Growing up in Florida, I wasn’t really shy about showing some skin. Everyone wore short shorts and string bikinis, and it didn’t strike me as unusual. But I attended a church with strictly enforced modesty standards (and my mom was an enforcer to be reckoned with herself – love you, mother), so I often ended up wearing tankinis or covering up with a t-shirt.
While I really believe people should wear whatever they want (as cliche as it may be, those “all bodies are bikini bodies” memes still make me happy), I feel more comfortable these days with fuller coverage, maybe because of my background but also because of the way I carry weight on my body. So I’m happy that vintage cuts are in.
This swimsuit is from Alyned Together, a company that believes in size inclusivity (they carry sizes XS-3X), sustainability (they use recycled poly in their collection and use nontoxic dyes), and industry change (they produce in industry-leading factories with the hopes of building relationships with the owners and managers to move them toward better sustainability standards).
Increasingly, I feel compelled to give highest priority to companies who understand that every body is different and know how to celebrate it. Sustainability and body positivity are natural partners because they both have an end goal of creating a more abundant, healthier world.
A note on sizing: I’m wearing a small in the top and a medium in the bottom with a 34″ bust, 29″ waist, and 39″ hips. I probably could have gone one size down in the bottoms to get a tighter fit at the waist, but for my proportionally larger thighs, the medium is more comfortable.
Leah Wise
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.