Swim in Style: Bikinis - A Man's View + A Woman's View

I managed to get some new bras yesterday at Sylene, but I didn't have enough time to try on bikinis. I want ONE to supplement my practical-yet-retro-cute one piece halter. I just want one.

So I emailed H today with the link to J. Crew swim:
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From: DC Celine
To: H
Subject: very important

go look here and tell me what you like.

going to get ONE bikini.

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/swim.jsp
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Note that H is Very Busy right now. But his response was immediate.
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From: H
To: DC Celine
Subject: very important

EMBLEM PAISLEY STRING TOP

POPPY TRIANGLE TOP

POLKA-DOT STRING TOP
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So here's the visual on his picks.

And here's the visual on my picks.

My email back to him corrected the selection criteria I should've given:
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From: DC Celine
To: H
Subject: very important

it *IS* very important.

i probably should've been more specific.

i don't think i can do string or triangles any more. but i'll order one.

also, pick bottom, color, and one underwire top (needs to go to a "d" cup)
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He hasn't responded yet.

Why J. Crew? Easy. It's easy. Mail-order can be shipped to our place Down Tha Shore, since Theresnowayinheck I'm getting to go try on suits between now and Friday. And believe it or not, the suit selection in Jersey...well...if I were going for a different look.... J. Crew's suits are reliable, come in separates sizing, and have D cup. Because, while I have lost loads of weight, and I swear 15lbs of it came off of my boobs, they're still a D cup.

Votes?

Well-Fitted

It's the "tip" that everyone and their mother's brother (almost literally) has heard: the fastest way to make a woman's clothes fit and look better is to wear The Right Bra.

17,300,000 results in a web search. Vicky's touts it with miracles and angels. "As Seen on TV" ads offer all sorts of ways to adjust what you have, the latest being the round thingy that slides your straps together and "makes you look at least a cup size bigger."

Right.

But the right one, well-fitted, honestly will do wonders for how things look and feel. I've written about my troubles, and lately I've had a hard time finding one that fits. I haven't taken my own advice and Gone Fitting, but rather I attempted an online purchase because I just plain ol' didn't have time to go to a store. It sorta worked. What I found works better than the ancient, worn out things I'd been wearing, but it's just not quite right.

I'm still not convinced that The Right Bra is out there for me, though I've certainly found ones that Fit Better.

But for those who really need the update, there are absolutely local options. Nordstrom's has a competent department, and Bethesda's Sylene and Vienna's Trousseau are touted - at least to brides-to-be and those looking for undergarments for formalwear (though they both serve the general public, too). In the Post, Brigid Schulte gives us a first-hand account of what it's like to be fitted by an expert. Amusing, frank, and, yes, helpful...it's a fun read that will motivate you out the door to Get Fitted.