swimsuit shopping

I'm trying really hard to post only my favorite things BUT at this stage I must share what has to be one of my least favorite things: swimsuit shopping. A couple of days ago I was browsing around Lord and Taylor for a suitable black frock for my daughter to wear for the salsa dance  (yes, salsa!) in the senior show. It must have been just minutes after the swimsuits for summer '11 had been put out on the racks. And what a cheerful and bountiful assortment of suits there were: bikinis and tankinis and full suits and cover ups in all shapes, sizes and colors. Something for everyone, I thought at the time. I didn't have time to try anything on right then so I returned the next day full of enthusiasm and hope. Perhaps I would be able to find the perfect suit to take to a wedding in Florida next month. I've been alternating between a tired, reversible Tyr racer back lap suit and some frumpy black thing from Lands End for the past couple of seasons so I'm definitely in need of an update. I cheerfully pulled a selection from the racks and went into the dressing room. Oh dear. There's a reason they don't show the full view in the 360 degree mirror on "What Not to Wear" - it's not nice. This fairfield femme's reflection gave me pause - I had to avert my eyes and almost fled in horror empty handed. But I was brave, took a deep breath and tried on one more suit. Thankfully I found it to be acceptable. It's a nice looking suit on the rack. Does it look good on me? No, but it was the best of the bunch and it will do the trick (for a few more years!).