The 4 Classic Swimsuit Styles Celebs Over 50 Always Wear
Seeing as we're on the heels of Memorial Day Weekend, which everyone recognizes as the unofficial start of summer, we're going to go ahead and call it: Swim season is here, folks! As such, we're narrowing our shopping focus and checking in on 2019's buzziest swimwear trends as well as the most popular celebrity-loved swim brands. We're also reading up on types of swimsuits that people are skipping this summer (because knowing what people aren't wearing is just as useful as knowing what they are wearing).
Now, trend-spotting aside, some women—especially those who are 50 plus—prefer to wear a classic, no-frills and no-fuss swimsuit style, and that's perfectly okay. Everyone deserves to wear a swimsuit that makes them feel confident and comfortable. If it's a classic swimsuit style that does that for you, then you should wear that. Keep scrolling to see the four classic swimsuit styles celebs over 50 always wear (these styles are timeless and foolproof for anyone, regardless of size, style, or age).
1. Classic Triangle Bikini
Let's start with the most classic swimsuit style there is—the triangle bikini. Celebs who are over 50, such as Christie Brinkley, swear by this style because it's both flattering and comfortable.
Brinkley's Instagram is littered with photos of her wearing the classic triangle two-piece. Here she is on vacation in Turks and Caicos sporting a black-and-white triangle bikini top underneath a matching houndstooth rashguard. Is it just us, or is a snorkle the perfect Insta-friendly swim accessory?
Beverly Johnson is another celebrity who abides by the classic triangle two pieces, as seen in this envy-inducing Instagram pic. The only difference between her and Brinkley's triangle bikini is the bottoms. Her's are cut higher on the waist in true '80s fashion (which, by the way, is all the rage right now).
The great part about wearing a classic triangle bikini is that the mixing and matching opportunities are endless. Try pairing a standard black top like this one with high-waisted, ruched, or printed bottoms.
This one is perfect for anyone who wants to wear a triangle bikini, but desires a little more coverage on top. We like this bright red color; it's perfectly eye-catching and summery, like a juicy slice of watermelon or a strawberry daiquiri.
This H&M triangle top is a particularly good choice for mixing and matching since it's only $18 and it comes in eight different colors and prints. Buy multiple versions of it and combine them as you please.
2. One-Piece With a Plunging Neckline
Here, Elizabeth Hurley models another classic swimsuit style that celebs over 50 always wear—the plunging one-piece. This one is particularly popular since it offers more coverage without sacrificing style or sexiness. The plunging neckline draws the eye up to create a slimming silhouette.
The one-piece with a plunging neckline is Salma Hayek's go-to swimsuit style. We like the one she's wearing in this picture. Look closely and you'll see the strappy braided detail across the chest.
The exact swimsuit that Hurley is wearing in her Instagram photo is this plunging sea green one-piece, which happens to belong to her namesake swimwear brand, Elizabeth Hurley Beach.
We love the way this black-and-white swimsuit cinches the waist and the bust for a flattering fit.
This marine blue color is good for those who usually opt for black but want to experiment with color.
3. One-Piece With Cutout Details
Angela Bassett shows us how the beachside Insta picture is done by posing in a strappy cutout suit and matching floppy hat (because protecting your skin from the sun can be chic).
Hurley's take on this trend is to wear a one-shoulder suit that has a cutout detail on the same side as the strap. The proportions are balanced out through the clever use of negative space.
Here's the exact swimsuit Hurley is wearing in her Instagram picture. It's the Meena One Piece from her aforementioned namesake swim brand.
This cutout one-shoulder suit is super similar to Hurley's in all aspects except color. We like this one's canary yellow shade. It gives us a sunny disposition.
Some women are hesitant to showcase their skin in a cutout swimsuit, and that's okay (we say you should wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident). If that's you, know that options exist, like this one-piece, which connects open cutouts with mesh for more coverage.
4. Halterneck Bikini
Here it is—proof that Cindy Crawford, one of the most fashionable women in the world, opts for a classic halterneck bikini. It's all the validation we need.
It makes sense that Crawford would approve of a classic halter neck bikini, seeing as it draws the eye up and flatters a fuller bust and/or broad shoulders.
We think a halter top bikini looks best when it comes in this vintage-looking gingham print.
Or combine the cut-out trend with a traditional halter top by opting for this wine-colored bikini top. It's the best of both worlds.
This twist-front halter top (which is modeled by none other than Ashley Graham) will flatter any body shape or size. We love the twist detail on the matching bottoms as well.
Next up, see the only high-waisted bikinis one fashion editor will ever wear.
Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.
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