My Style | My First Swimsuit

My Style | My First Swimsuit

As a young woman of questionable pedigree and mildly refined tastes, it’s no surprise I’ve managed to sustain an underwear drawer entirely dedicated to Victoria’s Secret (and I mean this with no disrespect to the 4 for $28.50 panty deal). But when I was invited by the Toronto based lingerie boutique, Avec Plaisir to get fitted into lingerie, you can imagine my hesitation. I mean, I don’t even know how one goes about washing a lace ensemble that costs more than my rent. Don’t even get me started on period stains…

However if the adage says: “do one thing every day that scares you,” then trying on real woman panties was a fear I had to sooner or later overcome. Nervous and freshly waxed, I entered Avec Plaisir to be greeted by a bubbly, down-to-earth girl named Freda (I was picturing an older lady with perfectly permed white hair and a penchant for the aristocracy – I’m telling you I have a vivid imagination when it comes to cumulative anxiety). Freda shook my hand and said nonchalantly: “32C, right?” It’s like she knew me.

All my worries melted away as her no-strings-attached approach made me feel totally comfortable about trying on expensive bras, and when I had them on, I realized that Avec Plaisir could change the way I approach shopping for undergarments. I think I became more French the minute I walked out of the change room wearing a lace La Perla bra.

As the appointment went on, I became less intimidated by womanly things and decided to try on a one-piece bathing suit. Now, I’ve always wanted to wear one but I was never able to disassociate the idea of a one piece from my pre-pubescent days, gap-toothed and a concave chest. How would a one piece fair with my lovely lady humps? Well, actually, not too badly. The more one pieces I tried, the more I loved the idea of graduating from the bikini to an arguably, sexier garment. Freda would come around and make minor adjustments to the suits so that the straps would sit perfectly and she would even be able to take in the bum from full coverage to Brazilian.

“We just want you to walk out of here with a bathing suit that fits your body like a glove,” Freda chimed as she cinched some excess fabric in between my butt cheeks.

And leave happy I did. I chose this gorgeous La Perla one piece bathing suit for my recent trip to Hawaii. I love all the little things like the roped tie and lace belt detail, and most of all I loved the experience of trying it on and getting honest feedback from Freda. Her mom started the business over 30 years ago, and the boutique has been a mainstay in Yorkville for longer than I can remember – I was always just too chicken to go in. So, just like they invited me to get fitted, I invite all of you to explore luxury underwear with Avec Plaisir and experience a personal fitting.

Check out some photos taken during the fitting and how I styled my one piece swimsuit on the beautiful Waikiki Beach.

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Photography by Alexander Liang

Jetset Outfit: La Perla Swimsuit from Avec Plaisir; Ray-Ban Wayfarers; Forever 21 Hat; Zara Sandals; Longchamp Le Pliage Bag.

To book you fitting appointment at Avec Plaisir 136 Cumberland Street, please call: 416-922-7702.

 

 

1 Comment

  1. seanna
    August 27, 2014 / 1:16 pm

    My friend and i at the cottage always joke about when we will need to retire the bikinis and go with the classic black one piece! You look very sophisticated!! (i do have a black mono-tini but it always seems to glam for the cottage!! )

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