For a long time, the bikini seemed to come with an unwritten message.
If you were confident, you wore one. If you loved your body, you wore one.
If you wanted to prove that age, size, motherhood, menopause, scars, curves or a few extra kilos didn’t bother you… you wore one.
But, for me anyway, as I’ve got older, I’ve realised that I really don’t want to wear a bikini. Well, not a skimpy one anyway!
Bali, 1994
I still respect and like my body, even though it has changed quite a bit from the body I had in my teens and twenties. These days, I simply prefer a little more coverage which gives me a whole lot more confidence. For me personally, I want to add a layer of soft fabric over the rolls on my tummy when I sit down on the beach. I want to make sure the cheeks of my not so peachy bum don’t hang out, and when I walk along the beach, I don’t want to suffer thigh chafe and prefer to add a layer of fabric such as a swim legging to stop this happening. Designing for me, is like designing for you. What I seek out at my age is likely what you are looking for too. I have certainly had a lot of feedback from women who are thrilled to have found our brand and enjoy the solutions to the “issues” they experience.
My relationship with swimwear has certainly changed throughout my life. Life has happened and along the way; I’ve had children, I’ve gone through menopause some years ago, and I’ve collected a few bulges, scars, wrinkles, veins and all the other little reminders that life has been happening. But I am ok with these changes, it’s part of getting older. With my brand Suncheeter the mission is to be able to let the wearer feel confident and un-fussed on the beach. It gives freedom to age well and live fully.
Wyadup, 2012
As a swimwear brand that focuses on offering solutions to women as they get older, and on empowering women to make their own choices about feeling comfortable, covered-up and confident on the beach, I really enjoy using the phrase “For women who don’t do bikinis.” For me, there is REAL POWER in that statement, and it’s become a bit of a rallying cry for us at Suncheeter because we know there are plenty of women out there who feel exactly the same way.
Australia is a nation of swimmers. More than 4.4 million Australians participated in swimming in the year to June 2024, across every age group. (https://www.swimming.org) That’s a lot of people who want to get in the water. And for me what you wear shouldn’t be the thing that stops you.
This is another version of confidence: putting on something that feels right for you.
Bunker Bay, 2012
Seven reasons I choose not to do bikinis
- Choosing more coverage because I like it.
- Choosing a Swim Dress because I don’t want fabric clinging to my tummy.
- Choosing a Rash Top because I want my arms, back and shoulders covered.
- Choosing long sleeves because I want more sun protection.
- Choosing Bather Bottoms with good bum coverage and a comfortable waistband.
- Choosing Swim Leggings because I want to swim, walk and move without worrying about thigh chafe.
- Choosing a supportive Crop Top underneath because feeling secure is far more important than constantly checking whether everything is staying where it should.
Bunker Bay, 2015
Like me, you can love the beach and not love wearing a bikini.
You can love swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, walking along the shoreline, chasing the grandchildren, playing beach cricket with your teenagers, jumping off a boat or simply lying on a beach with a good book... the joy of being on a beach cannot be oversold. It is simply wonderful. Now I just choose to be a little bit less bare when I’m there.
And there’s another very good reason for choosing more coverage: the Australian sun is serious business. The Australian Cancer Council recommends covering as much skin as possible when UV levels reach 3 or above. UPF50 sunscreen and 50+ garments are classified as providing excellent protection, blocking around 98% of UV radiation through a combination of the fabric and the styling. In fact the case for sun-protective clothing cannot be over stated. The Australian Cancer Council's latest national survey found that 53.9% of Australians were using three or more forms of sun protection during peak UV times.
Sardinia, 2026
So, if I were packing for a day at the beach, I would choose a Suncheeter sand-free beach bag and:
- UPF50+ Swim Dress or Rash Top
- Cropped Swim Leggings
- broad-brimmed hat
- SPF50+ sunscreen on exposed skin
- good sunglasses
- shade
- Water and snacks.
That's a much stronger sun-protection strategy than simply putting on sunscreen and hoping for the best.
Cover-up comfortable swimwear give you the freedom to stop worrying about what swimwear is supposed to look like and start thinking about what you actually want to do.
- · No more wrapping yourself in a towel or cover-up the moment you leave the water.
- · No more constantly checking whether everything is staying where it should.
- · No more opting out of the beach trip and staying home.
- · No more avoiding the camera that is making your family memories.
Albany, 2023
We design swimwear for women who don’t do bikinis. For women, like me, who want a little more cover-up but still want to look and feel great in stylish, well designed good quality and effective swimwear. For women whose bodies have changed, and for women who simply know what they like.
Because confidence isn’t about conforming and wearing less. It’s about feeling comfortable enough to get on with enjoying your life. It’s about choice.
