I'd consider myself an "in-betweener" [1] when it comes to size — not curvy, but not fit and toned, and definitely round around the edges ("apple-shaped," if we're using the fruit-size guide). I'm not especially self-conscious in clothes, but when I'm wearing a swimsuit [2], I hate everything about my body. All I see are doughy, jiggly bits.
That is, until I discovered Aerie one-piece swimsuits [3]. I had known all about Aerie and its #AerieReal campaign [4] for a while now, and I love seeing so many women of all different sizes and shapes regularly post photos of themselves using the hashtag. This was the inspiration I needed a few years ago to finally take the plunge and buy one for myself. I thought, if these women can post photos of themselves in a swimsuit for thousands of followers to see, I can find a way to feel good in one as well.
I ordered a ruffly black one-piece with cutouts [5] ($27, originally $55) that was sexy and flattering and comfortable — I couldn't believe how good I felt in it. After wearing it in public, I was even more confident; so much so, in fact, that I went back and bought two more swimsuits in different styles.
For once, I was enjoying summer to its fullest — paddleboarding, laying out by a pool, swimming in a lake — without covering my stomach, self-consciously wrapping a towel around my waist, or hiding in a cover-up. I wasn't even comparing myself to the other bodies around me. It's amazing the freedom you can have to think about other things, focus on relationships and self-care, and just generally feel happy without anxiety when you're not bogged down by self-consciousness.
Since then, these have been my go-to suits for everything from Palm Springs getaways to backyard sunbathing, and this summer, I added another to my collection — this leopard wrap one-piece [6] ($33, originally $55). Again, the adjustable elements and flattering cut make this one just as comfy and sexy as my tried-and-true styles.
Thank you, Aerie [7], for making such a point to celebrate bodies of all sizes and for creating a swimsuit that makes me feel good about my body. I'm a fan for life.
Shop Aerie one-piece swimsuits ahead — and grab them while you can, they're all on sale!
Aerie Pique Animal Print Wrap One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Pique Animal Print Wrap One Piece Swimsuit [9] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie Leopard Wrap One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Leopard Wrap One Piece Swimsuit [10] ($33, originally $55)
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit [11] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit [12] ($30, originally $50)
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit [13] ($30, originally $50)
Aerie Jacquard Scoop One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Scoop One Piece Swimsuit [14] ($33, originally $55)
Aerie Jacquard Scoop One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Scoop One Piece Swimsuit [15] ($33, originally $55)
Aerie Ribbed Tie Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Tie Back One Piece Swimsuit [16] ($30, originally $50)
Aerie Leopard Tie Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Leopard Tie Back One Piece Swimsuit [17] ($30, originally $50)
Night Dive® Farrah One Piece Swimsuit
Night Dive® Farrah One Piece Swimsuit [18] ($58, originally $116)
Aerie Leopard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Leopard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit [19] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Jacquard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit [20] ($36, originally $60)
Aerie Jacquard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Keyhole Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit [21] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit [22] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit [23] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit [24] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit [25] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Triple Knot One Piece Swimsuit [26] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit [27] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit [28] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit [29] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Knot One Piece Swimsuit [30] ($30, originally $60)
Aerie Layered One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Layered One Piece Swimsuit [31] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Ribbed Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit [32] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit [33] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit [34] ($33, originally $55)
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit [35] ($27, originally $55)
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit [36] ($30, originally $50)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [37] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [38] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [39] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Jacquard Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [40] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Space Dye Pique Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Space Dye Pique Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [41] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [42] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [43] ($27, originally $45)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [44] ($27, originally $45)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [45] ($27, originally $45)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [46] ($27, originally $45)
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strappy Back One Piece Swimsuit [47] ($27, originally $45)
Aerie Strapless One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Strapless One Piece Swimsuit [48] ($30, originally $50)
Aerie Ribbed Strapless One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Ribbed Strapless One Piece Swimsuit [49] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit [50] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit [51] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit [52] ($22, originally $45)
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit [53] ($22, originally $45)
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie V One Piece Swimsuit [54] ($22, originally $45)
Aerie Space Dye Pique Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Space Dye Pique Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit [55] ($25, originally $50)
Aerie Space Dye Pique Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit
Aerie Space Dye Pique Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit [56] ($25, originally $50)