Maven recommends: The best bathing suits at the very best prices

Good morning, Wednesday. I'm still under the duvet for the first time in a while. It feels very nice to stay under the covers for an extra hour. It's the little things.

So if you're like me, you like Summer enough but hate bathing suits. I have never understood how walking around in basically your bra and underwear is somehow ok at the beach but not in real life. Personally, I prefer a bra and underwear to a bathing suit but that's just me. And I haven't worn a bikini since childhood basically. So there.

Bathing suits have always cost me a tremendous amount of money. As somebody who's got a real body to contend with (boobs and the like), I find it challenging to find suits that suit. My default is usually Malia Mills, whose suits can cost 300 bucks or more. That's obscene. And I wasn't ready to pony up this Summer anything near that amount. For a simple look like my friend Jane Birkin wore so iconically above, why spend so much?

So I frantically searched the internet, looking for bathing suits that were sensibly sexy and not Bubby-like. I would rather eat my own flesh than wear a bathing suit with any kind of skirt or any kind of matronly festoonery.  I go to too many barre classes for that thank you very much. And those ridiculous "miracle" suits are more house of horrors than miraculous. Think ill-fitting sausage casing. No thank you.

So it was with great glee that I came across some really, really wonderful options at (wait for it) H&M. Yes, you heard me.

For me to spend less than 50 bucks on a bathing suit is a complete revelation. So on a total lark, I ordered 7 suits, and spent about 200 bucks or so, thinking I'd have a shot at maybe one or two of them looking good. 

When they arrived, all 7 looked pretty great, and I'm keeping them all. I was shocked. It's true I tend to wear only black bathing suits, sometimes brown, but mostly black or navy. These suits fit well, were super comfortable, and I was absolutely thrilled. Bonus for my leopard caftan score. At under 30 bucks, I'm over the moon to have such a chic option to cover up for such a low price. Genius.

So as summer is in full swing and you need to pick up a suit or two, absolutely check the stock at H&M.  Who knows how long they will hold up, but who cares really? A season or two is just fine by me at that price.

Here are my top three picks in the one piece category.

This ruffled girl is mad cute. I got it in black but love the paisley too.

This wrap reminds me of 70s Norma Kamali suits which is a very good thing- layer with a gold coin necklace and instant chic. Great for girls with boobs too. Love.

I didn't get this one but love a brown bathing suit because I do have a serious thing for 70s vibes at the beach. A brown suit is so pretty against golden skin. In love with the simple shape. Pretty cute in the polka dot version too. Cheap enough to buy both.

So go forth and Summer it up. But first, get a new bathing suit. One that doesn't make you cry, because it looks great and it's priced right. 

Cause that's what's up this well suited Wednesday in the 718. Yours, in looking forward to beach week. XO