Note: This story isn’t sponsored, I just had a revelation I had to share.

Hi.

I have a confession.

I have the type of body that looks ridiculous in a one-piece swimming costume.

I’m short, I have boobs, I have hips (but no bum… cool), and when I’m in a one-piece, my tummy doesn’t… look its best.

While you might think this image is a screenshot of Abigail Breslin inLittle Miss Sunshine,it’s actually a photo of me in a change room while trying on a one-piece.

Oh. Hi. Image via Fox Searchlight Pictures.

It's really frustrating to not be able to wear a one-piece. If I genuinely want to go for a swim, or dive in a pool, or jump in the waves at the beach, a bikini is entirely impractical. There's boob everywhere, and that's anissue.

Then, over the long weekend, I made a discovery.

There is one magical one-piece I don't look ridiculous in. In fact, this swimsuit is... dare I say...flattering.

Surely not.

I know.

Let me set the scene: It's a public holiday, and I'm just hanging in my active wear as usual. It occurs to me that since I live in active wear, I should probably buy more, so decide to go to Cotton On Body.

That's when I saw it.

Their swimwear looked really... nice. 'Don't do it to yourself,' I said, silently. 'You know you'll try it on and then be traumatised for the next month.'

But I couldn't help it. I grabbed a couple of one-piece swimmers and brought them into the change room.

As I put the first one on, something struck me as problematic.I didn't look like a thumb.Or a five-year-old. Or a boob. I had... shape. The one-piece looked...good.

I... know.

I tried on two one-pieces, ranging from $29.95 to $34.95 - a bargain considering one-pieces can easily cost over $100.

The one I ended up buying was the cheaper one, which was black, but comes in several different colours.

When I looked in the mirror, these were my observations (in laypersons terms, from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about fashion/swimwear):

According to Cotton On Body, in proper-swimwear-speak, this translates to the following features:

While I bought my one-piece in black, the online range is much more colourful. These are a few of the variations in the style I bought:

Image via Cotton On Body.

Image via Cotton On Body.

Image via Cotton On Body.

The other swimsuit I tried on, and almost bought, was just as flattering. I just decided to go for the low back rather than cross over straps.

Image via Cotton On Body.

Image via Cotton On Body.

I've genuinely never been able to find a one-piece that works on my body. Ever. So to be able to find TWO STYLES that made me feel comfortable and confident was a revelation. From those two styles, there are almost ten colours and patterns to choose from.

If you've struggled to find a one-piece that suits you, definitely give Cotton On Body a go. They've also got two-pieces in a range of styles, colours and patterns, including high-waisted bikini bottoms and bikini tops with underwire and a bralette silhouette.

I'm not a fashion guru, but these are pretty and fun and flattering. Which means one less thing to worry about when summer arrives.

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