Are you looking forward to wearing your bathing suit or bikini again, or are you dreading it? I’m sure that right now all of us are so appreciative of being able to travel again that our body shape isn’t of so much concern. However, finding a great bathing suit is never easy so I’m here to help and have selected some of the best bathing suits for women over 40 this summer.

You may one day go to the dead sea and float in the water, go for a wonderful beach holiday or plunge into a natural pool in the jungle. Or you may just be enjoying the sunshine in your back garden. Either way, you may as well look good!

This time of year is perfect for swim suit hunting

If you’re thinking of getting a new swim suit, now is the best time to buy as the selection is usually the biggest.

You will have plenty of opportunity to try on a few swimsuits at home. Plus, choosing a new one may help to give you something to look forward to when travel, or exercising at your nearest pool, becomes a possibility once more.

Many of the options for the best bathing suits for women shown below are comfortable and flattering for women over 40 so you can be sure you will step out on the beach or swimming pool in confidence and style.

Where to buy swimsuits: Brands to consider

If you aren’t sure where to start your search, some great brands to consider for swimwear include:

What swimwear will you wear this summer?

Are you still wearing bikinis or do you prefer bathing suits?

My preference is still for a bikini as I find them more comfortable and, on my body, still more flattering.

However, when I go snorkeling or do some serious swimming I wear a rash guard, which is why I have included some in this list too.

I’m not interested in getting a tan and always protect my skin with high SPF sunscreen. Here is why I feel you too should embrace your beautiful pale skin!

Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find something you like in my selection of bathing suits, bikinis and rash guards.

My favorite swimwear brand

The best bathing suits for women over 40 - Seafolly bikini | 40plusstyle.com

Like many of you, I don’t enjoy buying swimwear, but I love browsing the collections of brand Seafolly.

These pieces are high quality, have a wonderful tactile feel and are comfortable. Check out their current collection at Nordstrom and at Amazon.

I got the kaftan in this design as well from Seafolly.

The best bathing suits for women over 40 - swim suits that make you feel fabulous! | 40plusstyle.com

Below is a Seafolly bikini that I love. Here are the bikini bottoms.

Best bathing suits for women - Seafolly Banded Longline Triangle Bikini Top  / Seafolly Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Banded Longline Triangle Bikini Top  / Seafolly Bikini Bottom

If you prefer a black swimsuit, the halterneck bikini (below) is a stylish classic.

Best bathing suits for women - Seafolly Bandeau Halter Bikini Top / Seafolly Twist Band Hipster Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Bandeau Halter Bikini Top / Seafolly Twist Band Hipster Bikini Bottom

If you’re more of a one-piece swimsuit person, this is a great one with stripes.

Best bathing suits for women - Seafolly Standard Deep V One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Standard Deep V One Piece Swimsuit

For extra coverage, the rashvest style swimsuit (below) will keep you covered if you’re spending a long time in, or on, the water.

Best bathing suits for women - Seafolly Zip Surfsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Zip Surfsuit

To cover up your swimsuit, this kaftan (below) comes in a huge choice of colors. Reviewers say the fabric is flowy, airy and doesn’t cling.

Seafolly Tassel Trim Kaftan | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Tassel Trim Kaftan

One-piece bathing suits

Now that you’ve seen some bikini choices, let’s look at one-piece bathing suits. One piece swimsuits are a favorite for many women over 40.

I really like the draped bathing suits from Miraclesuit (plus size option here), which I believe are perfect for women over 40.

Their bathing suits have strengthened panels to tuck in the tummy area and the drapes camouflage any bulges so the overal look will be very streamlined. This swimsuit below has a flattering illusion style designed to create a slimming effect.

Best bathing suits for women - Miraclesuit Revele Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Revele Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit

The neckline of the Miraclesuit one-piece (below) looks very modern and, like all Miraclesuit options, it promises to make you look 10 pounds lighter!

Miraclesuit Rock Solid Aphrodite Halter One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Rock Solid Aphrodite Halter One Piece Swimsuit

Sea Level is another brand that I’ve recently discovered. I like the flattering detail on the bust of the one-piece option below.

Best bathing suits for women - Sea Level U-Bar One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Sea Level U-Bar One-Piece Swimsuit

If you like a sporty look, or you want to make sure your shoulders are covered up, then this one-piece (below) is a great option. You can alter how high you zip up for either a sportier or subtly sexy look.

Sea Level Cross Front Multifit One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Sea Level Cross Front Multifit One-Piece Swimsuit

Another good place to have a look for flattering swimsuits is Boden which understands that women over 40 want stylish options that aren’t too revealing. A square neck, like the swimsuit (below) is particularly flattering if you have a larger bust.

Boden Square Neck Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Square Neck Swimsuit

Swimsuits with draping always look elegant and flattering, like the one-piece (below).

Boden Halter Ruched Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Halter Ruched Swimsuit

Best tummy control swimsuit

I’ve already mentioned Miraclesuit  as a great brand for figure flattering and slimming, but below are a few more very well-reviewed options for you.

The fabulous asymmetric swimsuit (below) from Summersalt also offers compression technology.

Best bathing suits for women -Summersalt The Sidestroke Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Sidestroke Swimsuit

The retro style halterneck swimsuit (below) comes in a huge range of colors and has more than 20,000, largely positive reviews, from women who say it is quite possibly the most flattering swimsuit for an older demographic.

Smismivo Tummy Control Swimwear Halter One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Smismivo Tummy Control Swimwear Halter One Piece Swimsuit

The tummy control swimsuit (below) would look great on many figures. If you have a pear shape, it will help to minimize your lower half and put the focus on your bust. It will also help you if you like to look curvier on your bust as the ruffle makes the bust look larger in comparison to the bottom part of the swimsuit.

Blooming Jelly Tummy Control Ruffle Swimsuit  | 40plusstyle.com

Blooming Jelly Tummy Control Ruffle Swimsuit 

Another tummy control option for you. The bathing suit (below) has ruched fabric around the tummy area for a flattering effect. Reviewers say it has good coverage while still feeling sexy for a middle aged women.

Upopby Tummy Control Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Upopby Tummy Control Swimsuit

Bikinis

I still love bikinis and when I’m not snorkeling or spending a lot of time in the water, that is what I will wear.

I usually opt for ones that have good coverage of the breasts and which have a higher brief. I also like briefs that have small pipes, so I don’t have to constantly keep up my bikini line!

Take a look below at more flattering bikini options.

For a modern, sporty look, you could try the striped bikini (below). This is particularly good if you are a pear shape as the striped top with maximize the bust while the black bottoms will minimize the bottom and hips.

Lands' End  Zip Front Bikini Swimsuit Top - Lands' End  High Waisted Bikini Bottoms | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End  Zip Front Bikini Swimsuit TopLands’ End  High Waisted Bikini Bottoms

If you want another option, you could also look at this matching tankini top

A crossover top like the bikini top (below) can be a flattering choice for most women, helping to support your bust.

Best bathing suits for women - La Blanca Ocean Twist Front Bikini Top / La Blanca Ocean Twisted Bikini Bottoms | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca Ocean Twist Front Bikini Top / La Blanca Ocean Twisted Bikini Bottoms

The Summersalt bikini (below) is flattering, and comes in a choice of colors.

Summersalt The Perfect Wrap Bikini Top / Summersalt The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Perfect Wrap Bikini Top / Summersalt The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom

If you want a higher waist, then choosing a retro style bikini like the two-piece below is a good choice.

Tempt Me Women Two Piece Halter Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Tempt Me Ruched Two Piece Halter Swimsuit

One way to give your beach outfit a modern look is to choose mismatched colors or patterns for your bikini top and bottom. The COCOSHIP bikini (below) has good reviews from women who say it covers up a “mommy tummy”.

COCOSHIP Ruched Ruffle High Waist Two Piece Bikini Set | 40plusstyle.com

COCOSHIP Ruched Ruffle High Waist Two Piece Bikini Set

The bikini set (below) features a high waisted bikini bottom and a flattering crossover top. Reviewers say that it is figure flattering even if you don’t usually wear a bikini.

SUUKSESS Wrap Bikini Set | 40plusstyle.com

SUUKSESS Wrap Bikini Set

The best bathing suits for women over 40 - swim suits that make you feel fabulous! | 40plusstyle.com

Sylvia @sylviacolella above (read her style interview here) chooses a bikini in a beautifl coral shade, and covers up with a white shirt.

She is wearing a bandeau bikini top and bottoms from Bromelia Swimwear (Similar set here). Check out this similar linen shirt to complete the look.

Black swimsuits

You really can’t go wrong with a flattering black swimsuit, in the same way as a little black dress will never go out of style.

La Blanca Island Goddess High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca Island Goddess High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

LAPHEE ROSE Tummy Control Ruched Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

LAPHEE ROSE Tummy Control Ruched Swimsuit

Rash vest picks

I am a big fan of rash guards. I love how they protect my skin and many are very sexy too.

I always wear them when I do some serious swimming or go on a snorkeling trip or white water rafting.

The Roxy rashguard (below) is ideal if you want to pop on a rashguard over your bikini top.

Best bathing suits for women - Roxy Whole Hearted Long Sleeve Rashguard | 40plusstyle.com

Roxy Whole Hearted Long Sleeve Rashguard

The La Blanca rashguard (below) comes with matching boardshorts. You could always wear the top with black bikini bottoms and the shorts with a bikini top if you want different looks from the same set.

La Blanca Floral Print Half-Zip Rashguard | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca Floral Print Half-Zip Rashguard

Another well-reviewed option is the AXESEA rashguard (below). Women who have worn this one say it is thick and good quality but not heavy.

AXESEA Zipper Rashguard | 40plusstyle.com

AXESEA Zipper Rashguard

best bathing suits for women over 40 - the best rash guards / vests | 40plusstyle.com

Similar rashguard, swim shorts, sandals, sunhat and sunglasses.

Tankinis

A great hybrid between the one-piece swimsuit and the bikini, tankinis can be a fantastic option if you don’t feel tummy confident, but you want to wear a two-piece.

It also means you can mix and match, perhaps opting for a bikini top one day for sunbathing, and the tankini top when you want more coverage. Here are some of my favorites.

You can wear these tankini tops (below) with your favorite bikini bottoms. You can wear the tankini top (below) with this polka dot bikini bottom.

Lands' End Tulip Hem Tankini | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End Tulip Hem Tankini

Tommy Bahama Island Cays Cabana Ruffle Tankini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Tommy Bahama Island Cays Cabana Ruffle Tankini Top

Miraclesuit Ursula Mesh Detail Tankini | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Ursula Mesh Detail Tankini

swimwear with sleeves

If you like to downplay your upper arms, the options used to be pretty limited when it came to swimsuits. However, swimsuits with sleeves (like the choices below) are particularly on trend this summer.

Best bathing suits for women - print swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com
Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip

Aleumdr Belted Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Aleumdr Belted Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit

COCOSHIP Swim Shirt Set | 40plusstyle.com

COCOSHIP Swim Shirt Set

B2prity Tummy Control Self-tie Mesh Bathing Suit | 40plusstyle.com

B2prity Tummy Control Self-tie Mesh Bathing Suit

Aleumdr Zip Front Printed One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Aleumdr Zip Front Printed One Piece Swimsuit

Plus size swimwear

Best bathing suits for women - Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece | 40plusstyle.com
Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece

There’s some beautifully flattering plus size swimwear and plus size cover-ups in stores right now, which makes the most of curves while providing support where it’s needed.

Swimwear which has a retro vibe often works wonderfully for curvy women!

Daci Women Plus Size Tummy Control Vintage Ruched Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Daci Women Plus Size Tummy Control Vintage Ruched Swimsuit

Yonique Plus Size High Waisted Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Yonique Plus Size High Waisted Swimsuit

Bathing suits for your body type

As with everything, choosing a bathing suit that you love and which suits you is much more important than opting for the latest fad. Below are some ideas about the best swim suits for your body type.

big bust

If you have a large bust, it can be tricky finding swimwear to fit.

The choices below are well reviewed as well-fitting, supportive options.

The wrap style swimsuit (below) is also available in the plus size section

Best bathing suits for women - Lands' End SlenderSuit Tummy Control Wrap One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End SlenderSuit Tummy Control Wrap One Piece Swimsuit

Smart & Sexy Long Lined Underwire Bikini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Smart & Sexy Long Lined Underwire Bikini Top

Body GloveStandard Smoothies Underwire Bikini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Body GloveStandard Smoothies Underwire Bikini Top

Best bathing suits for women - Georgette in a black swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Georgette @grownandcurvywoman above (read her style interview here) opts for a cutout style black swimsuit.

Get her look with this similar swimsuit (another option here), sunglasses, earrings and necklace.

Small busts

Those with small busts may find that bathing suits with ruffles on the bust and hips add shape, while those with larger busts will need much more support than that afforded by the likes of string bikinis! For small busts, a halterneck will also work well.

Summersalt The Cinched One-Piece | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Cinched One-Piece

La Blanca Island Goddess Ruffle One Piece | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca Island Goddess Ruffle One Piece

Ekouaer High Neck Halter Bikini | 40plusstyle.com

Ekouaer High Neck Halter Bikini

Hourglass

If you’re an hourglass, then you could play up those curves by opting for retro styles.

COCOSHIP Ruched Bow Knot Bikini Set | 40plusstyle.com

COCOSHIP Ruched Bow Knot Bikini Set

Smismivo Ruched Tummy Control Halter Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Smismivo Ruched Tummy Control Halter Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women - Nikki in a polka dot swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Nikki @40notfrumpy above chooses a stylish polka dot one-piece.

Check out this similar polka dot swimsuit (other options here, here and here).

Inverted triangle

Meanwhile, inverted triangles could try halter neck styles. It is flattering as it shows the collarbone and neckline without adding weight up top.

Best bathing suits for women - striped one piece | 40plusstyle.com

GRACE KARIN Halter Stripe Swimsuit

CUPSHE High Neck Tummy Control Swimwear Bathing Suit | 40plusstyle.com

CUPSHE High Neck Tummy Control Swimwear Bathing Suit

Rectangle

Rectangles and athletic shapes can either add some curves with embellishments or patterns, or can choose to play up their slim figure by opting for stripes, or sporty swimsuits.

CUPSHE Wrap Color Block Bathing Suit | 40plusstyle.com

CUPSHE Wrap Color Block Bathing Suit

Miraclesuit Spectra Trilogy Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Spectra Trilogy Swimsuit

Pear

If you are a pear shape, you could opt for a bright color on top and a darker color on your bottoms to draw attention away from your hips and thighs. A swimsuit with sleeves will also help to balance your figure.

HAIVIDO Front Cross One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

HAIVIDO Front Cross One Piece Swimsuit

SPORLIKE Ruffle High Waist Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

SPORLIKE Ruffle High Waist Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women - American Trends V Neck Ruffle Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

American Trends V Neck Ruffle Swimsuit

long torso

If you have a long torso, it can be difficult to find a swimsuit that fits. The Summersalt brand has swimsuits specially designed to fit a long torso. Plus, choosing a two-tone style will break up your torso visually.

Best bathing suits for women - two tone swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Long Torso Ruched Backflip Swimsuit

Lands’ End is also a good place long swimsuits as you could choose from their tall section.

Best bathing suits for women - Lands' End Long SlenderSuit Wrap One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End Long SlenderSuit Wrap One Piece Swimsuit

best bathing suits for women – Modest swimwear

While swimwear and modesty can seem like an oxymoron, you may like to choose modest swimwear because of religious reasons, because of who you are vacationing with, or because you are self-conscious about a certain part of your body.

What modesty means will be different for different people. You will need to think about what you want to cover up.

Do you, for example, want a long-sleeve or a high-neck option, or do you want a tankini to cover your tummy, or a skirted swimsuit to cover up your thighs?

Below you will find more swimsuit choices offering a little more coverage than a ‘regular’ bathing suit or bikini.

Best bathing suits for women - Daci Swim Dress with Boyshorts | 40plusstyle.com

Daci Swim Dress with Boyshorts

Best bathing suits for women - Husmeu One Piece Swimdress | 40plusstyle.com

Husmeu One Piece Swimdress

Aleumdr Tankini with Swim Capris | 40plusstyle.com

Aleumdr Tankini with Swim Capris

BALEAF 5" Quick Dry Swim Shorts | 40plusstyle.com

BALEAF 5″ Quick Dry Swim Shorts

Best bathing suits for women - Shauna in a striped tankini | 40plusstyle.com

Shauna @chicover50 above (read her style interview here) chooses swimshorts and a tankini top.

Check out this tankini set (other options here and here) that you can wear with this similar necklace, earrings and sunglasses.

Swimsuit cover-up selections

Almost just as important as your swimwear, a nice cover-up is essential for any trip to the beach to pop over your best bathing suits for women choices.

After all, you never know when you might want to pop into the beach bar for a cocktail!

La Blanca V-Neck Cover-Up Tunic Dress | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca V-Neck Cover-Up Tunic Dress

Bsubseach Tie Dye Open Front Long Swimsuit Cover-Up | 40plusstyle.com

Bsubseach Tie Dye Open Front Long Swimsuit Cover-Up

Bsubseach Kaftan Cover-Up | 40plusstyle.com

Bsubseach Kaftan Cover-Up

Best bathing suits for women - Angela in a print bikini and matching sarong | 40plusstyle.com

Angela @angelamashelle above (read her style interview here) matches her sarong to her bikini.

Recreate her outfit with this similar bikini top (matching bottoms), sarong (another option here), sunglasses and earrings.

You can read more in my article on the best tunics and cover-ups for the beach.

shop the best bathing suits for women below:

Do you have a favorite women’s swimwear brand? What are you going to wear to the beach this Summer? What do you think the best bathing suits for women over 40 are?

Continue reading:

  1. 10 Of The Best One Piece Bathing Suits For Women Over 40
  2. Cruise Clothing Essentials: What To Pack For A Cruise
  3. The Best Bathing Suit Cover Ups – From Beach Cover Up To Maxi Kaftan!

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The best bathing suits for women over 40 - swim suits that make you feel fabulous | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Sylvia @sylviacolella

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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