CULT BUY: The absurdly flattering one-piece swimsuit that costs less than $30.

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 in Little Miss Sunshine, it’s actually a photo of me in a change room while trying on a one-piece.

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 an issue.

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.

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 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):

• My boobs were supported, which is just not ever a thing with one-pieces. These swimmers have what looks like a crop top, as well as enough padding to keep your boobs in place, without making them look several times bigger.
• They have a low back, which makes it slightly... sexy? Not that I look sexy, but I look like I'm wearing a cool one-piece, and not Speedos for a swimming carnival (not that there's anything wrong with that).
• As a side note, HOW DO THESE SWIMMERS HAVE A LOW BACK BUT ALSO SUPPORT YOUR BOOBS? IT'S MAGIC.
• The cut on the bum is such that they're not super skimpy (I'm not a g-string gal at the beach), but they don't cut in anywhere you don't want them to.
• They're a little bit high on the hips (which I believe is the 'cool' thing these days) but not to an absurd Baywatch level.
• The neckline sits in the perfect spot - not too low and not too high.

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

• Built-in shelf bra
• Removable foam cup inserts
• Rounded scooped neckline
• Fixed straps at back
• Medium butt coverage
• Matte finish fabric
• Fully lined

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:

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.

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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