Bikini Top and Bottom ℅ Aerie | Hat: ℅ Altar’d State (Similar) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Swan Pool Float: ℅ Big Mouth
World: I’d like to introduce you to my surgical scar.
I have a rare, hereditary blood disorder (it’s called hereditary spherocytosis, if you’re curious!), and I had to have my spleen removed at the age of 8. I was left with a pretty gnarly scar on my stomach as a result, and it’s something that’s made me a little self-conscious ever since. For the longest time I wore one-pieces and tankinis (LOL — do y’all remember when those were in style?), and I avoided bikinis like the plague.
It took a nudge and some encouragement from a good friend at the end of my high school career to make me realize: scars are pretty darn cool. Scars tell your story, and it’s something that’s unique to you. Instead of covering up my surgical scar, I finally started to embrace bikinis, and the crop top trend. Why hide something that’s a part of me?
I teamed up with Aerie over on Instagram this summer for their Aerie REAL campaign. If you post a swim pick and use the hashtag #AerieREAL, they’ll donate $1 to NEDA. Pretty cool, huh? It also doesn’t have to be an Aerie swimsuit to qualify! But honestly, I would pick one up this summer because their swimwear is so affordable, trendy and adorable. I’ve been rocking their swimsuits for years, and I have no plans on stopping anytime soon!
Love the swim you’re in, friends!