Here we go ladies! How to find flattering a swimsuit for women over 50? This time of year I almost always have mixed emotions. I love to swim, go to the beach, pop over to the lake to do some stand up paddle boarding and yet it involves a swimsuit. As I have aged it is not my most favorite task to find a flattering swimsuit for me a woman over 50 that I like. Can anyone else relate?
I have however found a few that I am comfortable wearing and work great for any of the water activities that I love to do. I prefer a modest bathing suit…no bikinis for me. When I was young and living in Newport Beach I always wore a bikini.
Let’s be honest I was very thin, flat chested and built more like a boy so a bikini was my swim suit of choice.
I now prefer a 1 one piece bathing suit that keeps everything put where it is supposed to be. If you are short waisted like I am you will find that a v-neck bathing suit is more flattering to your figure.
What I try to accomplish as I squeeze myself into a tube of stretchy fabric is to create space. Space between my shoulders and hips.
If the swimsuit comes way up to the top of chest with no breaks I look more like olive on a stick haha. The v-neck creates a longer neck, de-emphasizes broad shoulders and creates a slimmer look
Thicker straps also help to break up my broad shoulders.
I have found the addition of ruffles to be especially pleasing. This particular bathing suit is so flattering and super comfortable to wear. A huge #win for me.
Another bathing suit that I have found that is a flattering swimsuit for women over 50, is this black reversible one piece. I love the detail of the ties up at the shoulders.
The straps are thicker which helps to break up my shoulders. Black of course is always a good choice to make one feel slimmer.
Funny story about this swimsuit, I bought it at an Italian train station! We were traveling in Italy and I needed to find a swim suit fast. There happened to be a really cute swimsuit kiosk there.
Below is the swim suit reversed. It has sea shells and coral designs on it.
Normally I would never think to go into some tiny little boutique to find a swimsuit. Let alone in a train station in Italy! It looked so cute on the hanger and I just decided to go for it. I tried it on in a very tiny curtain closed corner of the store and it fit.
Below are some fun swimsuits that you will love! *Update I just bought two more ruffled bathing suits and linked them below. The bright blue one and the red patterned one. Both under $45 and fit like a dream!
These are affiliate links and I make a small commission when your purchase any of these items at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me to continue to keep this blog going. I really appreciate it too!
It is a little “cheeky” on my derriere which kind of drives me crazy but my husband likes it haha. Once I am in the water it tends to move back down where it is more comfortable.
Check out the beautiful island we were able to go to in Italy called Tremiti. It is seriously one of the most beautiful areas.
The one thing about 1 piece swimsuits that I don’t like is when you have to go to the restroom! Taking a wet one piece bathing suit off and on in the restroom is like wrestling an alligator! AM I RIGHT?
Tankini’s to the rescue! Of course I am not about to wear a midriff showing tankini. My muffin top would be oozing out over the top of the tankini bottoms. No thanks. The great thing about being short waisted is that the tankini tops usually come way down over the top of the bottoms. Yeah! I am still covered but in a two piece!
I really like the style of this tankini with a zipper down the front and wider shoulder straps. This suit comes in lots of colors too! I bought it on Amazon size large. I wore this bathing suit while on our trip to Cancun for my hubby’s birthday back in March.
I don’t know about you but I am not a fan of traipsing around in hotel lobbies or back and forth to restrooms in my swimsuit. A flattering cover-up that is easy to wear and doesn’t wrinkle or at least looks cute if it is wrinkled is what I like.
I have found a few cover-up options that I love! One is florescent orange! haha I know it is a bit bright but I still love it. Plus it has SPF in the fabric. It is long sleeved, has hood and it super lightweight.
The pocket in the front reminds me of wearing a large comfy sweatshirt. It never wrinkles even when I wad it up in my beach bag. It was the perfect thing to wear while boating around the spectacular island of Capri, Italy.
A lightweight floral dress is also a great option.
The dress is tiered and kind of has that baby doll look. It too is long sleeved with a little collar and split neck. It looks cute enough to wear over my swim suit to go grab some lunch or shop in a little beach town.
Do you like swim skirts? I really do! I feel covered up and I can even paddle board in one. A tank top is always a great option to wear with the swim skirt to keep it nice a cool and sporty.
In 2008 I wrote this post called swimsuit phobia. It is all about getting over our fear of putting on a swimsuit and it still holds true today.
I am quoting myself here-
“So my advice to you gals, not that anyone asked……. but go out and enjoy life to the fullest no matter your shape or size, find that bright colored nylon/spandex piece of fabric that is shaped like a tube and plop yourself into it and hit the beach, pool or even your own backyard!”
I hope you will go out and find a bathing suit that let’s you feel happy and ready to spend time at the beach, pool, lake or even your own backyard. Life is too short to be worried about what we look like in a bathing suit.
Enjoy time with your family and making memories.
This what a coastal Grandmother would do right? 🙂
These are affiliate links and when you purchase an item I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps me to continue to keep the blog going. 🙂
Make sure you check out these travel posts. It is funny for a girl who used to hate flying I have been able to overcome and now fly when I can!
Visiting the island of Capri! There is no place like Capri! Sparkling see through water, lovely restaurants, shopping and hiking.
Tremiti Islands in Italy. This is where the local Italians like to vacation on this little romantic island.
Our fun Cancun Mexico trip! We went to Xel-ha prounouced shell-ha is a commercial aquatic theme park and ecotourism development located on the Caribbean coast. We stayed at the Westin Resort and spa and it was magical
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Hi, nice to meet you and your blog. Thanks for linking up on my Fancy Friday! I still wear bikinis, to get as much tanned as possible,lol.
You showed so many cute options here; I find I much prefer a tankini too for the ease of use but still feel covered like I'm wearing a one piece.
Thank you Joanne! Yes the tankini is definitely much easier to navigate when you have to use the restroom but I do love a cute one piece and I wear one more often than the tankini. I have found that top of most tankini's float up in the water and my tummy hangs out so I usually wear the tankini when I am on my stand up paddle board and not going to be swimming a lot.
Hugs, Karin
The quest for a flattering swimsuit is about to begin. I find that with each passing year, I need to tweak my style a bit.🤣
Rosemary,
Isn’t that the truth.. tweaking the style every year. I really love the v-neck ruffled swimsuits the best. They are so flattering especially with some ruching and tummy control built in. These don’t squeeze me to death either.
Thank you for leaving me a comment ❤️
Where did you get the orange coverup?
Hi Debra I bought it at a store called Sierra a year ago. But here is a similar one.
https://rstyle.me/+Dv0zkiAtk_xaLriHFlWz2Q
Oh, the more covered the happier I am at my age! Loved this post, friend!
Hi Karin -
My friend Kelly just sent me a text and picture of you and her. What a small world. I love your blog and it was fun to find out that she knows you.
Keep doing what you're doing and enjoy your travels.
Margaret
Hi Margaret! I am amazed that we have this connection with Kelly!! Truly a small world! I so appreciate you following my blog It means so much to me 🥰
How did you find my blog? I hope to meet you someday.
Hugs,
Karin
Great post! Thanks!
Love this, my friend!!!