How to Bare Your Body With Confidence This Summer

Not big on showing skin? Ease your way in with breezy clothes and body makeup

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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Published May 16, 2024

A closeup of bare feet walking on the sand at the beach with the sun shining in the background

Getty Images

Are your responses to pool party invites and days at the beach a panicky “no thanks”? Do you look longingly at shorts, sleeveless tops and breezy sundresses and pass them by? When was the last time you went bare-legged or sleeveless … in public? Many mature women approach summer’s gloriously sunny days, heat and humidity with major fashion anxiety. The idea of exposing our 50-plus birthday suit — leg veins, jiggly upper arms and all — to anyone but the mirror, a significant other or doctor, pushes every stress button! Here are six ways to get over it and get in on the fun again.

(Left to right) A New Day Women’s Maxi Jumpsuit in Black; Chico’s Zenergy UPF Knit Stripe Ruffle Sleeve Polo Dress in Classic Navy

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Target; Chico's)

1. Break out of your rut

Somewhere along the way to 50 we sign a mental nondisclosure agreement with our newly aging body. Some women decide to never wear anything sleeveless, others to skip skirts and hide their legs in pants, while yet a third group ban their flabby arms and veiny legs from the light of day forever. As a beauty and fashion editor who has dressed thousands of mature women and celebs for photo shoots, let me reassure you: We all have something to cheer about — and something to hide. Even firm, toned skin can have lots of discolorations; almost everyone has one body spot that jiggles, wobbles or makes them cringe. A combo of strategic body-baring clothes, self-tanner and body makeup can make all the difference.

To get started, choose one body zone — top or bottom — as your designated beginner show-off spot. Dresses and jumpsuits like the A New Day Women’s Maxi Jumpsuit in Black ($40, target.com) and the Chico’s Zenergy UPF Knit Stripe Ruffle Sleeve Polo Dress in Classic Navy ($109, chicos.com) let you get used to bareness by playing hide-and-seek with discretion and style. You might choose a knee-length, leg-baring dress with elbow-length sleeves or opt for a sleeveless midi or jumpsuit. Take it from there.

Quince Organic Cotton Micro-Rib Elbow Sleeve Tee in White or Heather Grey

Quince Organic Cotton Micro-Rib Elbow Sleeve Tee in White (left) or Heather Grey (right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Quince (2))

2. Reveal more skin gradually

Let’s be realistic. Going from a long-sleeve turtleneck, flared jeans and ankle boots to a bare-legged sundress and sandals is tough. Suddenly you’re showing the world all the stuff you’ve become so good at hiding. Give your body and psyche a break and expose more skin in increments. Start choosing everyday basics that are chiseled at body boundary lines like the neckline, wrists and hemline. Opt for three-quarter, extended-shoulder cap or elbow-length sleeves like the Quince Organic Cotton Micro-Rib Elbow Sleeve Tee in White or Heather Grey ($20, quince.com); V, scoop, boatneck and off-the-shoulder styles (we all have great shoulders!); cropped pants and midi skirts and dresses that highlight the lower leg. An added benefit: regardless of size or shape you’ll be displaying the trimmest parts of your body!

(Left to right) Tanologist Daily Glow Hydrating Lotion; Nakery Beauty Endless Bronze Bronzing Blur Perfector

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: CVS; NAKERY BEAUTY)

3. Make self-tanner a seasonal habit

Using a gradual self-tanner/moisturizer blurs discolorations and provides a more even allover look by bumping up your “background” skin tone for less contrast. It also provides a healthy boost for newly revealed skin that seems too pale, ashy, sallow, dull or reddened. Though easy to incorporate into any daily regimen, gradual self-tanner requires a commitment to self-tan all your exposed skin. Otherwise, you could end up with darker “tanned” legs and oddly mismatched paler arms, chest and face. A gradual self-tanner in cream like the Tanologist Daily Glow Hydrating Lotion ($14, cvs.com) or drop form (you add the latter to your usual body lotion) helps you control depth of color and ease into a personalized sun-warmed look that works with your skin tone. A regular self-tanner provides more instant allover depth of color in about four to six hours for a beach-tan effect and is a once-a-week deal. Be sure to apply either one more sparingly on elbows, knees, ankles and backs of hands, where color intensifies. If you want something more temporary, try the Nakery Beauty Endless Bronze Bronzing Blur Perfector ($40, nakerybeauty.com) that will add a golden glow and can be removed with soap and water.

(Left to right) J.Jill Cotton-Gauze Ruffled Wrap Skirt in Black; Illysa Espadrille Sandals - Linen in Natural

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: J.Jill; Talbots)

4. Loosen up on fit

Exposing more skin gets even easier when clothes flow, drape, wrap, billow or just give your body some breathing space. Look for relaxed, loose and oversized silhouettes like the so-called “boyfriend” shirt, roomy popover tops and wide sleeves and wide-leg pants and skirts like the J.Jill Cotton-Gauze Ruffled Wrap Skirt in Black ($69, jjill.com) in lightweight fabrics like gauze and linen. These float over the skin, work like air-conditioning to cool you down and complement extra curves and pounds. Start wearing open shoes too. Sure, you love ballet flats, loafers and sneakers but open espadrilles like Illysa Espadrille Sandals - Linen in Natural ($100, talbots.com), mules and slides breathe. All these suggestions offer a way to get physically and mentally comfy with the sensation of air, sunny warmth and the freedom of baring more skin.

Old Navy Snug Crop Tank Top in Black Jack; Roaman’s Women’s Plus Size Soft Knit Bermuda Short in Navy; Summersalt The Silky Luxe Beach to Brunch Wrap Skirt in Radiant Floral in Deep Sea

(Left to right) Old Navy Snug Crop Tank Top in Black Jack; Roaman’s Women’s Plus Size Soft Knit Bermuda Short in Navy; Summersalt The Silky Luxe Beach to Brunch Wrap Skirt in Radiant Floral in Deep Sea

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Old Navy; Target; Summersalt)

5. Make your own version of shorts and a tank

This sort of skimpy combo still defines summer casual. Unfortunately it’s also the seasonal duo that stresses out mature women the most. Can we actually wear these items unselfconsciously at 50? 60? 70? Sure, but be selective. There are plenty of wide-leg culottes, cargos and long Bermuda shorts like the Roaman’s Women’s Plus Size Soft Knit Bermuda Short in Navy or New Khaki ($27, target.com) that offer a compromise — bare lower leg, coverage for thighs. Just skip right past shorts with tiny 3½-, 4-, 5- or even 8-inch inseams. Like miniskirts, they’ll ride up to look even shorter when you sit. Pair your choice of shorts with a flattering cutaway tank like the Old Navy Snug Crop Tank Top in Black Jack ($10, oldnavy.gap.com). This style features a high neck and sculpted, indented armholes that visually extend the upper arms and slim them (so much more flattering than skinny-strap cami styles and tanks with plunging necklines). Just be sure you wear a T-back or racerback bra to avoid strap-show. Just hate shorts and want substitutes that’ll look cool and casual for the pool, beach or barbecue? Check out wrap skirts designed as beach coverups like the Summersalt The Silky Luxe Beach to Brunch Wrap Skirt in Radiant Floral in Deep Sea ($80, summersalt.com). They have a contemporary vibe, look perfect with those cutaway tanks or white tees and sandals and make a cool swap for shorts at the beach, pool or barbecue.

(Left to right) Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup in 70W Deep Golden, 45W Tan Honey and 0N Fair Nude

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ulta (3))

6. Learn to use body makeup

Many women think of full-coverage makeup as too messy and risky for regular wear. Guess again. Celebs use it all the time for photo shoots, film and TV. These formulas are designed to resist heat, humidity, sweat, water and transference to clothes, furniture cushions and car seats. Beware, though: Face makeup touted as sweat-resistant, long wear or full-coverage is not the same thing! The new, improved formulas like the Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup ($40, ulta.com) and Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup ($14, walmart.com) stay put until you remove them with a makeup wipe or soap and water and come in a diverse range of skin tones. Some are bronze tints that blur discolorations, others hide leg veins, broken capillaries, brown spots, bruises and any skin condition that affects pigmentation. Some women like the speed of a spray-on but I find skin-tone creams, liquids and bronze-y gel serums easier to control (full disclosure: I have learned this the hard way with a chronic skin condition on my legs!). The bronze tints get smoothed on like moisturizer for an allover glow, but skin-tone makeup can be applied only where needed (for example, maybe on the front but not back of your legs). Use a makeup sponge to dab on makeup (known as stippling) and blend it, working in thin layers to build coverage. You can also use these products very effectively on your chest, neck and back to cover dark spots. Be sure to groom your legs for show time. You don’t need supermodel gams, but you do need to shave, exfoliate and moisturize them. Keep it sleek and chic!

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.

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