Fashion
I still feel sexy and glamorous in a bikini at 61 – people stare but I take care of my body, I won’t stop showing it off
SHARON Stone, 65, caused a sensation last month when she showed off her amazing body in a barely-there green leopard-print bikini on Instagram.
At 61, I am with La Stone. Sensible one-pieces in the swimwear department are not for me — I say “heck no” and grab an armful of DayGlo bikinis.
Kate MulveyKate Mulvey isn’t into covered-up one-piece swimwear and prefers bikinis[/caption]
Instagram/SharonstoneShe has that in common with Sharon Stone, 65, who just posted a bikini selfie on Instagram[/caption]
The season has arrived when middle-aged women turn their thoughts to their beach wardrobes.
The question is not so much jeweled sandals or Havaianas, but that knotty dilemma: What kind of swimwear will it be?
After months of being caged in layers of wool and tights, wearing a bikini is liberating, and makes me feel fun and footloose.
Why should it matter whether I’m 31 or 61?
At the beach or pool, mature women typically wrap themselves in sturdy swimsuits and multi-colored sarongs to cover up any sight of dimpled flesh.
If you dare to bare, you are sent to sunshine Siberia.
This became apparent a few years ago while I was on holiday in Majorca, Spain with my then-fiancé and a few other couples.
As I stepped out in a tiny white bikini, some of the men gawped, and a few of the women — all sensibly covered up — tutted and whispered amongst themselves, seeing it as unbecoming of a woman my age.
Well, I’m sorry if some people think it’s age-inappropriate.
I believe I still look good in a bikini.
Yes, having long legs and being naturally slim is a bonus, but I make an effort with my diet and exercise, so why shouldn’t I showcase my body?
There is nothing more satisfying than lying on a sun lounger and soaking up the hot summer rays.
I love the beach atmosphere, and in a bikini, I feel instantly sexier and more glamorous.
This is not the time to be angsty about bulges and inner thigh wobble.
Kate MulveyKate is used to getting stares and tutting noises of disapproval when she rocks a two-piece[/caption]
Men don’t mind sporting medicine ball-sized stomachs and strolling freely along the shoreline — so why should we?
“There shouldn’t be a cut-off point for any type of fashion for women at any age,” said Sadie Clayton, a London College of Contemporary Arts fashion course director who encourages her students to push boundaries within body shapes and ideals.
“How a woman feels is the most important thing.”
And the fashion for daring to bare is catching on, according to stylist Manisha Sabharwal, who is seeing a huge shift toward body acceptance in older women.
“Choosing to wear a bikini at any age is a visual sign of confidence,” she said. “Choosing to wear one over 60 shows confidence with a side of defiance.”
With that in mind, there are a few simple rules that I swear by.
Kate MulveyKate isn’t into old-fashioned ideas about dressing one’s age and also wears miniskirts[/caption]
DARE TO BARE
Playing it safe with the high-waisted two-piece is aging, in my opinion.
The big bikini pants may cover up the stomach, but they also draw attention to it, showing that you are not body confident.
If you want more cover-up, I would opt for hipster-style fold-over bikini bottoms that don’t dig into the flesh and sit low on the hip.
Side fastenings are also great for adjusting the size.
KEEP THE BIKINI STYLE SIMPLE
No big bows, ruching, or tassels. They look messy and overdone.
Skirts can be a good way to cover up the wobble factor but shorten the leg.
Choose dark colors that are slimming. Brown and black look chic and create a great silhouette.
PICK THE RIGHT SIZE
Take your time and make sure you pick the right size.
Walk around the changing room to see if your bikini is comfortable and doesn’t bag.
One year, deluded that I was still a size small, I ended up with midriff overhang and squelchy back fat — never a good look.
Kate MulveyShe’s happy with how she looks and doesn’t see why she shouldn’t show it off[/caption]
DO SOME PRE-BEACH PREP
While white may be in fashion body-wise, if I am going on summer vacation, I always invest in a spray tan.
It’s usually professionally done — that way you avoid streaking fake tan syndrome.
DIET IS KEY
I don’t believe in starving for the sake of a bikini beach body.
“Tweakments are what it takes”: Ditch the white carbs. Protein is important for those of us over 50 as we make less muscle, and also because it uses more calories to burn off.
I live on a plant-based diet with occasional meat and dairy.
GET IN SOME PRE-TRIP EXERCISE
Find an exercise plan to firm up wobbly thighs and tum, but it doesn’t have to be high-impact: Walking is fine with some at-home free weights to tone arms.
I haven’t stepped foot in a gym for over a decade and keep fit by rushing around.
GET GLAM
Pack a chic cover-up. Floaty kaftans and simple dresses, especially in white, are perfect for the beach bar stroll or a shoreline saunter.
Just avoid anything too garish or Love Island brash.
Pair that with large sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat — the best for keeping the harmful sun’s rays off the face — and a pair of designer flip-flops. It’s beachside Jackie O.
But when it comes down to it, wearing a bikini over 55 is about freedom.
The freedom to be who you want and wear what you want, no matter your age.
Top it all off with a sunny smile and a relaxed stride and you’re on to a win-win.
SHARON Stone, 65, caused a sensation last month when she showed off her amazing body in a barely-there green leopard-print bikini on Instagram.
At 61, I am with La Stone. Sensible one-pieces in the swimwear department are not for me — I say “heck no” and grab an armful of DayGlo bikinis.
Kate MulveyKate Mulvey isn’t into covered-up one-piece swimwear and prefers bikinis[/caption]
Instagram/SharonstoneShe has that in common with Sharon Stone, 65, who just posted a bikini selfie on Instagram[/caption]
The season has arrived when middle-aged women turn their thoughts to their beach wardrobes.
The question is not so much jeweled sandals or Havaianas, but that knotty dilemma: What kind of swimwear will it be?
After months of being caged in layers of wool and tights, wearing a bikini is liberating, and makes me feel fun and footloose.
Why should it matter whether I’m 31 or 61?
At the beach or pool, mature women typically wrap themselves in sturdy swimsuits and multi-colored sarongs to cover up any sight of dimpled flesh.
If you dare to bare, you are sent to sunshine Siberia.
This became apparent a few years ago while I was on holiday in Majorca, Spain with my then-fiancé and a few other couples.
As I stepped out in a tiny white bikini, some of the men gawped, and a few of the women — all sensibly covered up — tutted and whispered amongst themselves, seeing it as unbecoming of a woman my age.
Well, I’m sorry if some people think it’s age-inappropriate.
I believe I still look good in a bikini.
Yes, having long legs and being naturally slim is a bonus, but I make an effort with my diet and exercise, so why shouldn’t I showcase my body?
There is nothing more satisfying than lying on a sun lounger and soaking up the hot summer rays.
I love the beach atmosphere, and in a bikini, I feel instantly sexier and more glamorous.
This is not the time to be angsty about bulges and inner thigh wobble.
Kate MulveyKate is used to getting stares and tutting noises of disapproval when she rocks a two-piece[/caption]
Men don’t mind sporting medicine ball-sized stomachs and strolling freely along the shoreline — so why should we?
“There shouldn’t be a cut-off point for any type of fashion for women at any age,” said Sadie Clayton, a London College of Contemporary Arts fashion course director who encourages her students to push boundaries within body shapes and ideals.
“How a woman feels is the most important thing.”
And the fashion for daring to bare is catching on, according to stylist Manisha Sabharwal, who is seeing a huge shift toward body acceptance in older women.
“Choosing to wear a bikini at any age is a visual sign of confidence,” she said. “Choosing to wear one over 60 shows confidence with a side of defiance.”
With that in mind, there are a few simple rules that I swear by.
Kate MulveyKate isn’t into old-fashioned ideas about dressing one’s age and also wears miniskirts[/caption]
DARE TO BARE
Playing it safe with the high-waisted two-piece is aging, in my opinion.
The big bikini pants may cover up the stomach, but they also draw attention to it, showing that you are not body confident.
If you want more cover-up, I would opt for hipster-style fold-over bikini bottoms that don’t dig into the flesh and sit low on the hip.
Side fastenings are also great for adjusting the size.
KEEP THE BIKINI STYLE SIMPLE
No big bows, ruching, or tassels. They look messy and overdone.
Skirts can be a good way to cover up the wobble factor but shorten the leg.
Choose dark colors that are slimming. Brown and black look chic and create a great silhouette.
PICK THE RIGHT SIZE
Take your time and make sure you pick the right size.
Walk around the changing room to see if your bikini is comfortable and doesn’t bag.
One year, deluded that I was still a size small, I ended up with midriff overhang and squelchy back fat — never a good look.
Kate MulveyShe’s happy with how she looks and doesn’t see why she shouldn’t show it off[/caption]
DO SOME PRE-BEACH PREP
While white may be in fashion body-wise, if I am going on summer vacation, I always invest in a spray tan.
It’s usually professionally done — that way you avoid streaking fake tan syndrome.
DIET IS KEY
I don’t believe in starving for the sake of a bikini beach body.
“Tweakments are what it takes”: Ditch the white carbs. Protein is important for those of us over 50 as we make less muscle, and also because it uses more calories to burn off.
I live on a plant-based diet with occasional meat and dairy.
GET IN SOME PRE-TRIP EXERCISE
Find an exercise plan to firm up wobbly thighs and tum, but it doesn’t have to be high-impact: Walking is fine with some at-home free weights to tone arms.
I haven’t stepped foot in a gym for over a decade and keep fit by rushing around.
GET GLAM
Pack a chic cover-up. Floaty kaftans and simple dresses, especially in white, are perfect for the beach bar stroll or a shoreline saunter.
Just avoid anything too garish or Love Island brash.
Pair that with large sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat — the best for keeping the harmful sun’s rays off the face — and a pair of designer flip-flops. It’s beachside Jackie O.
But when it comes down to it, wearing a bikini over 55 is about freedom.
The freedom to be who you want and wear what you want, no matter your age.
Top it all off with a sunny smile and a relaxed stride and you’re on to a win-win.
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