Fun in the Sun #13: Essential Swimwear {Review, Giveaway & Coupon Code}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, ShellieAndBrutus!}

Having had both of my daughters in swim lessons for the past few months, to them the arrival of summer means that they can take their love of kicking and splashing from the indoor pool out into the sunshine.

With months ahead of us that are sure to involve sprinklers, water slides, wading pools, and so much more, that means we need to be prepared. Having already stocked up on the sunscreen, that means the other main necessity is swimsuits - for all of us.

Considering I'm going to be in and out of the water, playing in the sand, and in general chasing kids all over, the list of what I'm looking for in the perfect swimsuit has gotten pretty long. Quality, style, fit, coverage, price, and the overall way that I feel when wearing it... can all of that be found in one place?

For this summer and beyond, now I know it can with Essential Swimwear.

After years of experiencing what nearly all women go through when it comes to swimsuit shopping (expensive prices, wrong fits, and the hassle of searching online for hours), Brittney began sewing her own comfortable, stylish, and flattering swimwear. First for herself, then friends and family, and then to an overwhelmingly-positive response of hundreds more women.

Always focusing on style, design, and affordable prices, Essential Swimwear continues to improve each year and has made even more positive changes to their line. Which is great, of course, but it made deciding on a favorite even that much more difficult. There are so many fashionable choices!

After going back and forth for quite a while, I finally chose the Metallic Twist Front Top and the Black Board Shorts and couldn't wait for them to arrive.

Right out of the package and I was already loving this swimsuit. The fabric is strong and durable, the tankini top is plenty long, and the board shorts provide just the right amount of coverage. What more could I ask for?

Of course just looking at this swimsuit laid out wasn't enough and I knew that the big question remaining was whether or not the fit would live up to what I hoped.

The answer?

I LOVE it! The Twist Front Swimsuit Top has so many details included that give it added interest while also managing to make me feel better about my body while in it. The twist of material at the bust, the ruching down the sides, and that extra-long length (no riding up!) leave me feeling as though many of my flaws are as well-hidden as they will ever be.

The front is well-lined and has built-in, seamless soft cups but also has a small opening to a pocket where Bra Cup Inserts could be added. If that isn't enough of a way to ensure a good fit, the back features removable halter straps that can actually be worn in three separate ways.

Talk about customizable!

As for the Black Board Shorts, they're just as comfortable and covering as I had hoped they would be. Due to the fact that I am constantly in and out of the water with my kids or moving from swimming to playing or standing watching at a water park, pulling on and off a coverup isn't really all that practical.

Yet, I'm someone who feels exposed if I'm in a swimsuit with nothing over it, so these shorts are the perfect solution. They don't have a built-in bottom so I did add my own solid black bottom underneath, but the combination of the 4" inseam, wide elastic waistband, and adjustable drawstring really do make these one of my most favorite swim accessories that I have EVER owned.

Instead of feeling like the world is unnecessarily seeing my thighs, these polyester shorts can go in and out of the water comfortably and dry quickly. There is even a great little pocket with button closure on the back to store a key or other small item.

Essential Swimwear does have a great variety of different bottoms to choose from, from traditional to high waist to swim skirts, so you're truly able to pick the style, color, and size that works best for you. The ability to mix and match so many of their great tankini tops with the various bottoms results in a swimsuit that is pretty much personalized to your taste.

For an affordable swimsuit that is high quality, fashionable (the silver embossing on the black background of the Metallic Twist Top is so unique!), and flattering, Essential Swimwear has choices in every style and color.

Tops retail between $27.99 and $34.99 and standard bottoms run from $15.19 to $19.99 with swim skirts and board shorts $19.99 to $24.99. How about a discount to make them even more affordable? Enter the coupon code MAILCARRIER10 until July 30, 2011 and receive 10% off of your entire order! These are pieces that are going to fit well, flatter your shape, and last for summers to come!

Thanks to the generosity of Brittney and Essential Swimwear, one person will be able to feel confident and secure at the beach and pool this year as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of swimsuit top and bottom from Essential Swimwear!

To enter to win: Sign up for the Essential Swimwear newsletter and then leave me a comment indicating that you did.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a stylish swimsuit from Essential Swimwear over there as well!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Essential Swimwear on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or follow the Essential Swimwear blog with Google Friend Connect.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Fun in the Sun giveaways (Fun in the Sun giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Fun in the Sun 13: WIN a stylish, flattering swimsuit from Essential Swimwear! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/k3u0rO #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Fun in the Sun button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on July 1st at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Essential Swimwear for providing a Metallic Twist Front Top and Black Board Shorts for me to review as well as the top and bottom of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.