What Swimsuit to Wear as a Woman over 50? (2023)

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When shopping for swimsuits, we firmly believe you should pick something you love that makes you feel as fabulous as you are. With several exciting swimsuit styles to choose from offering plenty of coverage, material, style, and size options – there’s never been a better time to shop for a swimsuit! More important still, as the stigma about mature women wearing swimsuits wanes – there’s never been a better time to wear a swimsuit as a woman over 50!

In these inspiring times, you may ask yourself, “what swimsuit to wear as a woman over 50?”

For the mature lady, swimsuits with extra support features such as underwire and padding in the bust area are essential for their figure-sculpting and reassuring perks. While one-pieces and form-hugging tankinis are always great swimsuit options for women over 50, the added coverage of the swimdress really stands out.

That considered, it’s time to take on the big question …

Can Women Over 50 wear Swimsuits?

Yes, of course! There is no age limit to wearing a swimsuit. From age 0 to 100 and beyond, swimsuits can be worn by absolutely anyone. After all, swimsuits are designed with a purpose in mind, and that’s to help you feel good and at ease while swimming or just enjoying your time around water.

So, while there’s still some stigma around mature women (and sometimes men) wearing swimsuits, it’s dissipating year over year, especially as the body positivity movement, thankfully, becomes more widespread.

Can Women Over 50 Wear Two-piece Swimsuits?

Yes, women over the age of 50 can certainly wear two-piece swimsuits if they wish. While two-piece swimsuits have some key differences to one-piece swimsuits, they can still flatter your figure while offering crucial support. In fact, Jennifer Lopez and Helen Hunt are both fabulous, famous ladies who show that women over the age of 50 can look stunning in two-piece swimsuits.

Remember: If ever you’re feeling a little unsure about your swimwear choice, you can always bring along a swimsuit coverup that provides you with the security of being able to add an extra layer of coverage whenever you wish.

Pink Striped Swimsuit
$65

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Turtle Swimsuit
$49

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Pineapple Swimsuit
$65

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Blue Striped Swimsuits
$65

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Best Swimsuit for Women Over 50?

Firstly, the best swimsuit for women over 50 is whichever one they feel the most comfortable wearing. We recommend that everyone do their own research on what swimsuit works best for them and their body. In fact, we are devotees to the philosophy that there’s no better swimsuit-picking strategy than shopping for your body type.

A V-neck one-piece with shirring or draping can look terrific on a lot of women.

Tankini

The tankini is a bathing suit that combines a tank top and a bikini bottom. It’s like a one-piece but with the convenience of a two-piece.

Okay, the tankini doesn’t always work. However, if you follow a few simple guidelines, you’ll land the perfect tankini every time.

What to look for in a tankini:

Underwire support and padding within the tank top.
Tight-fitting material around the midsection so the tank top doesn’t ride up, exposing your midriff.

If you’d like extra coverage, opt for a tankini with shorts-styled bottoms.

A frequently asked question we get is, “Do men like tankinis?” and our resounding answer is yes! Tankinis flatter most figures, and this gives women an extra boost of confidence, leaving them feeling and looking great – what’s not to like?!

One-piece Shaper Suit

Shapewear swimsuits are a blessing when it comes to what swimsuit to wear as a woman over 50. They’re designed to “hold you in” and smooth over any lumps and bumps while keeping you feeling supported all around. The best shapewear swimsuits now can take almost an inch off your body because the high-tech fabric holds you in and retains its shape after many wearings.

One-Shoulder Swimwear

One-shoulder swimsuits offer something fresh beyond strapless, halter, and low-cut bathing suits that some mature women would like to avoid. One-shoulder styles let you reveal just enough while still offering additional support at the bust and an extra dash of coverage. Like any other style, choose your favorite solid or print when picking out a strapless suit.

Atlantic
$60

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Maldives
$60

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Pink Striped Matching Couples Swimwear
$80

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Dots Swim Shorts
$60

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What Swimsuit Should Older Women go for?

When it comes to shopping for swimsuits, there are design features you should always be on the lookout for. Having a list of boxes to tick helps you to cut your shopping demands in half right from the get-go while increasing your chances of landing your ideal swimsuit the first time around. Sound ideal? Let’s take a look!

What to Look for When Buying a Swimsuit

Adjustable Straps: Our bodies are always changing, sometimes even day-to-day. A swimsuit fit that might have felt good yesterday might feel a little tighter or uncomfortable today. This is where adjustable straps come into play. Their flexibility and versatility give you the freedom to choose how tight or loose your swimsuit feels and also how you tie it on.

Supportive Features: Look for swimsuits with underwire and padding in the bust area for extra comfort and figure-enhancing effects. Swimwear designed with these considerations in mind, tend to produce the best swimsuits for saggy breasts and unwelcome rolls.

Durable fabric and design: Most swimsuits are made out of a polyester, elastane, and nylon blend of different varieties. What really matters, however, is the quality of these materials.

Higher quality fabrics will feel thick and soft and “nice” to the touch. Don’t hesitate to do the stretch test by gently pulling the fabric in all directions and checking how well it recovers. Another feature to check is the lining of the suit. Poor-quality swimsuits often are only partially lined or not lined at all. High-quality, fully-lined suits provide better support and make the suit last longer.

Often poor-quality swimsuits only have one row of stitching that can break easily; look for double-stitch detailing.

UPF Sun Protection Swimsuit: Keep your skin safe with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) swimsuit that has the ability to block out both UVB and UVA ultraviolet sunlight.

Find the Right Swimsuit for Your Body Type

One of the biggest favors you can do yourself while shopping for a swimsuit that makes you feel as good as you look is to shop specifically for your body type.

Swimsuits to Avoid When Over 50

We’re not in the business of telling anyone not to wear – especially not women over 50 – you’ve lived long enough to know exactly what you like, and no one is going to tell you otherwise!

That said, we still want you to look and feel your best. So, we have a few recommendations for you to consider when shopping for the swimsuit that’ll do you and your lovely figure justice this swimsuit season.

Stay Away From any Suit with a Skirt Attached

This is the classic look that’s suggested to mature ladies. It’s suggested that the extra coverage helps to hide “problem” areas. In reality, the extra material often only serves to make you look bigger. The additional seam can also be unflattering. However, if you really love this style and are looking for the best swimsuit to camouflage cellulitis, then the stylish swimdress is for you!

The Bottom Line

When women over the age of 50 and swimsuits meet, some anxieties and worries can arise. Questions such as “can women over the age of 50 wear swimsuits?” don’t make things any easier on women already feeling the pressure from society’s unfair and unattainable beauty standards.

At Decisive Beachwear, we’re more than happy to sweep away those prejudices and believe that all women over the age of 50 need to wear swimsuits is the desire to wear one. Thankfully, more and more people are agreeing with us by the day. So, to get mature women back in the habit of wearing swimsuits and to celebrate swimwear at all ages, we’ve outlined our guide to swimsuits for the older woman – enjoy!