Fashion: Swimsuit Shopping Can Be Fun? (Using a Personal Stylist)

If you're like me, then shopping for swimsuits and trying on bathing suit after bathing suit and scrutinizing how you look in a full length mirror with bad lighting is about as much as getting a root canal.

With a Hawaii trip coming up within less than a month, I was in desperate need of a swimsuit intervention. I like to shop, but I've always avoided swimsuit shopping because the whole process can be so demoralizing. I've always left the store with a so-so swimsuit that I overpaid for and with my self-esteem left behind on the dressing room floor.

But, not yesterday! Using a personal stylist made all the difference. I've never used a personal stylist for help before, but I thought to myself that if there was ever a time to ask for help then swimsuit shopping was it.

I called ahead earlier in the week and made an appointment, and the stylist asked me my size, my favorite colors and in general the look that I was going for.

When I got to my appointment, a dressing room was full of swimsuit options. We immediately weeded out the ones that didn't appeal to me and we went from there.

The stylist had honest feedback about which styles worked for me and which ones didn't. The best part was that she dug through all the racks (including the sales racks) and brought me all the options already picked through for my right size and color. All I had to do was try everything on and let her know if I felt fabulous or not.

I left the store with 5 swimsuits, 2 cover-ups and a pair of sandals...and my self-esteem still intact. She showed me how to mix and match everything to get more looks and even brought up a tailor to make sure everything fit perfectly. Who knew that swimsuits could be tailored??

After only a few hours in the dressing room, I left with a swimsuit wardrobe fit for a celebrity.

Here are a few tips I learned about how and when to use a personal stylist:

• It's best to use a personal stylist when you're updating your wardrobe with multiple pieces
• Have a designated budget in mind
• Be clear on what you like and what you want to avoid, but be open to new ideas
• Be clear on patterns or colors that appeal to you
• Try everything on even if at first it doesn't seem like it will work
• Be a fit fanatic, don't buy anything that can't be tailored to fit you perfectly

Next time you're dreading to shop for something particular, try a personal stylist, it can make all the difference!