style | maternity swimwear

So if you're already laughing because I used "style" and "maternity swimwear" in the same title, I get it. I laughed too.  While I have happily given up bikinis (interesting side note, yes they do make maternity bikinis but there is no amount of money someone could pay me to wear one), there are several really cute options for maternity tankinis, if you know where to look.   And trust me, I've looked just about everywhere.  I know people differ on this, but I infinitely prefer tankinis over one-pieces (maternity or not) -- but seriously, who wants to have to go pee all the time while wearing a one-piece? 

PEZ D'OR Women's Maternity Capri Classic Marine Tankini $118

I love the nautical look of this suit, but the $118 price tag seemed a little steep for a suit I can only wear when I'm prego.  However, if you're willing to shell out the $$, the sweetheart neckline on this suit is lovely and nicely conservative.

Ingrid & Isabel Tankini Top (bottom sold separately) $62

  

I love the colors this tankini top comes in, and this suit definitely looks like something I would have worn before I got pregnant.  However, my boobs have gone from a B cup to a DD and I think this swimsuit would probably not look how I would want it to look.  Also, I hate the bottoms they have in the picture, but since you order the bottoms separately you can get whatever style you like. 

A Pea in the Pod: Side Ruched Maternity Tankini Swimsuit $79.50

Simple, cute, nice shaping around the chest area without being super low-cut.  A good overall suit.

Old Navy Maternity Twisted Tankini Top (bottom sold separately) $24.94

The pink color is fine, but I love the black for this top.  You can't beat the price, plus Old Navy is always running sales and discounts (especially if you are signed up for their email list).  I ordered this one a few weeks back for $15 just to try it, and it fits really well.  The side ruching is nice because it fits and looks good now at 17 weeks and will continue to stretch and fit (I hope) into my third trimester.  Although I don't really expect it to fit all the way to the end, that would be asking a lot.

Mermaid Maternity Fold Over Panel Swim Skirt with Attached Boy Short $47.00

I know it doesn't look like much in the picture, but this is my all time favorite piece of maternity swimwear.  I finally ordered it last week because it's been in the 80's here in Fort Wayne, and I think we'll be getting the blow up pool out for Ruby (the 2 year old I nanny for) very soon.  One thing that I really wanted in a maternity swimsuit was a not-too-short, not-too-long, well fitting swim skirt (goldilocks syndrome anyone?).  Since I work as a nanny, I spend most of the Summer outdoors at splash pads, in the sprinkler, etc.  Plus Isaac and I spend a lot of time at the beach between vacations with both of our families.  So I really wanted a swimsuit that would work both in and out of the water.  This swim skirt is absolutely perfect.  It's just long enough to be comfortable when we're at the beach playing bocce ball, but it's still short enough that it doesn't look fuddy-duddy or weigh you down when it gets wet.  I also like that it comes in black because I can then pair it with a black tankini top from just about anywhere -- no color matching required.


*Quick note: Old Navy also offers a black maternity swim skirt for the fantastic price of $19.94, but I didn't like the way that it fit nearly as much as the Mermaid Maternity.


I ended up deciding on the above swim skirt in black along with the Old Navy tankini top, also in black.  My total for the two came out to $62 (well, $67.95 including shipping for the swim skirt, Old Navy had free shipping).  This is one of the most expensive suits I've ever bought, but I think it'll be worth it in the end, considering how much time I'll spend in it this Summer.  Plus, it's hard to put a price tag on a suit that makes you feel comfortable and attractive ESPECIALLY when you're pregnant.

While I wouldn't normally post pictures of myself in a swimsuit, I know I always prefer to see suits on real people instead of models.  If you're currently looking for a good maternity swimsuit, hopefully this gives you a better idea of what these two pieces actually look like.  I know it's hard to see any details in a picture of a black suit, but the suit really does look nice in person.  If you look closely you can see the lovely side ruching in the second picture, it's definitely my favorite part of the top.