We know that shopping for a bathing suit once you’re NextTribe age is about as much fun as a colonoscopy. But happily, it’s getting easier. More brands are offering elegant or active options that we can really feel comfortable wearing.
Having been three times to the NextTribe “Stretch Your Mind, Stretch Your Body” retreat on the beaches of Troncones, Mexico, I’d already done a bit of research about what kind of swimwear was available for a 60-year-old body. Then I faced a horror more daunting than my terror over bears, heights and being photographed nude: I videotaped myself wearing the swimsuits I’d found…and ran the footage in one of my “Talk’n Closet with Kim” style segments. Talk about overcoming personal fears!
Fortunately, while I was on our retreat, I had the opportunity to see the swimwear other real women were wearing. I interviewed them about the styles they’re currently loving, got in-depth information about the “why” behind their favorite new suits they had packed for the trip—and used the info to put together a list of shoppable items.
The coolest swimsuits for women over 50 this year include bikinis, tankinis, cut-out one-pieces, and full (but sexy) coverage for the non-sun lover. Get inspired by what the Tribers wore to the beach this year to pick out a suit (or two!) for yourself—sans terror.
Read More: How to Get a Bikini Body—Italian Style
Retro Flair
Pat Reed, a first-timer on our beach retreat, loves the look and coverage of this takini from Title Nine so much that she has it several prints. You can combine the top with any kind of bottom (such as boy shorts or swim skirt) to suit your body.
Go Long
If you’re done with too much sun, you can cover up in a most flattering way: A long-sleeved one-piece that is made for an active life. Our co-founder Jeannie Ralston, shown here, loves this suit from Title Nine for afternoons out in the surf on a boogie board. Find a similar style here. (Photo by Kimberly Cihlar)
Zip It Up
I don’t necessarily want to cover up all the way to my wrists, but I like this modern, sporty take on swimsuits by…you guessed it…Michael Kors. I can unzip a little after I get out of the surf to reveal my inner Bond Girl. Here’s a similar style that’s just as delish.
Ruffles That Roar
I love this suit from Cabana Del Sol for many reasons. One it’s leopard print, and as you may or may not know, that’s NextTribe’s signature print. Also, I love that it covers a lot of my midsection. As I like to say, when your body is bikini ready but your belly refuses to cooperate, go for a high-waisted bottom. The ruffled top, which you can drape in many ways, adds pizazz and might even be a crop top option worn with a sarong for dinner out.
No Extra Layer Required
A lot of times you’ll see rashguards go over a swimsuit, but Vanessa Harker, who is a big time boogie boarder at our beach retreat, likes her rashguard to BE her suit. Here she is with an adorable Billabong top with coordinating bottoms. Photo by Gigi Leventis Lewis.
The Side Gig
If you’re wary of showing too much skin in front or back, consider allowing just a peek with some side cut out like this jaguar print maillot with side rings by Agua De Coco by Liana Thomaz. Not as revealing, but still very sexy. Another big “meow.”
Lost in the Middle
And then again, thank God for ruching. This is trick for hiding rolls and anything you don’t love in your midsection. Here Jeannie is wearing a ruched-front suit that is similar to this gorgeous style from Garnet Hill. (Skinny little stripes help camouflage too!) Photo by Amy Kawadler.
Holding It Together
Amy Kawadler, another avid surf girl, likes a bikini at all times. You can do that when you’ve kept a nice flat tummy. This one by Betsy Johnson gives her underwire structure she needs up top (who wants to be falling out as you’re riding a wave) with sweet details like a ruffle and embroidered flowers. Check out this similar style.
Drama Under the Sun
If you’d prefer to accentuate shoulders over boobs, this is a wonderful, exotic style. The tropical print accentuates the Carmen Miranda feel. Here’s a Trina Turk version you can buy now.
A version of this article was originally published in June 2018, and has been updated with current styles.
Read More: The Fabulous Gray-Haired Swimsuit Model On How She Got Her Start
Tory says
Thanks for finally talking about > 9 Swimsuits for Women Over 50 That You'll Actually Want
to Wear < Liked it!
Teri Agins says
Bravo to you, foxy Kim and the same goes for the other models, who look sexy and terrific. I luv your smart, colorful suits, with lots of sass– cutouts, ruffles, vibrant prints. #goals!!!
Cetta Spell says
Love the bathing suits, I’m 61, and would wear it.
Traceymarie Harrison says
Why do women over 50 have to wear one piece suits and most look like something for 70 plus in age.
Emily Gaffney says
I think skirt suits are sexy! Especially if you have a decent tummy.
Lorri Cook says
Rash guard t-shirt and boy-short bottoms.
Linda says
Good idea
Facebook Comment says
Emily Vickers says
Right???
Kimberly Cihlar says
Love you, Emily!
Emily Vickers says
Kimberly Cihlar Back at ‘cha~
Emily Vickers says
If you stay in shape, you can wear any kind of suit you want… I prefer fun bikinis! I plan to rock it when I’m 70 (3 years from now!)
NextTribe says
You’re friggin’ amazing.
Pat Ossa says
our model…?
Lisa Lewis Moon says
Ask your tribe for photographer to offer services and tribe for models for suits. Take those sizes to manufacture and see if they will bring their line and book a date for this winter to get it out next Spring. Girl power!
NextTribe says
This would be so excellent!
NextTribe says
To everyone who complained about the models, we get it. We’re working on correcting the photos. But it’s difficult without a budget to shoot our own photos (maybe at some point we’ll be able to do that). We’re dependent on manufacturer photos. Which brands show women our age in swimsuits in their catalog/online??
Gina Elliott Proulx says
http://www.swimsuitsforall.com
Deb Brunelle Charron says
Nope.
Dawn Gatke says
Ridiculously thin models.
Gina Elliott Proulx says
Other than the cover image with the leopard skin suit, all of the models are super young. Ridiculously mis-matched story for the readers of this page. Know your audience.
Dyann L. Berndt says
The swimsuits you featured are worn by models who are most def not anywhere near 50 and over. Shame on you!
NextTribe says
We know!! It’s terrible that the brands don’t ever photograph bathing suits for sale on anyone but young women. We need to pressure manufacturers to change that. For now, we’re asking our loyal crowd to post photos of themselves in swimsuits.
Kimberly Cihlar says
Yes, we definitely need to change this and get the fashion industry to be more inclusive in their model choices for swimsuits. I mentioned in the story that Swimsuits For All has been quite inclusive in some of their past campaigns, especially one that ran in the Sports Illustrated Swim Issue. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/swimsuits-for-all-sports-illustrated_us_56ba1c90e4b0c3c5504eda27
Cheryl Youse says
Waiting to see your pic in the comments, Kathy Willingham!!
Kathy Willingham says
Lol. I have a bathing suit that I swim at the y with. It’s got little shorts. Will post in the morning.
Kathy Willingham says
Lol. Decided I didn’t want me on fb in a suit forever. It looks like this though- the suit. Lol. Not me.
Cheryl Youse says
Kathy Willingham Awesome!
Cheryl Youse says
Love it!
Jody Davis says
Tankinis is the answer for me!
Lisa Lewis Moon says
I lost 75 lbs walking my Pokemon on Pokemon Go and a little help recently from TruVision. Went from size 24 to size 16-18. So I bought a bikini and wear a tank top over it.
Debbie Elkins says
I’ll wear whatever I want. If people don’t like looking at my saggy body they can turn away
Christine Zachodni Smith says
I like the one on the cover photo. Where can I find that one???
Jeannie Ralston says
God, let me see if I have any???
Kimberly Cihlar says
NextTribe we need to do our own swimsuits photos! Perhaps our dear Next Tribe readers could share themselves wearing their swimsuits and we can rectify this omission! Photos tagged #AgeBoldly and #EveryBodyIsABikiniBody….?!!! What think?!
Pat Ossa says
would love to see photos of women in their 50’s and over wearing bathing suits. Don’t like the ads, that come at the end of the article, with young women with bathing suits. Those ads don’t apply us…those over 50.
NextTribe says
The companies usually shoot young women in the suits (sigh). We specifically picked out a variety of styles that would suit women over 50.
NextTribe says
Kimberly Cihlar Great idea Kim! Could you post that on a separate comment. NOT a reply to a comment so more can see it. THanks.
Kimberly Cihlar says
NextTribe and Pat, yes, SIGH. So, instead we need to do our own swimsuits photos! Perhaps our dear Next Tribe readers could share themselves wearing their swimsuits and we can rectify this omission! Photos tagged #AgeBoldly and #EveryBodyIsABikiniBody….?!!! What think?!
Pat Ossa says
I understand but I don’t think you understand my message. Those styles of bathing suits are modelled by young women. I would love to see those same bathing suits worn my models our age. Not the same. but thanks for your response.
Kimberly Cihlar says
Pat Ossa we’d like to see the same thing! Those suits worn by models our age. I was just thinking we could try to incite the designers/makers to do so by bringing attention to the matter with our own shots. Thought it might get the ball rolling….
Pat Ossa says
Kimberly Cihlar Love the idea…
Teena Hubbard says
But there’s always bikinis…