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The 21 Most Flattering Swimsuits for Women Over 50
These swimwear picks will help you feel your best on the beach this year.
We updated this article in May 2022 to add new picks, remove out-of-stock options and to ensure all product information accurately meets the standards of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab.
Shopping for the perfect swimsuit can feel impossible, no matter what age you are. It sometimes seems like finding a swimsuit that checks all the boxes – fits well, lasts for multiple swim seasons, feels comfortable and looks great on – can't be done.
At Good Housekeeping Institute, we test swimsuits of all kinds, from bikinis to slimming styles to tankinis to one-piece suits in our Labs and with consumer testers to make the process of finding the right swimsuit less overwhelming for you. We analyze how well swimsuits keep their shape after being stretched, how they stand up to elements like seawater and UV rays and how well they hold up to repeated washing. Most importantly, we consider how the swimsuits fit, look and feel on real women.
The following picks are all swimsuits with a little added coverage that have been tested in Lab, come from top-performing brands or have rave customer reviews online. Here are the best swimsuits for women in their 50s, 60s and beyond.
This swimsuit is incredibly flattering, thanks to its wrapped design and smoothing fabric. Our consumer testersrated this suit as having more slimming power than others tested, saying it minimized their midsections. And they loved the built-in underwire for extra support and lift. Along with being a tester favorite, this pick held up well in Lab tests, taking a top spot for colorfastness (ability of a fabric to maintain its color with use) and durability ratings. It comes in a variety of colorful prints and patterns, as well.
Best Value Swimsuit for Women Over 50
Aqua Green Faux Wrap Over the Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Best Value Swimsuit for Women Over 50
Aqua Green Faux Wrap Over the Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit
Target brand Aqua Green offers classic swimsuit styles for women in fun patterns, like this cheetah print option. The faux wrap style and diagonal ruching details create a slimming effect across the waist. We love the adjustable straps and removable cups that allow you to choose the right level of support for your chest. The bottoms offer a fuller coverage style for modesty, and the brand claims the fabric is UPF 50+, which means it provides an added layer of sun protection (though you still need to wear sunscreen!).
If you're looking for a two-piece swimsuit with more coverage, this sporty suit offers a long tankini top that covers the upper thigh and swim short bottoms. The swim top has an empire waist with loose fabric around the stomach that allows for maximum movement. The shorts are fitted and run small, so consider sizing up if you typically wear a larger bottom size than top. It also comes in over 40 patterns and styles for you to choose from, including halter top and scoop neck options.
In previous Lab tests, this Lands’ End brand swimsuit snagged top marks for being the most flattering. The crisscross shirring is a fun detail that also provides a torso-slimming effect. The brand claims that the fabric offers sun protection with UPF 50+ and resists breaking down from UV rays, chlorine, sweat and sunscreen. There are extended sizes and other colors available, as well.
If you like a traditional brief bottom but want some more coverage up top, try a tankini style swimsuit. This pick starts at around $24 for a two-piece swim set. You can choose from over 30 different colors and patterns, including solids and floral prints like this one. And the blouson style top is designed with looser fabric around the stomach and chest for a flattering, concealing fit. It's best to size up if you wear inconsistent sizes on the top and bottom because you can't choose different sizing for each piece.
Swim dresses are great options for full-coverage swimwear. The princess-seam swim dress is designed with two seams that run down the front of the torso to flatter the body and emphasize an hourglass shape, and the extra panel of fabric provides modesty. This particular style has built-in briefs underneath, similar to typical swim bottoms. If you can't find your size in the linked product, they do offer smaller sizes.
Swimsuits for All carries an inclusive selection of swimsuits that are available from size 8 to size 34. The sarong front swimsuit is designed with a longer front panel for more coverage, and the stomach is lined with powerful mesh material for smoothing. We love that there are wide straps, built-in cups and an elastic underband for added chest support, as well.
This high-neck one-piece swimsuit from Tempt Me has over 23,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, so we decided to put it to the test by having 10 real women of different sizes and ages wear and rate it. Testers said it was comfortable and loved the smoothing mesh material and ruching details. The suit may not be the best quality, but it is a great value and held up well in Lab wash tests. There are over 40 patterns and colors to choose from, and it's available in sizes XS to XL and 16 to 24 plus.
Full-coverage bottoms only available for "Flat" style in black
This Instagram-famous brand has been making waves the last few years with its popular Amalfi swimsuit. This minimalist one-piece is like the little black dress of bathing suits. It features a traditional maillot neckline, and you have the option to choose the coverage for the bottoms based on your preference – from cheeky to full. We love that there are removable cups and adjustable straps for chest support, too.
This two-piece swimsuit is designed with high-waisted bottoms and a longer top for a fuller coverage look. The bottoms feature ruched fabric, which provides a slimming effect, but there is no smoothing lining or power mesh material. You can choose between 22 different patterns and colors, and the suit is available in sizes XS to 3X. Unfortunately, you can't choose separate sizes for the top and bottom, so it's best to size up if your sizes are inconsistent.
Summersalt's swimsuits are a favorite among our editors and GH Institute experts, and the Sidestroke bathing suit is a top pick from the swimwear brand. The one-shoulder suit ismade of compressive fabric with diagonal seams and looks great on women of all ages and sizes. The bottoms are full-coverage for added modesty. For even more coverage, Summersalt offers matching swim skirts and coverups that you can wear anywhere from the beach to brunch.
This swim skirt from L.L. Bean is designed with a built-in brief, so it can be worn on its own without other swim bottoms underneath. The skirt is made with power mesh lining for a smooth fit and is cut in a flattering A-line style. It only comes in one length, so it may not be the best fit if you're extra tall or petite, but it is available in plus size options.
This one-piece swimsuit features a deep cut but still provides chest support thanks to the lift provided by the halter strap and the removable cups. The swimsuit is designed with horizontal ruching details and is lined for stomach control. Kohl's also provides the option to ship to or pick up in store, so you can try the swimsuit on in person before taking it home.
Panache's bras are a top-tested pick in our Textiles Lab and a favorite of our consumer testers. Their swimsuits are specifically designed for women with larger cup sizesand are available in standard bra sizing – they start at size 30D and run through size 40 K. This swimsuit includes built-in double-layered cups and an underwire for extra chest support.
Most swim dresses are shorter in length with hems that end at the very top of the thigh, butthis swim dress from Lands' End hits mid-thigh to provide even more coverage. It's important to note that the extra length means extra fabric, which can feel a little heavy and may take longer to dry than most swimsuits. The surplice design and A-line silhouette are flattering, and there are adjustable straps to help you find the perfect fit.
Spanx's shapewear is a top-tested brand at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and while we haven't tested out these swim bottoms in Lab, we love that they're made of double-layer fabric for a smoothing effect, just like the brand's shapewear. The bottoms are designed with ruching strings on the side that you can pull to adjust the rise. If you prefer a high-rise bottom, you can leave the strings as is, but if you prefer a lower-rise bottom, just pull the strings a little more to lower the waist, and tie off.
Best Swim Shorts for Women Over 50
Lands' End 5" Quick Dry Elastic Waist Board Shorts
Best Swim Shorts for Women Over 50
Lands' End 5" Quick Dry Elastic Waist Board Shorts
A pair of swim shorts provides more coverage than traditional bottoms but isn't restrictive, so you can still be active at the pool. These board shorts from Lands' End have a 5-inch inseam and are designed with a built-in panty lining for extra security. They're heavy when they're wet, but they dry quickly thanks to the water repellent finish. You can wear them outside of the water, as well – they're a great casual short option for the summer. If you prefer a shorter or longer option or need a different size, Lands' End offers a variety of different styles– search for "Quick Dry Board Shorts"on the brand's website, and you'll find other options.
Speedo has been around for decades and is a go-to for athletes. Whether you're powering through swim laps or having a leisurely dip, if you want a swimsuit that stays in place, this bathing suit does just that. It has wide straps that cross in the back so they won’t fall off your shoulders as you swim. Keep in mind it's designed for competitive swimmers, so it runs small.
Bikinis are for everyone, but if you're looking for one with more coverage, this option from Summersalt is designed with wide straps, which prevents slipping and lends extra chest support. The straps are also adjustable, and there are built-in cups. We also love that there are so many styles of bottoms to match.
Mott50's swimsuits are a favorite of our editors and scientists. The Mila swimsuit haslong sleeves, and the brand claims the material is UPF 50+, so it provides maximum sun protection. The built-in shelf bra and removable cups provide shaping and support. And the sleeves are designed with thumbholes to keep them in place while you're at the pool. It's available in fun patterns like this tropical print and there are dresses to match for you and matching suits for the whole family.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.