Are you looking forward to wearing your bathing suit or bikini again, or are you dreading it? Finding a great bathing suit is never easy so we’re 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.

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

Sheree @shesheshow above looks beautiful in a classic red swimsuit.

Recreate her outfit with these swimsuits from Andie, Seafolly and Karla Colletto Swim, similar earrings, necklace and sunglasses.

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

similar bikini top, bikini bottom, sunhat and sunglasses.

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 their website, Nordstrom and Amazon.

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

Best bathing suits for women: Seafolly Collective Halter Bandeau Bikini Top / Collective Roll Top Boyleg  | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Collective Halter Bandeau Bikini Top / Collective Roll Top Boyleg

You could also opt for a one shoulder style like the print bikini (below).

Best bathing suits for women: Seafolly Sereno Ditsy One Shoulder Bikini Top / Sereno Ditsy Full Coverage Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Sereno Ditsy One Shoulder Bikini Top / Sereno Ditsy Full Coverage Bikini Bottom

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

Seafolly Collective Deep V One Piece | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Collective Deep V One Piece

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

Best bathing suits for women: Seafolly Collective Zip Front Surfsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Collective Zip Front Surfsuit

Seafolly also have great cover-up options.

Seafolly Rio Cover-up | 40plusstyle.com

Seafolly Rio Cover-up

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

Best bathing suits for women: Kaftan and sandals | 40plusstyle.com | 40plusstyle.com

similar kaftan, sandals, sunhat and sunglasses.

One-piece bathing suits

One-piece swimsuits are a favorite for many women over 40. Below are some of the most stylish we’ve found in stores this season.

Miraclesuit Swim Cappadocia Temptation One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Swim Cappadocia Temptation One-Piece Swimsuit

You could also opt for a stylish print.

Johnny Was Metalli Mix Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Johnny Was Metalli Mix Ruched 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.

Best bathing suits for women: Boden Santorini Halterneck Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Santorini Halterneck Swimsuit

I really like the draped bathing suit from La Blanca which I believe is perfect for women over 40.

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

La Blanca Island Goddess High Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

Magicsuit is a good choice if you want a tummy flattering look.

Best bathing suits for women: Magicsuit Gianna Chain Link One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Magicsuit Gianna Chain Link One-Piece Swimsuit

Or opt for a modern print like the COS swimsuit (below), which also comes with a matching kaftan

Best bathing suits for women: COS Crossover-back Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

COS Crossover-back Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: Nikki in a pink, ruffle one piece bathing suit | 40plusstyle.com

Nikki @40notfrumpy above chooses a bright, ruffle swimsuit.

Check out these ruffled swimsuits from CUPSHE and Holipick and similar sunglasses.

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.

Best bathing suits for women: Miraclesuit Swim Network DD Madero Mesh-Paneled One-piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Swim Network DD Madero Mesh-Paneled One-piece Swimsuit

Miraclesuit Escape Underwire Tummy Control On-piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Escape Underwire Tummy Control On-piece Swimsuit

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 Halter One-piece Swimsuit

The ruching on the La Blanca suit (below) will help to hide a tummy.

Best bathing suits for women: La Blanca Island Goddess One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

La Blanca Island Goddess One-Piece 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.

The scoop neck bikini (below) features a subtle cutout and has a high waist.

Robin Piccone Ava Elongated Scoop Neck Bikini Top / Ava Mid-Rise Twist Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Robin Piccone Ava Elongated Scoop Neck Bikini Top / Ava Mid-Rise Twist Bikini Bottom

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

Best bathing suits for women: Summersalt The Plunge Bikini Top / The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Plunge Bikini Top / The High Leg Mid Rise Bikini Bottom

Or try a square cut option like the J.Crew bikini (below), which comes with full-coverage bottoms.

J.Crew Square Neck Bikini Top / Classic Full-coverage Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

J.Crew Square Neck Bikini Top / Classic Full-coverage Bikini Bottom

We love the twist detail at the front of the bikini top (below).

Best bathing suits for women: Lands' End Twist Front Bikini Swimsuit Top / Smoothing Control High Waisted Bikini Bottoms | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End Twist Front Bikini Swimsuit Top / Smoothing Control High Waisted Bikini Bottoms

Add a print to your summer beach wardrobe with the Boden bikini (below).

Boden Levanzo Halter Bikini Top / Levanzo Fold Bikini Bottoms | 40plusstyle.com

Boden Levanzo Halter Bikini Top / Levanzo Fold Bikini Bottoms

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

Tempt Me Ruched 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

Sylvia in two-piece bikini set and linen cover-up | 40plusstyle.com

Sylvia @sylviacolella above (read her style interview here) chooses a bikini in a beautiful 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 cover-up 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.

Best bathing suits for women: Miraclesuit Swim Rock Solid Europa One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Miraclesuit Swim Rock Solid Europa One-Piece Swimsuit

Haight. Crepe V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Haight. Crepe V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

SPANX Shaping Piqué Swim Dress | 40plusstyle.com

SPANX Shaping Piqué Swim Dress

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 UPF 50+

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.

ATTRACO Zip Rashguard | 40plusstyle.com

ATTRACO Zip Rashguard UPF 50+

Combine the look of a rashvest and swimsuit with the Lilly Pulitzer rashguard (below). It has the benefit of having UV protection.

Lilly Pulitzer Randee Rashguard UPF 50+ | 40plusstyle.com

Lilly Pulitzer Randee Rashguard UPF 50+

Best bathing suits for women over 40: rash guard and swim shorts | 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.

Magicsuit Eliza Chain-link Tankini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Magicsuit Eliza Chain-link Tankini Top

Best bathing suits for women: Profile By Gottex Dandy Bow-tie V-neck Tankini | 40plusstyle.com

Profile By Gottex Dandy Bow-tie V-neck Tankini

Gottex Swimwear Floral Peplum Tankini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Gottex Swimwear Floral Peplum Tankini Top

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.

Robin Piccone Amy Raglan One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Robin Piccone Amy Raglan One-Piece Swimsuit

Fisoew WomTummy Control High Waist Bikini Set | 40plusstyle.com

Fisoew WomTummy Control High Waist Bikini Set

Soucrat High Waisted Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Soucrat High Waisted Swimsuit

Plus size swimwear

There are a lot of beautiful and flattering plus size swimwear (Nordstrom and Amazon) 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!

Magicsuit Celine One-Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Magicsuit Celine One-Piece Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: L.L.Bean X Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-piece | 40plusstyle.com

L.L.Bean X Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-piece

Blooming Jelly Tummy Control Plus Size Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Blooming Jelly Tummy Control Plus Size 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.

Fantasie East Hampton Underwire Tankini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Fantasie East Hampton Underwire Tankini Top

You can opt for different matching bottoms here and here

Freya Nomad Nights Underwire Bikini Top | 40plusstyle.com

Freya Nomad Nights Underwire Bikini Top

Best bathing suits for women: TA3 Busty Top | 40plusstyle.com

TA3 Busty Top

Best bathing suits for women:  Georgette in a black cut out 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, 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.

With a small bust, you can really wear anything as you don’t need to think about support so much.

Best bathing suits for women: Summersalt The Ruched Backflip | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Ruched Backflip

Best bathing suits for women: MAI The Mod Bikini Top / The Mod Bikini Bottom | 40plusstyle.com

MAI The Mod Bikini Top / The Mod Bikini Bottom

CUPSHE One-piece Bathing Suit | 40plusstyle.com

CUPSHE One-piece Bathing Suit

Hourglass

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

Holipick Halter High Waisted Bikini Set | 40plusstyle.com

Holipick Halter High Waisted Bikini Set

Best bathing suits for women: TA3 Lushy Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

TA3 Lushy Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: Becca Prima Twist Front One-piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Becca Prima Twist Front One-piece Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: Claudia in a cut out one-piece swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Claudia @beafitmom.nl above looks fabulous in her asymmetric swimsuit.

Steal her look with this similar swimsuit (other options here and here) and cap.

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: MANGO Halter Neck Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

MANGO Halter Neck Swimsuit

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

CUPSHE High Neck Tummy Control Swimwear Bathing Suit

Best bathing suits for women: TA3 Converty Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

TA3 Converty Swimsuit

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.

MANGO V-neck Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

MANGO V-neck Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: CUPSHE Wrap Color Block Bathing Suit | 40plusstyle.com

CUPSHE Wrap Color Block Bathing Suit

TA3 Sleeveless Surfy Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

TA3 Sleeveless Surfy 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.

SPORLIKE Ruffle High Waist Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

SPORLIKE Ruffle High Waist Swimsuit

Adisputent Store Tummy Control Highwaist Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Adisputent Store Tummy Control Highwaist Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: Vinlowis Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Vinlowis Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit

Best bathing suits for women: Suzette in an off shoulder one piece swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Suzette @suzettepetrov above opts for a lovely graphic print and off-the-shoulder style.

Check out these swimsuits from La Blanca and BCBGMAXAZRIA, similar earrings, necklace, sunhat and sunglasses.

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.

Summersalt The Long Torso Wave | 40plusstyle.com

Summersalt The Long Torso Wave

Another good brand to look at for long torsos is Lands’ End.

Best bathing suits for women: Lands' End Long Torso Fauxkini One-piece Swimsuit | 40plusstyle.com

Lands’ End Long Torso Fauxkini 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: Magicsuit Indio Kami Swimdress | 40plusstyle.com

Magicsuit Indio Kami Swimdress

Best bathing suits for women: Aleumdr Tummy Control Tie Swimdress | 40plusstyle.com

Aleumdr Tummy Control Tie Swimdress

Eagerbuy Ruffled Swimdress | 40plusstyle.com

Eagerbuy Ruffled Swimdress

BALEAF18" Swim Capris | 40plusstyle.com

BALEAF18″ Swim Capris

Best bathing suits for women: Angela in black swimdress | 40plusstyle.com

Angela @angelamashelle above (read her style interview here) opts for a swimdress on her trip.

Get her look with these similar swim dresses from SPANX and CUPSHE, 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!

BLEU by Rod Beattie Cover-Up Caftan | 40plusstyle.com

BLEU by Rod Beattie Cover-Up Caftan

O'Neill Belizin Swim Cover-Up | 40plusstyle.com

O’Neill Belizin Swim Cover-up

Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress | 40plusstyle.com

Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress

Becca Seaside Harem Cover-Up Pants | 40plusstyle.com

Becca Seaside Harem Cover-Up Pants

Peony Floral Cotton Pareo | 40plusstyle.com

Peony Floral Cotton Pareo

Best bathing suits for women: Nikki in blue bikini top and printed skirt cover-up | 40plusstyle.com

Nikki @midlifechic above matches her cover up skirt to her bikini top.

Recreate her outfit with this similar bikini top (another option here) and cover-up (another option here).

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

shop the best bathing suits here:

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 Sheree @shesheshow

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