“Where there is a woman, there is magic.” - Ntozake Shange

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a special time for us to reflect and honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and the progress we have made towards gender equality. Created over a century ago, the holiday was born from an idea from Clara Zetkin, who had a vision to recognize female advancement while building support for suffrage and women’s equality.

This year’s theme of International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias, and as a female-founded brand in the fashion industry, we are no strangers to how vital of a cause it is to celebrate this international day.

There is still so much work to be done, and we celebrate the many unique ways that people are celebrating #IWD2022. Here are a few ideas for how to celebrate international women's day this year:

#1: Join the movement and confidently strike your #BreakTheBias pose

One of the beautiful things about social media is the ability to bring people together around a cause. Each year, we look forward to the International Women’s Day social media campaign because it is one of the most positive forces on the internet, with women from across the globe joining the movement and posting their #BreakTheBias pose.

Image source: https://www.roffeypark.ac.uk/ 

Showing up confidently online is something that can be challenging for everyone. The International Women’s Day website makes posting simple and easy, with downloadable templates and resources for anyone to share. If you’re looking for a fresh look to show up confidently in your #BreakTheBias photo, check out Anne Cole’s Women's Activewear. The entire line is crafted for women, by women with the most flattering and on-trend silhouettes in mind.

#2:Share about inspirational women on social media

“Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams

From Serena Williams and Princess Diana to your ordinary women - your daughter, sister, and best friend, we are all surrounded by courageous women who inspire us each day and help create equal opportunities for working women everywhere. There is no one-size-fits-all for the achievements of amazing women and every small win and kind act is worth celebrating. 

We are incredibly proud to be founded by a woman whose legacy continues to inspire our mission today. Anne Cole was a pioneer who used her understanding of women to revolutionize the male-dominated swimwear industry, having created her eponymous line in 1982. The brand, including our line of plus size swimsuits, continues to create styles that flatter women in all shapes and sizes. From high waisted bikini bottoms to underwire bikinis, Anne Cole’s swimwear designs have women in mind when it comes to stylish comfort.

Image source: https://www.otis.edu/

Witnessing and experiencing women’s swimwear struggles first-hand, Anne invented the magic of the tankini in 1997. Revolutionary for the time and a true icon today, the practical and comfortable tankini has all the benefits of a two-piece and a one-piece — without the drawbacks of either. It’s incredible to see the innovations that come when women design for women, and we are lucky to have Anne Cole as our north star. 

If there’s a story about an incredible woman you look up to, consider sharing it in honor of #IWD2022.

#3 Host a book club with a female-authored book 

Book clubs are one of the most organic ways to connect with others and see new perspectives. There really is nothing like bonding with friends and acquaintances over a heartwarming story and fresh charcuterie and wine. In March, for not only International Women’s Day but also Women’s History Month, consider adding a book by a female author to your roster and hosting a themed book club meeting for the discussion. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration, we find our summer beach reads to be a great place to start. And with today’s increasingly virtual world, don’t be afraid to consider a virtual book club, where you can lounge at the beach in your favorite maillot swimsuit while zooming your friends from all over the world. 

#4 Make a purchase from a female-founded brand you admire

We can all support women-owned businesses by choosing to make a purchase from a female-founded brand. Here are three ideas:

• Something Sweet: To make your International Women’s Day a little bit sweeter, consider ordering you, or a woman who you’d like to celebrate, Baked by Melissa cupcakes. They are a female-founded company that empowers women and gives back to charitable organizations such as Girls Inc., Every Mother Counts, and Dress for Success so you can feel even better about indulging in their delicious treats. Read our article to get ideas for the perfect summer dessert to have by the pool. 

• Something Shiny: For chic, classic jewelry that’s on a mission akin to Anne Cole’s, we recommend Meijuri. Founder Noura Sakkijha saw that the jewelry industry was built for men gifting women and not women celebrating themselves. Read our guide on how to style your swimsuit with jewelry and the best sunhats for your swimsuit to learn more about styling your swimwear.

• Something Empowering: Female empowerment can start with feeling confident in your own skin, and Anne Cole’s swimsuits are designed to help you do just that. Make sure to include them in your beach vacation packing list, as these swimsuits are artfully crafted with a myriad of different body types in mind. Our guide on How to Choose a Swimsuit for Your Body Type is a wonderful resource to help select a style that is most flattering for you. Be sure to also review our swimsuit fit guide and our current lookbook to get the perfect fit and look for this season.

#5 Last but not least, wear purple

A quick Google image search of International Women’s Day reveals an endless gallery of purple toned imagery. Fun fact – purple is the official color of IWD because it was closely associated with the suffrage movement of the early 1900s. Anne Cole herself was an inspiring woman famous for her use of vivid colors and even has a few suits that are in a tone remarkably close to the IWD purple - we are loving the best-selling swimsuits including our purple Strapless Bandeau Swimsuit. 

 

Mary W. said 

“I love love love this swimsuit. It fits so well and the top stays in place. So, no tugging for it to stay in place. I ordered a print version after I loved the purple suit so much.”

Wondering if a purple swimsuit will be the right color for you? Read our article on the best swimsuit color you should wear to learn which color will look fantastic on you.

Are you ready to start celebrating International Women’s Day?

With so many ways to celebrate the achievements of women and push for more by #BreakingThe Bias, all that’s left to do is decide how you will spend the special day. 

At Anne Cole, we are grateful for #IWD2022 and the opportunity to reflect on the groundbreaking moves of our founder as she took on the male-dominated swimwear industry. Anne Cole once said, “There’s no such thing as a bad figure. There are just bad swimsuits.” Our swimsuits are made and designed by women for women, so that no matter which swimsuit you choose, you’ll feel beautiful and confident everywhere you go. This passion and drive lives on in 2022 with our new swimsuits that draw on that legacy while continually pushing for the best in the industry for our customers.