Y'know, 20 years ago, a good friend of mine who was around 50 at the time, had birthed two children and was about 40 pounds overweight, had no problems wearing a bikini out to the very public beach. At the time, I was about 30 years old and a tiny 130 lbs at 5'8", and was afraid to wear one! I was the one in the one-piece while she enjoyed the sun in her bikini. I say, go for it. Sorry you're having such a hard time with the salespeople not getting it.