nancy

I am not sure where on this site I read about bathing suits for women,but what I gathered as info. is that 1 piece suits are terribly declasse and that topless and two piecers are what to wear. <BR>Is this really true? <BR>I have nothing against topless, in fact I never wore a bathing suit at all through the late 60's, the 70's and into the 80's, and would probably enjoy topless,( except my 13 yr. old son told me he would die of embarrassment), but ever since I have had children I have wore a one piece suit. <BR>I also burn easily, and it saves on sunscreen. <BR>What have people seen on the beaches in Italy, and I am refering to, on women in their 40's (I am in my late 40's)and older. <BR>It would actually be fun to wear a two piecer/bikini , since here in the U.S we women are usually too self conscious to do. <BR>But I do understand Europeans do not have the same body self-consciousness we do. <BR>Thoughts? <BR>Nancy

kk

You brave, brave woman, Nancy. <BR>How about the latest thing...get a tankini. Translation, a two-piece version of a tank suit. Still a fair amount of coverage but will make you look with-it on the beach. Enjoy yourself regardless, and don't worry about it.

Myriam

Nancy, <BR>From what I see in European magazines bikini's are more declasse than one piece bathing suits. <BR>I think this is just a personal choice. If you would like to wear a bikini or monokini (= topless), just go for it. (Although I think that topless is still not allowed in Italy). <BR> <BR>

Cindy

I say wear whatever bathing suit is most flattering on you. But be honest with yourself when you look in the mirror.

nancy

Thanks for the input. <BR>I am not too concerned about exactly how I look on the beach , after all I will be 48 yrs, not a teenager anymore. <BR>I just didn't want to look like what I remember my grandmothers looking like in the 1950's and 60's. Suits with those coy skirts. <BR>Actually, my husband is rooting for a two piecer. <BR>Except for my "baby" belly, and natural gravity function ,I look similar to what I did decades ago. <BR>It is just that some cultures/women do obsess more than others over wrinkles/cellulite/veins. <BR>And I really think We as Americans do more so than some European cultures. <BR>But again,Thanks for the Input !!! <BR>Very valuable. <BR>Nancy <BR>

Jonathan

Does anyone know if you can go nude in Cannes-I hear that it is getting very open there now and was thinking of trying it since all the French are so open. It sounds like fun to me.

Geoff

Nancy, <BR>Go for it . <BR>I think anything you want to wear is great! <BR>Geoff

Carol

Nancy-- <BR> <BR>What you've gathered is correct--no matter how many bulges, bones, saggy whatevers--every woman on Italian or French beaches wears a fairly skimpy two piece suit--and are totally unself-conscious about it. If you can pull it off, definitely go for it--it's a chance you won't have in the US!

Carol

I, on the other hand, am self-conscious about everything, including bad grammar---that should be every woman.....is totally unself-conscious.

Rex

I think Carol comes closest to my interpretation of what European women (and men) wear to the beach, although I don't think they all wear two piece suits. <BR> <BR>They wear what THEY want. They don't choose what they are wearing based on what someone else will think or "get out of" seeing them. The beach is a personal experience between a person, the sun and the surf. If a woman or man would sunbathe nude -- or in a bikini bottom only or in a tank suit rolled down - - in their own back yard - - then they will do the same thing on the beach. And you can too - - but dont choose what you will wear for anyone else's reaction to it because there may not be any reaction. Choose what you want for you.

pam

Myriam, <BR> <BR>The only country in Europe that I have been to is Italy and I have run into many a topless woman at the beach...so I don't think it's not allowed.

Janie

NUDE-I am intrigued. Do the men walk around nude on the beach??? WOW-that sounds like fun.

nancy

Thanks Carol and Rex, <BR>Regardless of what I choose to wear , it will feel really good to be in a place where women do not feel so judged in their wrinkles, creases and folds. <BR>And maybe, I will even be able to bring that feeling home with me! <BR>Also , good examples for my children to see, especially my 10, going on 11 year old daughter. <BR>Thanks again, I enjoy reading everyone's input. <BR>Any grammatical errors in my posting Carol? <BR>Nancy

pat

I agree with everyone above. <BR>Last time I was in Europe, I saw women of all ages and sizes wearing a variety of suits. <BR>I think it is just we American women who are so self-conscious about ever bump,bulge or wrinkle . <BR>Be adventuresome ,but make sure you are comfortable, or uptight, because then you won't have fun!

Esme

Hi, Nancy! Don't worry they keep telling us life begins at 40 - what WERE we doing before that. According to my 13 year old daughter the two-piece suits that cover more (and I thought looked like something you might "work out" in) are the up to date versions of beach wear. I always wear a one-piece, hi-leg or classic cut depending on how fat I'm feeling. But it really is up to how you feel about yourself. Be comfortable and be happy to be on a European beach, and if it's a British beach and the sun is shining you should be extremely grateful!!! When are you coming over and where are you visiting? <BR> <BR>Message for Jonathon - nude, well, honey it's up to you. Personally I don't particulary like the wobbly bits being displayed when I'm sightseeing the area but if you want to get the sand to all those "irritating little places" go ahead!! <BR> <BR>Esme

Maira

Esme, LOL!!! <BR> <BR>Thanks for a good laugh on a lazy Sunday morning!!!! <BR> <BR>Welcome to the forum!!!

sandi

I am now 53 but when I was 40 I went with a girlfriend to Greece and Turkey. I had never been topless or bottomless in my life in public. The nude and topless beaches were just wonderful. It was quite an experience for me and I loved the freedom of not wearing a suit! The Europeans really do have a different attitude about nudity. I saw women of every age topless and on some beaches nude.And I mean every age and shape.From children to 80 year olds. Yes, the men also on the nude beaches. I will admit I was uncomfortible because of the "white headlights on my chest" the first time I took my top off. Also, the burn I got on my breasts and rear!! I was also ok until I saw someone that had been on a tour with us. But it did not bother her or her husband at all. It does take some getting used to. (My husband just said I should send this anonymously!)Let me say I would do the same again no matter what my age or shape!!

nancy

To Sandi , and Esme. <BR>Good for you Sandi! <BR>White Headlights! <BR>Enjoyed your message. <BR>Esme, <BR>Rome, June, 2001 , for a week, then a beach somewhere south of there, and north of Naples. Still deciding. <BR>Our first time in Europe. <BR>Decided the children were old enough now, so we could put in a little more time sightseeing, and have less chance of a major child "meltdown". <BR>Nothing worse than going to a museum , or even a "children's" place like Sea World <BR>and seeing too many tired, burntout young children. <BR>At least of my kids have a "meltdown", they will be in that pre-teen, and teen mode. <BR>This posting has veered away from it's subject, so maybe I had better mention something about bikinis, and visible flesh.... <BR>Nancy

Sandi

I think nude definitely will get you more attention from everyone over there than just topless!

rob k

At the risk of being the kill-joy at the party, I'm having too many friends (we're in our mid 40's) who are having either skin cancers or "dysplasic nevus" cut off their bodies to even think about full exposure to the sun --- so whether it's 1 piece, 2 pieces, a few strategically placed hankies or nothing at all, DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN !!!