Raise your hand if you cringe when I say the words “maternity swim suit.” It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, or how “tiny” or “wow, are you  having twins?” your stomach is, most maternity swim suits are just horrible! They’re unflattering, uncomfortable, unfortunate, and you inevitably end up feeling dumpy and large. Well, ladies, rejoice! I have found a company that will forever put that stereotype out of your minds: Mermaid Maternity!

Mermaid Maternity is a swimwear company dedicated to offering well-made, supportive, super cute maternity swim suits. Believe me when I say I like all of their designs and had a really hard time picking which suit I wanted to review! They don’t have a million to choose from, but that guarantees that they have taken the time to truly perfect the styles and patterns of the suits that they do offer.

Their basic model is this: you pick a top you like, then pick a style of bottoms you like and voila! you have a swim suit. In tops they offer a V-Insert style, a Halter V-Insert style, a Bandeau style and a Wrap-Around Bandeau style. For the tankini top, you can choose from three different patterns or four different solid colors.  The bottoms are all black (a smart, flattering choice, in my opinion) and come in several styles of briefs, shorts, skirts and board shorts. They vary in length of the short as well as length of the maternity panel at the top. They also offer a few Rash Guard tops  and a selection of Plus Size swim choices.

I chose to review the V-Insert Top in Raspberry with the Fold-Over Panel Maternity Swim Shorts, and let me just say I. LOVE. THIS. SUIT!!! First of all, it’s comfortable. The top is supportive and gives me the coverage I need while still feeling like a swim suit. The V-Insert style is flattering and I love the knotted details in the fabric along the shoulders. The adjustable straps can be worn straight down the back (like a bra) or crossed in an X. I like the X because I feel like it gives me that much more support, which I need with this pregnancy chest! The fabric is thick and stretchy and feels like it will last through several more pregnancies (assuming I have any more!). The best part of the suit, however, is the tie on the side. Every Mermaid Maternity suit comes equipped with this drawstring hem to grow with you as your belly expands, and the tie allows it to conform to your shape as well as stay down in the water when you’re swimming (unless you like your top floating up and around you like a skirt underneath your chest…).

The bottoms are another favorite part of this suit. They are tight and short enough to look like bathing suit bottoms but not so tight and short that I feel uncomfortable in them. My legs (especially my upper thighs) are definitely not my best feature, and these little shorts allow me to cover them right up! Plus, let me tell you how awesome is it to not have to worry about trimming up around the sides every time I’m going to go swimming…you know what I mean, ladies!

I’ve already worn this suit to the pool a few times and to the beach once, and I’ve chased around my two kids and walked miles in the sand in it, and I’ve yet to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. In fact, I feel great in this suit! I’ve gotten several compliments on it from both friends and my husband, and every time people are amazed at the quality and craftsmanship that have gone into this swim suit. That said, they’re not cheap. The tops run between $60-68 and the bottoms are anywhere from $32-52, depending on the style. DON’T LET THAT DETER YOU! This is one purchase worth spending the big bucks on! Trus me when I say this suit will not fall apart or stretch out after one pregnancy/summer. I fully intend to wear this suit at least twice a week all summer long and still get more use out of it in a few years. Mermaid Maternity’s customer service is superb, so if you order something from their online store and discover you don’t like it, they will work with you to help you find the perfect swim suit for your beautiful, pregnant body. Now go do some shopping! And then enter to win $100 to their online store!

Win $100 to Mermaid Maternity and pick out the suit of your pregnant dreams!

** This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only.

** The winner of this giveaway will be drawn no later than the morning of May 20, 2014, and will be emailed within 24 hours.  If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn.

** This posting and giveaway were sponsored by Mermaid Maternity, but all opinions are strictly my own. The product(s) in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation.