Tips for Buying Swimwear for the Rest of the Year

The long, hot days of summer are well behind us — but that doesn’t mean you’ve taken your last dip of 2017. Fall and winter are rife with swimming opportunities: You might journey to the coast before autumn winds get too chilly; you could plan a holiday vacation in a perpetually warm tropical place; and you will probably enjoy a few hours relaxing in a heated tub or pool. Summer isn’t the only season for swimwear, which might mean it’s time for you to get a new suit.

Even if you aren’t planning to take a dip in the coming months, it isn’t a bad idea to shop for swimwear at the beginning of fall. By now, retailers have restocked on all their most popular swimsuits for older ladies, and many boast fantastic sales with low prices on swim styles you won’t see again until this time next year.

Still, as always when you go swim shopping, you must be careful how you shop if you want to end up in a style that is flattering. Here are a few tips for choosing a swimsuit this late in the year:

Don’t Follow Your Instincts

When you are feeling insecure about certain areas of your body, your first instinct is usually to cover it up. After all, if you can’t see any skin, other people probably won’t notice your flaws. Indeed, with swimwear, women use tankinis, boy shorts, and thick control panels to cover up the features of their bodies they are most uncomfortable with. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work.

Because swimwear is supposed to be skin-tight and relatively revealing, any extra fabric will only serve to highlight your flaws. Tight suits, sleeves, and pant legs are often designed to suck everything in and give you a slimmer shape, but often your flesh will pour out of openings, ballooning in a painful and awkward way. By trying to cover up certain parts of your body, you are demanding those around you to pay more attention to them. When it comes to swimsuit fashion, your instincts are not your friend.

Show Some Skin

Showing skin in swimwear tends to be the most flattering option — even as you age. First, skin acts like negative space on pages: People typically don’t notice it, unless there is too much or not enough. Therefore, you need only find the proper cut and cover around your so-called flawed areas to look and feel more comfortable in your suit year-round.

You may normally find yourself gravitating toward one-piece swimwear. Fortunately, there is plenty of variation in one-piece suits, so you can find a swimwear option perfect for your fall or winter trip. Here are a few useful tips for bringing balance to your swim style:

• If you have short or thick legs: look for suits with high cuts. Whereas boy shorts will squish and stunt your legs, high cuts will give the illusion of length and slimness.
• If you have an ample bosom: look for suits with underwires and adjustable straps. The right breast support will keep you comfortable and looking perky. You can enjoy a deep V-neck or a strapless suit as long as you don’t look saggy.
• If you have a soft tummy: look for suits with subtle ruching or draping at the midriff. Too much of this kind of accent can make you look even thicker in the middle, so be careful with your choice.

You certainly aren’t the only woman to struggle with body insecurities. Everyone has questions and concerns when they are shopping for swimsuits; as long as you find one that makes you feel self-possessed, you are doing swimwear right.

Control With Control

Control panels aren’t inherent style faux pas; in fact, they can do much to improve your comfort and confidence. Because swimwear fabrics tend to be thinner than others, thick control panels can create harsh outlines that bring attention to your most sensitive areas. Therefore, if you do choose to buy a suit with control properties, you should make certain you can’t see the panels while you are enjoying your off-season vacation.

Remember the Power of Colors and Patterns

The cut of your swimsuit shouldn’t be your only consideration. Colors and patterns can do much to hide — or highlight — your insecurities. Generally, older ladies want to stay away from overly youthful hues, like neons, baby pastels, metallics, and stark white. Similarly, jungle florals, psychedelic swirls, and animal prints look out-of-place on mature women. Instead, neutrals and saturated colors tend to be more sophisticated, as do color-blocking patterns, stylized florals, geometric lines and shapes, and paisley whorls. These will smooth your figure and give you a strong and confident look, no matter when or where you swim.