I grew up near the beach and have been buying swimsuits my entire life. Two pieces look better in me, and I often find the surf shop brands, while clearly aimed at a younger crowd, cut suits in a way that’s a bit more flattering than department store brands. I’m old enough to sometimes want/need something more mommy appropriate, which brings me to my all time favorite source for one piece swimsuits. The below is just an example - I must not be alone because styles sell out fast. I bought two styles last month, and neither of them are available anymore:
That suit ^ is pretty much my style as well.
I still find it odd: Most of us aren’t comfortable with wearing high heels anymore, so we don’t wear them. But bathing suits? We still make ourselves wear them!
My main issue is the bikini line. I think my ancestors were hirsute. I need significant preparation before I can wear a bathing suit in public.
No flat tummy here either. However, it used to be my best asset before kids. Washboard flat, seriously. If I really watch my diet, when I get up in the mornings, it looks pretty good. After my first meal, I’m 2 months pregnant.
Anyway, DH has always wanted me to wear a string bikini, even now! I have a big ole’ behind. It’s also long and just my worse ass’et’. He says, and I do agree, that no matter the age, when women put on 2 pieces with full coverage on their butts, their butts look huge. When a skimpier suit is worn, even on a big caboise, the butt looks smaller.
When we were on a resort vacation last year, I had on a 2 bikini…but not a string, so there is move coverage on back. I have to say. There were several,women with less than perfect bodies in tiny bikinis and their behinds look much smaller. The problem with strings, is there is nothing to sort of hold the belly in. So, your stuck either way.
How many others are uncomfortable with halter neck suits? One of my problems had been finding suits with regular straps. I really hate that knot against the back of my neck so don’t look at that style.
After three years of living in a beach community, I wonder why I even care how I look. No one else seems to worry! There are plenty of trim young women; there are also fabulously fit women in their 70’s out on surfboards. And many many more who just let it all hang out.
I also find a knot behind my neck VERY uncomfortable and preferred other styles when I was wearing swimsuits.
Well, I never wore very high heels even back in the day when professional dress was suits and blouses. I wear swimsuits because I like to go to the pool and beach and even swim!
"Anyway, DH has always wanted me to wear a string bikini, even now! "
Well, if my husband told me that, I would tell him he can wear string bikinis if he wanted to. I want my suits to stay put and be comfy. If the size of my butt is a problem for someone, that is their problem. No way I am going to inconvenience myself with a fig leaf! 
I want everyone to know that I love the swimsuit selections (well, most of them) but I have not clicked buy on any of them.
Ok, believe it or not, there is actually a site figleaves.com that sells swimsuits.
https://www.figleaves.com/uk/swim-shape-trend.html?link=home_insp_swim-shapes
It is very freeing to swim in garments that adequately provide coverage while also fitting well and being attractive. It’s a pity that swimsuit makers don’t often combine these elements for real bodies that are older than early 20s!
How about suggestions to cover thighs and even varicose veins?
Most swimsuits do not cover ugly thighs.
sylvan8798, what a great selection. I found exactly what works for me in 5 seconds.
I will be searching to see if they sell in the USA.
This thread caused me to try on my suits today. One will work but feels a little tight. Two are now gone.
I only use a suit a few times a decade but I still like to both be comfortable and stylish.
I must have straps that cross over the back due to super narrow shoulder. Also must have no underwires.
@Marilyn , I hate that knot in the back. It’s really hard to find the ones that don’t have them.
Not that hard… look at Tommy Bahama, Chantelle, Freya, Prima Donna, etc. You pay more, but the suit is comfortable and lasts much longer than the junky, stringy single-usd pieces.
BTW, I have not purchased from Fig Leaves, but they ship to the US. I have not had any issues with any reputable UK retailers…
I hate halter neck suits also. Not only the knot in back of the neck but also the back of the suit just seems to sag on me. Never stays up nice and tight.
I have never liked strapless suits or dresses either. Can never be comfortable or confident that it will stay where I want it.
@BunsenBurner …well, I happen to agree with him. He was just making an observation. After 40 years together I never have, so I see no reason to tell him off. He is right. I’ve just don’t have the confidence to do it.
You guys are all cheating!!! Perusing swim suits on the Internet, purchasing and shipping to your home where you get to try them all on in the comfort and privacy of your bedroom!!!
My nightmare is the infamous Drag yourself all over town looking for any selection whatsoever. Of course this is happening in the dead of winter because I suddenly need a suit. Even though I live in a warm climate, none of the department stores have ever figured out that we don’t need 3 floors of winter coats and clothes here in San Diego. They don’t have any bathing suits when you need them!!
This means I have to go to all the surf shops and beach bikini stores where an 18 something surfer girl is going to try to help me find a bathing suit. So you get 10 or so in the postage stamp dressing room with the 3 way mirror and fluorescent lights…and leave sobbing because there is no hope
@coralbrook - check out Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and Marshall’s -they all start stocking up on suits this time of year. Also Target has a fairly large department.
This is the suit I found at Marshall’s last year that matches our pool tile: https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/la-blanca-swimwear-new-wave-sweetheart-one-piece-swimsuit-8148677/
This is the top I found at Nordstrom Rack two years ago (just the top) in a bra size: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tommy-Bahama-Stem-Floral-Underwire-Cropped-Bikini-Bra-Top-ONLY-TSW25500T-334b/152797249826?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3Dd26c02d6966e422481096ad641b9f4ae%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291918863039&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1
And this is the top and bottom that I subsequently bought online (in turquoise) that I will only wear in the back yard in front of DH: https://www.tommybahama.com/en/Pearl-Underwire-Cropped-Bikini-Top/p/TSW81002T-033
https://www.tommybahama.com/en/Pearl-High-Waist-Sash-Hipster-Bikini-Bottoms/p/TSW81014B-033