Bikinis as approaching 50

[JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome]

Can you help suggest bikinis for me.

I am 49, tall (5'9) and reasonably slim and toned (half way between a size 10 and a 12) but flat chested. I am slightly pear shaped with quite a long body and actually not especially long legs for my height.

I think I still have a few years of bikini wearing left in me but want something with a bit more coverage definitely on the bottom half.

I am happy to spend between £100 to £200 for something that really made me feel good.

Any ideas where to look?

I always tend to find bikinis online at John Lewis. You buy them as separates and there are often several styles of top and bottom to choose from to make sure they fit.

I am quite tall (not as tall) with short legs and I have found the shorts style or big high waisted pants to be the absolute worst - they make my legs look even shorter and shorts cut into the thigh and make them look chunkier. I stick to brief style and just check they aren't the Brazilian style ones where half your bum is hanging out!

I’m similar to you and got a great one from decathlon recently. I’ll see if I can find it.

Nah, can’t find it. The fit was similar to the animal print one though. https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/swimming/bikini-sets

I love this thread - sadly I am not going anywhere that would justify buying a new bikini!

53 and similar shape to OP.

These are gorgeous and hold your tummy in
Coco leaf bottoms

I'm a similar shape to you - another vote for Boden! The rollover bottoms and the tie halter neck tops, like this one

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/levanzo-fold-bikini-bottoms-fiesta/sty-s0154-bco?cat=C1S22_G17

are you still looking OP? I’m your body shape and I always look around with a generous budget but recently have always come back to M&S for their bikinis. I usually size up one size in the bottoms and that seems to hit the perfect balance of bum coverage, lower tummy coverage and leg elongation. The tops are small in the cups but so am I 😂

I’ve purchased Freya from Amazon as love the fact that they do different cup sizes and a range of styles for bottoms. Often great reductions on previous styles

I get all
mine from Bravissimo because I need a cup sized top. But they also do lots of different bottoms. I like the normal bikini bottom style but go up a size and make sure they come up high enough at the front.

I just bought similar to these in a different colour, another pair is higher waist.
John Lewis Haze Spot High Waist Bikini Bottom, Dark Green

Wish I didn't get problems with John Lewis website. It closes down on me. Anyone else having problems?

Another vote for Boden. Their swimwear is what they do best. Gorgeous patterns and colours and well fitting. Even better when they have a sale!

I love a good bikini, and I'm nearly 68. Tend to buy from Pour Moi, and often pick mismatches in colours that co-ordinate well. A plain bottom and top, plus a pattern that match, so you have four bikinis out of four pieces. Plus a big shirt and a sarong. Much nicer to swim in a bikini unless you want to swim purely for fitness, but not great for say, surfing. Even nicer to swim naked, but that degree of privacy is the greatest luxury of them all.

So I’ve actually bought one from mint velvet and it fits really well but it’s white…I’ve never owned a white bikini and wondering if now is the right time or if it’s a bit too look at me

https://mintvelvet.com/products/white-crinkle-bikini-top

If that's you in the picture, you own it. Otherwise, it looks as if it would be forgiving enough on a normal body. I'd wear it.

But do spend time in the sun tanning (safely) so your tum is brown. You will look wonderful.

https://www.popflexactive.com/products/sand-dollar-surf-shorts-with-pockets-coconut-cream?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=bc58c5fbf&pr_rec_pid=7317468151891&pr_ref_pid=7317457535059&pr_seq=uniform

Something like this?

I'm 61, size 14 and have decided to go back to wearing a bikini. I've just bought one from Sainsbury's Tu. Can't add photos on my tablet for some reason, but it's the tribal print bandeau top with matching ruched bottoms. It's really comfortable on, and the ruching enables you to shorten the sides to give more length to the leg IYSWIM. I bought plain black bottoms in the same style to mix and match. I've bought Tu swimwear for years and never been disappointed. Likewise M&S.

I see you’ve bought one now OP but for future reference do consider George at Asda. After many years of trial and error, spending much more and being disappointed, I’ve found their swimwear to be consistently good quality and excellent value. I order several sizes online and return what doesn’t fit. If you have an Asda store nearby it couldn’t be easier. I’ve converted super choosy DD too!

With that budget definitely have a look at Evarae. By a million miles the best swimwear I’ve ever bought, the structure is worth the money (second fav has been New Look though!).

If you’re willing to spend, also check out Away That Day. Never bought personally but they are gorgeous.

I think you will rock the white OP!

(belatedly coming to say it's another vote for Boden here tho)

Can't bear most of their stuff, but they have nailed the mix & match bikini styles & sizes!

Their halter neck is particularly good if you don't have much to work with up top, particularly if you have broad shoulders too.

Enjoy your bikini now the sun has fiiiiinally appeared ☀️

I’m 6ft and like pour moi bikinis, fold over pants are good. Always size up on the bottoms so there’s no live handles spillage!