It’s the trend celebs love… and it promises to cover up bingo wings at the beach: Hurrah! Swimmers with sleeves
- Nicole Kidman donned a white long-sleeved swimsuit in her new TV drama
- Trend has also been spotted on model Elle Macpherson, 57, and India Hicks, 53
- Melissa Odabash says style flatters your curves while hiding personal flaws
Seeing the incredibly beautiful Nicole Kidman in a white long-sleeved swimsuit in her new TV drama Nine Perfect Strangers was delightful.
Posing in front of a lush pool, her lovely long legs are shown off to perfection. Yet her flawless alabaster arms and upper body are protected from the sun. She looks sexy, sophisticated, serene.
Hers is an image that perfectly illustrates why long-sleeved swimming costumes (or ‘sleeving’ costumes) are so on trend, especially for mature women such as 54-year-old Nicole, and fellow fans like model Elle Macpherson, 57, and designer India Hicks, 53.
Swimwear designer Melissa Odabash, explores the long-sleeved swimsuit trend. PICTURED: Elle Macpherson, 57 Abysse Billie open-back, tie‑neck swimsuit
Amanda Holden, 50 Melissa Odabash long-sleeved Cali mosaic top and matching bottoms
LEFT: Charlize Theron, 46 Looking great in a blue sky and waves print costume RIGHT: India Hicks, 53 Emilia Wickstead Noor green and white print
It’s a look that’s covered yet sexy, the fabric flattering your curves and elongating your arms, while hiding personal flaws — perceived or real.
As a swimwear designer of more than 20 years and a former beachwear model myself, I’ve always included this long-sleeved style in my tankini collections because I know how good women look and feel in it. They compliment a feminine figure. And when I release my latest Sports Luxe collection next year, there’ll be a new, long-sleeved swimsuit in it.
Thanks to Nicole and countless other female celebrities who are fans, enthusiasm for this look is set to grow.
What’s not to love about a costume that cleverly holds you in in all the right places, while hiding those telltale signs of ageing: brown sun-damage spots and flapping bingo wings
Jaime King, 42 Cover Swim tartan long-sleeved swimsuit
LEFT: Beyonce, 39 Cia.Maritima tropical cutout swimsuit RIGHT: Kim Kardashian, 40 Cynthia Rowley Victoria wetsuit
Nancy Shevell, 61 Sleek in a black cossie with pink zipper
Cameron Diaz, 49 Sporting a navy high-necked number with pink flowers
Older women tend to hold on to their great legs longer than anything else. Slipping into one of these swimsuits is a bit like wearing a super-short mini-dress on the beach — only the kind you can go for a swim in.
This trend is great for the environment, too. You don’t have to use so much sun lotion, that will only wash off into the sea and possibly threaten the world’s coral reefs.
What’s not to love?
Eva Longoria, 46 Gigi C Riley surfsuit
As told to Rachel Halliwell