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Summer 2023: Swimsuits for 50+ Women in Every Size and Shape

Get pool- and beach-ready with figure-flattering cuts and colors


spinner image Soma One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit then Mynah Desert Spa Womens Textured One Piece Swimsuit then Unique Vintage Leopard Print Plunge One Piece Swimsuit
Left to right: Soma Swim One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit in Paradise Palms M Ivory; Mynah Desert Spa Women’s Textured One-Piece in Cloisonne Blue; Unique Vintage Leopard Print Plunge One Piece Swimsuit in Brown, Leopard
Soma; JCPenney; Dia & Co.

After decades hiding out in black control suits that vacuum-packed every bump, bulge and jiggle into submission, women are celebrating their shape with self-love swimsuits that highlight their assets. Spurred on by the body-positive trend, lifestyle icon Martha Stewart posed on the cover of Sports Illustrated and not-exactly-shy celebs like Salma Hayek and Jennifer Lopez are proudly posting swimsuit snaps ... all of them kicking so-called age-appropriate suits to the curb. Strike a pose! Here are the best body-boasters for 2023. If you want to:

spinner image Soma Swim One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit in Paradise Palms M Ivory; Eloquii One Shoulder Cascade Ruffle Swimsuit in Mystique Floral; Holipick One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit for Women in Hot Pink
Left to right: Soma Swim One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit in Paradise Palms M Ivory; Eloquii One Shoulder Cascade Ruffle Swimsuit in Mystique Floral; Holipick One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit for Women in Hot Pink
Soma; Dia & Co.; Amazon

1. Show off your shoulders.

If off-the-shoulder, cold-shoulder and one-shoulder tops are your go-tos, take the hint! Displaying fabulous shoulders with a one-shoulder suit is not only on-trend but loaded with benefits. The asymmetric neckline creates the illusion of a longer neck and torso (excellent for those with a large chest who prefer coverage and are bothered by the midriff crunch), and unlike strapless suits, a one-shoulder stays up in the water and lets you move and swim freely with no tug-ups. Try the sleek one-pieces like the Soma Swim One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit in Paradise Palms M Ivory ($42, soma.com); the Holipick One Shoulder One Piece Swimsuit for Women in Hot Pink or Pink ($35, amazon.com); and for lots of glam and poolside drama the Eloquii One Shoulder Cascade Ruffle Swimsuit in Mystique Floral ($160, eloquii.com).

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spinner image J.Crew Ruffle V-Neck Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit for Women in Radiant Fuchsia; Unique Vintage Leopard Print Plunge One Piece Swimsuit in Brown, Leopard; Swimsuits for All Lace Up One Piece Swimsuit in Very Fuchsia
Left to right: J.Crew Ruffle V-Neck Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit for Women in Radiant Fuchsia; Unique Vintage Leopard Print Plunge One Piece Swimsuit in Brown, Leopard; Swimsuits for All Lace Up One Piece Swimsuit in Very Fuchsia
J.Crew; Dia & Co.; Target

2. Highlight a beautiful bust.

If you prefer open V-neck everything from T-shirts to blouses, it’s because the inverted triangle is a big bosom’s best friend, creating separation and shape while balancing width at the hips, thighs and backside. How much of a V-neck plunge is up to you — though the beach is one place a little daytime cleavage doesn’t feel out of place. Try the trend for deep wide Vs embellished with a ruffle frame, like the J.Crew Ruffle V-Neck Ruched One-Piece Swimsuit for Women in Radiant Fuchsia ($118, jcrew.com), or shoulder ties like the Unique Vintage Leopard Print Plunge One Piece Swimsuit in Brown, Leopard ($88, shop.dia.com). For extra lift, opt for Vs with adjustable cross-back straps like the Swimsuits for All Lace Up One Piece Swimsuit in Very Fuchsia ($79, target.com). All are chic, comfy and wire-free — unlike the overly rigid and structured suits of past summers.

spinner image Lane Bryant No-Wire Wrap Swim Dress in Blue Summer; Gottex Swimwear Bohemian Gypsy Floral Surplice One-Piece Swimsuit in Multi; Dolfin Women’s Colorblock One Piece Swimsuit
Left to right: Lane Bryant No-Wire Wrap Swim Dress in Blue Summer; Gottex Swimwear Bohemian Gypsy Floral Surplice One-Piece Swimsuit in Multi; Dolfin Women’s Color Block One Piece Swimsuit
Lane Bryant; Saks Fifth Avenue; Kohl's

3. Make the most of allover curves.

If you have an hourglass figure — voluptuous on top and bottom — shape-embracing dresses that wrap or fit and flare are probably hanging out in your closet this very minute. Borrow their curve-conscious flattery with wrap-front suits like the ruffle-trimmed Gottex Swimwear Bohemian Gypsy Floral Surplice One-Piece Swimsuit in Multi ($148, saksfifthavenue.com); the flirty Lane Bryant No-Wire Wrap Swim Dress in Blue Summer or Nectarine Floral ($49, cacique.lanebryant.com); or a tricolor classic like the Dolfin Women’s Color Block One Piece Swimsuit ($66, kohls.com). No need to actually have a defined waist (and if you do, see tip No. 4), since the suit design optically whittles every silhouette to a sexy hourglass and deals with weight fluctuations.

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spinner image Sovoyontee Women Plus Size One Piece HalterSwimsuit in Orange; Hermoza Genevieve One-Piece Swimsuit in Wine; Mynah Desert Spa Women’s Textured One-Piece in Cloisonne Blue
Left to right: Sovoyontee Women Plus Size One Piece Halter Swimsuit in Orange; Hermoza Genevieve One-Piece Swimsuit in Wine; Mynah Desert Spa Women’s Textured One-Piece in Cloisonne Blue
Amazon; Hermoza; JCPenney

4. Flaunt a trim waist.

If you tuck or half-tuck your tops, love high-waisted jeans and belts, a still-trim waist is likely a key source of body pride. Follow through with supple swimsuits that feature waist-emphasizing soft ties and sashes like the simple, elegant Mynah Desert Spa Women’s Textured One-Piece in Cloisonne Blue ($35, jcpenney.com); a chic high-neck suit like the Hermoza Genevieve One-Piece Swimsuit in Wine or Basil ($128, thehermoza.com); or a V-neck halter like the Sovoyontee Women Plus Size One Piece Halter Swimsuit in Orange ($31, amazon.com). Love what halters do for your body but worried about neck aches? Adjustable tie-neck halter suits like the latter two ease the neck-strain issues of ready-fit styles with a clasp.

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spinner image Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip in Hibiscus/Tangerine; Cuup The Plunge One Piece in Tide; Andie Swim The Tulum One-Piece in Cherry Red
Left to right: Summersalt The Ruffle Backflip in Hibiscus/Tangerine; Cuup The Plunge One Piece in Tide; Andie Swim The Tulum One-Piece in Cherry Red
Summersalt; CUUP; Andie Swim

5. Brag about your back and derriere.  

Some women think their rear view is terrific (even those that secretly obsess about belly bulge). Low-back suits that reveal all with a deep U reverse plunge like Summersalt's The Ruffle Backflip in Hibiscus/Tangerine ($95, summersault.com); suits with a wide square-back or spine-tingling straps like Andie Swim’s The Tulum One-Piece in Cherry Red ($98, andieswim.com) and Cuup’s The Plunge One Piece in Hibiscus or Tide ($178, shopcuup.com) call attention to entrances and exits. Don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen front and back too!

spinner image Old Navy Matching V-Neck One-Piece for Women in Chioggia Beet; Everlane The V-Neck One Piece in Bright Red; Bravissimo Cancun One Piece Swimsuit in Pink
Left to right: Old Navy Matching V-Neck One-Piece for Women in Chioggia Beet ($18, oldnavy.gap.com); Everlane The V-Neck One Piece in Bright Red ($39, everlane.com); Bravissimo Cancun One Piece Swimsuit in Pink ($128, bravissimo.com/us)
Old Navy; Everlane; Bravissimo

6. Make your skin and psyche glow.

You know the immediate brightening effect of a red lipstick or rosy blush on your complexion? How about the “I love that color on you” compliments that pour in every time you wear a certain coral dress or turquoise tee? Swimsuits mean head-to-toe skin exposure, so harness the same power of color. Your skin tone and undertone are reliable guides, so pay attention to choices that work for you like those above … but also go with your gut. That orange swimsuit may be a shade you’ve never worn but amazing for revving up radiance. There are no rules, but for those who insist — cool skin tones with a rosy undertone will look great in jewel tones like sapphire, ruby red and emerald; chilly pastels like lavender and icy pink, violet and fuchsia; warm skin tones with golden undertones will be a perfect backdrop for yellow, orange, coral, peach, tomato-red, aqua, turquoise and mossy greens.

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