Colorful Bathing Suits for Women Over 50 From Nordstrom
Bathing suit shopping strikes terror into all but the bravest women, and shopping for them in a tiny dressing room with bad lighting doesn’t make it any more appealing. I wanted to see what was new, so I buried my pride and took one for the team to show you some colorful bathing suits for women over 50 from Nordstrom.
The sizes I’m showing are all over the map because I tried on whatever I could find. I’m 5’4″ and weigh around 140 pounds with broad shoulders and straight hips.
This La Blanca Coastal Belted Stripe One-Piece swimsuit is such a fun color combination. The belt is removable, but honestly, why would you want to? It’s very stretchy and adds a fun touch with the contrast striping. It has modest back coverage and is lined with soft, removable cups. I love La Blanca swimsuits because they use quality fabrics that hold up year after year. This size 8 is snug, so it seems to run true to size because I usually wear a size 10 in swimsuits.
If you’re shopping for a swimsuit and these don’t strike your fancy, have a look at my 2026 Complete Swimsuit Guide for Women Over 60
This Amy Rib One-Piece Swimsuit by Robin Piccone also has moderate back coverage and a snap-up front you can customize for your shape. The fabric is a rib material that doesn’t cling any more than a regular fabric. I’m wearing the dragon fruit color, and it’s also available in 3 other neutrals. This is fully lined with removable cups and comes in sizes 2-14. The halter effect of the straps is a nice proportion on broad shoulders.
Here’s the La Blanca Island Goddess suit, a favorite with me and many other women. It comes in 17 colors, I’m wearing sky. The front shirring flatters your waistline, and I find it helps camouflage your tummy. The straps are adjustable, and it is lined with soft, removable cups. The legs are also a modest height, elongating the look of your legs without showing your hip bones.
This Becca Modern Edge One-Piece Swimsuit has a bit less coverage than the others but is still fairly modest. It comes in this color or sky blue and is lined. It ties in the back with a keyhole opening that isn’t too bare. This is sized S, M, L, and I probably could have worn the medium. The contrast banding adds a nice detail.
This La Blanca Modern Tie Neck Tankini is the only tankini I found in the store. It’s fully lined with soft removable cups and ties to adjust at the front and sides of the bottom. I’m a big fan of tankinis because they make bathroom breaks so much easier. This exuberant pattern is one of the more effective ways to hide lumps and bumps.
The coordinating Modern CoverUp Dress is maxi-length and could be worn with or without a pool nearby. It has a drawstring waist, side pockets, and pom-pom trim along the sleeves and bodice.
These swimsuits are both by Ralph Lauren. I put them side by side to show you the differences.
On the left is the Martinique One-Piece Swimsuit, which comes in 4 colors. I found the leg height a bit lower than the suit on the right, and the slightly wider straps are helpful if you have a larger bust.
On the right is the Kennedy Low Back One-Piece, which has narrower straps and a slightly higher-cut leg. It comes in 4 colors. They describe this one as having a low back, but on me, it was about the same as the blue swimsuit. Both felt quite modest and had removable soft cups.
This Lands’ End Tugless Suit comes in 21 colors or patterns, available in petite, regular, and tall sizes. I like the optical illusion this print creates, which visually slims your torso.
This Lands’ End SlenderSuit Wrap One Piece Swimsuit has a very nice design in UPF 50 fabric with a special spandex that lasts 10X longer than suits made with regular spandex. This comes in lots of colors and patterns, many of which are on sale and are also in petite, regular, and tall.
This Sea Level Cross Front Suit has front shirring, a powermesh lining, and full coverage in the back. The surplice V-neck gives nice shaping and holds everything in place. This comes in five colors up to size 16.
This Miracle Suit Escape One-Piece Swimsuit is lined and has underwire cups for extra support. The fabrics of these suits are strong and stretchy to hold everything in. This comes in three colors, sizes 16W-24W.
What is your favorite brand of swimsuits? I’d love to hear!
Jennifer you really look great in all the suits. I found a dress top with separate under pants so that the top of my wrinkled legs are covered. Thank you for modeling the suits
Really cute, fun swimsuits! Please include some skirted and swim dress styles next time for those of us that need a little coverage over our leg tops.
There are none in my store but I will link some.
Please do your next swim suit try-on/review showing tankinis for women over 50! I won’t buy a swimsuit anymore that isn’t one. Nothing worse than pulling down a wet one piece bathing suit when you need to use the restroom and then trying to pull it back up over you when done and struggling for what seems like half an hour to get everything back in place! Tankinis are so much easier! Just pull down the bottoms, pull them back up and you’re done! Tankini tops also look great with a skirted bottom, which help to hide those buns that have decided to head south indefinitely! Thanks!
I tried on the only tankini in the store. I love them too but most are online.
That striped swimsuit you tried on I thought was so cute on you!!!
Just catching-up on my inbox & read your swimsuit post. Kudos to you for doing something so difficult for us, your loyal readers! I think you look great in every one you shared with us. I bought 2 new suits last year & it was difficult but I finally admitted I needed a skirt on the suit to hide my thighs. Found a beautifully-cut black one from Lands End & i manage to feel almost elegant when I wear it! Thanks for all your advice & suggestions which I SO appreciate!
Lands’ End makes wonderful suits.
I think you look great in all. Thank you for showing them to us. I am a young eighty (???) and not that brave. Follow you every day.
you are super brave!!!
trying on swimsuits is the worst- lol
I really think you look great in the coral shaped suits if you are in the market to buy one this year
Thanks for all you do for us ladies over 50
I’m very petite and love a tankini. The problem is trying to find one in petite sizing. It seems that regular sizing would work but many of the tops are so long they cover the entire bottom. Just wondering if any other petites have this problem. I haven’t had the guts to buy a swimsuit in about 15 years!!
Love the light blue one on you! Looks great!!
Thank you for trying on these bathing suits. Very daring of you! The first one, La Blanca Coastal, look so fun. If I needed a suit, I would run out and try it on, though I am uncertain about the yellow color. I have tried on both of the Lands End suits and I know I purchased one of them. after spending half an hour trying to decide. Lands End offers most of their one-piece suits in petite sizes. The Tugless suits are great as they cover your bottom. Again, thank you for modeling so many suits.
My pleasure Elizabeth.
Fabulous swimsuit post! And you look absolutely fabulous in all!
Thanks
You look great in every selection, and I love the yellow-striped suit with the belt. So cheery, summery and flattering on you! I like the idea of one of the readers who suggested a bikini top and sun shirt with board shorts (could also be a swim mini-skirt). Thanks for showing so many good options!
That suit was just so cheery!
My gosh… you look fantastic in every suit you modeled. What I wouldn’t give to have your broad shoulders and narrow hips. I’m the exact opposite- narrow shoulders and broad hips, and trust me….Be thankful for your beautiful figure! Not only are you brave to model swimsuits – you are beautiful.
You are so sweet, thank you Kathy.
You are so brave to model some wonderful swimsuits from Nordstrom’s. Thank you. I also like the flutter sleeve swimsuits from Anne Cole. Her colors are vibrant and exactly as shown on her website. The flutter cap sleeve and zip front cover up quite a few flaws. Plus the zip front protects my chest from the sun.
I think it’s very smart to cover the chest. Sunscreen can only do so much.
That blue swimsuit you tried on looks fabulous on you! I hope you bought it!!
I am thinking about it. My husband liked it on me too.
You look great in a swimsuit! The two standouts on you, in my opinion, are the torquoise one and the coral one with the key hole front. I need a good suit for water aerobics. Maybe the Land’s end Tugless suit?
I would go Tugless for swimming. Great choice.
I just bought a lands End suit from Costco….love it…..and no drama! Just got two sizes and the kept the one that fit best. Of course I tried on a bunch and then returned them before I found the Lands End one
You look great in all of these swimsuits! I’d love to know your secret for no belly fat. It’s my biggest weakness. My favorite suits are tankinis for ease of using the bathroom.
You are looking at me straight on…it doesn’t show that way 🙂 I’ve also stuck with my pilates and changed my eatting habits.
Wait till you hit the 80’s . You still want to enjoy the beach but with 3 surgeries in one year and friends with cancer,Parkinson’s , other medical problems, you’re just happy you can get in the beach with your walker . Looking great in a bathing suit is not your top priority. Enjoying the time you have left is. It happens very quickly so just enjoy it!
All of the suits look good on you! But I’m a sucker for a tankini and a floral pattern, so that one wins for me.
I like tankinis too
I haven’t needed a swimsuit in years but if I suddenly needed one, I do have a two piece from LandsEnd. The yellow stripe one is very cute and the floral tankini is cute on you especially with that gorgeous coverup dress that matches. You still look great in a swimsuit Jennifer, nothing to hide.
I like a two piece swimsuit. Would love to see what’s new and how they look on an over 50 woman of your size and shape. Fingers crossed and hoping for a Part 2 on your swimsuit post.
Oh boy…I will try but no promises.
I like to wear LandsEnd swim shorts and long sleeve rash guards. I also have a LaBlanca zip-front rash guard that I love and it matches all my swim shorts. Jennifer, you look great in all these swimsuits! Particularly the Beca Modern and the LaBlanca Island Goddess.
I’m going to invest in a few rash guards. I think they’re a brilliant idea.
I always love Lands End tankinis- they used to make them with a slimming piece that was hidden under the fabric of the main suit. I have several that have lasted for years. I don’t think they make them anymore. 😢
At age 80 there are lots of problem areas I deal with. The biggest concern to me is my upper arms.
Lands End makes a UPF elbow sleeve top and a matching bottom in various styles that allow me to feel confident.
Also thanks to you I discovered the Westmore body coverage. It covers the many bruises and brown spots on my legs without giving me an artificial tan.
I love the products you’ve introduced me to.
That body makeup is magic, I agree.
The floral print with the matching dress is gorgeous!
As I’ve stepped fully into my Wise Woman Era, I just don’t want that much of myself on display or exposed to the sun. (My dermatologist concurs!!) For the past few summers I’ve worn Lands End board shorts with a bikini bra top and a long sleeve rash guard. Fantastic for snorkeling and diving or splashing with the grandkids. LE has an amazing collection of colors and patterns and their suits hold up well through several seasons. They are also budget friendly, especially during end of season clearance sales.
I highly recommend and hope this helps other readers looking for even more coverage and less scolding from their dermatologists! 😉
I hear you Angela, and I have to admit, I agree with you, and my wise woman eras is so enjoyable to explore. I’m very modest and the older I get the less I want to be on display.
I have worn the Miracle suit for many years and loved them. After my DMX with reconstruction it didn’t work as well for me. Currently I have 2 suits from Land End. Both have tummy control. You look fabulous in all the suits. We have the same stats but those wide shoulders really work for you.
I’m a big fan of the fit of Lands’ End Suits.
You look amazing in any swimsuit!!
Thanks so much. You didn’t see the disasters. Some only made it as far up as my knees before I knew they were a failure.
Jennifer, you look fabulous in all of the bathing suits! I especially love the Robin Piccone suit and the Becca Modern-Edge Swimsuit on you! This is such a timely post, as I have finally decided (at 71 years of age) to wear a bathing suit again this year. It’s been a very long time since I have even contemplated wearing one. You have truly inspired me to go ahead and purchase one or two that I have been thinking about. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there for your subscribers. You really look fabulous in all of them! Happy 4th of July!
I’m so happy this helped. A fresh new swimsuit is fun. Go for it Carolyn.
You look fantastic in all these swimsuits! Thanks so much for modelling them for us!
Do you have a link for the earrings you are wearing in the photos. They are really pretty.
Yes, I love these earrings!
Can you refer me to your previous posts on hair thinning? Have you tried Minoxidil?
I have several posts in hair thinning and yes, I’m on oral Minoxidil now. Thinning Hair After 50: Here’s What Really Helps
Thank you for doing that
You look amazing
Thanks
All these swim suits look great on you. Honestly you could wear any one of those. I don’t have a favorite brand because I haven’t bought one in years. We used to have a pool and I had many cute suits but I really haven’t needed one since. The La Bianca shirred front blue suit was my favorite on you. That would be the brand I would look for.
I seldom go in a pool or the water so I don’t need many. I like that one too.
You have nothing to worry about! You look great in every single one of these!
Bathing suits are a necessary evil, for sure, but Jennifer, you look great in all of them! I like LaBlanca and Gottex suits. I also have several J. Crew bandeau style suits. Surprisingly, the shirred front hides a tummy bulge and the backside coverage is adequate. I buy them when they’re on sale and they come in fun prints and solids. Happy summer!!
I’ll have to try some from J Crew.
Good morning! May I say that you looked fabulous in all of the bathing suits you showed. We should all be so lucky. Have a great day!
You’re sweet. Thanks Violet.
Jennifer, you look fantastic in all of these suits, hope you bought one or two. I love your candor in your blog and applaud your confidence and courage in posting these!
Thanks, Gina. It took some courage to post these because I’m pretty modest.
I love all the suits you modeled. My favorite suit is a pair of black swim shorts with a bright patterned tankini top with a higher neckline and a sport style back. I always feel confident and covered but still beachy if that makes sense. No spilling out of my top when I bend over and no tugging at my bottom every time I move makes it easier to chase after the GRANDS at the beach or pool without putting on show lol 😆
That makes total sense to me! I like suits with high necklines to protect my chest from the sun.
You look fabulous!
Thanks Brenda.
Just for the record, you look fantastic. I thought you should know.
Thanks Julie.