Are Women Still Going Topless in Italy? Particularly in the Amalfi area.
 

Will be visiting Amalfi next July and was wondering if this is still true. Am I going to feel totally out of place?

Throughout Italy you have a choice. You will not feel out of place whichever way you go: topless or not, one piece, bikini or thong. There will a variety of everything. But try it. You might like it. <BR>

It varies, depending on the area; if Europeans are around, you'll find a mix. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always find a cove, especially in the Conca or Praiano area--you'll just have to climb hundreds of steps up and down. Suggest you hire a boat from local fisherman ($20/hr. or so) and either go topless there, or on your private sunning area. Hiring a boat along the gorgeous coast is a great idea, in any case....

Hi Linda! I have a piece of advise for you..."when in Rome, do as the Romans do! You'll get used to it quickly. Why be ashame of your body..No one will stare at you.I've seen entire families toples on the beach in Italy. Have a great time regardless of what you decide to do

You might feel a bit out of place in a 2-piece and definately a 1-piece, but do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Maybe after day 1, you will feel like letting go...don't forget to put sun protection on your chest--a good place for burns since in the US, most bosoms don't see the sun!

Contrary to the above posts, when I was in the Amalfi area I NEVER saw a topless woman sunning or swimming on the beach. And it wasn't just one time that I was there. Go figure.

While in Italy a few years ago, I decided to take my top off at a beach near Rome, I felt uncomfortable for the first 5 minutes. Then it was quite liberating. I no longer feel uncomfortable about things like this at all.

IMO, you will feel more out of place on any beach in Europe (that I've been to)with a one piece bathing on than with the top of your bikini on. In general, they really don't wear one pieces in Europe, especially on the "trendy" beaches. You will be fine with or without the top. No one will care. But going topless is great! Try it!

Can you go totally nude in Italy?

You won't feel uncomfortable. I was in St. Tropez 2 summers ago and never took my bikini top off. No one could care less. Just enjoy yourlself.

I hear that you can go totally nude there now. Sounds like the Italians have got it going on!!!

What about age? I mean, there are many beaches in the US where women over 45 are almost invisible, as if forbidden unless they have Jane Fonda's body. They either don't go to the beach or don't go swimming. On the other hand, I remember seeing photos of very heavy, late-middle-aged women topless on the shores of the Black Sea. <BR> <BR>So, are there "aesthetics" police in Italy -- i.e., are the beach people pretty much confined to the 40 and under crowd?

Relax. Nothing to worry about; women my age (early 50s) and older, sunbathe in one-piece swimsuits, bikinis, topless and thongs. And this is at the city public swimming pool, much less a beach resort. It's just not that big a deal. Your part of the bargain, however, is not to be globby fat and to be waxed, polished and buffed in all the right places. Enjoy. It is an extraordinarily liberating experience. As one colleague said to me,"Why do you Americans have such a thing about public nudity, but you have no problem--on TV and in real life--with guns and violence?" Good question.

Santa Chiara, <BR>I have a question for you. <BR>Were you being sarcastic when you said that one can wear anything (or almost nothing )as long as one is "polished, buffed and waxed "? <BR>At our age , that is not a reality, unless one goes in for cosmetic surgeries, or spends alot of time and money at spas. <BR>nancy

Santa Chiara, <BR>Where can I get "polished, buffed, and waxed" <BR>Usually it is only my car which undergoes such rituals! <BR>

Go nude if you really want to show it off and get some attention-it works!

ciao linda! <BR>sure you can go topless on beaches here in italy. but DON'T GO NUDE! the carabinieri will bring you as soon as possible away from the beach. only if the place is clearly signed that it's for nudists you can do what you want. maybe you will find some hidden places where you can try it, but even then you will be supposed to have a LOT of people who are looking. <BR> <BR>but topless is natural here in my country. this summer it's hip to wear bikinis and so you will find women who are wearing slip and top. i actually wear my bikini when going to the beach and as soon as i'm there i liberate myself from the top. don't forgett to put your top on again if you go to the bar on the beachside. <BR> <BR>auguri! <BR>christina

I have heard that the europeans-men and women-are starting to go around totally nude on all the beaches in France and Italy, is that true.

no! it's NOT true! i don't know why exactly americans are thinking this... but maybe you can find places who are PARTICULLARLY SIGNED for nudists, but this isn't new, it is something very old. <BR> <BR>so, don't beleve everything you hear.

Why do you have to put your top back on to go to a bar?

I was there last summer and my husband and I had a "discussion" as to whether it was appropriate for me to go topless. He was afraid it would engender lewd remarks or extended stares, but none of that happened at all. I daresay nobody noticed or cared. Of course I would never do this at home (California), but I'd never cover my head at home (just becasue I am a woman) as I did when I went to the middle east in the 80's.

Janey <BR>because it would be very bad educated (hope I found the right word...) if you would sit yourself in a bar topless and have your drink or eating something. and if you would do it anyway you might find yourself in old men who are stearing and looking your breast and like to eat you...... an italian woman is going without problems topless on the beach but you will never ever find an italian woman who is going topless to the bar on the beach. maybe it do have something to do with respect for the other guests there. german women could do this easely because they are not really good educated for some reasons. but I don't think that american women would like to be like german ones? <BR> <BR> <BR>

LOL! Had to read thru the thread and enjoyed the laughs!! Actually they don't go "topless" in bars/restaurants because of what they might spill or dribble onto their chests ... that's why men wear ties to protect the shirt! LOL Americans seem to be so uptite about what to wear/not to wear instead of just relaxing and enjoying! If you want your top off, just do it. If you don't, don't. Men have been going topless with no repercussions for years and I have seem many an unattractive one who needed a top! LOL And for those "uneducated" German women, well, that is just too funny!!!!

I was in the Amalfi area last June and under 20% of the women went topless. Last week in Liguria very few went topless.

i lived there for years and never once saw anybody bothered by any degree of nudity on the beach. it's about behaviour, not nudity--if you behave like an iddiot it doesn't amtter what your wearing--you are an idiot!! people love the freedom of going without at the beach-something we Americans could learn from!!

I remember seeing a 60 something woman removing her top on a beach in Amalfi. It was not so much the fact that she had bare breasts, but the taste with which she removed the top and the fact that she was in very good shape for a woman her age, although certainly no body like a 30 year old. So, if you want to remove your top, do so, but please don't cause pain to the other people on the beach--as in all other places in Italy, you should be "tastfully and appropriately dressed."

Neri I think we should all go around buck naked on the beaches of America so the europeans would look up to us!

Women go topless here in Miami Beach all the time and nobody cares. Mostly Italians and other Europeans, but the authorities seem to be looking the other way. It's about time!

For a humorous (clean) look at nudity, see these comic-strips: <BR> <BR>http://www.kevinandkell.com/1998/kk0625.html <BR> <BR>http://www.kevinandkell.com/1998/kk0626.html <BR>http://www.kevinandkell.com/1998/kk0629.html

Oops! Sorry, those were also good one's but the url I meant to post is: <BR> <BR>http://www.kevinandkell.com/1998/kk0630.html <BR> <BR>

Great- I agree it is about time we can have some open nudity on american beaches without getting arrested for it. I have a great body for a 47 year old woman and like to show it off. Miami beach-here I come!

I agree-it is great that you can go topless now on Miami Beach. Is that South Beach? If so, I am ready for it here is the old us of a - here I come!!!