Friday, June 3, 2011

Is Lands End the end?

Lately I have been thinking a little about my identity as a woman and mom.  It is probably because a lot has changed in the past few months.  My son was born in November, we moved in January, I turned 30 in April, and then my husband deployed in May.  It has been a whirlwind and there have been many many many times where I have had to be a responsible adult.  I have had to be more organized than ever.  I am a little (okay, a lot) tired right now and trying to wrap my brain around all of the new responsibility I have in my life.  I am lucky in that when my husband is home, he truly is my partner.  He does dishes, changes diapers, cleans, hangs with the kids so I can go out, etc.  So I am feeling like I am picking up A LOT of slack right now making the sure house runs smoothly, the kids are happy, the pets survive, and the plants don't biodegrade.

This summer is my first true bathing suit season since having kids.  Almost two years ago (sniffle) I gave birth to Kate in early July.  I'm not sure I even put on a swimsuit that summer... if I did, it wasn't in public.  You can thank me later.  One year ago I was pregnant with Connor, and again, I gave myself a pass.  Maternity swimsuits are what they are and if someone looks critically at a pregnant woman in a swimsuit they deserve to be smacked.

So here I am in 2011.  Two kids in two years.  I need a new bathing suit. 

I will admit that I started looking several months ago.  I KNOW a bikini isn't happening this summer so that was off the table.  So it was mostly tankinis and one pieces.  And this is where things get embarrassing and confusing for me.  I started seriously looking at...  skirted swimsuits...  Oh lordy, my fingers are telling me not to even type this because of how embarrassing it is.  If you had asked me 5 years ago who wears skirted suits I would have told you 70+ year old women and mothers who have lost their identity and/or stopped caring.   

I got a Lands End catalogue in the mail a few weeks ago.  I started browsing and they had some suits that I thought might be flattering this summer.  I ordered one.  Then, I had a mini panic attack.  I had just ordered a skirted swimsuit from Lands End.  Did they choose that brand name because it is the true signifier to the END of youth?  Am I now just another mommy in the carpool lane in sweats and a scrunchy?  In a skirted swimsuit at the beach? 

So here it is folks, my skirted suit... 

The top is just your typical tankini halter top in indigo. 

Between being the sole caregiver to my two kids and this skirted suit I think I have gone from 29 to 49 in a month.  So, what do you think?  Is "Lands End" the end?

8 comments:

(A Little) Gris Gris said...

I feel somewhat responsible for this blog post. :(

First, that's adorable! You're gonna rock it. Second, I'm seeing TONS of skirted suits all over the place this year. They're in AND useful. Go with it.

Now, would it help you to see the couple of suits I own from LE?

AKW

Sarah said...

I totally understand! I did the same last summer. I have made a jump this summer- as you probably will too- to a regular bikini. But it isn't easy as 20-something year old blonde sting bikini walks by. Hold your head up high, no matter what you wear- You are still that hot woman you were before kids. Now we just get a tagline- MILF ;-)

Anonymous said...

The 'mom' wardrobe is something I am struggling with too. For me it is shorts. It seems like every pair I try on is either too short or too long. Ugh. Let's face it, there are a lot of frumpy moms out there and people like you and me have no business being one!

I think the swimsuit is cute!

Karen

Allie said...

It's super cute!! Plenty of non-mom celebs have rocked the skirted swimsuit. I'm sure you'll look great it in!

sanctimomious said...

I think its cute!

Leslie said...

I'm not even a mom and I would rock that! I also went bathing suit shopping (something I hate as I have kind of let myself go a little bit)and I had great success with the Miracle suit. I didn't feel awful about myself after leaving the store and they come in a variety of cuts and styles. A little expensive, but from what I understand, totally worth it. :-)

MilitaryWordofMouth said...

I feel the same way Jill! My husband was deployed the last two summers and there was no way I was going to the beach with two toddlers. I am dreading buying a bathing suit!

Khara said...

a little late on this but here's a thought...
Lands End makes good suits that STAY IN PLACE. The last thing in the world you need is "something" falling out while you chasing kids down the beach or catching them before they run into a pool. And with a skirt, the bottom is protected- no cheeks will be seen even if they could fall out:) I always buy the Lands End suits and with 3 kids, I have so far managed to have every region that I need covered to stay covered while running after them. ROCK that suit!!!

Hi, I'm Jill!

Hi, I'm Jill!
Extrovert. Mom of two. Wife of a cute Naval Aviator. Lover of wine. When I'm not chasing my two kids around town you will find me writing, taking too many photos, and researching the ten future areas the Navy could potentially (but probably won't) PCS us. We are fish out of water, landlocked at 7,000 feet. For now.

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