My issue is that I don’t like the tankinis and one piece suits as far as “feel”, although I believe they are more flattering on my 65 year old body than a 2 piece suit. I’ve always been that way and even when I was swimming masters on a team, I would wear the workout bikinis. I don’t like fabric around my middle when I’m swimming or in the sun. I got a new suit a few weeks ago from the running line for which I’m a brand ambassador and I’m really happy with it. Oiselle. I got the high rise bottoms and 2 different tops (one fuller coverage and one smaller). I just got back from Florida and it served me well. Looking around the beach it appears that no one is too concerned about how they look, so that’s all good!
The thing I don’t understand about tankinis is that the top seperates from the bottom at the worst possible spot on my body.
Bathing suits is a fun discussion - so many varying preferences and choices!
I wear a one piece but like thinner straps and show enough skin. I’m more comfortable with the top half of me than the bottom half of me - or my stomach area - I’d like to find a two piece that would be like a running skirt and an attractive two piece type top! So my stomach is covered, it’s still feminine and I CAN show off my top area more!
I’m with @abasket
Based on my recent trips to HI and FL, one piece suits and various attempts to create an alternative bikini are not that popular. 90% are in two piece suits. Like MOfWC, I hate wet fabric in the middle.
Ever since I found PD suits, I do not dread suit shopping - if the colors I like go on sale, I order them. Easy. 
I have noticed that I’m often the only one lounging in the sand in my one piece Speedo with board shorts as my cover-up. I am a swimmer - pool or open water - and want to be ready. Or, bring on that SUP!
I can’t stand a one piece because trying to get it off to go to the bathroom, especially if wet, is a major feat. After birthing four kids in six years, I need the coverage though so a tankini is essential for me.
@TempeMom, I have the exact same problem so now I buy the tops in Tall from Athleta. Not all styles come in Tall so it takes some browsing through the styles to find them. I’m only 5’3” so this ensures that the top comes down over the bottoms rather than what they call the “meet and greet” fit where it only comes to the top of the bottoms.
Awesome --I’m 5’2 so it should work even better for me!
@abasket Doesn’t Athleta usually have the cute skirt bottoms?
I’ve never bought one of their suits - but am going to look! That would be a good spot to look - I don’t want skirt frumpy but skirt flirty!!! - like a running skirt!
@abasket look on Athleta they have a lot of different bottoms.
I wear a one piece if I’m going to the beach near my house. At my pool or when I’m sailing I like to wear a two piece. I also wear a bikini when I go sailing. Like a lot of others I hate sitting around in a wet suit around my middle. I have several different bottoms. I have a cute pair that are like shorts from Athleta, traditional bikini bottoms and also board short type bottoms. I like the short bottoms for coverage but what I don’t like is they are bulky if you want to throw a dress style cover up on.
I used to wear tankini to the beach but I found that the top was always riding up at the middle. I’m tempted to try some of the looser tankini tops I’ve seen on Garnet hill and Athleta. I bought a cute bikini top and bottom this winter on sale at Nordstrom Rack so I’m ready for my upcoming sailing trip.
I don’t really tan so I can only lay out long enough to dry off before I need to put something on to cover my shoulders.
abasket, check out Tommy Bahama suits. They usually have skirt style bottoms. And the tops are bra sized!
I buy my suits entirely based on chlorine resistance. Regular bathing suits last three months tops in the pool I go to. So I buy from H2OWear. I get separate bottoms and a full zip tankini top for ease of removal. I never sit around in my suit so I don’t care how it feels wet. BTW, the tankini tops overlap the bottoms by several inches; no skin is exposed no matter what you’re doing.
Thanks @Wellspring! The indoor pools here are also murder on swimwear. I don’t think I even get 3 months of use if I’m swimming every day.
When I find the cover-up that will hold my drink while walking on the beach, I’ll buy it.
@MomofWildChild , I don’t wear one pieces because I hate fabric on my stomach, also. It’s so hot. Plus, with my long torso and not long legs, it just accentuates my torso and makes it look out of proportion. I have often read my body type looks better in a 2 piece. Tankinis just accentuated my pooch. But, some of these monokinis…some of them…actually hide the bad bits and show the good! I’m going to look at that line you were talking about.
I really need to try more tankinis, especially those that overlap the bottom by several inches. I normally wear a one piece and don’t mind them except if I’m going to need to wear a wet suit or wear my suit under my clothes. At the end of last year, I bought a bottom that goes up high and I have a rash guard. On our upcoming trip, I plan to try those two together and see how I like them. In terms of how I look, it’s my middle area that I really want covered and tucked in which is why you won’t see me in a bikini!
I really do love Lands end’s tankini separates. I’ve got a couple different options for bottoms… Swim shorts, a short skirt (their “mini swim mini”), and a slightly longer skirt when I need a little more modesty. They tend to for me really well. Plenty of options to match on top. There’s a 40% of sale right now, I think (at least I had a coupon for that). And you call find them to try on at Sears stores.
I hope I don’t sound like a broken record, but Lands End has tankini tops in different lengths. The long is about two or three critical inches longer than the regular. They also have a wide variety of board shorts, swim skirts and rash guard tops. Wear whatever you feel good in!
Cross posted with @dragonmom ! Great minds!