Twenty-something size-twos have no issue wriggling into a teeny bikini. But for real women with lumps, bumps and bulges, there is a sense of dread attached to swimsuit season. Style expert and author of "Bump it Up" Amy Tara Koch gathered a group of real moms to show how the right swimsuit and thoughtful styling can make you look thinner, taller and glamorous.
SERENA: Plucky preggoCONCERN: Not looking like a beached whaleTIP: For a pregnant woman, a darker color suit absorbs light and slimsA good maternity swimsuit is hard to find. They are often itchy and frumpy. But this brand new Ingrid and Isabel tankini is super stylish, comfortable and created with four-way stretch fabric and invisible seams to to allow for maximum stretch in all the right places. The bust is triple layered and pleated to allow for support. A darker suit absorbs light and slims, while a deep-v neckline elongates the neck and ruching along the sides flatters curves.
Shop the look:
INGRID & ISABEL Maternity ruched tankini, $72, INGRID & ISABEL Maternity ruched bottom, $62, ZINGARA "Marie Paulle" hat, $39, DR. SCHOLL’S wood sandal, $49, TINLEY ROAD Coral ring, $22, SEQUIN NEW YORK Starfish necklace, $178, SEQUIN NEW YORK Starfish earrings, $28, MICHAEL STARS "Calypso" tote, $85,
GRACE: PINUP MOMCONCERN: Losing the baby weight, camouflaging the baby blubberTIP: Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colors!This look, with its Rita Hayworth vibe, is all about color and playfulness. Grace’s navy polka dot suit by Boden flatters her curves and shows off her decolletege. A strategically placed cover up makes all of the difference in a mom's confidence level. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and colors! The oversized beach bag doubles as diaper bag and mixes up proportions. No one wants to wear stilettos to the beach, but heels always make a woman look longer and leaner. The solution: a great espadrille wedge.
Shop the look:
BODEN Retro swimsuit, $68, ZINGARA Bahia blouse, $69, CALYPSO ST. BARTH FOR TARGET Linen wedges, $29.99
SEQUIN Enamel bangles $28-$42, BODEN Big beach bag, $68, TARGET Cat-eyed sunglasses, $12.99
GARA DANIELLE Sea opal "Druzy" ring, $150,
KAREN: Mama with moxieCONCERN: Stretch marksTIP: Think about your scarves as sarongs!40 year old Karen is proud of her figure and not afraid of making a statement. Her one concern? Stretchmarks on her belly. A magenta bikini showcases her décolletage and makes a color statement with a bright yellow scarf around the midriff as a sarong.
Shop the look:
TARGET, Mossimo magenta bandeau and side tie bikini, $17.99 each
SIR ALISTAIR RAI "Maha Mantra" yellow scarf (used as sarong), $98, TARGET Xhilaration turquoise watch, $12.99
TARGET Merona "Emeline" braided sandals, $15
SEQUIN NEW YORK enamel bangle, $38, HOUSE OF HARLOW Plated wrap ring, $30,
DIVINA: Classic with a twistCONCERNS: Is petite, hates arms and stomachTIP: Create a long, lean silhouette with a minimal palette, neck-grazing earrings and heelsPetite Divina is not having a love affair with her arms, thighs or stomach at the moment. But she doesn’t want to hide in a Snuggie this summer. Solution: Spanx has parlayed their compression technology into swimwear that is stunning and slimming. Expensive? Yes..here’s why. This one-shoulder suit is totally chic. But it's engineered with two-way premium jersey fabric with maximum compression that sucks in and flattens the gut, hips and rump into a flattering silhouette.
Shop the look:
SPANX Basix one-shoulder swimsuit, $152 SPANX Sheer cover up, $148 JESSICA SIMPSON Jungle wedge, $69, TARGET Coral three-piece bangle set, $16.99
CALYPSO ST BARTH FOR TARGET Sequin straw tote, $24.99
H&M bangles, $6 for pack
KMART Purple sunglasses, $7.99
MARIA: Laid-back luxeCONCERN: Her buttTIP: Look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds with compression swimwearFirst-time mom Maria is still losing the baby weight and isn't loving her rump. This suit accents her hourglass figure. Miracle took the slimming technology from their hit clothing line (I love the jeggings) and applied it to bathing suits. Their tagline — LOOK 10 POUNDS LIGHTER IN 10 SECONDS — is no joke. The suits (with Lycra that's slimming and chlorine-resistant) whittle the waist and firm the entire midsection, giving a flattering hourglass silhouette. The ruffles draw the eye down, emphasizing the nipped-in waistline. The cover up looks effortless — just kind of tossed on. But, in fact, it plays a major role in Maria’s confidence level.
Shop the look:
MIRACLE SUIT Flamenco, $146, SPANX Silky sarong, $98, CALYPSO ST.BARTH FOR TARGET Scarf (scarf as sarong), $19.99
SIR ALISTAIR RAI Peacock bag, $48 COOLIBAR Shapeable poolside sun hat, $44 NINE WEST "Eyeful" heel, $85, KARA ROSS Coral bangles with gemstones, $275, KARA ROSS Linear hexagon Earrings with coral, $135, KARA ROSS Gold wave cuff with black onyx, $250, GARA DANIELLE Pink "Druzy" ring, $150,