It has been a freaking long time since I did a Dressing Room Diaries post – I’m sorry! I know they are a favorite and I have plans to be better. To get things started this year I set out to every basic woman’s favorite store – Target. Last year’s Dressing Room Diaries post on Target’s 2017 swimwear was a huge hit. In blog speak, it went viral for reasons I still can’t really wrap my head around. I guess people enjoy seeing what Target swimsuits for women look like without having to head out to the store themselves and often want swimwear that isn’t hundreds of dollars. Well, it’s your lucky day, because it’s baaaaaaaack! People – it’s here! My full Dressing Room Diaries: Target Swimwear 2018 guide has arrived. I’m dishing two piece swimwear, one piece swimsuits, sizing and more all from everyone’s favorite store…TARGET. For reference throughout this post, it’s probably important for you to know, I’m 5’4″, typically wear a size 4 and weigh 135 pounds. My torso is long and my legs are muscular so sometimes finding a suit that matches with those measurements can be tricky. We all know swimsuits can be wonky, so my sizing on these suits runs the entire gamut. Also – zero editing on the photos so you get crappy dressing room lighting, my cellulite, bunched up underneath undies and cell phone snaps….just like if it were you trying it on yourself 😉 Now – let’s dive in to all the goodness that Target has to offer this season in their swimwear department!
The Official Guide To Target Swimwear 2018
First up we have this maroon and knit suit. I’ll be honest – this was my favorite on the rack. I loved the detailing and it seemed like the fit would be good. I don’t know if you can tell from the photos, but the back of this suit is a MESS. I was alone, so I didn’t have anyone that could help me straighten it, but I don’t have time for swimwear that takes 6 people and a crane to put on. Why so many strings and twists?! It’s kind of a shame, because the bottom of this suit fits like a dream! I am wearing a size medium top and size large bottom. If you are not muscular and petite, I have a sneaking suspicion this suit would fit like a dream on you!
I didn’t have high hopes for this next suit when I saw it in person. I had it on my list to try on, because online it looks SO CUTE. I mean seriously – that gingham is adorable. I’m no fashionista, but it seems to be pretty trendy for summertime. Either way, I took it back in a size medium top (they didn’t have a small) and a size medium bottom. This is another one where I think that it’s a bummer the top is cut the way it is, because the bottoms rock. The bottoms fit very well and true to size, but the top…where do I start. First of all, me not having boobs is a huge issue, because the top only seemed to highlight that. Perhaps if I had a small it would have been better, but it just seemed like the fabric came up so high?! I would highly recommend this top to women who are bustier up top, because the coverage is substantial and the quality of the fabric is good.
Moving on to this beauty from Shade + Shore…I was immediately drawn to it for the colors. It’s a dark navy with pink detailing and how fun is that little cleavage tassel in between?! Anyhow – I had tried on Shade + Shore suits last year and was impressed so I had high hopes for this one! Ladies, this is a WINNER! The fit is true to size and if you ever wore similar bottoms from Victoria’s Secret than you are IN LUCK! These fit exactly like those ruffle bottoms we all grew to love from the VS Swim Mix-N-Match collection (RIP). I am wearing a size medium bottoms and my bra size (34B) in the top. I did have some wiggle room in the top of the suit, so I would be sure you try this one on. It wasn’t enough to deter me though! It’s so stinking cute and fits exactly how you want your swimwear to fit – snug but not sausage casing. I will say that the bottoms are “cheeky”, so if that makes you uncomfortable, it’s just something to be aware of for this particular suit!
So switching gears a little bit, let’s dish one pieces. The model online looks like a total dream in this next suit – a black one piece with white detailing. It looks like a very similar suit to one I saw at Nordstrom a few weeks ago, so I was all for it. I tried it on in both a medium and a large. Let’s just say that the only photo I took was of me wearing the large. I don’t know where to begin with this or what to even say about it, so I’ll just provide you with the photos and you can draw your own conclusions. To note – there was no support up top, it bunched in the crotch BADLY, gapped in the side (but the medium was sausage status) and was so far up my butt in the back it was painful. I think this suit was made for a very specific body type and mine is not one of them 🙁 To note (and it’s not obvious in online pics or my photos), that the cut of this suit is the very trendy “Baywatch” style where it’s cut up super high on the sides. I would recommend this suit for someone who is not curvy.
In keeping with the black and white one piece theme, I tried on this suit that I initially didn’t even have on my list, but I saw another girl trying it on and she looked like A MILLION BUCKS! So I thought – I need to add that to my stack. Okay so first things first – boobs. I have no idea where they came from or how this suit did what it did to make them look that way. It did it to the other girl who was trying it on too. All I have to say is..MAGIC. I am wearing a size medium and I’ll be honest – there is absolutely nothing wrong with this suit. It fits true to size and is a little cheeky in the back, but nothing over-the-top…I just didn’t feel comfortable in it. I almost feel like I’m too old for something like this (hands head in shame). But! If this is a look you love – GO FOR IT! It’s comfortable and fits snugly in all the right places.
And my final one piece of the post – a strapless black mesh cut-out suit. I’ll be honest – I saw this suit last year, but it was always sold out in my size at the store. So sad! So when I saw it again this year (with over 300 rave reviews online) I was like – COME TO MAMA! Ladies – stop what you are doing and order this little number. I am not kidding. It fits like a swimsuit dream. I didn’t even know that one pieces (or swimwear in general) could ever fit so well. In fact, I had it in my head already that I wasn’t going to buy any more one pieces and this one came home with me. It’s flattering, slimming, not risqué in the back and most important – NO CAMEL TOE. It also comes with straps if you want a little bit more support or to just change up the look. Seriously – you cannot go wrong with this one so act fast! I am wearing a size medium.
Now that we’ve had a little one piece intermission – back to two pieces! This purple suit is one I wasn’t wild about on the rack (tie bottoms are hit or miss for me), but WOW! I was really impressed once I put it on. First and foremost, the colors are NEON and I really love that for summer time. I think what I really loved the most about this suit was that the bottoms that I was initially really apprehensive about didn’t make my love handles bulge out (which is sometimes the case with tie bottoms – it is what it is). The fit snugly, but not sausage, and I would feel comfortable wearing them on the beach or at the pool. I didn’t adjust the side ties at all while trying on, but you can so keep that in mind when determining what size to get. I am wearing a size medium top and size medium bottoms.
So bare with me, because this next suit I thought matched when I had it in my hand and then I realized back in the dressing room that they were slightly different stripes. FACE PALM. Either way – BOTH OF THESE PIECES ARE A WINNER. This suit is for my fellow athletic builds and small chested beauties. It makes us look like we’ve got something going on up top and flatters our curves on the bottom. The top, while looking a bit dainty, is actually fantastically built, because I did a few jumping jacks and while the ruffles flounced, the girls remained contained. Full disclosure: I do not have time, patience or a budget for swimsuits that don’t move with me. I am often stand up paddling, snorkeling or playing with my dogs, so I need a suit that looks good but is also very functional. This one fits the bill. And if we are being even more honest – I don’t hate this stripe combo together! Top is a medium and bottoms are a large.
In keeping with the blue/grey and white theme, this Shade + Shore bikini is a win! I liked it for two reasons – 1. The bottoms fit well and 2. The top lifted and was supportive. The back looks kind of fancy, but I assure you, you won’t dislocate a shoulder trying to put it on yourself and the detailing looks kind of delicate online but it seems sturdy in real life. I am wearing a size 34B in the top and a size large in the bottom.
And – I’ve saved the best for last! This was, by far, my favorite suit of the try-on. It reminds me so much of some of my very favorites from Maaji and the detailing and quality to price point just can’t be beat. Ya got me again, Target! I tried on a size medium in the top and a size small (it was all they had left) in the bottom. I’m ordering a medium bottom online, because yes, I see that side fat and….no. I also like that there is ruching up the back to avoid that diaper butt thing that sometimes happens in swimwear. The colors are a bit more vibrant than they appear online and I loved that. The ruffle detailing looks good (not cheap) and the lining of the suit was thicker, which I like because we all know what happens when a swimsuit gets wet and sticks to your lady parts. NO THANKS! If I were giving out awards, this is the 2018 Target Swimsuit Of The Year.
Whew! Okay friends, we covered A LOT of ground today. I mean – bikinis, one pieces and details…OH MY! But seriously – this might be my favorite kind of post to put together and I hope it was a little bit helpful for those of you starting to navigate 2018 swimwear options. Whether you are planning a beach trip, live in a warm location or simply just daydreaming about summer (it will be here before we know it!) Target has some amazing swimsuit options this year. Let me know what you think, which your favorites are and of course, if you have any questions 🙂
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