What to Wear in the Maldives for Women (10 Outfits)
Short answer: Pack light, quick-drying pieces: two or three swimsuits, a breezy cover-up, linen layers for dinner, and a modest outfit for local islands. Choose swimwear with the coverage you feel best in, since you will spend most of the day in it.
The Maldives is hot and humid all year, the sun is strong, and most days start and end in or near the water. That makes swimwear the center of your wardrobe. Here are ten full outfits, from seaplane arrival to sunset dinner, each built around a swimsuit or swim dress from our shop.
Long-Sleeve Zip Swimsuit for Snorkeling Days
This long-sleeve mesh one-piece has a front zipper, a matching flared skirt and a bold orange, blue and rust tribal-style print. The sleeves cover your arms and the skirt covers tummy and hips, so it suits long hours on the house reef. Add a wide-brim straw hat, polarized sunglasses and a pair of sturdy reef shoes for walking in. A lightweight sarong in a solid color ties it together for the walk back to your villa. Check the size chart before ordering.
Tummy Control Swimsuit with Sleeves for Women Over 50 · Orange Tribal · $119
See the swimsuit
Two-Piece Sleeved Set for Sun-Heavy Days
This sage-green set pairs a fitted long-sleeve top with a padded bust, a round neck and a low scoop back with high-waisted briefs. It is quick-dry and made with sun protection in mind, which is handy for paddleboarding or a morning on a catamaran. Wear it with a visor, flat sandals you can kick off at the dock, and a mesh beach tote for your towel and water bottle. Pull on a linen shirt over it for the walk to lunch.
Padded Swimsuit with Sleeves for Women Over 50 · Sage Green · $89
See the swimsuit
Tropical Print One-Piece for Beach Lounging
The pink, orange and aqua tropical print looks right at home against turquoise water. This one-piece has a ruched front with a center twist, a V-neckline, wide straps, a padded bust and side drawstring ruching, with moderate leg coverage. Pair it with white linen pants rolled to the knee for the walk from the beach club, woven slides and a straw tote. Add gold hoops and a light shell necklace if you like a little shine by the pool.
Ruched Modest Swimsuit for Women Over 60 with Skirt · Pink Floral · $79
See the swimsuit
Wine Red Swim Dress for Poolside Lunch
This solid wine red swim dress has a halter-style high round neck, a small mesh inset at the upper chest, a ruched waist and a flared skirt that ends at the upper thigh. It has built-in shorts, so you can climb out of the pool and walk straight to the café. Pair it with leather slides, oval sunglasses and a lightweight open-front kimono in cream. Add a woven clutch and small gold studs, and you are ready for a long, unhurried lunch.
Swim Dress for Women Over 50 Tummy Control with Skirt · Dark Blue · $79
See the swimsuit
Classic Black Swim Dress with White Trim
Black with white binding at the neckline, straps and skirt hem looks crisp and clean in bright island light. The scoop neck has halter-style straps, the bodice is ruched at the waist and the short A-line skirt has a side slit. Wear it with a white button-down tied at the waist, tan flip-flops and a wide-brim hat. It is an easy first-day outfit after the seaplane, when you want to be comfortable and still feel put together.
Padded Swim Dress for Women Over 50 Tummy Control · Black · $79
See the swimsuit
Red Halter One-Piece for Sunset on the Deck
This red one-piece has a deep plunging V neckline, a criss-cross halter back and gathered, ruched side and waist panels with a medium-coverage brief. It is made for golden hour at the overwater bar. Throw a sheer white maxi cover-up over it, add metallic flat sandals and drop earrings, and carry a small crossbody. The red photographs beautifully against a sunset sky, and the ruching keeps the shape smooth when you sit down for a drink.
Halter Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit for Women Over 50 · Olive Green · $89
See the swimsuit
Printed High-Neck One-Piece for Boat Trips
A sleeveless high-neck one-piece in a blue, orange and brown tribal print has a classic bodysuit cut with full seat coverage and a padded bust. The high neckline gives extra coverage on the chest, which helps on a day with lots of sun. Wear it with tan canvas sneakers for the jetty, a cotton drawstring pant in sand, a baseball cap and a dry bag. It is a practical outfit for dolphin cruises and sandbank picnics.
High Neck Tummy Control One Piece Swimsuit for Women Over 50 · Blue Tribal Print · $99
See the swimsuit
Navy Stripe Wrap One-Piece for Nautical Looks
A wrap-style surplice V-neckline, thin straps and navy and white diagonal stripes give this one-piece a fresh, nautical feel. The waist is ruched and the fit is slim, with a moderate-to-high leg cut. Pair it with white linen shorts, braided leather sandals and a canvas tote with a rope handle. Add a navy bandana in your hair and tortoiseshell sunglasses. It is a good pick for a day on a dhoni boat or a lazy breakfast by the water.
V Neck Slimming One Piece Swimsuit for Women Over 40 · Blue and White · $79
See the swimsuit
Leaf Print Swim Dress for Resort Strolls
This navy swim dress with a white leaf print has a surplice V neckline, halter-style straps, a ruched waist with a side tie and a full-coverage flared skirt. The leaf pattern suits palm-lined paths. Wear it with a light chambray shirt open over the top, slip-on espadrilles and a woven bag. Pin your hair up with a clip for the humidity, and add a thin gold bracelet. It works from the pool to an afternoon at the spa without a change.
Slimming One Piece Swimsuit for Women Over 40 with Skirt · Navy Leaf Print · $89
See the swimsuit
Leopard Print Keyhole One-Piece for Dinner Nights
A tan and brown leopard print, a high halter neckline with a small keyhole and a ruched torso make this one-piece a good base for an evening look. Layer a flowy black or ivory wrap skirt over it and add a loose linen blazer if the restaurant has air conditioning. Finish with flat metallic sandals, chunky gold earrings and a small clutch. It is polished, comfortable for a long meal, and easy to pack since it takes almost no space.
Tummy Control High Neck Swimsuit for Older Women · Tan Leopard · $69
See the swimsuitPack for Resort Islands and Local Islands
On a private resort island, swimwear is fine on the beach and by the pool, and relaxed, barefoot dressing is the norm. On local inhabited islands, dress more conservatively away from the designated bikini beach: cover your shoulders and knees with a light shirt and a long skirt or loose pants. Bring a large sarong, a linen shirt and one maxi dress so you can adapt quickly. Choose breathable cotton or linen for these layers, since the humidity stays high even in the cooler months.
Plan Your Swimwear Before You Fly
Bring at least three swimsuits so one can dry while you wear another, and a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and sandals you can slip off easily. Seaplane transfers often have tight baggage limits, so choose pieces that mix and match. Our shipping to the US is free and takes 7 to 14 business days, so order a few weeks ahead. If a fit is not right, email us within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, with free return shipping.
Want more options? Browse all swimsuits for women over 50.
Questions, answered
What should women wear in the Maldives for the whole trip?
Plan on swimsuits, a few cover-ups, linen or cotton separates, flat sandals and a wide-brim hat. Add one modest outfit with sleeves and a longer hem for visits to local islands.
Can women wear swimsuits in the Maldives?
Yes, on resort islands and designated bikini beaches, swimwear is normal. On local islands, wear a cover-up with shoulders and knees covered when you are away from the beach.
What is the best swimsuit style for sun protection in the Maldives?
A long-sleeve swimsuit or a high-neck one-piece gives more coverage on long snorkeling and boat days. Pair it with a hat and sunscreen, and choose a color or print you love so you will wear it often.