Ping Pong Piece no 5

Welcome to the latest edition of Ping Pong Piece, the new and improved version of Ping Pong Post which entailed three bloggers posting our clothes around the world in the name of creativity (see how it started here). Now, instead of pinging clothes back and forth, we ping ideas around to each other. This month Samantha, Ann and myself along with my guest of the month, Mary Murnane are styling a beach cover-up. 


Mary is an Emmy Award winning TV news reporter and anchor whose love of photography and fashion has led her to publish her own blog. I've followed Mary for some time now and am in awe of her sleek, polished style which still incorporates a playful element and a penchant for beautiful handbags and shoes. Her cover up is by Neiman Marcus and slides are by Zara.


Samantha has recently been playing happy families on the beach in Scotland where the temperatures aren't quite making the 20's yet. Sam's answer is to keep her top half cosied up against the wind which enables her to don her shorts to catch a few rays. See more of this on her blog Fake Fabulous.

Outfit details -
Jumper: Charity Shop
Gilet: Joules
Sandals: Vionics
Shorts: Fat Face


It seems that Ann has a similar approach to the beach cover-up idea. An old favourite of hers, this fisherman's jumper is her go-to casual wear for summer by the lake. Sunnies, flip flops and cut-offs complete her summer essentials for a day in the sun. Join Ann on Kremb de la Kremb

Outfit details are -
Sunnies--Forever 21
Sweater--HM
Suit and Flip Flops--Target
Cut-offs--DIY thrifted Wranglers
Beach Tote--Louella OdiƩ







My beach cover up was a charity shop find earlier on this summer, from ASOS, and cost all of £3.99. I love the crazy hooped hemline which reminds me of a Lady Gaga costume. The shoot took two days and two visits to my favourite desert-island-of-the-moment, Samson. The black hat on day one, left me a bit non plussed, but the pistachio hat and coral sandals were more the mood I wanted. And the joy of these islands is that you don't have to wait too long before a yacht or two will sail on by adding that Caribbean vibe to the shot.

Body confidence is in the news currently thanks mainly to the Loose Women photo shoot where the presenters all stripped down to their cossies shunning the aid of airbrushing. When you consider that the oldest, Janet Street-Porter, is 70 it's a brilliant message for women of every age that we ought to love our bodies - wobbly bits, scars, lumps and bumps - it's all part of our unique story and a celebration of normal life. 

goodtoknow.media.ipcdigital.co.uk

Every summer I promise myself that this will be my last one for wearing a bikini and this year is no different. Will I dare to bare next year when I'm 60? So here's my (maybe) last bikini shot. I share it to celebrate a body that's given birth to two babies and over the decades has gained then lost many pounds all in the name of body confidence.


I'm heading over to the mainland today and may not manage to respond to your comments during the next few days, but please do drop me a line and I'll catch up with you when I get back. Are you still wearing a bikini in your 50's? And why not? I'd love to hear from you if you are!

Anna x

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20 comments

  1. Fabulous frilled dress Anna. You effortlessly pull off a look that would challenge many girls in their 20s. There's no reason at all for you to stop wearing a bikini. Your body is amazing.

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    1. Thank you so much Gail. It's amazing what a summer's day, a desert island and some strict directions to hubby have managed to achieve here!

      Anna x

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  2. I always enjoy your ping-pong post, but this one is particularly wonderful!, I love to see all of you wearing different beach cover-ups, for different weather conditions and different styles!, very inspiring!
    You look fabulous in your bikini and little dress, I love that hemline, so cool!
    I think that I'm going to wear a bikini until my 80's (even more time, if I keep on moving!). My mom and my mother-in-law are both of them wearing their bikinis with lots of attitude and they rock!.
    besos

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    1. Such lovely feedback, thank you Monica! I'm delighted to hear of you and your relatives still wearing bikinis - my best friend lives in Portugal and she says that women of all ages and sizes wear bikinis which I find very heartening. It would be great if women in the UK could be equally liberated.

      Anna x

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  3. You rock your bikini with your swimmer's body!

    I do still wear a bikini with either a rash guard or a full length maxi cover up. Sun and me don't mix.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. You're very kind, Suzanne, thank you!

      I've just bought a wonderful full length beach cover up which I can't wait to wear.

      Anna x

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  4. I am so in awe of your rockin' dress - OMG, that hem! It reminds me of those "Sybil Fawlty" blouses from the 70s. I haven't worn a bikini since I was 18 - I've been far too self-conscious about my weight over the years to subject myself to that, sadly. I love the full bottom on yours - the "boy short" bottoms tempt me, but I so seldom swim or get near water. I have a maillot suit that I bought about 10 years ago that comes out when I visit my friend with a pool/hot tub, but that's only been 5-6 times in a decade.

    All of these women are so inspiring, Anna! Thank you!

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    1. I'm sure you can appreciate my excitement at discovering this fabulous white dress in a charity shop, can't you Sheila? There have been many years for me too when I wouldn't wear a bikini either, but at long last I'm doing what I want, rather than what I ought to!

      The Loose Women are indeed inspiring. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this.

      Anna x

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  5. We should all love our bodies no matter the age or size!! And yours is fabulous!!
    Great topic for this month!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Thanks so much Jodie. It's a hot topic at this time of year, and yet one that will never go away I'd say.

      Anna x

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  6. I love this Lady Ga Ga look on you Anna!
    Your strong body is made for skin tight, ruffled, white mini dresses and bikinis!!!
    You look fabulous.
    XXX
    Samantha
    Fake Fabulous | Style and Fashion, over 40

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    1. Thanks for all of the compliments Samantha. I feel that it's all smoke and mirrors though, hahaha!

      Anna x

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  7. Ditto what Samantha said! Anna, seriously, you are always looking fabulous in whatever you're wearing, but this fitted ruffle-hem mini and that bikini look amazing on you! Thanks again for inviting me to join in!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Mary
    http://marymurnane.com

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    1. You're also very kind with all of your lovely feedback Mary. I'm delighted to have you on board for this challenge and have to say you look fabulous in your cover-up!

      Anna x

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  8. This dress is proof of your admirable craving for some flash and fun in your clothing and I love that about you so much! I see that this is a body hugging dress BUT; is there a way you could style this so that wonderful curly cue hemline could adorn another look? Like... a long black and white striped, light weight, jumper that stops right at the curls, with black leggings and booties?? Oh gee I don't know I just want to see it again i guess! :-)

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    1. The fashionista in you always likes to challenge me just one step further and I love you for that Jude. I will have to give this some thought. Black and white as you suggest are way out of my comfort zone, but I'll see if I can come up with something that might call for another showing.

      Anna x

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  9. I have to say, you are the winner of this Ping Pong post. What a splendid, fun dress you are wearing. And as I said on IG.. my goodness what a perfect body. I know you will disagree as we all do when such a compliment is paid. But to the outside world it does look perfect. Two babies and a belly as tight as before. My word what an accomplisment. I never had a baby but always had a belly, even when I was really, really skinny and 18 years old. Nevertheless I still wear a bikini at 63. A swimsuit covers too much skin that doesn't get tanned. Although, come to think of it, I hardly go the beach.
    Anyway, kudos dear.
    Greetje

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    1. You're so right Greetje, about the difficulty in accepting such outright compliments. I can always see some flaws and know that other photos were not so generous/flattering, but obviously I chose to use the best - pure vanity, I know. I do work hard to keep myself trim, fit and as healthy as possible and will continue for as long as I possibly can. I like both swimsuits and bikinis and have a drawer full of them to pick from. My latest shopping spree has increased my collection to include an old fashioned swimsuit with a pleated skirt - it's a modern take on an old design and I love it!

      Anna x

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  10. You look amazing in your bikini!!! Your beach cover up is brilliant- what fab ruffles!

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    1. Kezzie, you're too kind, thank you! The ruffles are just brilliant aren't they.

      Anna x

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