Aerie swimwear has become totes popular over the last few years (especially this strappy adjustable one-piece everyone loves) and while they do still make great options for the younger crowd, y’all, spoiler alert: people 40+ can also rock them! (And I don’t mean in a borrowed-from-my-daughter kind of way.)
Aerie Has Cute Swimsuits (Yes, Even For Women Over 40)
Aerie has some legit cute suits and as they’ve expanded the representation on their site over the last couple of years, their styles seem to extend to a wider age range, as well. Hooray! Because I am never one to ‘dress my age’ anyway, I say wear what you want, ladies and folx. Oh, and their price point of under $55 full price, under $40 on sale, can’t be beat!
Aerie Strappy Back One-Piece Swimsuit (m) | Birkenstocks
Also of note, this is already my second swimsuit try-on session of the year. I must be really dreaming of that warm weather vacation (and this is saying a lot coming from the girl who wants to retire to Scotland) or I must just be a glutton for punishment. One of the two…but alas, I love this job, and I love, love providing hopefully good info for y’all as you tackle online swimsuit ordering this year…so here we go!
Top (m) | Bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
Aerie Has Cute Swimwear For A Range Of Sizes & Ages
While I love the model representation on the site, I do wish their swimwear featured inclusive sizing. Right now, their sizes do range XXS – XXL, but that is not true extended sizing. I also noticed that not all styles of their swim tops are suitable for larger chests when it comes to lift and support and, in general, I’d size up in the tops. I’m a 32DD, and in Athleta I’m a Small or Small D/DD, but definitely a Medium at Aerie. The bottoms, for the most part, seem true to size (I’m usually a Medium in most brands).
Aerie One-Piece Swimsuits
I’m not typically a fan of how one-pieces smush my chest, but I was pleasantly surprised by how the Aerie suits did not!
The Popular Aerie Strappy Back One Piece
Aerie Strappy Back One-Piece Swimsuit (m) | Birkenstocks
This is what drew me to Aerie swimsuits in the first place. This amazing one-piece gets a ton of great reviews. I think Scotti has it from a few years ago, and I think every time I stumble onto Ae.com I look at it. It was time to order!
I tried it both in Small & Medium. I’m always Medium in bottoms and typically Small in swim tops, so one-pieces are often tough to fit for me. Also, I have a chest that isn’t huge, but definitely needs support at a 32DD. One-pieces so often just flatten my chest, and as I mentioned in the Athleta swim try-on post, that is not what I’m going for. Give me a good halter style top or a bra-sized top, usually.
Aerie Strappy Back One-Piece Swimsuit (s) | Birkenstocks
Aerie Strappy Back One-Piece Swimsuit (m) | Birkenstocks
The Wrap One-Piece
Aerie Leopard Wrap One-Piece (m) | Birkenstocks
This wrap one-piece gets good reviews, too, and looked so cute on the site, so I had to try. I love the leopard one, but I will say the wrap/tie is a little uncomfortable around my middle. Perhaps it’s because that’s where I carry my weight or because I have a shorter torso? I think this might be better on people with a smaller waist, perhaps. Or who are more used to tying things? Haha, I have no idea. The shape is super cute overall, though. It is a true-wrap, so you do want to be confident in your tying skills or there might be a surprise at the pool…
Aerie Wrap One-Piece Solid Colors (M) | Birkenstocks
The (Revealing) Plunge One Piece
Aerie Plunge One Piece (s) | Birkenstocks
OK, so this deep V plunge suit was totally out of my comfort zone, but mostly because I think you really need to be taller for this one. The straps felt like they were definitely going to fall down with one wrong move. Or breath. Haha. Better for the taller of torso. Too glam for my liking, but you rock this if it’s your style. Just maybe this is only for sunbathing. K.
Aerie Two-Piece Separates & Bikinis
For some reason I was, idk, sleepy? Buzzed? Quarantine-brained? When I placed this order? So I missed a few actual matching sets. I remember Jennifer Anniston saying years ago that she always mixes her bikinis, so we’ll just say…same here, Jen Anniston.
Scalloped One Shoulder Top & Scalloped High-Rise Bottoms
Waffle Scalloped One Shoulder Top (M-left // S-right) | Waffle Scalloped High Waisted Bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
The first few suits I did manage to match up, and they’re definitely my favorite separates! SO, so cute. You can see what I mean about the top sizing here, though. On the left, I’m wearing a Medium. On the right, in blue, I’m wearing a Small. It squished me a ton and was not long enough in length. The Medium top is great and one that I’m keeping. I’m wearing my true size in all the bottoms. The fabric is a nice thicker waffle fabric that feels substantial but still soft. I’m really impressed! The bottoms are sliiightly less coverage in the back, but a level that I’ve become comfortable with over the past two years. It’s actually wound up looking more flattering than when I stick to a full coverage bottom. I know! I was surprised, too! Give them a try if you haven’t yet.
Waffle Scalloped One Shoulder Top (m) | Waffle Scalloped High Waisted Bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
Ruffle Longline Top & Bikini Bottoms
Aerie Red Ruffle Longline Scoop Top (s) | Bikini bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
The sizing issue in this bikini top isn’t as apparent in photos, but it also felt a little small. I’m not sure it would provide quite the lift I require in a top, even if I sized up. It’s so so cute, and even though I’m not typically a ruffles gal, I am very much a fan of this red-orange shade for myself. So good; I wish I had ordered more in this color! The bottoms are a typical bikini fit, and they’re just not my jam right now compared to high-waisted bottoms.
The One Where Things Get A Little TOO Cheeky
Waffle Scalloped One Shoulder Top (s) | Cheeky High Cut Bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
Whoa. With this bikini, all I can hear in my head is Simon saying “cheeky monkey” “bum looker” hahaha. My body is too bootylicious for myself in these. But again, if this is your style, go for it. The stripes are adorbs, and a summer in Spain in college taught me just how reserved we are here. Do your thing. Wear whatever the heck swimsuit you feel good in, friends. This was just a leetle beyond my comfort zone. The rise on these is great, though, and super comfy. The top again was too small, but not see-thru as some white swimwear can be. I do love the combo! (I had trouble finding the matching striped top on the website.)
Ribbed Longline Scoop Top & High-Waisted Bottoms
Ribbed Longline top (s) | High Waisted Bottoms (m) | Birkenstocks
I ordered two of this bikini top. In the same color, same size. See what I mean that I don’t know what happened with ordering? Haha. Regardless, both were too small but these bottoms are great. I preferred the slightly thicker fabric of the Waffle Scalloped bottoms, but if you’re not into the scallops, these. The longline tops are a little too long for my shorter torso and for me would be better paired with a non-high rise bottom. But this set in the right size on a little longer torso would be so comfy and fabulous.
Shop My Fav Aerie Swimsuits
xo,
L
Hey hey…would love you to follow all my daily style musings, donut pics and dance parties over on Instagram @laurajansenstyle. I try to keep it real over there, with a side of fun and a good dose of social justice…coming at you live, from sunny Portland, Oregon. 😉
Thank you for doing this important work! Swimsuits are tough. We booked a trip to Hawaii at the end of September for our 11 year anniversary (10 year trip didn’t end up happening, thanks covid) and I am itching to buy some new swimwear.
Ah happy anniversary! We also had to skip on our planned trip for our 10 year last year last fall. I hope you have a wonderful time! And thanks so much for the supportive comment!
I’m so glad you did this! I’ve been wondering about Aerie swimsuits and you’ve convinced me to give them a try!
Thanks, Danielle! I hope you find some you like, too!
I had the strappy back one piece in two colors and loved them, but I grabbed the ribbed tie back one piece recently and love it more! I find it more supportive and more flattering from the sides and back. Try it! https://www.ae.com/us/en/p/aerie/one-piece-swimsuits/scoop-one-piece-swimsuits/aerie-ribbed-tie-back-one-piece-swimsuit/0751_2640_073?ip=off&menu=cat4840006&cid=PLA_Aerie_Brand_Womens_Swim&gclid=Cj0KCQjwutaCBhDfARIsAJHWnHvNv3dfrmCEZtOHdezU1xAeBTa6TqBuaEXgOtSFDImjPY01Gxs5c6waArEGEALw_wcB
I want a 2 piece so bad…..I’m scared lol. All of those suits look great on you, I really loved the green one piece and the ruffle suit. It would be so hard to pick! Thank you for this!
Love this, especially that you shared the ones you didn’t love (and facial expressions to show us how you really feel). Your my fave swimsuit model. xx
Love all of these on you! I ended up getting the ribbed high waist bottoms and top where you can take straps off in black super comfortable and I appreciate all your hard work!☆☆☆ Thank you!