8 Most Flattering Bathing Suits for Women Over 50
Updated: Aug. 22, 2023
These confidence-boosting bathing suits for women over 50 will help you have your best summer yet.
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Buying sunglasses, flip-flops, and sunscreen will easily get anyone in the mood for summer, but shopping for a new swimsuit? Not so much. Swimsuit shopping is challenging at any age, but if you’re a woman over 50, you may feel like skipping the beach altogether when seeing some of the season’s more revealing styles.
Don’t worry, though. We’ve found the best bathing suits for women over 50—from tankinis and bikinis to plus-size swimwear and tummy control swimsuits—that will flatter the figure with subtle features like fuller-cut bottoms and strategic ruching. In fact, they might give you so much confidence, you may decide to skip the cover-ups and just accessorize with a cute, flirty summer hat.
The best bathing suits for older women
- Best overall: Miraclesuit Must Haves Oceanus One-Piece
- Best value: Cupshe Bright Day Shirring One-Piece
- Best wrap: Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece
- Best sun protection: Carve Designs LS All Day Onesie
- Best bikini: Kenny Flowers The Positano Lemon Print Sporty Bikini Top and Bottom
- Best square neck: Hermoza Marisa One-Piece
- Best belted: Summersalt The Ribbed Belted Backflip
- Best swim skirt: Garnet Hill Active Swim Skirt and Tankini Top
Best overall
Miraclesuit Must Haves Oceanus One-Piece
Living up to its name, this flattering one-piece is definitely one of the best bathing suits for women over 50 and kind of a miracle. It’s designed to make the wearer look 10 pounds lighter in 10 seconds, thanks to Miratex fabric, which provides all-over body control, similar to the best shapewear.
If you’re doubting its miraculous powers, check out the hundreds of five-star reviews that attest to its success, as well as our own shopping expert’s review. “This suit is fantastic,” raves one happy customer. “Worth every bit of the price tag because it actually does what it says.” Beyond the fabulous fabric, the shirred, wrapped waistline combined with the solid color is a winning and slimming combination. It’s the swimsuit equivalent of the little black dress.
Pros
- Fabric has twice the shaping power of regular Lycra
- Wrap style visually slims the midsection
- Moderately cut leg elongates thighs, making them look thinner
Cons
- Pricey
Best value
Cupshe Bright Day Shirring One-Piece
This bathing beauty is one of the best tummy control one-piece swimsuits, with more than 16,000 five-star ratings singing its praises for its good looks and flattering fit. “Not only did it fit perfectly, but by some magic, this suit made me look even slimmer. I love it,” raves five-star reviewer Vee.
This Cupshe suit has stellar body contouring and an incredibly affordable price tag. Can’t decide which of the 24 colors to choose? Orange is the top seller because it’s cheery and flattering to all skin tones, but since this suit is less than $30, treat yourself to more than one because finding bathing suits for women over 50 is not always easy. P.S. You might also like some of these best Amazon swimsuits under $40.
Pros
- Strategic shirring around the tummy creates a slimming visual effect
- The chinlon-spandex blend is supportive without being restricting
- Affordable
- Available in 24 colors
- 24,000 Amazon ratings with a 4.4-star average
Cons
- Some reviewers say it’s a little “cheeky”
Best wrap
Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece
This aptly named swimsuit from Summersalt is a fantastic bathing suit for women over 50 because of its universally flattering wrap style and comfortable compression. “The color, the fit, the comfort—it’s all perfection,” writes one five-star reviewer. “I can’t speak highly enough about this incredible swimsuit.”
Another fan raves: “I like a suit that covers me for snorkeling and body surfing but is flattering (to this now-middle-aged body) and fun to wear. A tall order and this suit does it.” Available in lots of colors and prints, this suit makes shopping a snap for the next beach trip: As soon as you try it on, you’ll know it’s a wrap.
Pros
- Perfectly placed wrapping is slimming
- Just-right compression holds everything in
- Comes in 12 beautiful colors and patterns
- Available in women’s sizes 2 to 22
Cons
- Some reviewers say it runs a little small
Best sun protection
Carve Designs LS All Day Onesie
Don’t hide under a beach umbrella all day to stay protected. Thanks to UPF 50 and a full-coverage design, this long-sleeved beauty lets the wearer soak up the sun all day without worry. Throw jeans over it and head out for a night on the town.
It’s smoothing with just the right amount of spandex for stretch and has a built-in bra for the perfect amount of support. Plus, it’s available in three totally original prints that are likely to garner lots of compliments—and are different enough to rationalize getting them all.
Pros
- Made of recycled material
- Built-in shelf bra for extra support and coverage
- UPF 50 sun protection
- Removable chest pads
Cons
- Challenging to put on and take off
Best bikini
Kenny Flowers The Positano Lemon Print Sporty Bikini Top and Bottom
When life gives you lemons, head to the beach. Finding bathing suits for women over 50 doesn’t mean one has to give up bikinis. This pretty bikini top and bottom are sold as separates to mix and match sizes, and the adjustable straps ensure a comfortable fit.
We particularly love that the athletic style offers a good amount of coverage to feel more supported than a revealing string bikini. Both pieces have universally flattering details older women will appreciate, such as a scoop neck, adjustable straps and high legs. And the vibrant print is summer at its juiciest.
Pros
- Sun-protective fabric
- Removable light padding
- Ethically made by an all-women-run team in Colombia
- Anti-chlorine and salt-resistant technology
Cons
- Available only in sizes XS to L
Best square neck
Hermoza Marisa One-Piece
A square neckline is universally flattering, showing off the collarbone and acting as a stylish but modest frame. This feminine one-piece from Hermoza continues the theme with a square back and wide straps for extra coverage, and a built-in, supportive bra works to keep the bust lifted and secure.
“What a beautifully designed bathing suit,” writes one happy customer. “The fabric, style and look is perfect for any body shape.” Another comments, “It has a womanly, retro look that is very flattering on the body. I feel beautiful in it.” You might also like checking out the newest Hermoza swim drop.
Pros
- Wear as a tank top as well
- Built-in bra for added support
- Available in four beautiful colors
- Soft luxurious fabric
- Free U.S. shipping
Cons
- Shoulder straps aren’t adjustable
- Hand wash only
Best belted
Summersalt The Ribbed Belted Backflip
A sophisticated belt adds interesting detail to this already eye-catching swimsuit while also creating a slimming effect and giving the perfect hourglass shape. “I think this style is so chic, and the mock belt creates an incredibly flattering silhouette and waistline,” comments one five-star reviewer. The ribbed fabric is also lightweight and comfortable, and the suit features sewn-in soft cups and wide straps for extra coverage and support. Just grab a pair of flip-flops and get ready to head to the beach.
Pros
- The attached belt won’t fall off
- Sewn-in cups
- Made with recycled materials
- Available in sizes 2 to 22
Cons
- A little cheeky
Best swim skirt
Garnet Hill Active Swim Skirt and Tankini Top
Swim skirts are a smart way to cover up the lower half of the body and they’ve come a long way. Just look at this Garnet Hill number, which is especially cute, modern looking and excellent for water sports or family vacations chasing after the grandkids. “I adore this swim skirt,” raves one fan. “Amazing quality, so much coverage and extremely flattering.”
Made from exclusive soft, four-way stretch fabric for comfort, it features a built-in bikini bottom. Pair it with the matching racerback tankini top, which features front-and-center ruching to create a slimming effect and hits at the hip to lengthen lines.
Pros
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Available in sizes 2 to 18
- Sold as separates for mixing and matching sizes
- Available in four pattern and color options
Cons
- Shipping may be pricey
What to look for when buying bathing suits for women over 50
Look for swimsuits that provide adequate coverage and support. Styles such as one-piece swimsuits or tankinis with built-in bras offer the desired support and help enhance confidence. Additionally, consider swimsuits with tummy control or ruching features to provide a flattering fit. Opt for fabrics that offer stretch, durability and quick-drying properties. Pay attention to UV protection features to protect the skin from the sun’s rays, which becomes increasingly important as we age.
How we found the best bathing suits for women over 50
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Can older women wear swimsuits?
Of course. Women of all ages can wear swimsuits—and without a cover-up. “The key is to find a style that highlights your current shape and draws attention to the areas where you want it and away from the areas you don’t,” says stylist Samantha Brown. “Cinching and ruching help define the waist and camouflage the tummy, and ruffles help build up the bust.” The bottom line: The best swimsuit boils down to which features you want to emphasize or camouflage.
Can older women wear two-piece swimsuits?
Without a doubt, yes. Just ask celebrities like Liz Hurley, Christie Brinkley and Halle Berry—or the plethora of over-50 women at the beach in their summer hats enjoying life to its fullest. That said, Brown suggests avoiding skimpy styles and instead looking for a higher-waisted bottom and full-coverage top. “Miraclesuit is one of my favorite brands, as they have shapewear built into their suits,” she notes.
What kind of swimsuit should a 50-year-old woman wear?
“I never think of clothing in terms of age,” says Brown. “The focus should be on what’s the most flattering for your current body type. That being said, the right amount of coverage is important at all ages.” It’s also important to consider the types of activities you’ll be doing and your own personal needs. For example, the ideal bathing suit may be different if you’re into paddleboarding versus if you prefer spending a pool day under an umbrella with a good book.
How do I find the right swimsuit for my body type?
“I always tell my clients, ‘Just try it on,'” says Brown. “Order suits online to try them on at home with better lighting.” She suggests ordering your usual size but also taking into account online reviews to see if you should try a size up or down. And her biggest piece of advice? “Ignore the trendy hashtags and wear what fits.”
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Source:
- Samantha Brown, stylist, Samantha Brown Style
