My friends and I were talking about this the other day. Some of us know we need to give some things up due to our body changes, some of us know it’s because it’s just wrong at a certain age. Of course this is all subjective, but fun to get different perspectives. For me: I still wear bikinis. I’m fairly tall and slim. I just feel although I think I look late 40’s, I’m probably kidding myself. I’m late 50’s and my days are numbered.
However, DH thinks all women should wear smaller suits. He says we wear these suits to try to cover up, our behinds especially…and all the material just makes our behinds look huge. A smaller cut, and yeah…maybe you hang out there a little more, but you look 10 to 20 lbs thinner. I think he’s right.
I like shorts and shorter skirts because my legs have always been my best feature. At 60, though, no matter how fit I am, the knees don’t lie. And this depresses me!
I like Hawaiian style shirts. They are comfortable and fun. In my 20s and 30s, it was cool bc I was the fairly young dad who was not afraid to wear a Hawaiian shirt. But now, with 50 looming, I am just a stereotype. So I find myself wearing hipper, tighter, dark colored polos and t-shirts. But my middle-aged man paunch is not going along with the new sartorial program.
I never understood the thinking that with swim suits, less is more appealing. I personally think a well fit and interestingly cut one piece can FULLY show off the figure of a woman of any age - 25 or 55!
Nothing wrong with a bikini is you feel comfortable in it! Too much hanging out at any age isn’t attractive IMO.
Great question as I am struggling with this issue myself. I am looking for a dress for my niece’s wedding and everything is either too young looking, too matronly, wrong for my body, too big on the top too small on the bottom. I also have the issue with “old looking knees” mentioned above. I’m 55 and not a complete mess but I can’t find anything appropriate. I’ve been all over the Nordstrom website…buying and retuning… I’ll find something eventually but it shouldn’t be this difficult to find an age appropriate, but not frumpy dress!
I also think a great looking and fitting one piece swimsuit is appropriate for any age. I would still wear a bikini if I had the body for it! We are headed to Bermuda for the America’s Cup yacht races in a couple of weeks and I found a couple of really great looking swimsuits to take along. I think almost anyone can look good in the off the shoulder look. I bought several off the shoulder tops last year before we went to Asia and I have since added a couple of more along with an off the shoulder dress for my trip.
Saw a 50ish Mom in the current backless and bare shoulder (halter-ish) romper look last weekend. Shorts were fine but the backless look gave too much away about her stage of life. More coverage would have served her well. My SIL looked much more stylish in a romper that was just off the shoulder. I have given up rompers entirely–whether or not I “could” pull it off. They remind me of being in junior high.
As a short person I just cannot stand petite clothes- as they tend to be elderly stretch waist type. Gave up the miniskirt years ago. Still wear shorts at home and casually as it gets 100 here. Looks better with a tan. Not sure I’m on the edge yet of giving up any styles since i seem to change through the years. Now I love Prana, Banana Republic, and mountain chic clothes.
I will wear bikini on the beach. Never was into stringy fig leaf kind of suits, but a well-made 2-piece suit is still my cup of tea. Lower price point - Target has a bunch of really, really good pieces. Higher price point - there is nothing like Prima Donna swim suits.
@BunsenBurner …funny you should mention Target. I just bought one yesterday from there yesterday. I have always wore two piece, but thought I’d try a little smaller bottom. DH is right. My behind does look smaller. I’m a person that looks horrible in a one piece. Like my previous post about balanced bodies. Long torso, short legs…terrible. but there will be a certain age that 2 pieces will look silly…and I’m not looking forward to that.
Impressed that you ladies can still wear 2 piece suits. Not me.
I shop in, and have found many cute things in the petite sections. The regular sections tend to be too long on the top for me (fall off the shoulders, etc). I am not a fan of the trendy "exposed shoulders "tops, nor do I like the clodhopper-y sandals that look like the wearer should be riding a Greek chariot. So no worries there about looking “trendy”. Will stick with capris and tshirts or tunics
In HI, many of us wear rash guard shirts and board shorts bottoms to have more sun protection. I’ve abandoned swimming because I get hives from the cold. I was sad to give it up but hate full body hives which I got even when swimming in a wet suit vest.
I do have both a bikini and 2 piece suit that I look good in but no longer wear either – hives are a strong disincentive.
I was sad to give it up but hate full body hives which I got even when swimming in a wet suit vest.