Swimsuit Season: What Are You Wearing?

Yes, the dreaded/hated/despised swimsuit season is here in full force. You may or may not have lost the weight you resolved to on New Year's Eve, but whatever your size, chances are good that you will have to shimmy yourself into some sort of swimwear at least once this summer. This doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Yes, we all have problem areas that we'd like to keep under wraps, but you don't have to hide under a ginormous beach towel, sweltering your tush off to save face. You need to suit up and work it, momma!

Okay, first things first, you are a mommy, but you don't need to limit yourself to the full-body-cast type suits that scream: "I only put this on in the off chance that I have to jump in the water to save my *insert important object here*!" I'm not saying that you're going to tie yourself into an "itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini" either. But there is middle ground, people!

Take this suit from Alloy:It's cute, stylish, inexpensive, and as long as you aren't 10' tall like this model most likely is, the top will be long enough to cover those stretch marks that your most adorable second child gave you because he decided to hang out in your uterus an extra week (thanks, kiddo). Tankinis are great options for mommy-physiques. Plus, they have an added bonus of being easy to pull down for a bathroom break as opposed to doing the full-suit strip or the crotch strap pull-aside (come on, we've all done it).

Now if you just can't get away from the one-pieces, there is now this wonderful thing called a MONOkini. Looks like a bikini fromthe back, and a one-piece in the front, giving you full coverage where you really need and/or want it. Example:Now this particular one might not work for the more full-chested of us, but there are monokini styles that accommodate bigger boobies so don't rule them out.

Now I know some of you are thinking, "This chick is crazy! There is no way on God's green earth I'd be caught dead in something like that." But trust me, the full-on old lady suits that we've just come to accept as normal swimwear for us after-kids crowd is NOT doing any of you any favors. If you're initially uncomfortable, go for a cute coverup or sarong:This one doubles as a dress or a skirt for custom coverage!

Whatever you decide, break the mommy-swimsuit-mold! You don't have to wear the granny-suits of yore. Challenge yourself to try something new! Be daring! Strut your sexy stuff, mommas!