This $20 Lingerie Bodysuit From Target Reminded Me What It's Like to Feel Sexy Again
Getty Images
I've tried a lot of things to make myself look and feel better throughout the pandemic. I started taking vitamins, I tried to eat better with a nutritionist's guidance, I finally went to a dermatologist to tackle several skin concerns, and I attempted to work out daily. I haven't kept up with all of these things, and that's probably because they're all besides the point, which is that confidence and self-love don't come from a one-a-day multivitamin (but, hey, it would be nice if they did).
RELATED: I'm a Fashion Editor and Even I Lost My Sense of Style During the Pandemic
Like a lot of people, I gained weight over the past two years, and I now have a completely different body than I did pre-pandemic. The thing is, for the most part, I have been pretty comfortable with my weight gain, but the pressure of societal beauty standards made me question if I should be. The confusion led me into a cycle of analyzing myself in ways I hadn't before, thus making me feel not so sexy in the skin I'm in.
I can probably count on my fingers the number of times I've felt truly hot over the last two years, which is unusual for someone who used to think, "Hey, I look pretty damn good," on the daily. But sometimes it just takes one moment to serve as a reminder that, wow, I still look pretty damn good even if I don't see it every day. That's exactly what happened to me when I slipped on a $20 lingerie bodysuit I got from (drumroll, please) Target.
Courtesy
Shop now: $20; target.com
The fact that a relatively spur-of-the-moment purchase from Target of all places made me finally feel sexy for the first time in a while is, well, pretty amusing. I wasn't expecting much from the bodysuit — sure, it looked really cute and had good reviews, but it was also just $20, so I wasn't going to be mad if the quality wasn't there.
I'm happy to report that I was completely wrong. The second I stepped into the Auden V-Neck Bodysuit and looked in the mirror, I thought to myself, "Holy crap." There I was — the version of myself I knew before the pandemic. The bodysuit highlights my cleavage, slims my midriff, and is cheeky enough to make my butt look damn fine. It's very comfortable, and also has flattering, slinky criss-cross back straps that, for once, let me admire that side of my body instead of focusing on my bacne. I purchased it in a size large and found it to be very true to size; if you're in-between sizes, I think sizing up would be the most comfortable.
Courtesy
Shop now: $20; target.com
I genuinely love the bodysuit so much that sometimes I just put it on to look at myself in the mirror again. While it's basically all-around perfect, for transparency, I'd say it has two flaws: It has ridged straps that are a little difficult to adjust (I just decided not to touch mine after playing around with them), and it's not available in plus sizes. As someone who has had to readjust to new clothing sizes, knowing that someone else who might be in the same boat can't purchase this due to sizing restrictions is disappointing. However, the brand does offer a handful of other intimates and lingerie pieces that go up to size 4X, like this babydoll nightgown that has a similar lace cups.
Courtesy
Shop now: $22; target.com
The end to this story is that there is no end; my journey of continuing to find ways to celebrate my body for what it is — and for being strong enough to survive a pandemic in the first place — is ongoing. I'm happy that this Target bodysuit helped me find myself again for a moment, but I know it'll take more than that to permanently quiet my overanalyzing brain. For now, I'm satisfied with the joy it's brought me, and I hope that it can help you find a little, too.
Courtesy
Shop now: $20; target.com
Courtesy
Shop now: $22; target.com
Courtesy
Shop now: $22; target.com
