How long has it been since you shopped for a swimsuit?
Shopping for a swimsuit in your 50’s is not for the faint of heart. Â Well, I take that back. Â Any age. Â I’ve heard women screeching over trying on swimsuits my whole life. Â I personally do not enjoy taking small pieces of stretchy fabric and heading to the dressing room where hideous bright fluorescent lighting shines down on my pasty white Winter skin that’s been covered up for a few months, highlighting every single flaw. Ugh, it’s not fun, is it? I don’t know any woman who enjoys shopping for swimsuits. Â But, sometimes we have to do it, just get out there and try on a few swimsuits. Â In fact, this post is a little bit scary for me to share, but I cropped these pics just so and thought y’all would enjoy a post about shopping for swimsuits.
Those bikini days are WAY over for me and when I entered my 50’s I started wearing tankinis, which I really like. Those are the 2 piece suits that cover the stomach. Â I also like one pieces, but the tankinis are comfortable and not as hard to get in and out of. Â Showing the belly days are long gone for me. Â Some things don’t need to be shown in public anymore.
I usually look at TJ Maxx and have successfully found swimsuits there over the years. Â They are last season’s suits, but that doesn’t matter to me, because the cost savings is huge. Â I really don’t want to spend $100 on a swimsuit, so I’ll look for quality name brands and good fabrics at a lower price point.
I decided to add a couple of new swimsuits to my summer wardrobe and began the hunt. Â I don’t like to order swimsuits online, because I think this is one thing that needs to be tried on in advance, so I went to a few stores that were close. Â I know I could always go to one of the big department stores to look, but those are usually full price and I don’t like full price.
I browsed through the racks at TJ Maxx and found one winner, a Vince Camuto one piece in a pretty leopard print and it was $30. Â Winner!
This one is cut straight across the front and back with a neck strap that can be added on.
I cropped this strategically, so y’all could see it on and I love the shirring on these types of swimsuits. They really give a lean look and accent the waistline. There is a soft molded cup in these which is really comfortable too. Â I have a couple that are made like this in the top.
I found the suit online at Bonanza, if you’re interest. Â Not an affiliate link.
Next, I went to Kohls and saw their selections. Â I’m really liking the two pieces with the bottom skirt attached. Â Have you seen these? They’ve been out for awhile, but I’ve never bought one. Â I like that it covers just a bit more on the upper thigh. Â It has a normal bottom piece underneath the skirt, but the skirt hides more. Â They have a choice of several tops that can be interchanged with the bottoms. Â I only saw black and gray bottoms, but lots of choices in tops at Kohls.
Printed Racerback Tankini from Kohls (affiliate link)
Solid Skirt Bottoms (affiliate link)
These are priced separately so you can buy whatever size you want on the top and bottom. Â My 2 pieces on sale came to just over $50.
I chose this happy leaf print with fun summer colors to mix with the black bottoms.
These are quick snaps from the dressing room and it’s a little blown out, but I loved that this style has a racer back and I think this suit would be great for a day at the beach, covering up a bit more while walking around.
So, what type swimsuits are you wearing these days. Â Things change as we get older, don’t they? Â My perky younger self enjoyed the 2 pieces, but these days, I like to be a bit more covered up!
Very pretty Rhoda!….I found some fabulous suits at Soma that really flatter the “over 50 crowd” !
I LOVE Soma! And agree – they have some lovely bathing suits!
Hey, Shirley, I just checked out Soma online and you are right, great looking suits. I just hate that most are over $100.
Love both. Especially love the little skirt for me. Will definitely look for one of these. I have to purchase mastectomy swimsuits so it’s a little harder to find. Thanks for sharing.
Skirts are cute but I HATE that they FLOAT in the water. Does anyone else have that problem?? You think you’re so safe but really the skirt is now offering no protection and especially anyone swimming underwater is given an eyeful. ?
I agree, the tankini and skirt suits hold so much water. They’re great for being by the pool but not so much for being in the water.
I agree, I love the coverage of a skirt but they float in the water and look horrible when you get out because all that fabric is wet and super clingy till it dries. Would love to know if anyone knows of a brand that works better while wet???
You are a very brave woman to do this for us! Both suits look great on you. I’m tall and thin, with a long torso so the tankinis have really been a lifesaver.
I love them both. I have worn the skirts for a couple of years now and have basic black, navy and brown and own a couple of tops to mix and match with each color. I bought two of the racer back style tops last year and love them–they seem to give a little more top support and no straps slipping. Enjoy your blog so much everyday.
I rarely appear in public in a swim suit but there are times when it is necessary. Both of your choices are great and look very good on you. I prefer the skirt one for me personally and plan to go by Kohl’s and check. Thanks so much, you may have just save this well over 50 person some grief!!
Both of those suits really flatter you! I’ve always wondered how the shirred sides would look and they do seem to accentuate and slim. I purchased a used tank skirt set from a thrift store about 3 years ago for $5, deliberately choosing that style to cover up my chubby upper thighs. I don’t swim much and just needed something that would be good for a water aerobics class I was taking. I feel really comfortable in it, so it’s now my favorite style. I’ve never tried the racing back style top, so you’ve given me something to look forward to. In regard to the skirt floating up, we were too active in class for that to make a difference, but mine seemed to stay down rather than float except for initially getting in a pool while it was dry. I usually took a shower before getting in the pool with it on to lessen the shock of the cold water. Anything less than 80 degrees is cold to me…LOL. Mine is a slick polyester of a heavier weight material. I think some of the thinner crepe type materials might float more. Mine is a red & white big hibiscus print, and it does seem to minimize my thick waist and not contrast with my white untanned skin. I also have short legs, and this seems to flatter them.
Funny you should post this today! My hubby said we could take a beach trip this fall to Destin so I figured I better be ready with a suit that covers this 65yr old body. Tried on a few at TJ Max the other day and actually found one that didn’t look TOO bad. As I was checking out the clerk said….”Oh you bought a swimming suit, honey”. I replied….”Did you not hear the screams coming from the dressing room??” And she said….and I’m not lying…..”oh….was that you?” Gotta laugh about it cause it is what it is! BTW! Cute suits, but then you would look good in a potato sack ?
Hey, Tina, I love that story! Made me laugh….I think we all feel that way about trying on swimsuits!
Great post, Rhoda! I dont’ think you have to feel embarrassed about anything. You look gorgeous in both pieces you picked! You’re in very good shape and can show off your bod at the beach or the pool any day! To those who criticize, get to that age first before you judge others!
Well you know…putting yourself on the Internet in a bathing suit is a little nerve wracking. Thank you!
I gravitate more toward your basic black. I like the cut of the first suit but of course don’t like the print. 😉 But then I saw the second one and really like it. Maybe I will break out of my rut.
Thanks for continuing to be real with us! Of course you look absolutely mah-velous!
Love the “splash” print! You’re ready for a trip to the beach with our sweetie now!
Vic
“your” sweetie
Ha! that’s so funny, now he will always be “our” sweetie too!
Excellent post! You are very brave for doing this, and it is appreciated! I think that Vince Camuto suit looks beautiful on you. You should not hesitate wearing that one , just beautiful. I agree that the two piece with the skirt makes you feel more relaxed and covered out in public, but I too have the problem with the skirt floating around — very annoying. And since we are lucky enough to have a pool, I spend quite a bit of time in the water.
A surprising place to shop for a swimsuit is Costco! They have very nice one-piece “miracle suits” for well under $100. They are well made, and you can take a couple home to try on. Costco is great about returns!
Great to know, Bea! My sis is a member there & I always look at clothes when I go with her.
Most of the ladies have already expressed how I feel about todays post. Brave…honest… So, really, just a long overdue Thank You for continuing to share your journey with us. And, yes, even going to Destin this fall, too.
Thank you Beth! I do think a beach trip will be in order this year. Love the beach!
This was an exceptionally brave post for you to do Rhoda, thanks so much for stepping up! The leopard print one piece looks fabulous on you, I hope you bought it!! The Tankini hides your tiny waist line but also looks great! You’re going to be the envy of some much younger ladies when you wear either one!!
Thanks as always & yes, I bought both of these!!
Good for you, they’re both very attractive!!
You’re a brave woman, sharing trying on swimsuits! Thank you! You shared some great options!
I really like the two piece from Kohl’s. I may have to go see for myself. I have a surgical scar that runs the full length of my spine. That racer back top would cover it nicely. Both suits look fabulous on your lovely long lean torso. Trying on swimsuitso is more traumatic for me! Lol
Another chime in here for your bravery, Rhoda!
I have had some swimsuit success with Lands’ End. I refuse to pay full price for them however and will wait until later in the season to buy. I am a different size on top then on the bottom so the separates work well for me. I love their swim skirts!
You are right. In most sizes, the bottoms only come in black or gray. I really like those colors best because you can just mix and match your tops. I actually only have a couple of different bottoms, the skirt type and the loose shorts type with the built in panty. I have about four different tops I wear with them. I really like the look of a one piece better, but these are just so much easier.
I love all these suits. I swim regularly so I have quite a collection. When is one “too old” to wear a bit more revealing two-piece? I’m dreading that day, but you’ve given me some options. Thanks. 🙂
Hey Teresa, I think that is an individual thing that we all have to decide. I was wearing 2 pieces in my early 50’s, but at 59, nope, it’s over! Time to concede and go for the one piece or tankini all the time.
You look fantastic in these suits! I really like the animal print, but the other suit shows off your toned back.
You have inspired me today. 🙂