Norma Kamali

It’s officially summer and there’s just one week left until the fourth of July so we asked Norma Kamali, maker of some of the world’s most famous swimsuits, for her tips on looking great in very small pieces of fabric.

Swimwear is the least amount of clothing you will wear outside of the home.  We reveal a lot about ourselves in the choice of swimsuit we wear so ideally you’d start by setting a date in your calendar one month before you plan to start shopping. On that day, I’d recommend standing nude in front of the mirror and evaluating yourself.  Take a photo and look at it objectively and you will know the work you need to do to feel good about revealing so much of yourself literally and metaphorically. Once the picture’s taken, the challenge begins.

1.    The basics start with waxing as much of your body as you like (this also depends on just how small that suit is).  Basic grooming also includes a good manicure and pedicure. Choose a neutral polish color that won’t distract from the total picture.

2.     The next thing I recommend is a body scrub, which is quite easy to do at home.  Sea salt with organic olive oil is my favorite with natural scents and I recommend doing this in a hot bath or shower.  Use loofah gloves to be sure to open all pores and finish with a shiny glowing texture to your skin.  If you were hibernating in the winter months, your skin may have a grey cast; a tanner is a great instant slimmer. There are organic tanners that can be applied easily or you can be extravagant and have someone come to your home to apply a spray tan—either way it’s infinitely healthier than sitting in the sun.

3.     Now is the time to work on the health and fitness aspect of getting into shape.  Make exercise a daily habit—not something you have to do three times a week, but every day so it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth.  Choose a location near your office or home so you can get to your work out easily.  You might want to pick a class so you’re wholly committed; the instructions in a class force you to reach new goals and as you improve, so will the structure needed to get results.

4.     Let’s look at what you are eating.  Replace pizza or unhealthy snacks with a juice made of raw, organic, plant-based foods.  Try different juices and keep the fruit content of them to a minimum.  Reducing sugar and salt is a good thing to do to avoid holding water in cellulite.  You can replace 25-50% of your food intake to juice or more if you like.  If you add salads and steamed vegetables and nuts for snacks, with a fish like salmon for a meal two to three times in the week, you will see results.  Add olive oil and lemon to everything and you will love the way food tastes.

Norma Kamali Acid Bill Swimsuit

Don’t stop eating. If you want to do this vegan-style, eliminate the fish, and if you want to see results fast and feel amazing, eliminate all processed foods.  Drink coconut water instead of sodas and try to reduce alcohol intake since that is full of sugar.  Once you reach your goals, you may have have adopted a new lifestyle without being aware of it and you will be able to balance having cocktail now and then.

5.    You can start taking a photo after the first week as you should already be seeing results.  Each night when you come home from work, try putting on the smallest swimsuit you have and wear it around the house especially when you’re having dinner or snacking.  At week four take the photo again, in the same spot, and you should see a significant difference.

Now is the time to start searching for a swimsuit.  I recommend going online and searching for swimwear through brands you like best and having them sent to your house to try.  Get a bunch delivered so you can try them all on at the same time.   Designate a time to spend trying them on and take a photo of the best looks.  Post them on a wall and pick the styles you like best.  Skype with friends and ask them what they think—they’ll help you decide which is best.  

If you still feel you have more work to do fitness-wise you can channel that energy into a real life suit.  In the end, your choice should be made from an empowered, fit, body not an insecure, uncomfortable one. All the effort is worth it because once you find a swimsuit you love, it’s a timeless acquisition. In fact, I recommend getting more than one and having it as a go-to each year. You can always add new ones, but a suit that fits your style, your body type and personality is a timeless acquisition. All of this effort becomes worth it.  You may not even realize it, but you may have found a way to a new lifestyle and be permanently empowered to feel and look great because you are fit and healthy. The choice you made is revealing about you, and not just in the amount of skin you are showing, but the style you choose will reveal a lot about how you identify yourself.  Now the question is, does your swimsuit objectify you or empower you?