Let’s talk about bikinis and beach beauty for the gracefully aging woman…
Here’s how to be a beach-beautiful “older woman.”
I often love to fantasize about travel, especially after being locked down and cooped up.
One day I said to my ultimate concierge, “I would love to go to St. Bart’s and wear my bikini as the older French women do!” I always tell him, “Shelly, I know I was a French woman in my last life!”
Why? Because I adore everything about Paris and French culture.
A few days after I mentioned this to him, I went for my weekly manicure. My girl was not in her chair! Instead, a more mature manicurist looked up at me with a big smile. She was full of personality and was a Jewish Bubbie in her sixties. She was moving into a new condo with a pool outside her back door. Darling, she chatted on and on about it, saying, “I am going to wear my two-piece bathing suit this summer!”
I asked her, “How do you see yourself, at your age, in a two-piece?”
Her reply, “My body is not what it used to be but so what! When I was a young woman, my mind was not as ‘sharp’ as my body! I am now mentally beautiful!”
This wise and beautiful woman reminded me that beauty comes from within and attitude is everything! Yes, donning a bikini is daunting at any age. Doing it after 50 can be painstaking…but it doesn’t have to be. You can be confident and, yes, even feel sexy after 50. Sexy doesn’t have to mean what we used to think of as skimpy, it’s whatever makes you feel your best! That’s what’s wonderful about knowing ourselves over 50. It’s all in your attitude, darling!
If you’re planning a trip this summer, even if it’s not to France, but simply to a friend’s 4th of July party, and want to feel radiant and vibrant in your swimwear, read on to see how you can — especially as a woman over 50!
Attitude is Everything to be a Beach-Beautiful Older Woman
Many women today report that that are happier with their bodies now than when they were younger. According to a poll of 2,000 women conducted by Isme.com, of the respondents, women over 50 were the most body confident. Turns out my charming manicurist is onto something!
So, darling, how do you feel about slipping into your favorite bathing suit? First let’s start with the cover up and work our way up to the swim suits.
Flattering Styles of Swimsuits
Well, beach beauty and confidence after 50 starts with picking a flattering swimsuit — it makes all the difference in your beach style.
After 50, it helps to opt for styles with higher waistbands for the most flattering fit. Or, keep it simple and stick to a one-piece swimsuit. Don’t be afraid of a high-cut leg, often called “French” cut; it can help give legs a longer, leaner look without showing too much skin.
Pick a suit that fits you well; squeezing into a too-tight tube of spandex may seem like it reduces bulge but in reality, it will end up resulting in unappealing lumps and bumps. When shopping for a suit, commit to trying on a few styles and colors to find a suit that flatters.
Amazon Swimsuits to Browse for Women Over 50
Even though the models may not be mature women (we desperately need more of them!), these suits are well suited for women over 50! Shop Amazon these suits here.
I love brands like La Perla (the blue bikini pictured at the top of this page) and Gottex, but there are so many great brands out there. So, I picked out several suits in different price ranges for you to try, but if you don’t see something you like, there are plenty of suits on Amazon to pick from! You’d be amazed at the suits they have on Amazon these days! Each one in the image above is from Amazon. Just makes sure to read the reviews. I know the women are not over the age of 50, but don’t let that stop you from wearing these suits. They are for all ages!
Don’t Worry About “Flaws”
Worried about flaunting your flaws? We all have them, but a more effective way to deal with flaws, real or imagined, is to focus on the parts of your body you love and highlight those instead. Do you have great breasts? Don’t be afraid to show some cleavage. Do you have athletic shoulders? Focus on that. Great legs thanks to years of power walking? Show off those stems! Trust me, it will boost your confidence.
This Summer Beach Must Haves
Another way to boost your confidence is to use products to enhance your already beautiful skin. (These products are for after sun care, be sure to use sunscreen when out in the sun!) We love Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil for making whatever skin we choose to reveal look soft and supple. This oil gives skin a sultry sheen. For a more affordable option, try Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion or, a beauty bargain at less than $20, Aveeno’s Positively Ageless Firming Body Lotion.
Now don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun visor! A sun visor is great for keeping the sun from your eyes but also staying fashionable at the beach or pool!
Would you wear a bikini at your age? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s chat in the comments below.
*Honey Good may receive a small commission for items purchased through links on this page. This helps with the cost of maintaining this site.
I love your manicurist’s attitude, But I have a problem with the higher leg cut (French Cut) – as much as I loved them on my younger body (being a 5’2″ or 5’3″ petite,) I needed their help in elongating my legs and body. I’ve always had a flat rear but now gravity is taking it’s tole and it droops below the hemline of suits I’ve tried on. I must have tried on 50 swimsuits last summer in order to find one that accommodated that problem without being an old-fashioned skirted suit. Apparently swimsuit designers don’t take that problem into consideration. Maybe we need to bring back the styles of the 50s with their more modes leg cut.
I wish! I’m good shape but I have embarrassing celultie on my thighs that I”ll never get comfortable with. Sigh.
You are showing beauty queens. I am not one.
I am not a beauty queen either!!!!! Oh well we have other attributes that are more important. Warmly, Honey
I am petite.. have a ton of scars.. cellulite.. lash blah… blah..blah. As I have aged my waist line seems to of vanished. However, I always wear a two-piece or a bikini because in a one piece I feel I look like SpongeBob SquarePants… Just one big rectangle. I really don’t care what other people think. We as women are always concerned what other people think about how we look because of how society dictates to us how we should look. We are always saying we are comfortable in our own skin… But are we truly? We all like to look like the best versions of our self… but this is aging… I am not doing it gracefully I am fighting it every step of the way… Because I am more focused on a healthy longevity.. at this point in life, I am not going to sit on the sidelines because I have some scars and wrinkles. I go to the beach I go to my community pool where I live. I am living life. I don’t understand why wrinkles need to dictate… as everyone gets them!
After thought.. women at this certain age, sometimes look more out of place or age themselves more with dowdy looking one piece or skirted suits… inmynotsohumbleopinion.
Love your outlook on life! You are wise and right. Warmly, Honey
I love being on the beach. Like most women I never thought of my body as perfect or good enough to wear a bikini. I look back and the younger me and I was actually gorgeous.
I am still slim and when I go to the beach now I will wear a modest 2 piece suit I have crepey skin but everyone over 65 has some somewhere. If you feel comfortable wearing a 2 piece suit wear it.
I agree with you. What ever makes you comfortable! Warmly, Honey
I am 68, and, yes , I still wear my bikinis! Not a skimpy string bikini, but a bottom that still shows my belly button. I do keep myself in decent shape, but it’s obvious I’m a woman in my 60’s and I’m proud of that. Let’s normalize aging bodies-nothing wrong with them! I do wear my one piece bathing suits at the pool and water parks with my grandchildren, so there’s no danger of my top or bottom slipping down!😄
Good for you!!! You go, girl! Have a wonderful summer. Warmly, Honey
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I am very happy you did visit my site. Thank you! Warmly, Honey
Great article.
Thank you!!!