8 May 2017
Outfits

My Surgical Scar

Altar'd State Wish You Were Here Sunhat

Shop the Post:
 
Aerie DIY Cha Cha Bikini Top and High Waisted Bottom in Leaf Green

Script Sunhat for the Pool and Beach

Aerie Real Campaign Summer 2017

Big Mouth Swan Pool Float

Palm Print High Waisted Bikini

Wish You Were Here Floppy Hat

Aerie Triangle Bikini Top in Flesh Bright

The Apollo DC Rooftop Pool

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!

Photos by Anna Meyer

Thank you to The Apollo for letting me shoot on your fabulous rooftop!

Outfits
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22 Comments

  1. Ashley Vickney wrote:

    Girl you look FAB! I just ordered my first bikini in like 5 years from Aerie, I can’t wait to try it out! This pool shoot looked like so much fun!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  2. Lauren wrote:

    This bikini is fab! I didn’t even know Aerie had bikini’s so I’m definitely going to check their website out!

    Lauren
    http://www.basicbabelauren.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  3. Neha Sharma wrote:

    Love the bikini! You are super brave for talking about something so personal! More power to you girl! 🙂

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  4. Jennifer Nordine wrote:

    So stinking cute!! You look amazing! Love it, babe!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  5. Chloe wrote:

    This post is so fun! I LOVE your bathing suit and now I can’t wait to go swimming again! Lol! 🙂

    xo,Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/lost-pretty-pastels/

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  6. Lacey Anne Douthat wrote:

    Love this Alicia! Today must be the day for swim posts! Don’t let that scar hold you back! You are beautiful!

    xx.

    Lacey
    http://theglittergospelblog.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  7. debbie_savage wrote:

    Alicia! You are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I have a scar on my tummy too from my appendix removal and am self conscious about it. You are teaching me to be brave and confident. This suit is so lovely and I love the pattern!
    xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  8. Life in ATX wrote:

    Good for you babe! I love this suit and I think you look amazing!

    XO
    Lee Anne
    http://www.lifebylee.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  9. Kamara wrote:

    Exactly what your friend said! Scars are kinda badass 😉 You look gorgeous – so does that bikini!

    Euriental

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  10. Cara Owens-Kindly Unspoken wrote:

    You look beautiful! That bikini is so adorable, and I love the high waisted bottoms!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  11. Mary Gui wrote:

    you look amazing in this bikini, and your scar is totally cool!
    http://www.layersofchic.com

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  12. Sharon Glascoe wrote:

    Congrats for embracing what makes you YOU! You look great. And that bikini is stunning!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  13. Brittany Daoud wrote:

    Yay for embracing your uniqueness girl! And that bikini is super cute, I love high waisted anything!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  14. Patricia Conte wrote:

    I tend to agree with you that scars are cool! They tell a story about YOU! Great bathing suit – looks fab on you!

    Posted 5.8.17 Reply
  15. Christy Garrett wrote:

    Please wear your scar with pride. It is what makes you unique. I have two scars now and I am probably going to have more before its all over with. I had back surgery almost 18 months ago and a c-section almost 6 years ago.

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  16. Jessica Sheppard wrote:

    This bikini is adorable, you look AMAZING, and your scar is so legit!!! I love that you’re rocking it and share your story. xoxo

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  17. April Kitchens wrote:

    I love your swim suit. I’ll probably look for a high waist suit this year. That hat is fabulous too.

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  18. Cameron wrote:

    I love aerie! This print looks really cute, especially with your skin tone. Love the high waist!

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  19. Amanda K wrote:

    I am so ready for swimsuit season! I love this high waisted bikini!

    xx,
    Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  20. Sofia Sakare wrote:

    Alicia, you are so beautiful and your cool scar just make you unique! ? Now I need this sweemsuit! Looks so cute! It should suit me ?

    Posted 5.9.17 Reply
  21. Nicole Parise wrote:

    This is so cute, i love the photos! Great bikini, and you look so beautiful!

    xx nicole
    http://www.nicoleparise.com

    Posted 5.10.17 Reply
  22. Alexis Chatman wrote:

    Such a great post!! Your skin is so gloomy and beautiful!
    xo, Alexis
    https://cincinnatisass.com

    Posted 5.10.17 Reply