As we prepare to venture to the pool or the beach, we are faced with inevitable decisions about swimwear. Some of us dread the scenario because we think we’re being judged on the amount of skin we decide to expose. Some of us don’t want to put on a swimsuit at all because we don’t like how our bodies look. And then there’s the matter of finding a swimsuit that matches our style. With so many factors involved, what should we think about as we decide what kind of swimsuit to wear?
I grew up in a community that was strict about dress and “modesty.” I believe there were two motives behind being forced to cover up anything that revealed I was female: First, those enforcing the rules were concerned that if I revealed a certain amount of skin, it would send the wrong message about who I was, my actions, or my intentions. The second purpose was to refrain from attracting unwanted attention or becoming a source of temptation for the males I encountered. I’ve found that this type of rhetoric tends to focus on the negative: “Don’t do this so bad things won’t happen.” But this can teach us that our bodies are bad and need to be covered up. This line of thinking, especially when we’re young, plants a seed that can grow into an unhealthy view of our bodies.
Because I was raised in such a strict modesty mentality while also having an interest in fashion, trends, and beauty, it was hard to find clothes that fit all of the criteria I cared about. I wanted clothing I felt confident in and that presented me to others in the way I wanted by expressing my style and personality in a way that flattered my body. Clothing also had to have enough coverage so I could feel comfortable in it. This led me to study apparel design in college, and eventually start and design a line of women’s swimwear to fill this gap.
When I’m designing a new style, I walk through every step of wearing a swimsuit:
How will I feel putting this on? Is it comfortable? What will happen when I bend over, swim, run, or lay down to sunbathe? How will I feel when I wear this around my mom, or brother? Or a priest? Or the guy I’m interested in? Or my 13-year-old niece? Or the creepy guy across the pool?
The main litmus test is, “Do I feel comfortable and do I feel confident?” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to wear anything that isn’t comfortable.
Recently, I was at a wedding reception wearing a dress that was slightly too tight and a bra that dug into my sternum. I spent the end of the night counting the minutes until I’d be able to free myself from the bondage of ill-fitting clothes. On the flip side, I get a slight high and spring in my step when I think I look good, that my clothes flatter my body and figure. I feel confident, and so I’m able to show up as my best self to those around me. My hope with my designs is that every woman has options she can feel comfortable and confident in.
While the attitudes surrounding modesty that I grew up around were not helpful to me in navigating these decisions, the true meaning of modesty provides better guidance. By evaluating our context and intentions in light of the deeper meaning of modesty, our decisions about swimwear can be rooted in freedom, rather than fear or shame.
As I’ve grown older, I have come to a deeper understanding of what modesty means. I would define modesty as thoughtfully deciding how much we reveal of ourselves to others based on the context we’re in.
You could wear lingerie with your spouse, which would be totally appropriate. However, wearing lingerie on your first blind date would be revealing too much of yourself to that man, in that context. That man on the first date does not yet deserve to see your body in all its beauty. The action is objectively the same – wearing lingerie – but because of the respective relationships with the men in either context, the best kind of clothing is different.
Going back to swimwear, St. John Paul II explained that before we “pass moral judgment on a particular form of dress we have to start from the particular functions which they serve.” He continued to say that, “When a person uses such a form of dress in accordance with its objective function we cannot claim to see anything immodest in it, even if it involves partial nudity. Whereas the use of the costume outside its proper context is immodest and is inevitably felt to be so. For example, there is nothing immodest about the use of a bathing costume at a bathing place, but to wear it in the street or while out for a walk is contrary to the dictates of modesty.”
As he says, there is nothing wrong with wearing a bathing suit that is functional in the context in which you are wearing it. Plus, any woman who has tried to use the restroom in a soaking wet one-piece knows that sometimes having a separate top and bottom is more practical.
At the same time, we should thoughtfully examine our reasons for choosing to wear a particular swimsuit.
Our intentions matter when we decide which swimsuit to wear. We can ask ourselves questions like:
What is my purpose in choosing to wear this swimsuit? Is it for function? Is it so I can look my best? So I can feel my best? So I can show up as my best self to those around me? Am I trying to look sexy for the men around me? Am I hoping others might feel jealous? Am I ashamed of my body? Am I being overly concerned and therefore wanting to cover up more than is necessary in this context?
Ultimately, it is only us, in conversation with God, who can answer these questions.
The line of teaching that says, “Our bodies can lead to bad things, so we need to hide them,” can lead to us being too hard on our bodies and not viewing them with respect. I’ve spoken to many women who don’t like being seen in a swimsuit because they don’t like how they look or they end up comparing themselves to others.
Instead of bowing to the pressure of judgment, shame, and societal beauty standards, let's remember that our bodies are a part of God's creation, which He called “very good.”He didn't say our bodies are very good only if they have perfectly toned abs, if they haven't been through trauma, or only if they’re wearing the latest trend. He “looked at everything He had made, and found it very good.”
]]>I remember being interested in fashion and clothes from the time I was a tomboy playing basketball in elementary school. My knee-high socks had to coordinate with my shoes, shorts, jersey, and scrunchie. My dream job was to be the first woman in the NBA and a fashion designer living in California. Two out of three ain’t bad, since I live in California now, too!
I start my day with a homemade latte and read a page from The Prayer Powered Entrepreneur to ground my efforts in service to others and within God’s greater plan.
The first half of my day is spent working on freelance projects for other brands, designing custom pieces or analyzing different styles to make sure their fits are consistent. The next half of the day is spent working on my business, Siena and Co., following up with our factory and suppliers, and planning and creating social media content and emails for the next week.
On a good day, I’ll get to finish up with some prayer time at the beach and catch up on a Netflix show with my roommates - currently All-American, where I get to live vicariously through fictional high schoolers in Beverly Hills.
Thanks to a podcast episode with Stephanie May Wilson and Caroline Schandel, last year I wrote a list of “declarations” that I recite each day. This is a list of truths I want to believe and is full of statements I declare that I want to live out. One set of declarations that motivates me every day is, “I declare today is a gift and I will serve and glorify God with it. Every morning I wake up thankful for the opportunity, and every night I’m patient and forgiving with myself for the day.”
My greatest source of inspiration is a lack of suitable alternatives. In several areas of my life, I’ve searched for something that I’ve needed but, since it didn’t exist, I felt compelled to create it myself. This is most often the case with my clothing designs. When searching for clothes to buy, especially a swimsuit, I usually have to compromise on style, quality, or an ethical work environment for the garment workers. The desire to design clothes that meet these standards serves as my inspiration.
Arielle Estoria. I first saw her host an open mic night and she lit up the room with grace and confidence. I have since followed her courageous efforts to stand up for all people and advocate for loving our bodies as gifts from God. I’d love to see her in Siena and Co. because she embodies a style of femininity and class.
“And if not, He is still good.” (Daniel 3:18)
]]>Hi Catherine, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
I always dreamed of starting a clothing line, and I really wanted to start it right out of college. A lot of wise people in my life advised me to work for other brands first to get experience in the industry and learn the ropes and reality of designing and producing clothing. I’m so glad I did because there truly is so much to learn, and more importantly I met amazing people along the way who taught me so much and those relationships we formed are so precious to me even years after we worked together.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Every decision with Siena and Co. puts the dignity of the human person first and foremost. We ask questions like “will this design dignify the woman wearing it? Will she look and feel beautiful and confident?” “Who is going to make these? Are they being treated with respect and being paid a fair wage?” “Which models are going to wear these? Are they going to feel comfortable and confident in this setting? Are we representing a wide variety of women so lots of women can see themselves reflected in marketing?” It’s not easy because money is the driving and deciding force for others in the apparel industry and for creating a lasting, successful and profitable business. But I think it’s worth trying to forge our own path treating women the way they deserve and hopefully, we’ll meet others fighting the good fight along the journey!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While I went to school for Apparel Design and worked in the industry for several years before starting Siena and Co., I decided to go through the business accelerator program “Factory 45” by Shannon Lohr which held my hand through the actual process of starting a sustainable apparel business. It really helped support navigating marketing and building a following even before launching our first product, as well as step-by-step instructions for reaching out to production partners to actually manufacture our swimsuits.
Here are my favorite sustainable sites to get your hands on some items that will be "new to you" with less impact on the environment.
1. The Ember Journal │2. Luna & Rose│3. Yin Yoga Mats│
4. Advocate [The Label]│5. Ball Tumbler Jar│6. Reversible Wrap Swim Top
Get ready for the day
I know for myself, if I put jeans and anything other than a sweatshirt on, I feel more presentable and productive. When we get dressed, eat breakfast and even brush our teeth as if we were going into an office, we’ll be better prepared to do work activities, instead of just lounging.
I have a friend who has to say goodbye to his daughters in the morning, leave for the day out the front door and then he sneaks around the back and into his office in the basement to help his daughters understand dad will be working, even though he is still at home. You might try this action yourself, not for your kids but your brain. Every morning before you clock in for the day, leave out your front door and go for a walk around the block, or even get in your car, just to give an extra signal to your body that this is work time, not just hang-out-at-home time.
Have a set space to work outside your bedroom
Whether you have a designated room as your office, you use the kitchen table, or the porch swing, you’ll more likely be productive in a space other than your bedroom. This will help eliminate the chance your comfy bed will call you to come back to it. Also, as the Division for Sleep Medicine at Harvard claims, you’ll have good quality sleep because “Keeping computers, TVs, and work materials out of the room will strengthen the mental association between your bedroom and sleep.” If you do end up working in a common space, try to turn off and even put away your computer when your working hours are done to help keep work off your mind when you’re in your personal time. Finally, try disconnecting your work e-mail, or at least notifications, from your phone to help further the separation. Consciously choose not to respond to emails until the next day, because let’s face it, there will always be something to respond to.
Take advantage of your lunch break
Did you know there are legal allowances for breaks during your workday? In the state of California, full-time employees are allowed 30 minutes for a lunch break and two 10 minute rest breaks throughout the day. A quick google search will help you find the laws in your state. Take advantage of working from home by utilizing these breaks to do something enjoyable and rejuvenating! You can go for a walk, facetime a niece or nephew, make an actual meal for lunch, do a quick yoga session, mid-day dance party, or 10 minutes of meditation. While taking a break may feel like you’re spending less time being productive, these activities will help clear your head and give you new energy to come back to your work refreshed.
Leave your house to signify your day is done
I have another friend who works from home in her studio apartment, so everything is done in the same room. At 5pm every day she leaves her apartment to take a walk and signal to her body and mind that her space is transitioning from her office to her living room again. Like the walk at the beginning of the day, this is great closure to your work day and provides the physical and mental separation necessary to successfully transition from work-life to home-life even though both take place under the same roof.
]]>Gifts of Imperfection | $16
Brene Brown continues to give us permission to be fully ourselves
Marshall Speaker | $250
Perfect for background music or dance parties
Lou & Grey Sweat Suit | $69 each
The softest, coziest, comfiest sweats you’ll ever wear. I may or may not have worn these non-stop Thanksgiving weekend…
My mom is pretty old school. She tends to own cars exclusively with crank windows and manual locks, and still insists we refer to elders and family as Mrs. Lewis, or Aunt Mary. So in 6th grade when I experienced my period for the first time, and my mom stood with her hand on her hip waving her finger saying, “make sure you track your cycles on your health calendar!” Naturally, I disregarded her antiquated advice. Fast forward 15 years to when cycle-tracking apps have started trending, I now, like so many other topics, have realized my mom was right. Here are 3 things I’ve learned from using an app to track my monthly cycle.
Know when, and how, my hormones will strike
Thanks to keeping track of my cycle, I have identified that 2 days before my period, even the tiniest infractions make me irritable and make me lose my cool. So when my roommate leaves the garage door open for what seems like the hundredth time, I know instead of blowing up at her, I should just take a walk and take a breath, because each month at the same time, things set me off a lot easier. Similarly, I’ve found about one week after my period, my sex-drive greatly increases. Funny how each month around the same time, I want to get back on the dating apps or text an ex-boyfriend. Having the knowledge that when we’re ovulating, our sex-drive hormone, or libido, increases, and knowing exactly when that happens for me, has been invaluable in helping decide if I’ll settle for texting an ex I know wasn’t “the one”, or instead choose to indulge in a watching a chick-flick.
Uncover underlying health issues
My health education in suburban Minnesota was anything but current or extensive, and I have a feeling I’m not alone in that experience. I, like many, thought painful periods full of cramps were normal, and the birth control pill is the only way to treat unwanted acne. Thanks to the health organization and app I now use called FEMM, I’ve learned extremely painful cramping is not only abnormal, such cramps can possibly indicate a greater health issue, like endometriosis, for example. I’ve also learned acne is an indicator that something’s not right, not merely a symptom of humanity. In fact, acne often points to a hormonal imbalance that can be corrected naturally with a change in diet along with natural supplements, instead of applying a temporary band-aid that can cause other side effects, and doesn’t address the root issue.
Help avoid or achieve pregnancy
My favorite part of learning about my body and my cycle has been that my body tells me everything I need to know, and I just need to listen. The week or so after my period when I notice my libido increasing, actually tells me my body is working, and it's a good sign I’m ovulating. This means it’s the time of the month when I’m most fertile, and most likely to become pregnant. This is incredible knowledge to have when I get to the point of making decisions about trying to achieve or avoid pregnancy. I can do this naturally by listening to my body and its signs, instead of using artificial hormones to cover these signs up. When I’m ready to make those decisions, I can also work with my doctor to address any of the health issues that have shown themselves throughout my many months of data I’ve entered in my tracking app.
Before I started tracking my monthly cycle, I felt like a victim to my body and its hormones. Now I feel more in control of my emotions and the decisions I make because of them, and I owe it greatly to tracking my cycle every month and learning the natural signs my body communicates to me every day.
]]>Ethically Made
From those who design the garments, to those who make the garments, to the models who are photographed in the garments, to those we make the garments for: we at Siena & Co. prioritize the dignity of every human person. We adhere to the standards set by the Ethical Trade Initiative.
High Quality
We have the highest standards of quality because we think you deserve it. Our suits are made to last, to reduce waste and make sure your investment is worth it. Our styles have gone through several rounds of fitting, testing and improvements, so you receive a garment of the highest quality.
Confident Coverage and Fit
You’re a busy gal on the go doing important, good, and necessary things. The last thing you need to worry about is how you feel in a swimsuit. Whether you’re catching rays poolside in peace in your independence, chatting with a friend on the beach or running after your little one as she cools off in the sprinkler, you have priorities other than worrying about how you look and feel in a swimsuit. Our purpose is neither to show off your body, nor hide it. The purpose of our designs is to complement your body, with fits and silhouettes that are flattering and practical, to help you look and feel your best, so you can focus on the rest of what you’re doing.