The Swimsuit Monologues
Grazia|May 2017

Beach season is here, and so is its unique terror – getting into clothing that displays us at our near-naked best. We invited a bunch of women to divulge their unique relationship with their swimsuit.

Dhvani Solani
The Swimsuit Monologues

I have vivid memories of my first ever swimsuit – an itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie red (sorry, yellow) polka dot bikini with Minnie Mouse ears that fanned across the chest. My seven-year-old self was mighty pleased wearing it in all water bodies, even the tubs in hotel rooms, and intermittently, the shower back home.

Little did I know then, that my relationship with this singular piece of clothing would turn into a sordid, tumultuous affair in the years up ahead, making me loathe those few seconds when I would drop the towel and sprint towards the sea or the pool. Those few seconds when the world would (I presumed) notice, watch, judge and criticise the stretch marks and cellulite that had gate-crashed during puberty, and stayed on as permanent roommates. Oh, and the ass-that-won’t-quit.

It took me a long time to get into a bikini again, and I went through decades going from a matronly swim dress to boy shorts-and-tankini to a one-piece with independent boy shorts so that the skinny patrol wouldn’t arrest me. I am not even obese or unflattering to look at. But I had bikini body insecurities long before I realised that all I needed to get an actual bikini body, was to simply buy a bikini and have a body.

I’m not saying that I don’t think about my non-existent thigh gap when I put on my current swimsuit – a classic one-piece that serves the purpose. But it did take me a while to get to a point where I was focusing more on having fun than wondering who was looking at my bikini line.

We spoke to six women to find out about their own adventures and journeys with the swimsuit.

AVNI RAMBHIA, hair and make-up artist

この記事は Grazia の May 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Grazia の May 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

GRAZIAのその他の記事すべて表示
Cultural Renaissance
Grazia India

Cultural Renaissance

With a vision to bridge Jaipur's artistic legacy and the global contemporary art world, HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh and Noelle Kadar launch the Jaipur Centre for Art

time-read
3 分  |
October 2024
LOVE, LOSS, AND LESSONS LEARNED
Grazia India

LOVE, LOSS, AND LESSONS LEARNED

In conversation with Durjoy Datta, as he reflects on the emotional toll of writing intense stories, his journey as an author, and how his latest book revisits themes of love, second chances, and loss

time-read
3 分  |
October 2024
All Eyes On THIS
Grazia India

All Eyes On THIS

Meet the newest standout brands on Grazia's beauty desk

time-read
2 分  |
October 2024
Is Restocking Our Fridges A New Form Of Self-Care?
Grazia India

Is Restocking Our Fridges A New Form Of Self-Care?

All the reasons why #restocking may not be as calming as it seems

time-read
5 分  |
October 2024
SAVOUR THE TASTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA
Grazia India

SAVOUR THE TASTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

In the heart of our capital lies an extraordinary dining experience, unlike any other

time-read
2 分  |
October 2024
ESCAPE THE ORDINARY
Grazia India

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY

Luxury stays are now an essential part of our lives.

time-read
2 分  |
October 2024
CHEFS ON THE LOOSE
Grazia India

CHEFS ON THE LOOSE

Here's How Pop-Ups, Takeovers, and Workshops Are Heating Up the Indian Culinary Scene

time-read
5 分  |
October 2024
NOT SO HIDDEN
Grazia India

NOT SO HIDDEN

What's making everyone wear acne patches, from transparent ones to colourful with bold designs, in public spaces?

time-read
3 分  |
October 2024
RAISING THE BAR
Grazia India

RAISING THE BAR

With medi-facials on the rise, we're setting new benchmarks of our expectations from these treatments, and they're delivering

time-read
4 分  |
October 2024
WHAT WORLD ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND FOR HER?
Grazia India

WHAT WORLD ARE WE LEAVING BEHIND FOR HER?

Despite stronger laws, crimes against women continue to rise in India. The International Day of the Girl Child is not one for celebration, but instead, one for igniting concern, awakening, and reformation

time-read
5 分  |
October 2024