Which Swimsuit is Right for My Body?
A Guide for Women Over 50
If you’re over 50 and looking to refresh your look for the beach or pool, you may be wondering, “What swimsuit is best for my body type?”
As your body changes over the years, it’s easy to lose track of what shapes and swimsuit cuts make you feel amazing. If your old one-piece or bikini top and bottoms have seen better days, know that it’s absolutely possible to find new swimwear you look and feel incredible in!
With so many women’s swimsuit designs to choose from, it helps to narrow your choices down based on how they’ll enhance your best features and suit your overall figure.
Here, we’re sharing a comprehensive guide to help women over 50 choose the most comfortable and flattering swimwear for their figure. With these tips, soon enough, you’ll be soaking up the sun and surf in style!
Flattering Your Features
One of the most important things you can do when choosing a swimsuit for your body is to find ways to highlight your favorite features and minimize your not-so-favorite ones.
Swimsuits for Tummy Exposure or Coverage
If you love showing off your midsection all summer long, opt for a bikini top and bottom set. Just don't forget the sunscreen!
If you’d rather keep your tummy to yourself, a tankini or one-piece swimsuit will provide extra coverage and comfort. Whereas your figure will be a little more on display in solid colors, patterned swimwear can help distract from any rolls or curves you want to minimize.
Swimsuits To Suit Your Bustline
It doesn’t matter whether you have a large or small bust – you’ll know how much or how little you’re comfortable showing off.
For those who prefer full-coverage styles, swimsuits for women with higher necklines and thicker tank-style straps are great choices.
V-neck designs and strapless bandeau swim tops are a perfect fit for women who still want support but don’t want to be so covered up around the upper body and shoulder area.
There are also mastectomy swimsuits specifically designed for women who’ve had breast surgery. These include pockets for removable breast forms or enhancers – so you can hit the beach with comfort and confidence.
Suiting Your Body Shape
Beyond flattering certain features, you can also think about how a swimsuit design will complement your overall body type. In general, it can help to find a style that helps create more balanced proportions – often by highlighting certain features and skimming across wider areas.
While it can help to try out several different swimsuit styles to find out what makes you feel your best, here are some ideas of what to prioritize based on your frame and figure:
Swimsuits for Hourglass Body Types
Women with an hourglass figure have larger busts and hips, with narrower waists. The goal here is to find a suit that skims over your curves and shows off your nipped-in waist. Ideally, it shouldn’t add volume to your top or bottom half since you’re already pretty evenly proportioned.
A classic, figure-hugging one-piece swimsuit can work wonders on an hourglass figure. Styles with ruching around the midsection can also emphasize narrower waists. Consider choosing a design that’s all one pattern or color – rather than separate prints – to highlight your curves without looking too busy.
Swimsuits for Pear-Shaped Figures
If you have a pear-shaped or triangular frame, this means your shoulders and bust are smaller and your hips are wider. This means you’ll want to shop for swimsuits that create the illusion of a broader upper body to balance out your bottom curves.
Swimsuits with deeper v-necks and narrower straps can flatter your bust while also making your shoulders appear a little wider. Look for styles that hug your tummy and waistline but skim over your hips. Swim skirts are a great way to show off your curves if you have a pear body type.
Swimsuits for Apple-Shaped Bodies
An apple figure is one that has a rounder upper body and tummy area, with narrower hips and slimmer legs. Women with this body type will often choose swimsuits that draw attention to their legs and cleavage while drawing attention away from their midsection.
Swimsuits with narrower straps and lower necklines, with tiered ruffles down the torso, can help to emphasize fuller busts while skimming over wider midsections. To get the most mileage out of your long, lean legs, choose swim bottoms with a higher-cut leg opening
Swimsuits for Inverted Triangle Figures
If your frame features broad shoulders and a fuller bust with narrower hips, this means you have an inverted triangle shape. You’ll be on the lookout for swimsuits that balance out your wider top and narrower bottom halves.
Look for solid-color swim tops with wider straps or higher necklines to break up the width of your shoulder area. Pair these with bikini bottoms with multicolor patterns to add more visual emphasis where you need it.
Swimsuits for Rectangular Bodies
In general, rectangular figures are those without much curvature around the bust, midsection or hips. They tend to be more straight up and down, and can be long and lean or more athletic in build. Either way, bathing suits that add the illusion of curves can be a great choice.
One-piece swimsuits with darker side panels and patterned centers can create a curvier appearance down the torso. V-neck designs and high-waisted swim bottoms also help to add a little oomph around the top and bottom.
Shop Women’s Swimsuits at Anthony’s
After exploring our rundown of the best swimsuits for women over 50, no matter your shape or size, we hope you’re saying, “I know the best swimsuit for my body type – now it’s time to find one!”
Here at Anthony’s, we’ve spent decades helping stylish women of all ages get ready for fun in the sun with our collection of high-quality women's swimwear. Take a look at our range of chic styles from top brands, including bandeaus, tankinis, one-piece swimsuits, mastectomy suits, and more!
1 comment
Catherine L Taylor
Do you carry long torso swimsuits?
Do you carry long torso swimsuits?