Embrace beach confidence: Every body deserves the spotlight

The number one summer rule is: you should feel comfortable on the beach. If you want to show off your body in a bikini – great. If you prefer to cover up in a one-piece swimsuit – no problem. Remember, you don't have to feel self-conscious about anything. We’re always ready for the beach, regardless of age or size.

Content published on social media often makes us feel embarrassed or even depressed. During the spring-summer season, a thought often crosses our minds: do I need a perfect body to go to the beach? Of course not. It’s absolutely harmful to compare yourself to models whose job is to follow strict diets and tough gym workouts.

Our bodies have texture, smaller or larger folds, or scars that carry a story. There's no reason to be ashamed of that. Of course, you can choose a one-piece swimsuit or a light cover-up – after all, comfort is paramount. But you should know that a bikini is not out of your reach.

That’s the message from influencer Justyna Lis, whose Instagram profile is followed by nearly 130,000 people. She opposes idealized beauty standards and boldly shows off her curves in photos and videos. She believes that life is too short to worry about what others think and every "imperfection" of one's own body.

To feel confident on the beach, it’s worth investing in a swimsuit that fits well and won't cause any surprises. This isn’t just about water fun but also the smallest movements, like bending over a beach bag. Those with larger busts face a particular challenge, as they are not easy to "tame". The key is proper shaping and support.

Fortunately, bra-fitting expert Izabela Sakutova offers help in this matter. It turns out that the key is going to a store where swimsuits have lingerie sizing systems. Popular chain stores should be set aside.

– If a woman with a larger bust does not have a well-fitting swimsuit in terms of size and construction, going to the beach means constantly checking if the top is in place and continuously adjusting it. Unfortunately, she has to give up pleasures like playing beach volleyball or carefree sea baths – says the expert.

– Choose from brands whose swimsuits have a lingerie sizing system. So, let's avoid options available in sizes XS-XL. Our bodies are so beautifully diverse that it’s impossible to classify them within just five size categories. Professional lingerie brands, available in bra-fitting salons, offer over 100 sizes of swimsuits to be perfectly tailored to the unique needs of our bodies – she informs.

– Therefore, the most important criterion when choosing a swimsuit should not be its color, trendy pattern, or style, but above all a properly chosen size and solid construction that ensures proper support, stabilization, and breast safety – emphasizes Sakutova in an interview with WP Kobieta.

The bra-fitter explained that above all, one should avoid swimsuits sold in sets, as the top and bottom sizes are usually not the same. At the same time, she gave us some valuable tips. What kind of bikini top should those with large breasts invest in?

– Firstly, it’s worth choosing swimsuits with underwires built into the cups, which ensure a nicely gathered and shaped neckline and provide much better support for the bust. Secondly, focus on quality and choose swimsuits made of stable materials. They will keep the breasts in check even after leaving the water – she notes.

– When it comes to patterns, the rule is simple – avoid everything I recommend to girls with small breasts. Say "no" to large prints, ruffles, fringes, and volume-adding shiny materials. Ideal are small patterns and smooth cups without attached decorations – the expert adds.

A top with built-in cups and underwires is an absolute "must-have". Izabela Sakutova points primarily to models with wider straps, which are an integral part of the cups. However, it turns out that women with larger busts "don’t have to choose between support and tanning their shoulders" because they can opt for a bandeau top. Again, underwires and built-in, reinforced cups are sufficient.

And what about those with smaller, or even medium-sized breasts? There’s no doubt that in their case, soft, triangular cups with neck ties work best, which are one of the two elements of perhaps the most popular bikini model.

And although it’s often classified as youthful, it suits absolutely any woman. Regardless of age. Because remember, fashion knows no age, as proven many times by 59-year-old Grece Ghanem – a popular fashionista whose profile is followed by as many as 1.7 million Instagram users.