Make a Splash in These Stylish and Sophisticated Swimsuits

Graphic by KCM

You can still look sleek and sexy without feeling uncomfortable.

SPF is a must these days (and every day!), but a good swimsuit is a close second when it comes to seasonal essentials that make you look and feel great. Not only will a reliable suit ensure you can participate in whatever activities you want, but it’ll also protect sensitive areas of your body from harmful UV rays. It doesn’t hurt that a cute bathing suit can instantly boost your mood.

Whether you prefer a modest one-piece or a sexy two-piece set, there are plenty of options that offer comfortable coverage without feeling frumpy. Retro styles like high-waisted bikini bottoms and bra-like tops are making a comeback, and sporty, high-coverage styles are popular right now, too. 

We rounded up the best swimsuits for older women that can be worn for any of your preferred water-adjacent activities. Every style we included offers support for larger busts, too, to ensure your girls (and your confidence) are at their peak performance.

The Best Swimsuits for Older Women

J.Crew Ruched One-Shoulder One-Piece

J.Crew

Sometimes less is more — and that’s the case with this ruched one-shoulder suit from J.Crew. The material is made from recycled water bottles, helping keep plastic out of the ocean. A thick shoulder strap keeps your girls supported (as does the padding if you choose not to remove it), and ruching on the sides coats your curves to create a stunning silhouette no matter what your body type. The back of the suit offers moderate coverage, too, so you won’t have to worry about any cheeks hanging out while in this one-piece. 

$37+ at J.Crew

Universal Standard Surf Long Sleeve Swimsuit

Universal Standard

Finally, coverage is cool. We’ve been seeing long-sleeved swimsuits like this zip-front number by Universal Standard dotting beaches and pool decks a lot in recent seasons, and we’re thrilled because it means less space for sunburns. Go for a full-on deep V in the front if you want to show off some cleavage, or zip up all the way for full coverage. A full-back means you won’t have to seek out a stranger to help you apply SPF to tough-to-reach spots (unless you want to, that is).

$210 at Universal Standard

Spanx Shaping High-Rise Swim Skort

Spanx

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little sculpting action built into your swimsuit. Spanx created this high-rise skort for just that. The bottoms are made from double-layered fabric, which offers some extra support by smoothing out the tummy area. A swooshy skirt provides coverage, but it also lends a sporty, yet feminine touch to the simple suit bottoms. 

$118 at Spanx

Diarrablu Infinity Swimsuit

Diarrablu

If you’ve suffered from neck pain due to a flimsy halter strap holding up your bust, you’ll appreciate the entirely adjustable and customizable top on this design. This one-piece from Diarrablu has two wide strips of fabric at the front that function as both the top and straps, allowing you to twist, wrap, and layer until your heart (and chest) is content.

$165 at Diarrablu

Kona Sol Hidden Underwire Square Neck Tankini Top

Target

The middle ground between a bikini and one-piece? The tankini. Just as the name implies, this tank-style swim top has more coverage than a skimpy bikini but offers flexibility in terms of choosing a matching or contrasting bottom. You can even wear it as a top post-beach day and no one would guess that it’s a swimsuit. A hidden underwire on this one provides extra support in the bust, and the adjustable straps ensure it fits just right. 

$24 at Target

Andie Swim Tulum One-Piece

Andie

This smoothing suit is so chic we’re tempted to wear it as a bodysuit. Andie is known for its uber flattering swimwear, like the best-selling Jetties silhouette, and this one is no exception. The crossover back straps are thick enough to actually hold your chest in place, but they’re not so tight they dig in or feel uncomfortable. We also appreciate that you can choose between regular and long torso styles, and there are three coverage levels to choose from for your bum. 

$112 at Andie

Robin Piccone Aubrey V-Neck One-Piece Swimsuit

Nordstrom

You’ve probably noticed we’re partial to adjustable swimsuits by now. Side and shoulder ties on this one allow you to tweak the fit based on your preferences, and it give you the option to cover more of your shoulders if you’re sun sensitive. This style comes in five different colors, all of which have moderate booty coverage.

$132+ at Nordstrom

Line in the Sand 3/4 Swim Leggings

Line in the Sand

Looking for something that can easily go from the gym to the beach and back again? These cropped leggings are designed to be worn in the water, and the 3/4 length keeps them from feeling too hot in the summer. For those who need a little extra sun protection, leggings are the alternate solution. Katie loves these for hiking, pickleball, and just about everything in between!

$110 at Line in the Sand

Monday Swimwear Aruba Swimsuit

Monday

Looking to steal Martha Stewart’s Sports Illustrated cover look? We’ve got you. Her ivory one-piece is from Monday Swimwear, which specializes in creating chic and comfortable swimsuits for everyone. Despite the deep V neckline on this suit, wide straps lift and separate your boobs to create some sexy cleavage without setting you up for spillage. To balance the more revealing front, the back offers full coverage in the booty area, but you won’t be stuck with the dreaded diaper look because there’s no unnecessary fabric.

$178 at Monday

Knix Cinch Leakproof Shaper One-Piece

Knix

Speaking of Martha Stewart, last year Knix became the first leakproof swimwear brand to ever be featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Another model wore a leakproof bikini in the spread, but we’re loving this cinchable one-piece. Not only is there built-in protection from leaks of all kind, but there’s a lace-up back you can tighten if you want some extra sculpting action around your midsection. Because it fits similarly to shapewear, reviewers say to size up. 

$115 at Knix

Summersalt Sidestroke Swimsuit

Summersalt

This universally flattering swimsuit comes in 13 different colors and patterns, all of which we are obsessed with. The one-shoulder design creates a slimming diagonal pattern across your body, and it wraps around to show a flirty open back. Despite the keyhole detail, the rest of the suit isn’t revealing or cut too high, so you don’t feel overly exposed while wearing it.

$67 at Summersalt

Athleta Pacifica Illume UPF Fitted Top

Athleta

Whether you burn easily or want to minimize UV exposure to prevent skin cancer, adding a sun shirt over your swimwear can keep you safe. Long sleeves cover your arms and hands if you don’t roll them up, and those hard to reach spots on your back will be covered, too. This particular top is fitted so it won’t feel heavy or too clingy when you get it wet, plus you can zip or unzip the neck for breathability.

$60+ at Athleta

Abercrombie Curve Love High Apex Underwire Top

Abercrombie

Underwire swimsuits definitely offer structure, but they can sometimes look less like a bikini top and more like a bra. Thankfully, Abercrombie created wired swim tops with thick straps that are cut in a sexy shape but don’t dig into your ribs. The brand’s Curve Love line is specifically made for people with D-F cups, and they ensure the band fits proportionally to the cup size.

$55 at Abercrombie

Youswim Verve Two-Piece

Youswim

A swimsuit that grows with your body may seem too good to be true, but YouSwim has perfected it in a multitude of styles. Smocked fabric allows the suit to gently hug your curves, even on days when you’re feeling extra bloated. The longline cut on this bikini top offers more coverage, but it ends at your natural waist to accentuate your curves. It’s not as supportive as a sports bra so we wouldn’t recommend this style for a game of volleyball or paddle ball, but it’s great for swimming and reading by the pool.

Commerce editor Katie P. has one of the brand’s swimsuit and wears it pretty much exclusively. It’s seen her through PCOS-induced weight fluctuations and always fits perfectly thanks to the magical fabric.

$159 at Youswim