Your Most Flattering Swimsuit Over 40

I live in Florida, where bathing suit season comes quickly, and let’s just say this year I needed the motivation to take care of myself and start exercising again. Wasn’t January two days ago?

How is it already May?

Whether or not you face the imminent threat of a beach day, a flattering, stylish bathing suit is a must, and finding one that makes you feel confident and beautiful whether you are swimming, surfing, or sunning (with sunscreen, of course!) is so critical.

And that’s why I’ve assembled some tried and true favorites that work for women in real life.

Like the tummy-tucking suit that helped a Style Dial Blue (3) mom of two look forward to pool time with the kids again. (It flatters EVERYBODY!)

Or the under $40 suit that looks elegant and expensive!

You’ll find these and other tried-and-true by women-like-you suits in today’s video!

But before we dive into flattering suits, let me share 3 general guidelines for picking a great suit:

1. Get Support: The more areas that need support and control, the more selective you’re going to have to be to find a truly flattering suit. Don’t compromise on support and great fit.
2. Make it Fashion: Look for the same stylish details in your bathing suits that you look for in your clothes. These will elevate a modest suit and make it modern and stylish.
3. Keep it Contemporary: A bathing suit should be updated, with current cuts and colors, in order to look fresh and stylish. A too-classic suit can look dated and potentially frumpy.

And now, for the best suits by body type!

Style Dial Red/Purple (Hourglass)

If your shoulders and hips are the same width and your waist is defined, you may be a Style DIal Red/Purple body type, otherwise known as an hourglass. A Style Dial Purple has a slightly less defined waistline than a Style DIal Red.

Look for: Consistent pattern throughout the suit, simple details, vertical necklines. You can wear most style successfully.

From top right: Billabong, Trina Turk, River Island, Becca and Albion Fit. To shop these suits and many more, check out my bathing suit catalog.

Style Dial Blue (Straight)

If your hips and shoulders are about the same width, or your shoulders are wider than your hips, and you have a straight waist, you may be a Style Dial Blue (formerly a SD3). Otherwise known as a Rectangle, an Inverted Triangle (if shoulders are broader) or a Linear body type.

From top left, Zimmermann, Oye, Pat Bo, Sanctuary, Sanctuary, and Target. To shop these suits and many more, check out my bathing suit catalog.

Style Dial Orange/Green (Pear)

If you’ve ever considered yourself a pear or a triangle body type, you may be a Style Dial Orange or Green (formerly SD2 and SD2/3). You have narrower shoulders, typically, and more shape in your hips, bum, and/or thighs.

Small Bust Suits

If you have a small bust, you can wear pretty much anything when it comes to a bathing suit. The only thing to stay away from is suits with a lot of shaping and support through the bust, which won’t fit properly. If you’d like to play up your upper half, there are suits designed to maximize your bustline. Here, some picks for a small bust.

Large Bust Suits

If you have a fuller bust, support is essential, of course, but so is shaping and flattery. Supportive suits are generally not known for being sleek and stylish, but I’ve found some that check all the boxes.

Tummy Taming Suits

Many one-piece suits have some tummy control built in, but for added shaping and control, check out these stylish options.