Over the Moon with MC Swim

Are we really surprised that MC Swim is my latest kini crush? I can’t get enough of this affordable swimwear brand. If you’re an OG member of my mermaid gang then you’ll remember my collaboration with Megan in 2016! *Need a refresher? Click here.*

After our first collaboration, I continued to stalk I mean support this hidden gem of a kini company and couldn’t be more proud to see MC Swim flourish into the business it is today! You seriously cannot beat her handmade to order bikinis that are four suits in one. I know I can’t resist fully reversible sets. Combine these attributes with an affordable price tag and you’ve struck gold.

Me and my bestie, Adri from A Little Bikini, can both agree that affordable high quality swimwear will win over any kini loving babe’s heart. The soft seamless fabric paired with its unique design, which is inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white halter dress, will flatter all sizes! Recently, while shopping in-store for a new kini I realized that the majority of the suits had 0 stretch to them and the bottoms would dig into my sides. Meanwhile, tops either had me paranoid about an unwanted nip slip or were too loose around the band. I was taken back by this because I usually have a pretty easy experience while trying on suits with the occasional omg this looks awful on me. Were my standards too high? Maybe 🤷🏼‍♀️

I blame it on being spoiled by MC Swim. Megan’s kinis are made to order based off your personal measurements. No need to play a guessing game with a general size guide! I simply select my usual size, then enter my bra and waist size into special instructions for seller. Could life get any easier or better when it comes to shopping for swimwear?

Once Megan added her sample creation of the Marilyn top onto her personal snap (where you can see lots of sneak peeks & her cutie pup, Eli) I knew I had to give it a spin. The crop top design features a thick halter strap that won’t hurt the back of the neck, which is great for you babes who experience big boobie problems. What really drew me to this set is how I have yet to see any kini like it! A sexy, playful, and practical top that looks amazing on and off the beach.

In addition to crushing on reversible kinis, I love being able to wear my suits out. It helps me rationalize the amount of bikinis I have 🤣

Can we please take a moment to admire the lace up back?! I mean wow😍 Not only is it a gorgeous luxe detail but it provides for the perfect fit! I had 0 issues with this top being too lose around my band because I was able to adjust it. I wore this kini attempting to skateboard (I hadn’t in over ten years #poser) and it did not move! MC Swim’s Marilyn top is a definite must have for active babes that like to board or party at festivals!

I just bought some cute ass Levi’s to wear with this top for Rolling Loud.

I opted for the 80’s bottom with a cheekier cut 🔥 If you couldn’t already tell I’m a huge fan of high cut bottoms because they flatter my body by making me appear taller and fitter. Not into Brazilian styled bottoms? Not a problem, Megan provides various coverage options to have every babe feeling confident!

I saved the best part for last…the print 🤩 Like I previously mentioned, I knew I wanted to add the Marilyn top into my ever growing kini collection BUT had to choose a print that would make this top pop. The stars print immediately caught my eye! My fascination with astronomy and the contrast of the fabric made this an easy decision. I of course paired it with a solid black for those days where a basic black kini is a must!

Can you believe you can get this killer four in one kini set for under $100 with my exclusive code KAK10! Hurry up babes MDW is approaching and I know we could all use some retail therapy. 

My measurements:
Height: 5’5
Waist: 24″
Bust: 32″

Kini Size:
Top: S
Bottom: S

And now without further ado let’s meet the babe that brings our custom kinis to life!

Meet Megan:

My name’s Megan, and I’m a 24 year old entrepreneur. My business all started because I refused to pay $100+ for one piece of a bikini. In February 2015, I bought the cheapest sewing machine and a couple yards of fabric, and the rest is history. Originally I only intended to make suits for myself and friends, but that quickly changed when I realized how many girls were loving and wanting my work. After I got my marketing degree in 2016, I decided that I would continue slangin kinis as my full time job!

I’m extremely blessed that my business lets me stay at home, take care of my pup Eli, and lets me express my creativity on a daily basis. I truly feel like my job was made for me, I’m a crafty perfectionist, so all day I get to make high quality handmade bikinis that are all so unique. I don’t see myself ever having my suits manufactured somewhere else, just because I love the hands-on part way too much. Each piece is designed by the customer, and knowing that they’re so excited to see their vision of their perfect bikini come to life, is what drives me. All I have to say is, find something you love and that you’re good at, life is too short to waste doing something you hate!

Follow her and the bizz on the gram: @Megan_Cecil & @MC_Swim

Q&A with our kini babe: Megan Cecil

I swoon every time you post a new fabric on the gram. How do you decide which ones to stock up on?

Choosing fabrics is probably my favorite part of my business. I always pick ones that I think “if you saw this at the beach/pool party, would you go up and compliment it or ask where it’s from?” Each pattern definitely has to match my brand, which is basically a lot of my personal style.

Which kini top would you recommend for someone with a large bust?

I recommend the Cage Top, Cross Top, Megan Top, or my best selling Double Knot Scoop Top.

You’re going on a spontaneous vacay but can only take three things to your tropical destination. What are they?

My silver lab Eli, my boyfriend, and one of my original MC SWIM bikinis!

You started MC Swim back in 2015. How do you stay motivated in such a competitive industry?

It’s honestly insane, the swimwear industry. Every day I see a new company pop up and I’m just like oh jeez. Manufactured swim and handmade swim I feel are two different industries, because handmade businesses (I feel) are much more customer motivated since their business is their life. They always need to make customers happy, and I feel that to keep on top of the competition, I always need to put my customers first. 50% of my orders are repeat customers, and that makes me extremely happy that they want to come back for more. So basically seeing that and hearing all the positive feedback is what keeps me motivated.

What’s the first bikini style you created? Do you currently sell it or have a modified version?

I still have my first bikini, it was a high neck top since that was really in style in 2015, and my Thin Side Cheeky bottoms. I kind of have a modified version of the top (my Cage Top), and the bottoms are one of my best sellers.

Why do you think so many girls purchase knock offs instead one of your high quality affordable kinis?

I am forreal wondering this one daily. My age market is college girls, and I remember when I was in college before I started my business, having under $10 in my bank account. I UNDERSTAND the struggle of having a budget, and that’s why I know girls buy budget bikinis. But when those straps start snappin and threads start frayin’, don’t be surprised! When I hand make my suits, I am literally paying attention to every stitch and every miniscule detail you don’t even think twice about as a customer. I’m such a perfectionist that every strap seam edge has to be facing the outer edges on the tops and every bottom strap seam edge has to be facing downwards. When I put straps into the tops, I have to straight stitch the straps forwards, backwards, then forwards again or else I don’t feel it’s complete. So yeah, a little OCD, but you know it’s made with love and made to actually LAST! Yes, my bikinis are pricier than what you’ll find on Amazon or Zaful, but they’re durable as heck with 4 looks in 1 and you get to design them. What could be better than that?

I’ve noticed your customers mix and match their reversible kinis with various loud print combinations and solids. What is your all time favorite combination?

The most impossible question, it’s just so hard to pick a fav! Since all prints and solids are chosen by me, they’re all fabrics that I love. I just love anything like tie dye/boho/earthy. I change up my fabrics yearly/seasonally, and my all time favorite was a black and white tie dye I used to have a few years ago.

Can you tell us the highs and lows of being an self employed bikini boss babe?

Highs: stay at home, great income, get to have a creative outlet every single day, make thousands of girls feel confident in my suits.

Lows: definitely stressful running a business by yourself 24/7. I have to stay on my game even when I close my office door. I’m responding to emails/dms, keeping my instagram updated, trying to get new customers and followers. I stay out of my office on the weekends, but that doesn’t mean I put customer service on hold.

I love having you on snapchat! Not only do I see Eli (the cutest pup ever) but sneak peeks of your designs. Does inspiration strike randomly or do you meticulously sketch out ideas?

I love how customers follow me on snap (megan_ceec) because they get to see what my life is like behind the MC SWIM name. Yes, I always sneak Eli vids in my stories, but my snap friends are always the first to see new things I come up with. Inspiration always hits me randomly. I’ll be lying on the couch, thinking of random things, and run to my office to draw things out. My newest top, the Marilyn, actually came from seeing a girl’s cute top on insta. I was like “I can kini that!”

Your friends signed you up for karaoke. Which song would you be singing?

Honestly whenever I’m working and listening to music, this is always the question I ask myself. I love singing all day, and my favorite band is The Strokes. I always make a joke to myself if I got on stage I’d be like “alright, who’s ready for me to sing all of this album” hahah! Whenever my boyfriend and I have a few drinks in us, we sing all of Bohemian Rhapsody in our house, it’s like a tradition. So if he were to ever do karaoke with me, I’d force him into that jam.

How did you decide to take the plunge and take on bikini making full time?

I was a college junior when I first started and at the time I also worked at a dog boutique. A few months into MC SWIM, I let bikinis consume me and had to drop the second job. I changed my major to marketing, and after graduating it seemed like a no brainer to continue with what I was doing. Business is great, I honestly see no sign of slowing down, but if I ever get older and feel like doing something else, at least I have a marketing degree with years of entrepreneurship experience! Again, don’t worry, not happening any time soon.

I noticed that you recently released a blue ribbed collection, which is to die for, will you be restocking? Can we expect another drop but in a different color?

I’m actually going to release a navy collection soon in some of the same styles! Unfortunately the blue ribbed was one of a kind since it’s sold out from the fabric distributor. Sometimes I like for my fabrics to be like that since girls can get a one of a kind piece that only 5 or so other girls have in the world.

Name your best selling bikini top and bottom. Why do you think so many babes go for that style?

100% my Double Knot Scoop Top and lately my best selling bottom has been my 80’s Bottom. Girls go for the Double Knot because its a cut that’s so classic and supportive, and the back design is so fun and unique. I always recommend it for any chest size. I think the 80’s Bottoms are a hit because the retro v-cut mid rise is definitely making a comeback, and it has my original cheeky cut. Not to mention the wide sides are just so comfy and fit the hips flawlessly!

How would you style your kinis for a festival?

I actually wore the Megan Top in a cool blue tie dye (of course) to Bonnaroo last year with a fun pair of banana leaf shorts. Music fests are like my all time favorite thing and ever since 2015, I’ve had to go to a different one each year. The styles at fests are so free/hippy-ish and it’s just about expressing yourself, so I say pick the most bold and fun print you can get on my site, get some wacky bottoms (or high waisted jean cut offs are always a classic), and rock it! All of my styles are seamless and don’t cut in or rub you, so they’re very comfortable to wear all day and night.

Are you a sneakerhead or head over heels kinda girl?

100% sneakerhead. Being 5’10, I don’t own many heels. I wear my black Gazelle Adidas and white Converse high tops everywhere. Also sandal-wise, my Birkenstocks because I choose comfort over everything!

Do you have a playlist or watch Netflix while sewing?

I’m always listening to music from start to finish. I always listen to Spotify or Amazon Prime music. I don’t make playlists, but my go to artists lately are Father John Misty, Gorillaz, Glass Animals, Portugal. The Man, Arcade Fire, and as always The Strokes. Also Radiohead when I need to calm my mind.

You received a notification that someone tagged MC Swim in a photo. Which celebrity or blogger would you want rocking your kini?

YOU of course! I honestly don’t follow a lot of blogs, but I’m definitely thankful for yours + other kini blogs that want to help spread the word about my business and other small businesses. Girl celeb would definitely have to be Jenah Yamamoto (Gypsyone), such a babe and I’m in love with her style and tattoos.