The Sea Folly Denim Block Bikini from Coco Bay

Last summer, the team at Coco Bay asked me whether I would like to wear, and write about, one of their bikinis. Having provided them with an idea of my individual requirements/issues, they suggested a bikini which seemed to fit the bill perfectly - and it did. For anyone who is interested, that post can be read here.

So when this year they asked me again whether I would like to review another bikini, I didn't hesitate in saying yes. Of course not only is it lovely to receive new swimwear but the hassle free option of sending through your sizes, the team knowing their stock and styles, advising on the best bikini and then sending it out in super quick time to try on at home, is hugely appealing. 

After checking their records from last year, Rosie at Coco Bay suggested that I might like to try the denim block bikini from Seafolly. It's new in and it is simple and un-fussy, with a sports luxe style. The bikini top has a little zip up the front which really appealed. Zips are starting to appear on sports bras too, so they are obviously becoming a bit of a "thing". I've linked to the whole range of denim block bikinis as there are a few options to choose from in terms of style but I'm wearing the bandeau bustier and the hipster bikini pant.

As to sizing, I wore a size 10  in both the bottoms and the top. The top is slightly padded and also underwired too, so it's great for anyone who needs a little more support in the bust area (I'll let you all read between the lines on that one!) It also has an optional strap. I wore the top today as a strapless bra under a dress and it didn't move an inch all day. In fact it's a much better fit than my "proper" strapless bra.

I remember when I used to read in magazines about spending more on swimwear and thinking how daft it was and that it couldn't possibly make a difference - but with these bikinis it does. True there isn't a lot of fabric in a bikini or a swimming costume but what there is, is firm, supportive and equally importantly, it stays in place. It's like there's some proper engineering that has gone into the bikini, especially the top with its padding and boning and the bandeau bustier top really does make a difference where other tops frankly, just fail (especially deep V shaped ones, which most seem to be). For anyone who spends a lot of time in swimming pools, the fabric also lasts better.

The cost of some clothing is extortionate. I never spend much on jeans but over the years I've come to the conclusion that I would definitely spend on swimwear. In fact to be honest it's just lovely to find a style that makes the best of what is left after three children!

In conjunction with Coco Bay I'm offering a 20% discount code.  Just enter the code  BETH20 at the checkout until the end of September and if you're even vaguely tempted I would say just try them. The returns are so easy and the team so helpful that it makes swimwear buying a really pleasant experience.

Wearing a neon bikini by Sea Folly at Coco Bay Swimwear (and there's a 15% discount for readers)

A few weeks ago I was invited by Coco Bay swimwear to choose a piece of swimwear, together with an accessory, to wear and write about on Style Guile. Having followed Coco Bay for a while on Instagram and loving the colours of their pieces and the brands that they stocked, I didn't hesitate in saying yes. And then that's when the panic set in. If you're lucky enough to have been gifted something that's lovely, I feel that there's a responsibility to do it, and the brand, justice - which let's face it isn't that easy when it's a bikini.

Before I start, I should say how impressed I was with the service provided by Rosie at Coco Bay. I emailed through my difficulties (28" rib cage but with a semi-decent sized bust) and Rosie put it out to her colleagues for their input. It was clear that there had been plenty of trying on by the team and that they really knew their stock, which was so refreshing. Their recommendations came straight back to me and I was also encouraged to choose several styles to try on at home - and to take my time over it too, which was a nice touch. Also, when I suggested that I would like to try the size 10 top in addition to the size 8 top that I initially requested, it was with me within 24 hours - plus returns are free.

Anyway, as to the bikini, for a top, I chose the bustier bandeau in neon melon from the Seafolly Miami Stripe Collection. Why? For a start it was under wired, boned and had gripper tape, all of which were said to offer "excellent support", which is rather essential after breast feeding three children.

Effectively the top did all of the hard work for me so I didn't depend on my own assets to make the bikini top work for me in any way, shape or form, which trust me, they wouldn't have done. Covered, contained, supported - yep, that's what I needed and this top did me proud.  I did a bit of jumping around in the bikini.....(see, mid-jump!)

...and the top (and the bottoms) stayed well and truly put. For information purposes, there are six different tops in the Seafolly Miami collection so there should be something to suit everyone.

As to the bikini bottoms, there are three bottoms to choose from in the Miami collection and I chose the Miami stripe ruched striped retro style, also in neon melon. As you can see from the above picture, it has a little bit of depth at the side, which for some reason always attracts me. I think it's a safety issue - albeit a psychological one!

The accessory that I chose was the Seafolly soundwave drummer kaftan from Seafolly. I'm sure that for those of you who know me, or who have been reading Style Guile for a while, you won't be surprised to hear that I was immediately attracted to its tassels and bright colours. It has a nice wide neckline so it can be worn off the shoulder and it can also be twisted around so that the point of the hem is at the front, just meaning that you can ring the changes a little.

In all honesty I was never quite sure whether there would be a huge difference in the comfort, fabric and fit of a more expensive bikini as opposed to a less expensive one and I always read with huge scepticism the magazine articles trying to persuade me that that three small triangles of fabric had the capability to make something out of nothing.

Having said that I have a Seafolly swim suit from a few years ago and I have always been impressed with its "pull-in, push-up" capabilities despite being worn many, many times in heavily chlorinated swimming pools. And being of the age that I am and given the assistance that I require, particularly in the underwired/push them up/hold them in department, I have to say that I am definitely a convert. Also confidence plays a huge role in how you feel in a bikini and the thick and supportive fabric really did make a difference relative to some slightly flimsier bikinis that I have worn in the past.

What I would say to anyone who isn't sure, is to thrown caution to the wind and order some bikinis to try at home.  There's a great selection of pieces so if neon melon isn't for you, there are plenty of other options. I felt in very safe hands with the team at Coco Bay and as an incentive, the code BETH15 gives you 15% off full price and sale items until the end of August. Anyway, it's certainly something to think about.

Packing like a pro (!!!)

 

So if I ran a blog where everything was perfect, including my packing, this is what it would look like. There would be a carefully selected number of pieces in a simple colour palette which could be worn in a multitude of different ways over two weeks, to create an endless supply of stylish outfits.  There would also be a stylish piece of hand luggage into which everything would fit, therefore avoiding the need to check a bag in, together with all that entails (particularly at the other end). 

As it is, this is the reality. A not insubstantial amount of different coloured clothes with varying prints. Knowing me the dread of having to wash everything when I get back will mean that I only wear a fraction of it so it will be more "Wear one dress to death" and "How to accessorise 50 different ways with loom bands" rather than anything else. My suitcase is just that - a suitcase plain and simple but note the use of the word "my". Having selflessly packed everyone else's clothes first, it just so happens that there's a whole suitcase left for me. Whoever would have thought it?! I like to think of it as packer's prerogative.