These are my favorite bottoms:
https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=405811022
They cover my butt, do not require waxing, but are form fitting and don't look out of proportion with tops.

I have both swim skirts and the Athleta Surge boyshorts, and they are fine. The challenge with all of these is that when they get wet, they take a long time to dry and cling to your skin.

I wear a thong, it’s a but, I have cellulite, most people do.

Consider a butt lift , did wonders

I like Athleta's "clean full bottom." I have several in solid colors that I mix and match with various tops.

I love the swimshorts from Athleta or Title 9. Don't have to worry about waxing, and they are more comfortable for kayaking, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Skirt suits just scream "I hate my body." They also telegraph that whatever is under the skirt is terrifying, probably worse than what is actually there! Better just to wear a normal suit and work on body acceptance.

NP I’ve never used words like “hate” or “terrifying “ about my own body — or anyone else’s. I’ve been wearing skirt suits with boy shorts for years. My current favorite suit looks like an old school tennis outfit. In my case my suits scream: I’m really here to swim and I refuse to get a bikini wax.

Hope the OP finds something cute that she feels comfortable with.

I'm the OP and I just wanted to say that I think a lot of us have negative feelings about skirt suits because they were popular with our mothers' generation for this age AND a lot of us had moms who hated their bodies. So when I hear "skirt swimsuit" I think of my mom saying mean things about herself and looking miserable at the pool. I don't think it's about the suit itself. What you wear sounds lovely and good for you finding something that feels good.

I am leaning towards a regular one piece but we'll see. I also never get bikini waxes so I need something cut modestly enough to ensure I never have to do more than a quick once over with a bikini trimmer and a razor! I am, to quote an icon, too old for this sh!t.

Anonymous wrote:Skirt suits just scream "I hate my body." They also telegraph that whatever is under the skirt is terrifying, probably worse than what is actually there! Better just to wear a normal suit and work on body acceptance.

NP I’ve never used words like “hate” or “terrifying “ about my own body — or anyone else’s. I’ve been wearing skirt suits with boy shorts for years. My current favorite suit looks like an old school tennis outfit. In my case my suits scream: I’m really here to swim and I refuse to get a bikini wax.

Hope the OP finds something cute that she feels comfortable with.

Skirt suits just scream "I hate my body." They also telegraph that whatever is under the skirt is terrifying, probably worse than what is actually there! Better just to wear a normal suit and work on body acceptance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a problem that can only be solved in your brain.

Well put. You're 50. No one expects you to have a perky rear end.

This. I can not imagine caring. I already know a swim suit is NOT my most flattering piece of clothing. OH WELL. I am here to swim with my kids, saggy tush and all.

Lands' End's lineup is great for this. You can mix and match bottoms and swim shorts and swim skirts of various lengths with tops.

I love boden swimsuits but read the individual reviews for sizing. Some of their suits run insanely small.

Anonymous wrote:OP here and thanks all. I'm liking the Boden suggestion (they have cute swimsuits!) and maybe just a more full coverage bottom or boy shorts. I am long waisted and have never liked how I look in board shorts, even short ones -- from the front it really helps to have something cut higher on the leg.

What do people think about color or pattern? Would you go with a solid color or even a dark neutral color to avoid drawing attention to things, or would a fun print help distract from the stuff I'm less excited about? I'm considering these but wondering if they are too bold and I should look for something more subtle:

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/sorrento-one-shoulder-swimsuit-ivory-abstract-bloom/sty-s0168-flr?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/high-neck-racer-swimsuit-ivory-pineapple-bloom/sty-s0208-mul?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/portofino-cup-size-swimsuit-ivory-moroccan-diamond/sty-s0188-ivo?cat=C1_S2_G17

I like prints because I have a lot of cellulite on my butt. Sold colors in the sunlight seem to show it more, but prints help camouflage it a bit. At least that's what I tell my self-conscious self

Anonymous wrote:OP here and thanks all. I'm liking the Boden suggestion (they have cute swimsuits!) and maybe just a more full coverage bottom or boy shorts. I am long waisted and have never liked how I look in board shorts, even short ones -- from the front it really helps to have something cut higher on the leg.

What do people think about color or pattern? Would you go with a solid color or even a dark neutral color to avoid drawing attention to things, or would a fun print help distract from the stuff I'm less excited about? I'm considering these but wondering if they are too bold and I should look for something more subtle:

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/sorrento-one-shoulder-swimsuit-ivory-abstract-bloom/sty-s0168-flr?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/high-neck-racer-swimsuit-ivory-pineapple-bloom/sty-s0208-mul?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/portofino-cup-size-swimsuit-ivory-moroccan-diamond/sty-s0188-ivo?cat=C1_S2_G17

I am one of the PPs and I feel like this idea of "distraction" is sort of a losing game. We have our bodies. They are are pretty on display in a bathing suit. Wearing a pattern or a solid color - either way you're mostly naked in public! I think just get a suit you like in a style that you feel good in and don't play those self-defeating mental games of "they won't notice my butt if I have on stripes but they will in flowers" or whatever.

Those are all really pretty suits you posted! I think I like the last one best because it's the most unusual one. Be sure to wear lots of sunscreen on your chest if you pick that one. (I live in Florida and have LOTS of sun damage on my chest for all those years of not covering up or sun-screening up well enough.)

OP here and thanks all. I'm liking the Boden suggestion (they have cute swimsuits!) and maybe just a more full coverage bottom or boy shorts. I am long waisted and have never liked how I look in board shorts, even short ones -- from the front it really helps to have something cut higher on the leg.

What do people think about color or pattern? Would you go with a solid color or even a dark neutral color to avoid drawing attention to things, or would a fun print help distract from the stuff I'm less excited about? I'm considering these but wondering if they are too bold and I should look for something more subtle:

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/sorrento-one-shoulder-swimsuit-ivory-abstract-bloom/sty-s0168-flr?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/high-neck-racer-swimsuit-ivory-pineapple-bloom/sty-s0208-mul?cat=C1_S2_G17
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/portofino-cup-size-swimsuit-ivory-moroccan-diamond/sty-s0188-ivo?cat=C1_S2_G17

Anonymous wrote:I'm 49, 115 pounds with a sad butt. I found that boy shorts are the only style that's somewhat flattering on me.

Me too. I’ve had a flat butt my whole life, not just in middle age but I wear the boy shorts.