Bikini or one piece swimsuit?

[Rosewine72]

I'm not as confident as I was, I'm not as slim and toned as I was now at 43, going on holiday in a week. I definitely look better in a one piece and you can get some sexy nice ones, does anyone else wear a one piece on the beach , my bum and legs are good it's just my horrible tummy??!!!

Hi Op

I could have written your post. 43 too and have always felt OK (ish) in a bikini but I seem to have gained at least half a stone ( if not more) this year and I friend on my bikini for last year earlier on this week. I was worried but then I saw Caroline flack looking amazing in a few swimming costumes. Anyway to cut a long story short I went and unintentionally bought a tankini from m and s that is quite flattering and I figured to do the best of both worlds on hols. I don't know but it suits me ( I think)

Honestly, I think most women, irrespective of size look better in a bikini.

I think there is some sort of psychological magic at work here - a bikini says that you feel confident and believe that you look good, hence other people think that too.

If you're really not feeling it, then you are right, there are plenty of lovely one pieces about too. Why not take both with you and see how you feel when you get there?

I'm 53 and still wear a bikini because I like a tan.

I've always worn a swim suit and there are some lovely ones around. I can't see the problem with them myself and they are much easier to play with the kids in without worrying.

I usually wear a swimsuit but have both. I just like the security of it. I also gave a very pale, untoned tummy and a short body so bikinis aren't v flattering on me!

I have holidayed in Europe over the last few years and can honestly say that one piece swimsuits are very much in the minority for beachwear.

I am currently in the USA and there are more swimsuit wearers, but most of them are very very obese.

I live by a med resort and it's anything goes here. I wear a one piece or a tankini usually but I bought a normal style bikini this year.

I am 38 and a little overweight and have a problem tummy too. I bought a bikini with high waist control bottoms and a proper bra sized top and I feel very confident in it. I was only going to wear it in the garden but I have actually worn it in public! It's from the pour moi range from asos. It has a halter neck top and I think that helps too.

Well I've just ordered a few different styles from Asos will send back the ones I don't like. I will bring both , a bikini maybe for around the pool but when we go the water park with the kids I think I will wear either a tankini or a one piece I will just feel too self conscious plus I nearly always fall out a bikini then. I used to be a skinny size 8 it's so hard when u get bigger 😔

I actually think a one piece looks better on everyone, regardless of shape/size.

Well my bum and my legs look pretty ok I think it is just my tummy, I just don't feel confident it wobbling when I walk 😳

Just got back from a week in Greece and saw one-pieces only on women over 60. And only SOME of the women over 60.

If you think you will fall out of a bikini, it doesn't fit (unless it's one of those triangle + string affairs, in which case it's just not the right style for you)

I usually wear a swimming costume (size16) except in Spain. Where we go is a very Spanish resort and 90% of the women of all ages are in a bikini.
Last year mil came with us and she has decided that this year she's going to wear one too, to make sure she doesn't chicken out I've bought her one!!

Wear whatever you are comfortable in - comfortable physically and mentally

I have some simple Speedo swimsuits for actual, you know, swimming and this summer have invested in 2 bikinis for the first time in 15 years. I am 50, I've had 4 DCs quite late in life, I've lost some weight last year, am now a size 10-12. It would be fair to say that although my stomach muscles are reasonably toned, my skin is NOT .
We are just back from holiday (Scotland - school broke up 4 weeks ago) and were in 35 degrees heat. Frankly, I would have melted in a one piece around the pool, even in the shade.

Sod it. I won't win any 'Sexiest Tummy of the Year' awards, but I look good.
Everybody is too busy worrying about their own insecurities anyway to bother looking at my perfectly serviceable body.

Have a great holiday!

Just back from Miami and saw very few one pieces - mostly on older women (over 70).

There are lots of great styles now in bikinis that suit most body shapes.

I have a couple of amazing swimsuits which are sexy (not slutty) and definitely do not fall into the 'blue rinse' category. Backless, plunge neck type ones and seafolly maillots. Equally, I have a couple of nice bikini sets which flatter my shape.

FWIW, I think a well cut swimsuit in a good fabric looks 100 times more chic than a bikini, so it's horses for courses. Of course, what I think is irrelevant, wear what you are comfortable and confident in. As pp have said, if you feel squirmy and uncomfortable it will show in your posture and you'll look 'off' in whatever you choose.

I think one pieces are very fashionable right now especially the high necked kind. I have a halter high necked suit where the front part can either by worn straight over the head with a slit down the middle of I can cross it at the front and put over the head and this is very flattering and (love it or hate it but my dh loves it) provides a sexy amount of side boob and it's totally backless. I wore this to Tenerife and had so many women come and ask me about it, I wore with a chiffon biba kaftan for walking to and from beach and pool and it was a very good look! Very practical for looking after the little ones too! (And excellent as top worn with a tight midi skirt!)

I used to be a firm bikini wearer but since I put on weight I am in one piece or swimdress city. I feel a bit 50s pin up in one of them but it's quite fashionable now and reckon you'll see people quite 50/50 in what they're wearing. If it's a week you can take both and a short cover up if you do feel uncomfortable in your bikini? I'm sure no one will judge you either way tbh

I am sat on a Greek beach and can only see bikinis. But wear what you feel best in. I had a light spray tan before I left which helped too.

I think a tankini is a good compromise. Covers your stomach but easier to get in and out of than a one-piece.
However, there aren't many around - they must be out of fashion.
IMO whatever you get it's crucial that it fits well, as it will be more flattering if it does.

I think tankini tops weirdly emphasise tummies and not in a good way

I should add that no one else on holiday will second glance at you for wearing whatever you like so really don't worry about it. My experience is the younger/sized 8 seem to go for the trendy high necked swimsuits like in top shop etc and the older ones no matter what shape opt for the bikini.

My own person slightly hipster choice revolved around cleavage being very old fashioned and not something I would choose to show :) the only thing I do hate on holiday is crepey boobs and cleavage on show from too much sun!

Personally I think one pieces just accentuate the stomach. And they're not very flattering for people with a long torso. So if your stomach isn't your favourite body part I'd recommend a high waisted bikini instead.

I do remember from being on holiday in previous years everyone wears bikinis and I thought everyone looked better than me , I am a size 12 and 5ft 7 so not that bad but ohhhhh I just feel yuk 😤

Those high waisted bottoms looked awful on me looked like I was wearing a nappy 😂

Well there are two types of high waisted. The high waisted ones that look like massive knickers are certainly a bit nappy like I'll grant you. And they make a person's arse look the size of a small country. But high waisted with a high cut leg. Whole other ball game!