Looking Beautiful at the Beach

When summer rolls around you make plans to take a road trip to California, stroll down the boardwalk, bask in the sun, sing songs by the campfire at night, and build sandcastles with sand buckets. Summer is such a fun and relaxing time, but the one thing that keeps many back from enjoying such leisure is the thought of spending vacation in a swimsuit. So many women are self-conscious about their bodies that swimsuits don't exactly sound like the most appealing summer garb. News flash! You don't need to look like a lingerie model to look beautiful at the beach. Surprisingly enough you can be a knockout with more on than a string bikini.

While the girls who sprawl on the beach in a mere two strips of fabric they choose to call a swimsuit may look like Barbie wannabes, that's not necessarily beautiful. Beautiful means confidence and self-assurance which, granted, many of the California Barbies seem to have. Beauty also reflects to your core, personality, and integrity. When you have depth, you don't need exposing swimsuits. If you do choose to wear the string bikini, remember that the kind of attention that kind of display attracts may not be the kind you want from a guy. Frankly, not everyone wants to see everything anyway.

Now that string bikinis have been addressed as not the sole way to look "beautiful" on the beach, I'll turn my pen toward how to look attractive without looking trashy. I think the best way to look beautiful at the beach is to find a modest swimsuit. A bikini isn't necessary for beauty and while some girls can pull it off with rock-hard abs, the truth is when someone wears a bikini that probably shouldn't be, it's far from attractive.

To avoid that awkward visual, go for something that covers your tummy. Sometimes you have to look hard, but as with other fashion missions, it's not impossible. Tankinis are always a good way to go because they're more comfortable and you can have a relaxed look without baring all. Good places to find good, long tankinis are Victoria's Secret® and Shade Clothing®. At Victoria's Secret you can buy a tankini with an extra-long torso and given that's it is Victoria's Secret, the "extra long" is the extra-perfect length—not so long and not too short either. Shade Clothing is made for modesty and aims to keep you covered.

If your lower half is bothering you, you can always buy a stylish cover-up to wear or a trendy swim skirt. The cover-ups and swim skirts succeed in covering what usually is the most uncomfortable part of the leg while still looking like a swimsuit. Other styles that are flattering are a wide halter that ties (halters in general are flattering), bright colored suits, and cute square necks.

These swimsuit basics should get you well on your way to feeling comfortable and looking beautiful at the beach!