My hubby and I are going the end of January to the island of Kauai for a week. I'm very excited as we have never been there before,but I'm already experiencing P B S D. (Pre beach stress disorder) I'm 49, 5'8" , about 165 lbs and a size 12 on my bottom half. I lost what tiny amount of boobs I originally had with some weight loss, and am now very pear shaped.Not at all thrilled with my ample butt and thighs (my whole legs,really)but look decent from the hips up,and no stretch marks
. I'm trying like crazy to come up with a decent swimsuit to wear! I did a web search to find some good options, and found a blog stating I should "avoid the thong or G string type of bottom for a pear shaped body" Really??? I think that could go without saying! LOL! I'm almost considering a fuller coverage bikini,but then also buy a pair of light weight looser cut "swimshorts" to wear over it,if anyone else is around the pool or beach.I think the skirted bottoms only make bigger thighs look worse. I have a long torso,so one pieces don't fit well,and I want to get a good tan anyway.
My other main concern is what other types of bodies will I see at the beach? Will I look ridiculous at my size? HELP!

I want to go to Hawaii. Not sure I will ever make it there but I bet you are going to have a GREAT TIME!
I too have bigger thighs. I HATE them right now. I would vote for the swim shorts. You can always take them off if you feel comfortable. I bet you are going to see people of all shapes and sized on the beach. Many wearing things not appropriate for the age and size. Relax and have a good time.

You will see ALL types of bodies in all types of swimsuits. Wear what you want, you will never see these people again! It always makes me sad to see people at the beach covered in huge t-shirts. I think a bikini with swim shorts sounds like a great compromise.

I'm so excited for you! a week in Hawaii. wow!

I don't have any suggestions...I'm kinda in the same boat..going to AZ for a week in January and I want to be at the hotel pool .. I'm 51, a few inches shorter than you, a few pounds less so maybe we're proportionately equal I say congrats to you for your long torso with NO stretch marks! I also don't mind showing my torso for the same reason but I have big thighs and not nice legs. When you find something that works, please let me know!

though I'm also kinda liking the thought of "we're never going to see anyone there again, wear what you want" and enjoy the sun and warmth.

Swim shorts for the win....OR even some board shorts, not the Roxy bright colored kind, but a solid color. I wear them all the time. Board shorts work well with a one piece too.

I go to Hawaii every couple of years and it is true, you will see all shapes in sizes in all kinds of swimwear there. I have a long torso and large thighs and I feel most comfortable in tankinis. There are tons of beautiful sarongs you can buy there for cheap that you can tie around your hips for extra coverage. Sometimes I opt for board shorts but with the bigger thighs, there's that dreaded chafing issue if you don't allow them to dry completely before walking. Ugh. (which btw, there is a product you can buy at any sports store called Bodyglide that will eliminate that) If I didn't have stretch marks from my babies, I'd wear a bikini with a sarong, for sure! The less material you have to dry off after getting out of the ocean, the better! Bring lots of sunscreen no matter how tan you already are. That Hawaiian sun is strong, especially reflecting off the ocean. I see so many people with horrible sunburns and it's too bas as they are so easily avoided.

You're going to have a fabulous time! Enjoy every minute of it, you deserve it!

Have you actually tried on a skirted bottom? It Figures divides their suits up by your problem areas, and most of their hip/thigh hiding suits are skirted. My problem area is my stomach, and I love skirtinis. I think they're the most flattering suits I've ever worn.

I also like the board shorts idea. I just bought a pair at the end of the summer - haven't worn them yet, but they look good.

At the moment my thighs aren't so much of an issue but they used to be in the past. I've actually found that full-coverage bottoms that are cut high in the thighs are better. It elongates your legs. Shorts have never worked for me because if they fitted my waist (and didn't gap at the back) then they'd be too tight in the thighs and even roll up!

I still have a big butt and have problems finding bottoms that cover it. I actually ended up buying two identical bottoms from old navy on sale and having a seamstress cutoff the top of one and sew it on to the other so it'd cover my butt. It'd be a pretty easy fix if you have a sewing machine but I don't have one.

I just got back from Hawaii - stayed at Waikiki for a week. Wore a 2-piece for the first time since I was very young. You will see all types of bodies there. The European vacationers almost all wore 2-piece suits, and their bodies ranged from fit to a little bit extra here and there (like me) to rather large. The only person that made me do a double take was a very old looking woman (she looked to be in her 70s) in a silver string bikini.

I got my suit from Land's End. I got the bottoms in a size 10, and they have good coverage and fall just at my belly button. I got the tops in 14 and they fit nicely as well. They were a halter style that ties around the back of the neck. I really recommend checking out the Land's End suits. I had ordered some other ones as well, including a skirted bottom, but it didn't sit well on me - it pooched out in the back. The great thing about over-ordering is you can just return the unwanted items at Sears.