Summer and swimsuit season are just around the corner and even though we might not be traveling to exotic destinations, we can still lounge in our backyard, by the pool (if you are lucky to have one), or at the beach when they finally re-open.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.

I’m not sure how you feel, but I find shopping for swimwear challenging. And that holds true even more after I turned 40 and gravity took hold. As much as I love a triangle-shaped bikini and low-rise bikini bottoms, that ship has sailed for me. I still like to feel sexy and fun, but I don’t want to go overboard and embarrass my kids.

So, there are a few rules I follow when shopping for a swimsuit that I’d be happy to share with you.

• First, I think every woman over 40 needs to own a black one-piece swimsuit. It’s like the little black dress, always in style, elegant, and very forgiving. It’s also the perfect suit for a pool party. You don’t have to worry about showing too much and by throwing a wrap or a skirt over it, you can make it instantly look like a dress. 

• This year’s big hit is leopard print suits. I usually don’t fall for trends but I think this one plays up to the 40-something women. If you choose the right style, a leopard style swimsuit can look elegant and sexy at the same time. 

• Miracle suits are swimsuits made from a fabric that sucks you in at the right places. Especially the tummy area which is problematic for most women over 40. Also suits with some ruched fabric around the stomach are a great way to hide loose skin or a few extra pounds. 

• High-neck top swimsuits are wonderful for covering the chest area. Let’s be honest, most of us neglected our chest and neck in our early years so sun damage, discoloration, and a loss of elasticity are now catching up with us. Suits which cover our chest are not only elegant, they also allow us to go for a comfortable swim without worrying about our girls popping out.

• If you don’t like a high-neck option and prefer to show off your still gorgeous cleavage, I suggest you opt for a built-in-bra support. Try to avoid tops without any kind of padding or built-in bra unless you still have beautiful breasts undamaged by breastfeeding and gravity.  

• If you prefer a two-piece bikini, I strongly suggest a tie-knot monokini (it’s only one-piece but looks like a two-piece), tankini (think t-shirt and bikini bottom), mid-waisted, or high-waisted bikini. All these cover the tummy problem-area with ease and make a nice compromise between a one-piece swimsuit and a bikini.

• Make sure your swimsuit fits perfectly. If it’s too small, it cuts into your skin. If it’s too big, it just looks funny when you get out of the water and it’s sagging. I usually size up when buying a suit and if I’m ordering online, I will order two sizes if the company offers a hassle-free return policy.  

• For my last tip, start using a sunless tanning lotion about a week before you plan on putting your swimsuit on. Unless you have naturally tan or dark skin, a little self-tanning lotion will go a long way. Darker skin is just a bit more forgiving to our imperfections and it makes you look like you’ve lost a few pounds. My recommendation is a Beauty by Earth sunless lotion. It’s vegan and lacks harsh toxic chemicals.  

Final advice, as with anything, follow your heart. If you are working out regularly and have a beautiful body, go for the bikini if it feels right to you. Some of my friends close to, or over 40 (you know who you are) have gorgeous bodies and can still pull off wearing a bikini. It’s all about how you feel. If you don’t feel right in a bikini, don’t force it. The last thing you want is to feel self-conscious on the day you should be having fun.  

Happy swimsuit shopping ladies!

***Below is a selection of my favorite Amazon swimsuits. Most of them come in various colors and patterns.