Finding the perfect swimsuit can be a challenge, especially as our bodies change over time. For women over 40, the key is to find a swimsuit that flatters your unique body shape while providing the comfort and support you need. Whether you're looking for a one-piece suit, a two-piece tankini, or one of each, we have plenty of gorgeous swimwear options that can make you feel confident and fabulous.
The Most Flattering Swimsuits for Women Over 40
As we’ve been making swimwear for years, and have the expertise to help advise you through the swimsuit buying process, we thought it would be useful to put together this guide to help you navigate swimsuit shopping with ease. Our guide offers tips and recommendations to help you find the most flattering swimsuits for women over 40.
Understanding Your Body Type
Before diving into specific swimsuit recommendations, it's important to understand your body type. This knowledge will help you choose a suit that highlights your best features and provides the support you need.
Pear Shape
For pear-shaped women, the key to finding the most flattering swimsuit lies in balancing the proportions between the upper and lower body. Pear shapes typically feature wider hips and thighs paired with a smaller bust and defined waist. Highlighting the upper body while providing ample coverage and support for the lower body can create a more balanced and harmonious silhouette.
Best Swimsuit Features for Pear Shapes
Bold and Bright Tops
Choose swimsuits with bright colours, bold patterns, or embellishments on the top. This draws attention upwards, balancing the wider hips. Patterns across the bust, high neck styles and padded tops are excellent choices as they add volume and interest to the bust area.
High-Waisted
High-waisted swimsuits offer a slimming effect while accentuating the waist. Choose a high waist with detailing at the top and this would make for a flattering swimsuit for women over 40.
Ruching and Tummy Control
Look for swimsuits with ruching or tummy control panels around the midsection. These features help to smooth and slim the tummy area, enhancing your natural curves and providing a flattering fit.
Wide, Adjustable Straps
Swimsuits with wide and adjustable straps offer better support and customisation when you are wearing them. This is particularly beneficial for creating a balanced look and ensuring comfort all day by the pool or on the beach.
Our Top Recommendation for Pear-Shaped Women Over 40
Stella Longer Length Clipback Swimsuit - Night Tropics
This one-piece swimsuit features a bright, patterned top with adjustable straps, drawing attention to the upper body while offering full coverage and tummy control for the hips and thighs. This swimsuit is suitable for both pool and beachgoers as it chlorine chlorine-proof, meaning it will last twice as long as standard swimwear fabric when used regularly in a chlorinated pool. This swimsuit also offers UV 50+ protection whilst also being sun cream and oil-resistant.
Apple Shape
Apple-shaped bodies typically feature a fuller bust and waist with narrower hips and legs. For apple shapes, the goal when choosing a swimsuit is to find styles that define the waist, support the bust, and draw attention away from the midsection while highlighting the legs.
Best Swimsuit Features for Apple Shapes
Tummy-Control Panels
Swimsuits with tummy-control panels are excellent for apple shapes. These panels smooth and flatten the midsection, creating a more defined waist and a sleek silhouette. Look for one-piece suits with built-in tummy control or high-waisted bottoms with firm compression.
Ruching and Draping
Swimsuits with ruching or draped fabric around the midsection can be very flattering for apple shapes. These details help to disguise the tummy area and create a more balanced appearance. Look for one-piece suits with side ruching or tankini tops with draped fabric.
Built-In Bras
Supportive swimsuits with built-in shelf bras are essential for apple-shaped women with larger busts. These features provide lift and shape, ensuring comfort and a flattering fit. Adjustable straps also help to customise the fit and provide extra support.
Midsection Detailing
Swimsuits with flattering midsection detailing can be flattering for apple-shaped women over 40 years old. Detailing across the tummy which is well-placed can be a strong asset for apple shapes to enhance your beautiful curves.
Our Top Recommendation for Apple-Shaped Women Over 40
Iris Longer Length Swimsuit - Pink Ombre
This one-piece bathing suit features a flattering swish design across the midriff and when paired with our tummy-control fabric, provides a supportive swimsuit for apple shapes which will flatter and enhance your gorgeous curves. The built-in shelf bra and adjustable straps offer support for your bust. And all-round winner for women who are over 40 who want a bit of flair from their swimwear. It's one of our best tummy control swimsuits and looks fantastic on all ages, whether that's younger or older women.
Hourglass Shape
Hourglass-shaped bodies are characterised by a well-balanced bust and hips with a defined waist. This body type is often considered the most proportional, making it versatile for various swimsuit styles. The goal for hourglass shapes is to highlight and maintain the natural balance of your curves, emphasising your waist and supporting your bust.
Best Swimsuit Features for Hourglass Shapes
Waist-Defining Styles
Swimsuits that cinch at the waist are perfect for hourglass figures. Look for styles with features or ruching around the waist. These will accentuate the narrowest part of your body, enhancing your curves.
Built-In Shelf Bras
Supportive swimsuits with built-in shelf bras are essential for hourglass shapes, particularly for those with a larger bust. These features provide the necessary support and lift, ensuring comfort and a flattering fit.
High-Waisted Styles
High-waisted one-piece swimsuits are excellent for highlighting the waist by maintaining the balance between the upper and lower body.
Bold and Patterned Swimsuits
Don’t shy away from bold colours and patterns. These can enhance your natural curves and draw attention to your balanced proportions. Colour-blocking designs are also effective in highlighting your waist.
One-Piece and Two-Piece Options
Both one-piece suits and tankinis can be flattering for hourglass figures. One-piece suits with detailing or pattern panels can accentuate your waist, while tankinis with matching tops and bottoms maintain your natural balance. You can mix and match tankini styles and sizes, so look for a complete size range when shopping online.
Our Top Recommendation for Hourglass-Shaped Women Over 40
Ava Longer Length Swimsuit - Ditsy Daisy
This swimsuit features ruching on the tummy which slims your silhouette. This swimming costume also has a built-in shelf bra, perfect for enhancing your hourglass figure and supporting you in all the right places. The adjustable straps provide additional bust support. Hourglass ladies over 40 will also love the tummy-control swimsuit fabric and The Xtra Life Lycra fabric which offers chlorine resistance whilst also feeling soft and comfortable. It truly is a great swimsuit and a good choice for women over 40 who want to try different looks and styles out when shopping for swimwear for swimming, water sports or for a beach holiday.
Rectangle Shape
Rectangle-shaped bodies, also known as athletic or straight figures, have a balanced bust and hips with minimal waist definition. The goal for rectangle shapes is to create the illusion of curves and add dimension to the silhouette. The best swimsuits for this body type are those that enhance the bust and hips while defining the waist.
Best Swimsuit Features for Rectangle Shapes
Bold Patterns and Colours
Bright colours, bold prints, and patterns can draw attention to different parts of the body, breaking up the straight lines of a rectangle shape. Look for suits with colour-blocking or geometric designs to add visual interest.
Padded Tops
Padded bikini tops enhance the bust, creating a fuller appearance. This added volume can help balance the proportions and create a more curvaceous silhouette.
High-Waisted Swimwear
High-waisted swimsuits help to define the waist, while mid or high-cut legs elongate the legs and add a feminine touch. These styles can create the illusion of a more defined waistline and enhance the overall shape.
Our Top Recommendation for Rectangle-Shaped Women Over 40
Lucille Longer Length Swimsuit - Azure
This high quality swimming costume features a bright design with detailing across the bust. The addition of padded cups will work with your body shape and create the illusion of a more defined waist. The bold colour and design add visual interest and shape to your straight figure. It’s a great choice for those who have a more athletic shape.
Inverted Triangle Shape
Inverted triangle-shaped bodies are characterised by broader shoulders and busts with narrower hips and legs. The goal when choosing swimsuits for this body type is to balance the proportions by drawing attention to the lower body and minimising the emphasis on the upper body. This can be achieved by selecting styles that enhance the hips and provide support for the bust.
Best Swimsuit Features for Inverted Triangle Shapes
Solid Colours on Top, Patterns on Bottom
Opt for solid colours or darker shades on the top and bright colours or patterns on the bottom. This helps to de-emphasise the upper body while enhancing the hips.
Wide Straps and Racerback Styles
Wide straps and racerback styles provide extra support and help to distribute weight evenly across the shoulders. These features minimise the broadness of the shoulders and create a balanced silhouette.
V-Necklines
V-necklines draw attention to the centre of the body, elongating the torso and creating a slimming effect. These necklines help to balance the proportions by minimising the width of the shoulders.
High-Waisted Styles
High-waisted swimsuits define the waist and add volume to the lower body creating a more balanced look for inverted triangle-shaped women over 40.
Our Top Recommendation for Inverted Triangle Shaped Women Over 40
Racerback Tankini Top – Black and Women's Panel Swim Shorts - Night Tropics
Pair this solid-coloured tankini top with our bright night tropics panel swim shorts for a flattering and supportive swimming outfit. The racerback is ideal for inverted triangle shapes and the detailing on the shorts will draw attention to your gorgeous curves.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for swimsuits, consider these key features to ensure you get the best fit and most flattering look.
Adjustable Straps
Swimsuits with adjustable straps are a great option because they allow you to customise the fit to your body. This is especially important for swimsuits for women over 40 with larger busts who need extra support.
High-Quality Materials
Investing in swimsuits made from high-quality materials ensures durability and a better fit. Look for suits with compression fabric for tummy control and those that offer good coverage without sacrificing style.
In-Built Shelf Bras
For women with larger busts or those looking for extra support in the chest area, built-in bras provide good support and help create a flattering silhouette. In-built shelf bras are also beneficial for those looking for a bit of lift and shape.
Tummy-Control Panels
Tummy-control panels can help smooth out the tummy area and provide a slimming effect. This feature is particularly helpful in one-piece suits and high-waisted bottoms.
Different Colours and Patterns
Choosing the right colours and patterns can enhance your look. Dark colours like black or blue are slimming, while bright colours and bold patterns can draw attention to your best features. Stripes, swishes and colour blocking can also create a flattering visual effect.
Full Coverage Options
If you prefer more coverage, consider swimsuits with higher necklines or legsuits. These styles can provide modesty while still being stylish and functional for water activities. They are ideal for women over 40 who are looking for a more modest swimsuit.
Tankini Tops
Tankini tops offer the best of both worlds – the coverage of a one-piece with the convenience of a two-piece. They are great for those who prefer more modesty but still want the option to mix and match. We have a fantastic range of tankini tops and shorts which will give you more coverage and are ideal for more adventurous watersports. Our tankini tops are highly sought after as we are one of the very few swimwear manufacturers who offer longer-length tankini tops. We all know how frustrating it can be when a tankini top keeps rising up during a pool session or beach day. Our longer length tankini tops are ideal for providing extra coverage.
Practical Tips for Swimsuit Shopping
Know Your Measurements
Before shopping, take accurate measurements of your bust, waist, and hips. This will help you find the right fit and size swimwear that flatters your body type. If you aren’t sure what size will be best for you, take a look at our swimwear size guide which can help you find the best-fitting swimwear for your body.
Read Reviews
Customer reviews of the company and product reviews of the swimsuit itself can provide valuable insights into the fit and quality of swimsuits. Look for comments on the fit of this suit, especially regarding the support and comfort. See what other people liked and disliked about the style of the swimsuit, fit, colour and anything else. Only buy from companies who have a good company review – if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. Buy cheap, buy twice!
Delivery and Returns
Choose a company that offers good delivery and return options. We here at Halocline offer free delivery on all orders over £40 and free returns to those customers with a UK postal address. So shopping with us is easy, hassle-free and you know that you can return your swimsuit for a full refund should you not love it – although we hope you will!
Try Different Styles
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try different styles. You might be surprised at what looks and feels great on you. Being over 40 doesn't mean you should stop shopping and dressing the way you want to. It's a time for embracing your body and being proud of who you have become and what your best features are. You may not want swimwear like you had in your teens or 20s, but that's okay. If you want a bit more coverage and support, that's your choice. We have some of the nicest, high-quality swimwear out there. Our customers are always commenting about the style, fit and comfort provided by our swimwear, so if you haven't tried one of our Halocline swimsuits, maybe now is the time? With free UK delivery, when spending over £40 and free returns, you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We hope that you love your new swimwear and that you shop with us time and time again - many of our customers buy from us on a regular basis and comment that they are glad they found us. Will you join them?
Focus on Quality
Invest in high-quality swimsuits that offer good coverage and support. Cheap swimsuits might not hold up well over time and can lose their shape and colour quickly. If you are using your swimwear in the pool, look for swimsuits made using chlorine-resistant fabric. If you are using your swimsuit on the beach, factor in the sun protection that the swimsuit offers you. Even better, buy a swimsuit that offers both features.
Sustainable Swimwear
If you are doing your bit for the planet, you'll want to shop responsibly as well. Did you know that our swimwear is made from a recycled textile specifically designed for making swimwear? Econyl is a recycled textile yarn made from waste plastics that might have otherwise been discarded in the ocean and this yarn is used to make our super high-quality swimwear. You can find out more about eco-friendly swimwear here, but be assured when you are shopping with Halocline, you are doing your bit for the planet. You don't need to embrace the trend for quick, unenvironmentally-friendly fashion when you can buy sustainable, high-quality, stylish swimwear designed by us here in United Kingdom. Look after our oceans by shopping sensibily and you'll be able to swim in our oceans, river and lakes for many years to come.
Embracing Confidence and Personal Preference
The most important thing to remember when swimsuit shopping is to embrace your confidence and personal preference. Choose swimsuits that make you feel comfortable and beautiful. Whether you prefer a classic black swimsuit, bright colours, or a chic one-piece swimsuit, the right swimsuit is the one that makes you feel your best.
Finding the most flattering swimsuits for women over 40 involves understanding your body type, knowing which features to look for, and choosing styles that make you feel confident and comfortable. From one-piece suits with tummy-control panels to stylish tankini tops, there are plenty of options available. Remember to focus on high-quality materials, read reviews, and embrace your personal style. With these tips and recommendations, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect swimsuit for your next holiday or trip to the local pool.