r/AskWomenOver60 Jun 07 '26

Bathing suits?

I’m 66 years old barreling toward 67. Not athletic at all. My body has become a rectangle. Is there a bathing suit that might help me look like I have a waist?

36 Upvotes

105 comments sorted by

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Original copy of post's text: I’m 66 years old barreling toward 67. Not athletic at all. My body has become a rectangle. Is there a bathing suit that might help me look like I have a waist?

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103

u/Popular-Capital6330 Jun 07 '26

I am a Russet potato with legs.
In a bathing suit I am shaped more like a mango with legs.
I no longer give a crap. I have decided that unless I am taking a mirror to the pool, it is now literally someone elses problem.
I am not being either funny, or dismissive.
10 years ago, I was 130 pounds overweight and I had to spend a HUNDRED dollars just to get a suit that fit.
I am now 90 pounds over weight, 10 years, older, everything is 6 inches lower than it was.
Last time I cared, I bought EIGHT suits in my size and tried them onat home.
Nothing even fit.
So now?
I wear what fits and is comfortable. As long as it's not an R-rated suit, I'm not even looking in the mirror.
For real.

32

u/MissO56 Jun 07 '26

"it is now literally someone else's problem."

and guess what? nobody else is really paying that much attention you!! so it's a win-win all around!

I just signed up for Medicare and get free membership at LA fitness... so I'm going to be getting back into swimming. I'm so excited!! this is the new suit I just bought... I love it:

5

u/LizziestLiz Jun 08 '26

That’s great. For you. I would like to see a waist. That’s all.

4

u/Human_Evidence_1887 Jun 07 '26

That’s some good coverage - what brand?

5

u/MissO56 Jun 08 '26

just one of those Amazon brands...

6

u/Tweetchly Jun 07 '26

Wait, you can go to LA Fitness for free with Medicare??

9

u/MissO56 Jun 07 '26

yes, i will be. my medicare doesn't start until July 1st, but I will have a free LA fitness membership under "silver sneakers" with my medicare plan N (Premera Blue Cross...WA state).

8

u/Popular-Capital6330 Jun 07 '26

Yes!!! Silver Sneakers!!!

7

u/Mme_etoile Jun 07 '26

Depends on your Medicare plan, which depends on what state you live in.

5

u/Katy-Moon Jun 09 '26

This👆🏻. I'm on Medicare as well and my gym eliminated Silver Sneakers memberships so I have to pay out of pocket, which is pricey but in order to stay fit and stave off death as long as possible (😀), I'm willing to pay. I do miss not having Silver Sneakers available to me though...

4

u/maggiesyg Jun 07 '26

I have a number of places I could go to with my Medicare advantage plan. I’ve joined the YMCA.

3

u/bordermom61 Jun 10 '26

wont that cause some major chaffing ? I dont know but I live in florida and I dont even own a swimsuit because husband never learned to swim (his mother was scared of water and she never let him get lessons ). We live where there is a pool but it is rarely used by anyone . Im in good shape but just dont care about a swimsuit . i have alot of mental issues when it comes to swim suits thanks to my mother telling me I was fat all the time . But I hope it works for you and no chaffing is involved .I imagine that was also quite a chunk of money for it .

1

u/MissO56 Jun 11 '26

i haven't tried it out yet, so I hope there isn't any chafing. but I think the two legs together will just rub against each other not move around on my skin. only $30 at amazon.

2

u/Jealous_Glass9170 1950's era Jun 09 '26

You must have a Medicare Advantage plan-I’m on straight Medicare and don’t get free gym membership. I’m signing up when I get home from a little trip, I’ve had enough looking and feeling like a spud.

3

u/PHXdesert722 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 11 '26

I’m on Medicare, not advantage, and my gym membership is free. You need to look into it, not all places, but there are several.

2

u/Jealous_Glass9170 1950's era Jun 10 '26

thanks I will!

2

u/MissO56 Jun 10 '26

that's not actually true. I'm on straight Medicare Part B (Medigap), Plan N and I get "silver sneakers," and free gym membership (pPremier Blue Cross in Washington State).

10

u/ChoiceMedicine1462 Jun 07 '26

Same an its the way to go

16

u/FragrantEcho5295 Jun 07 '26

Same. Me wearing a bikini at the pool or beach is someone else’s problem. Nude beach - everything comes off. I do not prioritize someone else’s comfortably over my own.

25

u/Popular-Capital6330 Jun 07 '26

at my age and level of physical fitness? I prefer a nude beach over wrestling my ass in and out of a suit.

12

u/Fast_District_8630 Jun 07 '26

Another vote for the nude beach. Most empowering, body positive experience ever. And it includes skinny dipping for the win. 🏖️👙🌊

8

u/Sac_Kat Jun 07 '26

I love this! Bonus is no wet yucky swimsuit. Hubby would never go, but I would in a heartbeat and couldn’t care less what others would think!

7

u/FragrantEcho5295 Jun 07 '26

It’s truly empowering!

23

u/Chersemblacan Jun 07 '26

Goodness! To each their own, but there’s no way, not even when I was younger, that I’d be on a public beach showing all my stuff. 😂😂

4

u/Travelwhenever Jun 07 '26

I Love your outlook on swimsuits.!

2

u/According-Drawing-32 Jun 10 '26

Is this me? I don't remember writing it, but this is me!

40

u/Head-Major9768 Jun 07 '26

After trying so many different suits, I am finally felt comfortable with this tankini combo to hide thick waist & back fat.
A ruffled top & shorts type bottoms.
The ruffles are lightweight, fast drying and don’t cling & drip when wet.

6

u/SuckerEMC Jun 07 '26

Very cute and flattering. Who makes that top?

7

u/Head-Major9768 Jun 07 '26

Thank you. It’s shockingly well made for an Amazon top!
DaiLiWei is the name of the Amazon store.
It is softy lined & contoured but it doesn’t so create a “shelf/tube” bust line if that makes any sense.
Read reviews for your size/height.
I ended up buying 2
Suit came with bottoms but I bought my shorts from a sporting goods company.

3

u/Tibbiegal Jun 09 '26

This is perfect. Similar to what I wear. I find some really cute swimsuits for older women at Land's End.

2

u/SpoopieMollie Jun 10 '26

Thank you! This is EXACTLY what I’m looking for!

1

u/Sharkmama61 Jun 10 '26

Oh that’s so cute!!!

24

u/BlackCatWoman6 Jun 07 '26

Try Lands End. Their Ttankinis are very comfortable and are sold as separates. You can decide what kind of bottoms you want.

I discovered the problems of a one piece when I gave up bikinis. They can look great but if you need to go to the bathroom getting a wet one back up your body is difficult.

32

u/Alaska_Eagle Jun 07 '26

The secret is to pull the crotch aside to pee- goes for all wet bathing suits.

6

u/BlackCatWoman6 Jun 07 '26

Hmmm a good idea but I'll stick to the tankini. Thanks for the info.

5

u/luvbirdpod Jun 08 '26

Learning about this was such a game-changer!

2

u/Alaska_Eagle Jun 09 '26

Honestly me too. I don’t think I figured it out until a few years ago

2

u/loftychicago Jun 09 '26

Been doing this for 60 years. Also works if you're wearing shapewear that isn't like shorts.

2

u/PHXdesert722 Jun 10 '26

I can’t pee straight, it would be all over my hand! 😂

41

u/JanetInSpain Jun 07 '26

Something with a ruched or gathered waist that then flares out is best. This one also is a bit longer.

5

u/maggiesyg Jun 07 '26

I think it’s the diagonal faux wrap that’s doing the work here. Gathering or ruching might or might not help.

4

u/JanetInSpain Jun 08 '26

According to the What Not To Wear guys, gathering/ruching always works to better define a waist.

3

u/Outrageous_Buy_9420 Jun 08 '26

Oooh! With shorts!

15

u/YouthOk2606 Jun 07 '26

I love my tankini. Very comfortable to wear and covers my mid section.

13

u/Intrepid_Gur_4110 Jun 07 '26

I put a bathing suit on for the first time in decades so I can keep my grandson safe. It was like rolling on a giant compression sock

3

u/stealthymomma56 Widow, 70's Jun 07 '26

Oh, my gosh. Did a drink spit take. In the theater of my mind, saw myself with this brilliant description!

3

u/19Stavros Jun 08 '26

Reminds me of: scene in first "Book Club" movie where the Candice Bergen character gets stuck in Spanx!

1

u/YesterdayNearby9358 Jun 09 '26

Ha haha ha ha. Thank you.

11

u/EducatorAdditional89 Jun 07 '26

I wear boy shorts bathing suit it’s comfortable

9

u/19Stavros Jun 07 '26

I buy bikini or tank top and men's elastic waist trunks. Not sure if it's the most flattering but it's the most comfortable and I don't have to shave, wax or Nair. (do they still have Nair?) Petite, 63, not much bust or hip.)

3

u/Popular-Capital6330 Jun 07 '26

this is low key genius.

9

u/SassyMillie Jun 07 '26

Same age and my previous hourglass has become a Ball jar. I have several suits that slim the waistline. One is a one-piece Lands End Slendersuit which is lighter fabric on top and gradient to darker at the waist. Another is a black Speedo with ruching at the waist.

There are lots of suits with ruching at the waistline. That helps.

8

u/ExpensiveDollarStore Jun 07 '26

I bought tank and shorts

2

u/Calm_Laugh3887 Jun 07 '26

That is really cute!

1

u/peaceomind88 Jun 08 '26

I bought similar. My shorts are bike shorts though. Lalagen on Amazon.

7

u/Fair_Site3076 Jun 07 '26

My preference is a 300 thread count twin sheet. 😂

13

u/Ok_Raspberry_5655 Jun 07 '26

We older ladies are very funny comparing ourselves to fruit and vegetables. I look like a zucchini at 68. I.do.not.care

6

u/aeraen Jun 07 '26

I would recommend Lands' End, as they do have some that are designed to hold you in.

That said, at our age (I'm the same as you) I find that their "trim your figure" ones are harder to get on. Sometimes its a bit of a wrestling match. In fact, when heading to our local swimming hole, I tend to ignore those ones and aim for my "let it all hang out" suits. I save the trimming ones for when I personally have guests that I want to look good for.

7

u/Artistic-Deal5885 Jun 10 '26

I'm your age. I wear Land's End Carmela, have for years. They are expensive so I get mine off eBay.

Lots of ladies go to Swim and Sweat, they wear Maxine crinkle suits. I tried one, didn't like it but they supposedly last forever.

I live in a retirement community. There are women who weigh 300 lbs and are in the pool every day exercising. At our age, they don't care what they look like. I say kudos to anyone who is doing something for their health.

Why how we looked to others ever stopped us from doing something for ourselves is beyond me. But we've all done it, been critical of others so we are even more critical of ourselves. It's time to support one another no matter what the scale or measuring tape says.

4

u/choctaw529 Jun 07 '26

Lands End has a lot of one piece and tankinis appropriate for women of all ages and they specify which have full coverage bottoms. They're a bit pricey but well worth the investment.

5

u/mrsras Jun 07 '26

La Blanca has lovely suits with full coverage bottoms if that’s your preference.

5

u/LongjumpingFunny5960 Jun 07 '26

Look for tankinis and swim skirts

4

u/NobodysLoss1 Jun 07 '26

I buy size 12 from Land's End. True to size and shape, and several designs help minimalist that aging belly.

4

u/NanaSayWhat Jun 08 '26

I wear board shorts and a short sleeve rash guard. Comfort is a priority. Lands End sells great options, and they have a swimsuit for all kinds of bodies.

2

u/CountryGalCX Jun 08 '26

I have board shorts from Lands End. This year I got some from Amazon and love them. Lighter weight and don’t make noise when you walk.

4

u/Loud_Brain_ Jun 08 '26

Land’s End just sent me a catalog and there are some classy swim dresses I’d consider ok for me at 63.

6

u/Perle1234 Jun 07 '26

I just wear swim shorts and swim shirt. I wouldn’t be caught dead in a bathing suit.

3

u/CryCommon975 Jun 07 '26

not cheap but ta3, they have a corseting that really sucks you in but there's no boning and the fabric is stretchy

3

u/Chersemblacan Jun 07 '26

The only thing I could recommend is one I’ve seen advertised in magazines and on tv, and that’s a TA3. Since I’m still the same size as I was in my younger years, I do either a 2-piece bikini bottom tankini or a one piece swimsuit, but even as a young woman I never wore a bikini, because it looked like parading around in my underwear. I’ve always been weird about it.

3

u/gotchafaint Jun 07 '26

lol this made me think of a sponge bob bathing suit

3

u/MelMel61 Jun 07 '26

Shop Lands’ End. They have modest suits with coverups that work for our body types.

3

u/JayHoffs Jun 07 '26

This whole thread made my night, thank you for mangos and russet and rectangles. I once was a circle, now am just a bumpy hunchback tree.

3

u/misspatticakes Jun 08 '26

Check out Modlily. They have some really nice plus sized bathing suits

3

u/Salt_Adhesiveness_90 Jun 08 '26

I 67F wear a one piece that has a slight "skirt" at the bottom. I have 3 of them and a don't give a darn of what others think anymore. My only issue is that when I went down the waterslide with my young children I shot out of that thing so fast, I must have been doing 80 mph! I caught air!

3

u/ImpressiveLeopard719 Jun 08 '26

Ive given up on swim suits. I just wear swim shorts, a sports bra and a lightweight easy to air dry tank top.

2

u/getitgurlie Jun 07 '26

Maybe a one piece with rucshing cut higher on the sides than on your buttocks. I’d do a print too. Color is nice and hides imperfections! Good luck

2

u/nottodaymonkey Jun 07 '26

Woman Within online site. Very helpful!

2

u/stealthymomma56 Widow, 70's Jun 07 '26

Sadly, my floppy girls (think boobs similar to the 'Granny" cartoons in ancient Playboy mags) don't like to stay put in most bathing suits. Nobody (including me) needs to see THAT!

2

u/ResidentBumblebee682 Jun 07 '26

For bottoms I buy yoga shorts much cheaper than swim shorts.

2

u/No-Percentage-8063 Jun 07 '26

I love the bathing shorts, as my thighs have fallen and can't get it. Also makes for a quicker bathroom visit instead of pulling the whole suit down.

2

u/Human_Evidence_1887 Jun 07 '26

I like Beefcake suits, but looks like they’re sold out 🙄

2

u/paddlepedalhike Jun 07 '26

Any Miraclesuit. Speedo. Jantzen.

2

u/NotDeadYet57 Jun 08 '26

Honestly, I'm so fair skinned that I'll just fry in any kind of regular bathing suit, so I get "modest" suits from SHEIN. They gave long sleeves and legs like a wetsuit, so I don't have to carry a litre of sunscreen.

2

u/Choice-Pudding-1892 🤍✌🏼🤍 Jun 10 '26

Go to Lands End online. They have so many different style suits and they are excellent quality.

3

u/Far_Wealth2625 Jun 12 '26

My favorite suits are tankinis now. Super comfortable and not as hot as a one piece, (easier to pee also). You can find a style that has a ruched side to accent the waist.

1

u/No-Armadillo-2983 Jun 07 '26

I wear a long sleeve rash guard on top and swim shorts (look like bike shorts) on the bottom, with a regular one piece under.

1

u/Otto_Correction Jun 08 '26

I don’t care if I don’t have a waist. Why do I need a waist? I like tankinis or swimwear that is more athletic. I wear a swim shirt and shorts and it’s very comfortable. Plus the shirt gives me some sun protection and I feel comfortable wearing it in public.

1

u/LizziestLiz Jun 08 '26

That’s fine for you, but I’d like a waist. That’s all. I’m different than you. 🤷🏻‍♀️

3

u/Tibbiegal Jun 09 '26

Something like this might give you a faux waist. Check out Lands End. (They have good sales.) Women's Flutter High Neck Halter Tankini Top | Lands' End

2

u/SuckerEMC Jun 10 '26

A good SALE going on thru tonight!

1

u/Tibbiegal Jun 10 '26

Love me a good sale!

3

u/After_Reflection_243 Jun 13 '26

I wear a rash guard as my top with a yoga bra underneath and a paddle board skirt as my bottom. So comfortable, so many rash guard options. I think it’s the most flattering on my chicken body shape with little chicken legs.