your suitcase is dirtier than a toilet seat

Travel

Your Suitcase Is Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat—Here's What to Do About It

Drescription

While you may already know that putting your suitcase on your hotel bed is a no-no due to the potential to pick up bedbugs, there's another good reason to reconsider where you put your luggage. According to some recent research by Insure and Go, your suitcase may have picked up lots of other unwelcome travelers along the way, including dangerous bacteria and black mold. (Ew!)

And that's definitely a problem for a lot of us, as 38% of people regularly put their suitcase on a bed or table to pack or unpack.

What's Lurking on Your Suitcase?

For the study, 10 hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases were swabbed at a London airport train station, using different swabs on different points of the suitcase. Their findings? The suitcase wheels contained nearly 58 times more bacteria than a public toilet seat, including E. coli and staphylococcus bacteria and black mold. "The testing confirmed that suitcase wheels are by far the dirtiest part of a traveler’s bag," says microbiologist Amy-May Pointer, who conducted the study. "The wheels of your suitcase are essentially rolling through a world of germs and carrying a whole ecosystem with them, and make constant contact with all kinds of surfaces—pavements, streets, airport bathroom floors, train station platforms, and rarely (if ever) get cleaned.”

Also among the germiest spots? The base of your suitcase—which also carries significantly more bacteria than a public toilet seat—and the handles of airport luggage carts, which are rarely cleaned and touched by many people.

In the study, soft-sided suitcases were more likely than hard-shelled suitcases to carry bacteria, fungi, and other microbes.

This probably should come as no surprise—after all, when's the last time you wiped down your suitcase? Roller bags roll all over the ground, from your house through the streets and even the airport bathroom—and then they're jammed in next to other people's suitcases, too, whether they're in the overhead compartment or the checked luggage.

How to Reduce the Germiness of Your Suitcases

To help minimize the ick on your suitcases, Pointer recommends a few strategies you can use:

Watch where you roll your bag

You may want to lift your suitcase when you're in especially germy or wet locations—and Pointer recommends avoiding bringing them into airport bathrooms altogether to minimize E. coli and other common bathroom bacteria.

Give your suitcase a proper clean

When you've arrived at your destination—or at home—give your suitcase exterior a quick wipe-down with antibacterial wipes, a soapy cloth, or even a disinfectant spray, focusing your efforts on your wheels and the bottom of your suitcase. A regular deep clean of your suitcase will help you reduce the amount of dangerous microbes they carry.

Use the luggage rack

The hotel luggage rack is the perfect spot to keep your luggage and avoid contaminating other surfaces (especially your bed or table!).

Wash your hands after you handle your suitcase

Give your hands a good scrub down with soap and water—or even hand sanitizer—after you handle it to avoid spreading that bacteria elsewhere. (You don't want to add a little E. coli to your airport snack!) That'll help you avoid getting sick, which can be a real bummer when you're on vacation!

We Asked Arborists When to Prune Dogwood Trees, and They All Said the Same Thing

Spring is the worst time of year to prune your dogwood tree because you can negatively impact spring blooms. If you want to prune your dogwood trees, any other time of the year is perfect, depending on your pruning goals. Pros recommend straying away from too much pruning and only getting rid of 15% to 20% of the tree's foliage. Low-maintenance and adaptable dogwood trees can be beautiful home landscape additions, especially when the flowering varieties are in bloom. An added advantage is that these trees are usually pretty well-behaved and don't require intensive pruning. However, learning when and how to prune a dogwood tree is sensible to help keep your specimen looking and feeling its best. Our expert-approved guide will prevent you from having any cropping catastrophes. Meet the Expert Allen Tate is an ISA-certified arborist and Tree Care Operations Manager with Blooma Tree Experts. Heather Zidack is a Horticultural Outreach Educator in the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, UConn Home & Garden Education Center, University of Connecticut. Should You Prune Dogwood Trees in the Spring? Spring is the worst time to prune trees in the dogwood family, according to ISA-certified arborist Allen Tate. “[This is] simply because they are waking up and showing us their blooms,” Tate says. “It’s best to let that process play out with little disturbance.” When to Prune Dogwood Trees It's possible to prune dogwood trees at any time of the year. However, the best time depends on several factors. According to Tate, this includes the goal of the pruning, the health of the tree, and what you are willing to sacrifice. “For example, if the goal is to improve aesthetics with routine pruning such as thinning, layering, and deadwood removal, then winter, summer or fall is just fine,” he says. “If you are hoping to keep size in check to an extent and need to remove larger portions, then early summer, [immediately after flowering] is best, so long as the tree is in good health and getting properly watered.” However, Tate cautions against pruning in summer if your tree is not in good health. The risks of pruning during the active growing season is why Horticultural Outreach Educator Heather Zidack recommends considering dogwood tree pruning in the winter. “In the summer, the tree is trying to make it through the active growing season by putting out leaves and carrying out photosynthesis,” she says. Healing cuts from pruning can stress your tree when it's already working hard, and this can increase the risk of your tree developing a disease, especially if it isn't in the best of health. “If you prune dogwood trees when they are dormant, you're going to reduce disease exposure,” Zidack says. However, keep in mind that if you prune branches in winter with buds that have formed on the previous season’s growth, you could see less flowering the next season. Why Prune Dogwood Trees The primary benefits of pruning dogwood trees are improving their appearance, removing dead or diseased branches, and encouraging a healthy structure. While dogwoods aren't typically fast-growing flowering trees, Zidack says pruning can be beneficial if they are outgrowing their space, especially when situated near your home or a power line. How to Prune Dogwood Trees There are several options when pruning your dogwood tree. Remove the 3 Ds: It's always a good idea to remove any dying, damaged, or diseased branches. Remove cross branches: “Eventually these will rub each other, and that rubbing is going to leave an open wound, creating the potential for disease and decline,” Zidack says. Thinning cuts: To thin dense growth, prune out some of the small branchlets, working from the bottom up and the inside out, being careful not to prune too vigorously. Future pruning: If your dogwood is getting a little too large for your liking, consider pruning out the oldest and tallest branches at the soil line. Rejuvenation pruning: If your tree is not doing well or is too large, you can try pruning it down to the ground. New buds should generate from the root system, leading to a smaller and, hopefully, healthier new tree. Avoid Vigorous Pruning Be careful not to over-prune when thinning out your dogwood tree. Tate explains that the recommended “pruning budget” for most trees is 20% to 30% (up to 1/3) of living canopy in one year. He doesn't recommend trimming away more than 15% to 20% for dogwoods—for the canopy as a whole and for individual branches. Pruning Tips Ready to start chopping? Keep these dogwood pruning tips in mind, before getting started. Identify the species: “There are 30 to 60 species of Dogwood, and they all have their own idiosyncrasies,” Zidack says. “Knowing the species lets you get more in-depth about their specific pruning needs and timings.” Seek advice if in doubt: Zidack recommends connecting with your local cooperative extension if you aren't sure about the species or want to ask a more in-depth pruning question. Don't prune from the top: Lopping off the top can result in an explosion of messy, watersprouting regrowth. Avoid flush cuts: This is when you cut into the branch collar (the enlarged portion of the branch where it meets the trunk). The collar contains cells promoting wound healing, so cutting above the collar edge is best. Use sterile shears: Forgetting to disinfect your pruning tools can encourage the spread of disease.

Bring The Light In! Hilton Carter Totally Transformed His Attic Into Bright, Plant-Friendly, Guestroom

Hi! Happy Tuesday. I thought it’d be nice to kick off this new week with a bright, happy, inspiring makeover from our dear friend, Hilton Carter. Shall we step inside? (Take your coat off. We’ll catch up.) Now, you might know Hilton from his series of hit books, his incredible Plant Rants, or from his fabulous Target collection…but today, we’re hanging out inside his newly-renovated attic. It’s the hit of positive energy and cheery light that we could all use on these dark fall nights – you’re going to love it. Let me catch you up to speed: with a second daughter on the way, Hilton needed to carve out space for a usable guest room. “Before this, the third floor was mainly used for storage and my Peloton,” he says. “It wasn’t insulated and of course was the hottest room in the house. Great for working out, but not for having guests stay over. Two of the dormers were used for storage and the other for HVAC.” Hilton needed to make it guest-ready as quickly as possible – “mainly [for] in-laws visiting to help with the kids at the moment,” he says” – and undertook a few key transformations. He replaced the falling plaster with new drywall; he removed the carpeting and had the floor insulated; he updated the HVAC; he chose to open the ceiling to give the room more height (such a wise call!); he removed a dormer; and he carved out space for two new skylights. “I can’t exist in space without plants, so in order to make sure any plants brought into this room could live their best life, I needed to add more daylight. So we added two skylights and let the skies in!” “For me, it was exciting seeing the roof getting cut open and seeing the light fall into the room. And then: design inspiration. “The carpet covering the floor had to go and just as you would expect, there was nice wood flooring underneath,” Hilton says. “But it would have taken a lot to restore them to look as nice as the floors and the rest of the house.” He turned to a trusted friend, Leanne Ford, who “convinced me to paint them white…like, Leanne Ford white…like, WHITE WHITE,” Hilton says. “And as she does it, ALL WHITE EVERYTHING.” He complemented the monotone look by transforming his newly-revealed beams into a design element. “I knew there would be beams there, but it was unclear if they would be right to keep exposed,” Hilton says. “I’m very happy we did – it really helps the look and feel of the room.” “The goal was to make the guest room bright and welcoming,” Hilton continues. “It felt like such a dark space and the addition of skylight filled the room with natural light. Now that they’re in, the room is just full of joy.” We’re also no stranger to skylights here – we’re Velux loyalists, having installed them in more projects than I can count! – so I was happy to see that Hilton opted for the same high-quality product that we love. (PS. ICYMI, I’d urge you to enter the Autumn Glow giveaway! You can win two solar-powered Fresh Air skylights – that’s the kind you’ve seen in our projects over the past few years – plus shades and installation. Someone has to win and I’d be so excited if it was you!) Once the room had been painted, Hilton added a bit of charm and architectural detail back to the space. “I decided on the shiplap because with making the decision to paint the entire room white, I thought having two walls with shiplap would create a nice accent but also mimic the lines of the wood flooring,” he says. “And no, it wasn’t DIY. They were purchased.” (Great news for those of us who lack the tooling and/or focus to cut our own planks for our walls!) “As someone that can stare at a blemish on a white wall until it drives them absolutely nuts, painting my floors white seemed like punishment,” Hilton says. “But after thinking about how I wanted the room to feel bright and vibrant, having the entire room white could create that instantly, especially when reflecting light from the skylights…with so much white, it’s time to add color!” And on that note…are you ready to see how he styled his space? HOW CUTE IS THIS? Do you not just want to cuddle up here, grab a book from the shelving unit, and watch the clouds pass overhead? There are so many smart, thoughtful details – let’s dive in, starting with those graphic layered rugs, which served as the jumping-off point for the color palette. “With them covering so much of the room, I knew that I could fill the room with bright vibrant colors,” Hilton says. I love how the flat weave and the plush woven rug work together here – they’re a big statement on their own, but they’re balanced here by the quiet white backdrop. Certain hues of yellow can come off as loud or overpowering, but this warm ochre base tone leaves Hilton’s room feeling luxe, cozy, and comfortable. (“I doubled up on the rugs because I love a good layered look and because I just couldn’t make up my mind,” Hilton says.”) Be sure to clock the outlets and switches that flank both sides of this king-sized bed, too – those are some of the smart, thoughtful details I mentioned! If you’re hosting guests regularly, rethinking the placement and positioning of your lighting and outlets will take your guest room experience to the next level. None of Hilton’s spaces would feel complete without a few well-chosen plants…so naturally, we had to get the lowdown on how he landed on the plants for this room. “My plant styling process always starts with the amount of light that is coming into the room,” he says. “With the addition of the skylights, I was able to place whatever plant I wanted up there because the room is full of light. With my options being endless, my next thoughts were what would fit under the vaulted ceilings perfectly.” He ended up sourcing a Schefflera, Snake Plant, Satin Pothos, Monstera Thai Constellation, Philodendron Florida Beauty, Philodendron Xanadu, and a Ficus Tineke for this room. (And I urge you to watch this clip for more plant styling tips. You can see how Hilton is training some of his vines to grow up the beams – it’s super neat, but also super helpful for those of us who struggle with trailing plants!) Guests are already returning with rave reviews. “The room has been enjoyed by my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and a few friends. All have loved it and have overstayed their welcome,” Hilton kids. “I’m joking. We wanted to make a guest room that would make our family and friends feel at home. We’re lucky that they want to stay with us. Especially with a toddler and infant in the house.” Weary guests can open or close the skylights’ shades with the tap of a remote, so a good nap (or a restful night’s sleep) is never too far away. “Once it was completed my wife and I were very jealous that it wasn’t our bedroom. Good thing we made plans to make sure our bedroom was also going to be renovated and styled so that we wouldn’t feel too bad about it,” he jokes. (It turned out super cute, too – catch up on their primary suite here!) But wait, there’s more! “We decided to remove the wall and door into one of the dormers to open up, giving us a nice little nook,” Hilton says. You can take a peek at this secret area (and the adorable bistro set that Hilton sourced) by checking out this video tour. It looks great in the photos, but the warmth and care just shine through this clip. Thanks to our pal Hilton for the tour of his inspiring home, thanks to Velux for the tip-off on the giveaway (don’t forget – you have til 11/30 to apply!), and thanks to you for being here! I hope that this bright space can make your day a little brighter, too. Any thoughts?

8 Clever Travel Essentials That Will Save You Serious Packing Time and Bag Space on Your Next Trip—From $8

No matter what vacation is on your calendar this summer, Amazon has you covered with several clever travel essentials to make your trip run smoothly from start to finish. You can save some much-needed packing time and luggage space with these genius travel finds from popular brands like Samsonite, Travelpro, and Bagail. Take your pick from expandable suitcases, packing cubes, and portable luggage scales. All of these items can be found inside Amazon’s Luggage and Travel Gear hub, with prices starting at just $8. Clever Travel Essential Deals at Amazon Samsonite Winifield 3 DLXHardside Expandable Luggage, $380 (was $680) Bagail 8-Piece Packing Cube Set, $18 (was $25) Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale, $8 (was $13) Travelpro Maxlite Hardside Suitcase, $128 (was $170) EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow, $30 (was $35) Charmast Portable Charger, $30 (was $46) Sure Lock Luggage Lock Pack, $14 (was $20) U.S. Traveler Rolling Carry-On Softside Suitcase, $43 (was $50) Samsonite Winifield 3 DLX Hardside Expandable Luggage Carry your clothes in style with this sleek three-piece Samsonite luggage set that comes with a 20-, 25-, and 28-inch suitcase. Each bag is made with a durable hardshell exterior to protect your belongings, and a spacious interior lined with built-in pockets and zippers to organize your clothing, toiletries, and other items. Each suitcase comes with a genius built-in luggage lock, so you don’t have to spend extra money buying external ones, or ever worry about losing the key. Bagail 8-Piece Packing Cube Set This No. 1 best-selling packing cube set comes with eight organizers of various sizes to neatly pack all of your belongings into your duffel bag, suitcase, or backpack, maximizing your luggage space. Each bag is made with a durable, lightweight fabric that’s also water-repellent, so your clothes stay dry. The set also includes a shoe bag, a makeup bag (that can also house your jewelry), and a drawstring bag for other items you can’t travel without. It’s no wonder more than 20,000 of the highly efficient organizer sets have been purchased in the past month. Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale The Travel Inspira portable luggage scale helps you pack smarter, not smaller, so you can bring everything you need without paying fees for overweight luggage. The nifty travel gadget is cleverly designed to loop around a bag or suitcase handle, so you can get an accurate reading before you even get to the airport. The device can handle up to 110 pounds of luggage at a time, so you can weigh your heaviest bags without issue. Its compact size is easy to pack, too, so you can bring it with you on vacation. Continue scrolling to see more clever travel essentials, and don’t forget to head to Amazon’s Luggage and Travel Gear hub to browse the entire assortment. Travelpro Maxlite Hardside Suitcase EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow Charmast Portable Charger Sure Lock Luggage Lock Pack U.S. Traveler Rolling Carry-On Softside Suitcase

Best Supportive Swimsuits For All Budgets On My Real Body

Well, here we are again – another summer where we (the collective WE) shop online for swimsuits, only to be confronted with an increasing lack of body inclusivity, and then hope that our real and unphotoshopped bodies will look good in said suits. I’ve sadly never been immune to body dysmorphia, but a good, flattering suit can make your summer less stressful and fill you with more confidence. And summer should be fun:) So I take one for the team almost every year and shop, try on, shoot, and review my non-photoshopped (but heavily self-tanned, lol) body for the internet. I really try to find the best supportive swimsuits on the market. You’ll see each suit from the front and back (good god), and I’ll break down the level of bust support, cheek coverage, and how I feel inside each of these. You should know that I’m 5’4″, between size 4-6, 34D bust, and stick to one-pieces. I generally want to be comfortable, I err on the side of pretty modest (that’s when I feel most confident and therefore sexiest – I’m a former Mormon ’90s teen, lol). So these won’t be the first choice for all bodies (and some of them aren’t the best on me either, and I’ll explain why), but if you want a one-piece with support, here are some options in a few different budgets. And no “gifting” or trades were involved here. “New To Me” Favorites New to me, but super impressed. Wearing a size 6 (if you are smaller in the chest size down). Here’s what you need to know: FABRIC: The fabric is soft and thick (it’s J. Crew’s new “Sculpt Fabric,” which has some compression but not too much). BUST SUPPORT: 6/10. Not bad at all, good enough in a lot of ways (my standards are low TBH). There is a light shelf that attempts real support, but you aren’t going to want to run around (but lifts a bit for sure). As you can see, they are more smooshed together, which isn’t my favorite shape (see other leopard below). CHEEKINESS: It’s cheeky enough and medium cut. You can see it slightly cuts in on the hip. STRAPS: I love the shape of the back straps and thought it was really flattering. The straps are wide which I thought I liked, but once I compared it with its thinner strapped sister, I realize that with big boobs maybe thinner is actually better on me. PATTERN: The pattern is really busy (not see-through and can hide lumps and bumps) LINING: The lining kinda peeks out as you can see on my left cheek, lol. FINAL THOUGHTS: Very comfortable, soft, easy to wear, and I felt pretty confident in it (but I’m keeping the other leopard suit instead). A solid black suit that I ended up keeping (I have no black suits right now). I still have notes, but I really really, really liked it. I’m wearing a 6 and almost sized down but wasn’t big enough in the boobs. Good to knows: FABRIC: Soft compression fabric (same J. Crew “Sculpt Fabric”) that feels really good and does the job while still being comfortable. BUST SUPPORT: 6/10. There is a shelf with a seam that adds some support, enough for walking/lying and feeling secure, but def not your river rafting suit (Tell me you are an Oregonian without telling me you are an Oregonian). CUT/SHAPE: The cut is flattering – the height of the leg, the location of the straps, the little dip in the front – while it looks basic, it’s thoughtfully designed. CHEEKINESS: Great cut in the butt. The fabric holds in place well enough, but if it pops up (because it will), it doesn’t cut in. STRAPS: I love the back – felt that it was flattering and loved the adjustable straps. FINAL THOUGHTS: I felt really good in this, sexy enough for night time hot tubs with Brian, but still good to daytime with families. A classic suit in a really pretty color. Size 6 (I tried on a four and too tight, cut in and not enough boob space, so if you are in between sizes, size up). FABRIC: Another J. Crew “Sculpt Fabric” – soft and the color is so pretty. I could see my lumps and bumps underneath, which is fine at night, but not what I prefer during the day. BUST SUPPORT: 8/10. Pretty good! I liked the scoop neck on me, and it gave cleavage, but in a way I’m feel comfortable about. CUT/SHAPE: The shape is pretty great; there is some stitching in the back that creates a nice hourglass shape. It does however, cut in at the hip, which I don’t love. CHEEKINESS: Mid-coverage. Higher cut on the thighs for sure. FINAL THOUGHTS: I passed on this one for me, but it’s a really solid suit. While this suit isn’t very “me” (feels too preppy for me), I thought it was flattering and great for a coastal/Hamptons vibe. I’m wearing a size 6, which fit as well as it could: FABRIC: It looks expensive (and it is) – great for fancier pool parties. BUST SUPPORT: 4/10. While it has some, the V flattens more than lifts. I think better for those C cups and under, IMHO. I like cleavage, but not the big, flat kind of line that this gave me (thus passing on it). CUT/SHAPE: The scoop back is so pretty! I thought the back was so flattering. CHEEKINESS: Pretty cheeky, without being too high. I really like the white trim on the suit – a detail without garnering too much attention. PATTERN: The color blocking is super flattering. The dark navy is slimming, then the pops of white delight your eye and keep you looking tanner next to it. FINAL THOUGHTS: Better if you have smaller boobs, otherwise pretty great for a modest suit that doesn’t scream “mom”. Highly Rated Affordable Amazon Dupes As a total swimsuit snob, I tried hard this time to order some that were truly affordable to try – maybe my snobbery is off base and there are some really supportive swimsuits for $35?? Well, no and maybe. After trying on many, I found a few worth discussing. I ordered medium, which was a mistake (I also have a short torso), so in all of these, I would size down if you are in between sizes. These are solid, affordable options for sure, with a lot more cheek coverage. They don’t have compression fabrics and are thinner, so they don’t conceal as much, but I was surprised by how much I liked the tops of a few of these, so I’m showing you the 3 out of 10 that I tried (some were god-awful). This floral number (size M) is for those who want more coverage in the butt, and a busy overall pattern. What you need to know: BUST SUPPORT: 5/10. Not the worst, for sure (they say “supportive” on the site, and I was like “I’ll be the judge of that”). It has a shelf and you won’t fall out, but it doesn’t lift or shape like others. CUT/SHAPE: I liked the top – felt like I could throw on some shorts and cruise around on a bike. No compression, sculpting, or shaping (the things you pay $$ for with the higher-priced suits). CHEEKINESS: Full cheek coverage. STRAPS: Adjustable straps – always a plus. PATTERN: The busy pattern makes it so you can’t see underneath lumps and bumps, if that’s your preference. The colors are pretty and modern (i.e., some of the Amazon patterns are SOOOOO questionable). FINAL THOUGHTS: I think this is a great affordable suit that I personally would wear cute swim shorts with at, say, the local pool or public splash pad. It’s fun, family-friendly, and affordable. I was very curious about this Andie Swim dupe, and it measured up exactly how I thought it would (wearing a Medium and should have sized down): BUST SUPPORT: 6/10. Good enough for most things because even though it’s not going to lift and shape, you get enough coverage to never worry about falling out. There is a shelf inside that does the job just fine. CUT/SHAPE: The top and snaps are pretty cute. CHEEKINESS: Full coverage. Stays put because, well, it’s full coverage. STRAPS: The straps feel casual and cool. FINAL THOUGHTS: While the OG Andie is far superior, this felt like a solid dupe. I’m a small and should have ordered a small (sizing on the internet is just so weird!). I liked the color, and while I didn’t feel sexy at all in this, it’s a great “add shorts and run around” kind of suit that still feels youthful while being solidly modest. Ok, this one, FULL, full coverage, was actually really cute! Great for trips with in-laws if you know what I mean. I wore a medium and should have sized down to a small (doesn’t run big but it’s not tight). BUST SUPPORT: Fine, like a 5/10 (zero is no support where boobs are just flying blind inside). But the coverage makes you feel supported in a way, but no lifting. CUT/SHAPE: There is rouging in the stomach area, which I have mixed feelings about – sometimes it gives maternity, and I’d rather a suit help compress instead. Also, Too much with the sleeves, IMHO. CHEEKINESS: Full butt coverage. PATTERN: The pattern is bold. I liked it more with a sarong as shown (just too much coverage on the butt for me). FINAL THOUGHTS: Sure, it gives “mom,” but it’s also cute and fun and family resort appropriate. The sleeves are cute and fun, and the back has some style. If you are in between sizes like me, size down for sure. This Amazon suit was highly rated, so I ordered it in a few patterns/colorways. I liked this one the most because of the colorway (lighter/pattern on top). I didn’t keep but I did feel it was good enough to talk about. BUST SUPPORT: Pretty good! The back strap helps keep the ladies up there, and you aren’t going to fall out. The shape of the front flattens boobs more than I’d like rather than lifting. CUT/SHAPE: Good if you want to feel like you are wearing a two piece without actually wearing a two piece (the cut out in the midsection. And also great if you want attention up above, but less so on the bottom. It felt pretty booby :) CHEEKINESS: Full, but I still thought it was flattering from the back since it was black on the bottom and lighter on the top. PATTERN: Comes in a ton of patterns and colors. FINAL THOUGHTS: All in all, more solid, comfortable, and flattering than so many of the other affordable Amazon suits I tried on. Not very me, but a good, affordable dupe. Another Amazon number with a cute top and a lot of coverage. I have mixed feelings. FABRIC: It is double layered, but as you can see, it still shows more underneath than I would like (this is a deal breaker for me as I’m stupidly self-conscious about that). BUST SUPPORT: Fine! Like a 6/10. You aren’t going to fall out, but it’s not lifting and supporting necessarily. There is a shelf for sure, so you aren’t flying blind. CUT/SHAPE: The scoop/square neck with the snaps is cute and flattering. CHEEKINESS: Full coverage STRAPS: I like where the straps hit. FINAL THOUGHTS: It has rouging on the stomach, which isn’t my favorite, but great if you want more room. My #1 Go-To This is my #1 because it’s so flattering, comfortable, and versatile. It is my perfect “family, active, snorkeling, river hiking, then to lunch” suit. I literally where it most days on our family adventure vacations or when with other families. They have it in other types of fabric (ribbed and gingham), which I don’t love as much, so I stick to the classics (and just ordered the navy, too). I wish it came in a black and white stripe in the same fabric (hint, hint, Andie, folk). I’m wearing a small, classic torso. FABRIC: It has two light compression layers, so it is flattering without being too compressing (like some below). It is thick enough to hide lumps and bumps but not so thick to be uncomfortable or hot. BUST SUPPORT: Is an 8/10 in boob support (which is enough, without being uncomfortable). You are so supported and won’t ever fall out (it’s what I wear snorkeling or running around at a splash pad). It lifts and doesn’t smoosh or flatten (creates a nice rounder shape, imho). CUT/SHAPE: It doesn’t flatten, but it does conceal enough in a comfortable way. Two of my friends with very different body shapes (smaller on top and hippier) also have it and love it. Seems to be a universally great casual suit that I think still looks stylish. CHEEKINESS: It’s the perfect level of cheeky and stays in place. FINAL THOUGHTS: It reads more like a tank top if you throw on shorts (thus perfect at a beach or poolside restaurant). You can button it up and down (can still be sexy). I have worn it for three years (one broke a snap, and I bought it again). 10/10. Love this suit. Oh, and the navy color is currently 25% off!! The Most Flattering And Supportive Well, you simply can’t beat TA3 for flattery, support, and shape – made for curvier ladies to feel hot. I’m obsessed with these suits and feel so good in them (while sometimes wishing the colors weren’t so bright – they have black in a lot of the shapes, don’t worry). These are corseted suits, designed to be extremely flattering, tailored, and give you an hourglass shape while lifting and flattening. They are expensive for a reason, but my goodness, they are a game changer. FABRIC: Super compression fabric – great for being flattering, and you can see NO bumps or lumps – just a smooth flat tummy. But these are not comfortable for all-day wear (like at all). And remember, if you cinch somewhere, it often comes out in other places, so you might find yourself adjusting more than other suits. BUST SUPPORT: 10/10. You are lifted and sculpted and supported. It’s so awesome. CUT/SHAPE: Undeniably flattering, compared to most suits. Designed to give you an hourglass shape. However, not as great for smaller boobs or more lanky ladies – two of my less curvy friends tried mine on and while they looked good in them, they simply didn’t need what this suit specializes in. We all agreed that while good, if you don’t need support or want stomach flattening, this suit might not be for you. CHEEKINESS: They have a lot of different cuts, but this one is mid-cheek (I can not do a thong YET despite Brian begging me) FINAL THOUGHTS: This one doesn’t have the corsetted tie back, instead this mesh number (it’s newer, which I LOVE. I would buy this suit in many colors and patterns – it’s expensive and you can’t wear it all day, but as far as feeling great in a suit, this is it for me. A decidedly “non-friends and family” suit, for me at least, y’all. This suit is low cut, high cut and demands attention (and you have medium to big boobs, you’ll get it). It’s what I pull out on vacation with Brian, and more so at night, but I feel GREAT in it. I’ve had it for three years and still pull it out when I need a boost (mentally and physically). I’m desperate for a collaboration with them to create more patterns, so I’m putting it out there in case they are reading. FABRIC: The TA3 technology creates that hourglass shape while compressing and smoothing underneath. It’s magical, truly. It boosts where I wanted boosting and flattens where I want flattening. BUST SUPPORT: 10/10. Yes, it’s very low cut, but it has a shelf and lifts and shapes – again, magical. My boobs look and feel fantastic in this suit despite being 45 years old (they aren’t that perky, y’all). They also strangely aren’t smooshed together – it’s designed to give enough room to create a really pretty rounder shape, instead of just flattening them down or smooshing them together. CUT/SHAPE: High cut – be prepared to get a wax – this suit is super super high cut (which is why I wear it more at night, lol). The back corset will create back cleavage, at least it does on me – you just have to be ok with it. CHEEKINESS: Pretty darn minimal, and while it stays in place OK, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart/cheek. STRAPS: Adjustable straps – great! COLOR: The color is so fun – electric blue, which demands attention, but they have other colors, too. FINAL THOUGHTS: If you want sexy and supportive, this could be for you. Like, if I had to go on Love Island and be in a suit, this is what I would choose (what a sentence). I LOVED this suit (and so glad I tried it on – I was very doubtful it would look great on me). I was so happy to find something new (outside of the red Andie and the TA3s) that felt both daytime and sexy. Wearing a size 6, which fit great. FABRIC: The fabric is soft and sculpt-y (some compression but you can wear all day – V. comfortable). BUST SUPPORT: 7/10, but I felt GREAT in it. I’m not going to go river rafting in it, but they are lifted, and I felt properly supported. Doesn’t flatten or squish together, just allows for boobs to be supported yet full. CUT/SHAPE: Thigh cut – perfect. Not too high (like the blue TA3 that is extreme) but flattering. Remember, the higher the cut, the longer the leg, if you are into that. CHEEKINESS: PERFECT, i.e., the amount that I like. Enough that you can see some bum, but not a thong. STRAPS: V neck and little straps are so flattering. PATTERN: The leopard pattern is busy, fun, stylish, and feels on-trend. FINAL THOUGHTS: I really, really loved this suit and am so happy to add it to my repertoire. 9/10 Hopefully, this helps you make some decisions with more confidence. It’s hard out there, but my suggestion is to pick yourself up some self-tanning lotion (I love Loving Tan, Coco and Eve and St. Tropez – don’t forget to use the mitt!), and save for one good suit, versus trying out suits that don’t make you feel 100% great. While at 45, I’ll likely never be that girl who struts around the pool in front of people I know with full confidence (which is so dumb), but a good suit has made a huge difference in my summer pool confidence. Hoping to not pass down my body dysmorphia to my daughter, but that’s another story for another day (and she lives in the same messed-up world full of outrageously high expectations for women, so we’ll just do our best, right?). It’s all about highlighting what you love about your body while finding silhouettes, fabrics, and cuts that make you feel your best. May we all just do the best we can, right?