Fashion | Beach Holiday Confidence Styling

I write this from my hotel balcony while in Spain, it's almost time to come home, but this holiday will forever stay in my mind as the one I found my beach body confidence. No, the flight didn't miraculously make me lose 3 stone, my abs didn't suddenly gain definition, I am still the size I have always been. I don't know what has changed in my mind, but I know after I did Whole30 in June I feel better in myself than ever - I will write about my Whole30 journey soon.

Feeling better about myself, I got some acrylics and a much-needed spray tan, along with some new clothes that I felt amazing in and I have never received so many compliments. But the thought of getting into my swimwear was still awful. I left my swim shop too late and couldn't find any swimsuits that would support my boobs and would be delivered in time. So I bought two bikinis which I found using Lyst (I will post these separately) and that is all the swimwear I packed! I was dreading sitting with my family in a two piece, although I don't know why or what I thought would happen. To make myself a bit more confident I bought this ASOS embroidered cover up, which I love so that I didn’t feel totally exposed. But as I looked around I realized that so many of the women in bikinis were not slim, some had big tummy’s like me, others had gorgeous thick thighs and big bums but they all looked happy and beautiful. What on earth had I been so worried about? I felt like I had woken up from a 30-year daze and all of a sudden I saw the light.

If you are still not fully confident about your body don’t jump out of your comfort zone, I have donned a bikini in the past, but was so self-conscious I couldn’t enjoy myself. Instead, opt for something a bit more daring like this ASOS cutout D+ swimming costume.

I find that if you have a full outfit on you tend to feel more confident about yourself too – why not wear jewellery to the beach? I love this Gold Chunky Stone ring. It’s also important to have protection on your eyes, and these Catseye Sunglasses by Whistles are my favourite shape and look super chic. Teaming all of this with a lovely printed beach bag, like this Circle by Sam Edelman one, and these cute Popbands complete the look.

I know swimwear can be a daunting thing for everyone, not matter their shape, but as my mum's friend always says “who’s looking at you?” the answer is no-one, and even if they are I can’t worry myself with other people’s opinions because I can’t change them. All I can change is how I feel about my body – it may not be perfect, but it is mine and if I want to I can make it “better”, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love it and feel confident in the meantime. I’ve wasted 30 years letting people dictate how I feel about my body and that is stopping now.

What do you do to make yourself feel beach confident?

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