Every year around this time, I get tons of requests for bathing suit recommendations, so I’ve updated my Swimsuit Guide with the latest trends and a wide variety of styles for women over 40. It’s a big task—every woman’s body is unique, and we all have different features we want to highlight or downplay—but I’ve done my best to cover all the bases.
Let’s face it: swimsuit shopping can be a challenge. Whether you’re dealing with a long torso, a menopausal midsection, a pear shape, post-mastectomy concerns, extra weight, or a larger bust, there are flattering, functional swimsuits designed to address all these needs.
I always recommend shopping online so you can try suits on at home. The lighting is more forgiving, and you can get feedback from your spouse or kids—something I always find helpful! Personally, I like to order several options and return what doesn’t work, so I’ve tried to prioritize retailers that offer free shipping and free returns.
The Best Swimsuits for Women Over 40
swimsuit (10) // sunnies
As we get older, finding the right swimsuit can feel even more daunting. It’s easy to fall into the “frump zone” if we’re not careful, but you can look stylish and feel confident—it just may take a little trial and error.
Like with most clothing, you tend to get what you pay for when it comes to swimwear, and investing in quality becomes more important as we age. A few brands I recommend for their stylish, supportive, and age-appropriate designs include Bleu by Rod Beattie, Sea Level, La Blanca, Summersalt, Birdsong, Athleta, and Miraclesuit.
When it comes to swimsuit styles, one-piece suits are definitely having a moment, and bikinis never really go out of style. Tankinis aren’t as prominent right now, but they’re still around—and they offer the convenience of a two-piece with more coverage than a bikini. Let’s be honest, they’re also much easier to manage than a one-piece when it comes to bathroom breaks!
Amy and I have rounded up a selection of swimsuits for your consideration, categorized to make your search easier. If you have a favorite suit or brand that you love, we’d love to hear about it—please share in the comments!
Swimsuits for a Larger Chest
photo credit: Bare Necessities (on sale)
One of the best recent developments in swimwear is the rise of bra-sized swimsuits. If you have a larger chest, I highly recommend looking for suits with built-in bras for better support and fit. Many retailers now carry them—even Target has jumped on board! Unfortunately, not all stores offer a wide range of sizes, so it can still take a bit of searching to find the perfect fit.
Before my breast reduction surgery, I was a 32G, and I had the best success with bra-sized swimwear in extended sizes at Bare Necessities. Everything But Water and Her Room have a good selection, as well.
Shop Swimsuits for a Larger Chest:
Swimsuits for a Smaller Chest
photo credit: Nordstrom
I’m no expert in this category, but I can tell you what I can’t wear—and sometimes wish I could! Ruffles, padding, and push-up styles all add volume and create the illusion of a larger chest. Deep V-necks and halter styles are also great for enhancing smaller busts.
Shop Swimsuits for a Smaller Chest:
Swimsuits with Thigh Coverage
photo credit: Saks
There are lots of swimsuits with features that help minimize the appearance of wider thighs. If you like hip coverage, swim shorts and swim skirts are always an option, but they can quickly cross over into frump territory. I recommend the ones that are cut close to the body without a lot of flowy fabric.
Shop Thigh-Minimizing Swimsuits:
Swimsuits to Disguise a Tummy
photo credit: Nordstrom
If you’re self-conscious about your belly, there are a lot of great options that target this area. You can try to downplay the belly area with a swing top, but I would pair these with a bikini bottom or super close-fitting shorts. If you add a swing top to a skirt, it’s going to look frumpy.
Another great option for disguising a bit of a tummy is to wear a swimsuit with some ruching or shirring. Busy patterns also help distract the eye from any bumps or bulges we don’t want to draw attention to. Also, look for swimsuits with tummy control.
Shop Swimsuits to Disguise a Tummy:
Plus-Sized Swimwear
photo credit: Nordstrom
If you need plus sizes, Bare Necessities and Macy’s both have a nice selection, and they also have a ton of filters on the sidebar so you can drill down by the feature you’re looking for.
Shop Plus-Size Swimsuits:
Long Torso
source: J.Crew
Got a long torso? J.Crew and Boden both have a good selection of long length swimsuits, and Lands’ End has a bunch as well.
I even found some plus size swimsuits in long torso styles at Lands’ End and Boden. I realize the models in the Boden photos are not plus size, but those swimsuits should come in long lengths up to size 20/22.
Shop Long Torso Swimsuits:
Post-Mastectomy Swimwear
source: Lands’ End
Several ladies recommended Lands’ End for post-mastectomy swimwear. I also found a large selection at Amazon and Swim Outlet, and there’s also a decent selection at Nordstrom. If this is something you have experience with and you have another recommendation, feel free to leave it in the comments.
Shop Post-Mastectomy Swimwear:
I hope this post is helpful as you’re swimsuit shopping this spring and summer.
And hey, when in doubt, throw on a cute coverup! I did a huge roundup a few weeks back, with a bunch of Stylish Swimsuit Cover-Ups Under $100!
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