Swimwear Confidence: Middle Figure

If Memorial Day brings presents water-related festivities, these suits will ensure the ability to fill your yummy tank with bbq, no sucking in required. 

Spanx Convertible Tankini Top

An empire fit that angles away rather than clinging around your comfortably, cushy center.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Triple Ruffle Tankini

Three pretty layers of core camouflage.

Seafolly Viva Separates Swimsuit

A strategic little ruffle can easily distract from a few tummy squishies.

It Figures Heritage Bandeau Tankini Set

A hypnotic print and tummy flattening fabric ensures all anyone sees if your impeccable taste.

Want more ideas, use your mouse to poke the link below and visit the
Cardigan Empire Recommended Middle Figure Swim Shop. 

All the girls in itty-bitty bikinis will be envying you, secret jealous envy.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Fitting Room Friday: Swimwear Confidence

A built-in shelf bra supports the nursing flowers, all in an adorable print which camouflages post-partum softness.  Moderate weight nylon-spandex holds everything in, while a polyester/lycra lining makes sure nothing is revealed that should not be.

A moderate cut leg opening keeps the gams long, while a flip up waistband provides additional support in the midsection.

More Middle Figure Swim Options to be released Monday.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear Confidence: Upper Figure

If in summers of yore, you've refused to approach aquatic occasions without a t-shirt for fear of indecent exposure, you and your lady eggs are in luck.  The following suits should keep everything properly nested regardless of your aquatic agenda.

Freya Supernova Tankini

3 column of double row hook and eyes locks and loads the girls, and molded cups obscure any of their subconscious visual "sirens."

Becca Chamelon Ruffle Swimdress

A bit of kicky ruffle below goes a long way in balancing higher intensity above.

Bond-Eye Tangier Shape Enhancing Tankini

If you wouldn't leave the house without first enforcing an underwire buttress, why would you go swimming without it?

Seafolly Goddess Bandeau Swimsuit

If you opt for a strapless, bandeau, or bandini option make sure it includes stay-in-place, non-slip strips.  This option ensures you don't dislodge your ladies with your first hop into the pool.

Want more ideas, use your mouse to poke the link below and visit the
Cardigan Empire Recommended Upper Figure Swim Shop. 

Now give your legs another coat of self-tanner and schedule a pedicure, you're prepared for bathing bravery.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Swimwear Confidence: Lower Figure

Your swimwear phobia descends from your ankle ascensions.   Morbid fear abounds as you view bodies of water larger than a bathtub and imagine yourself exposing one or more of the following:

• squat stems
• lavishly fleshy hips
• cellulite ushering saddlebags
• a swimsuit munching bottom

Hyperventilation may be stopped by something far more attractive than a paper bag.  Below is a collection of swimwear to induce bathing bravery:

Natalie One-Piece

Boy shorts highlight the exquisitely curved shape of your hips, thighs, and end note without going into uncomfortable details.

Diapacasus Diagonal One-Piece

The strong diagonal lines draw a shorter distance across your lower levels while the one shoulder ornamentation draws attention to your statuesque collar bones.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Color Block Halter One Piece

Higher cut leglines lengthen and lean leglets without compromising coverage in the rear.  Bright colorblocking emboldens your gentler half.

Kenneth Cole Reacation Mod Squad Halter Swimdress

This bathing skirt flirts around your powerful flanks keeping offering your super-limbs full anonymity.

Want more ideas, use your mouse to poke the link below and visit the
Cardigan Empire Recommended Lower Figure Swim Shop. 

Now all you need to worry about is your glossing up your slender arms and finding poses which accentuate the sinews running down your calves.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Super Suit fashion look book cheat sheet.

Want a personalized refresher for Summer? Get your own Fashion Package, complete with a look book & virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of uniquely customized ensembles.

Fashion Apologies

A Swim Series Interruption

To the injured patrons of the Payson, Arizona Del Taco

When you were attempting to enjoy your supreme nacho cheese fries yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:32 pm, your meal was rudely interrupted.  My family and I were journeying home from a weekend in the mountains, when 19 ounces of Powerade and personal needs required the benefits of a public restroom.  

Unfortunately, a thorough round of inadequately dried laundry left me with only pajamas as a travel ensemble.  While I had attempted to layer a tank under the slightly transparent top.  The pajama bottoms were unmistakeably soiled with regurgitated remains of Coco's bottle.

Beyond floral elastic waistband pants in the afternoon, my husband had packed away all my shoes at the bottom of the suitcase and suggested I wear his running shoes for my entry into the public domain.  Normally I don't even wear my own running shoes off the athletic track, let alone oversized, men's slighlty sweaties.

In summary, my appearance may have ruined your meal and nauseated your appetite.  If you would be so kind as so send me your name and mailing address, I'd be happy offer you a macho taco voucher.

Shamefully yours,

Reachel

Shade Swimwear Giveaway Winner

eighteen
nine * two
three * three * two

or

eighteen
six * three
two * three * three

It all factors back to Michelle, the lucky winner of the Shade Swimwear Giveaway

Still to come, pretty swimwear selections, a fitting room friday, and overall summer swim bliss.

Swimsuit Confidence Tips

A few tips from my favorite 2.2 foot swimsuit model:

1.  Spotlight a favorite feature: 
Coco has undeniably delectable legs.  The unadorned, higher cut legline allows full view of each and every lower limb nook and cranny.

2. Maintain Proportion 
Being distinctly middle figured, Coco appreciates the ruffled bodice adding volume up top and camouflaging her broad waistline circumference below.

3.  Opt for Glowing Color

Swimwear is one of your most important ensemble color choices.  Not only will the color accent your facial epidermis, but all the other skin you're exposing as well. 

Don't forget to enter the Shade Swimwear Giveaway, unless you don't fancy free things.  If you have free phobia, please keep a safe virtual distance as this giveaway will cause you severe discomfort.

Shade Swimwear Giveaway

Sponsored by

Bon Voyage to our week of Swim Confidence!  In celebration we're starting off with a giveaway from Shade Clothing.  Shade Clothing kindness translates into a free swimsuit for a lucky CE reader.

Shade offers a capacious variety of swimmer suits in styles unique enough for your individual body type.  Yet all options are delivered in superior quality nylon/spandex with liners to keep your private areas private.

To win: show us what you know.  Select a Shade swimsuit you believe would flatter your figure, then post a comment on this, here post.

Or Tweet/Blog/Facebook or otherwise share the news about this contest and let it be known via comment love.

Winner will be selected at random, Friday, May 21st.

How to wear a Swimsuit with Confidence

The swim season tide is rising.  Steady and sure it will reach your toes, weary or wishful, and summon proper swim regalia.  

Beyond proper nylon circumferences, successful swimwear mandates confidence.  Which is what Cardigan Empire will dedicate its efforts toward providing.  Also anticipate:

A Swimwear Giveaway

Reality Fittings

Handfuls of Excessively Pretty Swimmer Suits

Fantasy Fashion: Online Shopping Comparison Tool

As much as I fancy myself cast as a mystical fashion phenomenon, thou canst uncover golden budget-saving eggs as well.  

All thou needst do is name thy hunt (ie green paisley skirt) at one of the fine digital establishments listed below, then poke around refining the visual results with thy mouse.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Trouser Alternatives

High Chloe High-Waist Cuffed Pants $1,155.00

Add to this my needed cost of longitude enhancing, leg-ending footwear.  An unarguable chaperon to this summer staple.

Medium Spring Tide Crops $88.00
8% of the original price and they've thrown in an extra button at the waistband.

Low Covington Cropped Pants $29.99
Cropped length - check; Cuffed hem - check; High waist - check; 3% of the original price - double check.



Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Skirt Alternatives

High Carolina Hererra Floral Tafetta Jacquard Skirt $1,790.00

Is paying with commas necessary in order to get an a-line skirt that reaches my knees?  Does the extra fabric require an investment of four digits?

Medium Halogen Pocket Skirt $68.00
4% of the original price and only an inch above my shy little knee caps.

Low NY & Company Abstract Print Skirt $39.95
2% of the original price, 60% of the original length.

Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Sweater Alternatives

High Oscar de la Renta Cropped Silk & Cashmere Cardigan $1,190.00

For the price of a starter mortgage payment.

Medium Caslon Crochet Cardigan $68.00
6% of the original price or around the cost of a cable bill.

Low Jeweled Teddy Sweater Cardigan $21.80
2% of the original price or the monthly cost of telephone land line.
  



Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Dress Alternatives

High David Meister Textured Sheath Dress $410.00

The little black dress gone abstract with brush stroke details.  It's begging me to layer and accent it with bold pops of colors.

Medium Banana Republic Floral Print Cowlneck $110.00
27% of the original price and Jackson Pollock would still be proud.

Low AB Studio Brushstroke Sheath $48.00
12% of the original price for the same modern outline and style.
 

Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Shoe Alternatives

High Valentino Couture Bow Patent Leather Slingbacks $695

When I prance in dreams, my feet are generally clad in Italian leather shoes with Italian leather soles so as not to scuff any clouds.  

Low Luichiny Kam Me Peep Toe Pump $68.95
10% of the original price with a star-shined heel.
 

Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Necklace Alternatives

High Alexis Bittar 'Candied Fruit' Necklace $395

I am endeared to statement making lady like pearls, but this ornament says more than my pocketbook can adequately respond to.

Medium Pearl & Pavé Necklace $55

14% of the initial introduction for a similarly elegant combination of pearl and pavé.

Low Couture Faux Pearl $10.80
3% of the original price with a competitive amount of timeless shine. 



Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

Fantasy Fashion: Budget Conscious Blouse Alternatives

High Kate Spade Earth, Wind, Fire Striped Effie Blouse $245

One of my all time favorite fantasy apparel designers.  This blouse begs to join my closet entourage enjoying company with feminine jackets and richly colored cardigans, but the price tags refuse to fit into my budget's dainty constraints.

Medium J Crew Silk Frances Cami $88
Similar romantic ruffle, 35.9% of original price

Low Akira Black Label Ruffle Tie Collar Blouse $42.90 
Sameish Victorian inspired collar, 17.5% of original price
 

Start a chic budget hunt, order a virtual shopping session to compile a portfolio of affordable customized ensembles.

 

Fantasy Fashion

I do not consider envy attractive.  I enjoy seeing others prettily outfitted as much as I enjoy prettily outfitting myself.  I actively try to want what I get rather than endlessly trying to get what I want. 

But sometimes my mouse and my mind wander beyond the limits of my budget and lifestyle. Sometimes I cross into the land of fashion fantasy.

However, I believe that for every collection of triple digit couture, there is a similar and more affordable assembly of double digit fashion.  CE's quest this week is to find comparable items in fantasy and reality dimensions.

Au Revoire

Procure a book customized to your own fashion journey in a personalized fashion look book.