, whatever impact you were hoping to have made by posing in these beautiful suits has been lessened by the fact that you did so in a somewhat hidden manner. Bathrooms, living rooms, alleys, backyards…
As someone who has been ridiculed to the point of trying to commit suicide because of her weight, I get it. It’s not an easy thing to do. But where is the pride you talk about exhibiting…”Go big or go home” when you’re already at home?!?! These bathing suits would have made more of an impact, and so would the statement you were trying to make had you been poolside at the Y or local plunge, at the beach, or even lakeside.
I don’t want to detract from what I think was the intended goal of this campaign – you all look amazing. However, I think you would have made an ever more powerful statement by stepping even further outside of your comfort zone when you posed for these photos.
I think we are all in different stages of body acceptance. I think it is so amazingly brave of you to take part in such a monumental documentary, so great, and I would love for you to keep us posted and we would love to have you talk about it on CGG should you be interested.
I also think, though, we need to appreciate that people reach that level of comfort on their own terms.
And trust me, the apartment and backyard photos were done out of necessity, as my sinus infection can attest to the fact that the weekend we all took pictures, it was 40 degrees and raining in Ohio.
Is it summer yet?
(say yes. please.)
I take my kids to the pool, everyday of the summer, and can’t wait to go next week—in my new suit! I promise to post lots of pics to my Posterous, Facebook, and blog!
http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2011/05/23/i-have-swimsuit-confidence/
I’d have been more than happy to photograph myself out at the pool or at the beach, but circumstances called for me to be in my backyard with kids riding by on their bikes.
For what it’s worth, more people will and have seen me in my swimsuit on the internet than would have seen me at the pool or beach. It’s there forever. Me, in a swimsuit, forever online.
I SO applaud you and your accomplishments. I only wish I could lose the weight you have. BRAVA to you!
Audrey-
Thanks for the compliment on the suit! I LOVE it.
As a matter of fact, I feel so good in it, that I also posted it on my personal blog, made it my Facebook and Twitter profile pics, and I told my husband I am no longer doing housework since I have clearly become a swimsuit model.
For me, that is WAY outside of my normal, fully sleaved comfort zone. Also, we were told to go outside and use natural light and we had about a day to get our photos done.
My favorite part of this picture is the story behind it. The day I did my photo – you cannot tell, but it’s actually raining, and about 45 degrees outside in Toledo, OH. Our nanny is standing on the patio table, in the rain, and I am in the side yard (that’s totally not fenced in) striking 80 poses. The neighbor whistled out of his bedroom window. I think he thought we were getting ready to do some X rated photos or something. HA! He’s a dirty old man.
Anyway, I am going to rock this bathing this weekend at the lake for Memorial Day! I can’t wait to get out there and show it off. And some of the girls are actually on a media tour right now. They are so brave! They are going to be on TV! WOOT!
Thanks for reading, and thank you so much for your support. Also, congratulations to you, lady! Way to go!
Oh.. LOVE LOVE LOVE this! You make me feel almost brave enough. And Brittany……………………*SWOON SISTA!*
I saw these pictures, (especially you, Yvonne and Heather) and I did it. I went to the site. I bought a bathing suit. I know it’s a PR campaign, but it’s working for me– because I think to myself, “I don’t want to let another minute of summer pass by while I try to make myself invisible at the pool with my kids.” Thank you ladies for your bravery! Can’t wait for my suit to come!
This is my post to support real confidence. This is the first time I’ve actually asked someone to take a photo of me in my swimsuit, and I even made it my Facebook profile picture.
http://spaghettiosandvicodin.blogspot.com/2011/05/sex-on-beacha-psa.html?zx=eeecfc160771bf9b
LOVE THIS!! Thanks for sharing it with us.
xoxoxoxoxo!
Yesterday there was complete denial that Heather Spohr’s pic had been photoshopped and comments about it have been removed. Today there is a different, less ‘shopped pic. Do you think this means it never happened? Both pics are being compared and talked about here and there on the internet and not kindly.
Everyone of these pics was taken in the bathroom or bedroom or hidden places; some were taken from extreme heights, others have been shopped … you are doing women such a dis-service, yourselves most of all. Why do you try to make it so clear that while you may be ‘curvy’ you are not, ew, fat! This is horrible.
You bring up an excellent point. These pictures are all taken in low traffic areas. Maybe they should be taken at the beach in front of the 12 people (or less the farther north you get) there in early May. That would really indicate courage/confidence instead of posting them for the THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VIEWING THIS ON THE INTERNET! Sorry for the shouting, I was just swept up in the absurdity of trying to attack the location of the photos.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just be getting back to my VS catalog with those photos of “real” women standing around in full football stadiums. Oh, that’s right. Those photos didn’t happen either. They must be hiding something…
And thank you, B, for seeing this.
Well, I can say for myself that my picture REALLY is in my backyard. You can verify that with the neighbors.
Oh, AND on the internet. For the world to see. AND on my personal site. Again, for the world to see.
It was pretty nerve racking being a size 14 and thinking that everyone can now see me in my swimsuit. Especially since I have been trying to lose baby weight, and this is certainly not the point in which I am ready to be photographed half naked.
So, even though I didn’t have a beach to go to in Toledo, OH in May… I still feel pretty brave and very good about the project. And so do the rest of the girls.
Thanks for stopping by!
Everyone looks gorgeous! I especially love the ruffly skirted suit. I really hope skirts can become more of a “woman of any age or weight” thing. It’s so much more feminine and flattering and modest-and I’m not usually one to harp on about modesty other than “look professional at work” and “should probably toss out the uber short shorts after you graduate college.” A year ago, I accidentally walked in on my husband’s friend changing into his swimsuit (he was wearing boxers). I was a touch embarrassed, but it wasn’t a big deal (see: boxers). I thought about how much more embarrassing it would have been if our roles had been reversed, if my husband’s friend had walked in on me in my bra and panties. I asked my husband if he’d be upset with his friend if his friend got a good look at me like that, and he said yes, of course he would, but then I pointed out that my bikinis reveal as much of me as a bra and panties. Swimsuits are weird, right?!
I like the ruffly skirts, too! They were all over the place at the pool yesterday! And I thought they looked super cute! Maybe its my age showing, or maybe they are making more flattering ones these days!
And bathing suits ARE weird :)
xoxo
I think I would choose a swim skirt no matter what size I was/am. I am with you, they are feminine and flattering!
I’m trying to think why I don’t have one given how much I like them. I guess I don’t see them much in stores (most of my suits are from Target, but lately theirs seem to all be gross neon bikinis for 16-year-olds). Either I need to look harder, or I need to buy my first suit online!
Nice job ladies! I joined in the movement too. Check out my act of bravery here. http://bibsandbaubles.com/swimsuit-confidence-week/
LOVE IT!
Suit looks awesome and so do you! :)
No response to the photoshopping?
LOVE THIS, LADIES!!! :)
thanks chicas! :)
I almost cried when I read this post. Women that look like me. Thank you, Lord (and I’m not even religious). All of you look gorgeous. My favorite suit (and hair piece) is on Meredith — so beautiful! ~Stacey T
I love Mere’s headband, too!
And thank you. :)
Awww… THANKS! You just made me cry!
I am headed to Playa del Carmen for my honeymoon in less than a month and have been ridiculously stressing about a bathing suit and of course my thighs. So, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this post and bravery. I am going to hop on over to Land’s End right now and find a suit to show off my upcoming newlywed glow! Wish I could hug all your necks right now, I really needed this.
Congratulations! Have a FANTASTIC time! Make-out a lot and rock that suit!
you guys all look awesome – props to every one of you for having the balls to do this!
my only complaint is that the link for brittany’s suit doesn’t work, along with a few others :( does this mean they are sold out?? i hope not!
I participated! I put up a swimsuit pic and am trying to be more confident, too :) After losing 34 lbs, I feel a lot better about myself, but embracing where I’m at now.
You girls look amazing!!!! So inspiring!!
http://katieballa.blogspot.com/2011/05/dieting-while-on-vacation-national.html
You are a DOLL! Lookin’ great!
You look AWESOME! Thanks for sharing! :) xoxo
You all look fantastic! I recently have returned to swimming and feeling more confident about myself in a suit.
But then I am a firm believer in board shorts!
Nice curvy ladies. I’ve fapped to this page 3 times now. Thanks!
I teared up. Because you girls are so beautiful. Because you have sucked it up and bared your suit for all to see. Because I want to be there again. Because I want a Land’s End suit. Like now.
Y’all are way too fabulous.
I’m always late to the party, but I’m here!!
http://www.athenabees.com/2011/05/curvy-girls-in-swimsuits.html
Hooray! Everyone looks awesome, & big congrats to y’all.
Very inspiring!
Tena, I have that suit!
You all are incredible. Confidence is so damn gorgeous!
I had to tweet this post because I think it’s just the best thing ever. [@mommakiss]
This is amazing. And you all look fabulous. I keep waffling about which suit is my favorite because they all rock.
My only complaint is that I didn’t know about these amazing bathing suits before my honeymoon in 2009. I skulked about Down Under in suits I hated and felt self conscious in for 2 weeks. I practically wore my coverup threadbare! Now that I know about these, you can bet I’ll be making some out of character trips to the local beach this summer.
Thanks for encouraging us all to remember how beautiful we are every day, no matter what we wear or what a damn tag says.
You all are awesome.
You ladies all look like total bombshells. I love the suits and I love your confidence. Rock on, Curvy Girls! <3
You all look amazing! So proud to be part of this campaign. It was my day of liberation from hiding my mom body!
I have to wear a (gulp) swimsuit for pretty much our entire vacation this month and I have been chiding myself to try to have FUN instead of worrying about what people I don’t know and will never see again think of my body in swimwear. This was just what I needed. :-)
PS. You girls must have shopped together. I love that retro black suit with all of the shirring.
http://www.alotoflayers.blogspot.com
I am in awe of how amazing you women are!
I’ve been re-reading some stories on “No longer quivering”. “Time heals all wounds” is about the author’s encounter with a family that follows the teachings of Bill Gothard. She mentions that in an attempt to be a model-woman, too, she bought some of his books, and in one of them, found details even on hairstyles women should wear, on their dresses, how to act etc.I’d like very much to read this, out of sheer curioity, but Gothard has written several books, does anyone of you know which one is referred to? Cran(Quote)
{ 21 trackbacks }