SWIM ATTIRE S. of France
 

How does a middle aged well kept American couple blend w/ the pool/beach crowd?

In swimsuits. And yes - for women, tops are optional most places - you will not feel uncomfortable either with or without a top.

If you want to blend in, make sure the wifey removes the top.

For men, speedos are the thing. If you want to blend in, be sure to use a potato. Remember, the potato goes in the front. ((a)) ((b))

Budman.......you're too much! Hahaha

We've been going to Nice nearly every summer, and last year found that fewer women are going topless. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Wear (or don't wear) whatever you want. We've seen it all, and sometimes more than we'd like to!

Budman, surely YOU didn't need the potato, right?

I'm confused about the potato. Should it be a Yukon Gold or a Red Bliss?

okay guys- for real now- although I'm not the original poster, I'm needing info here as well. We'll be in Paris throughout July and my kids may want to swim sometime or go to the Paris Plage. Listings in my guidebooks indicate that some pools require Speedos for boys. Am I reading this right? My 15-year-old would rather be dead than wear a Speedo-type suit. I don't even want to THINK about releasing my husband into the wild in anything itsy-bitsy teeny weeny, polka-dotted or no. There is enough violence in the world as it is.

I suspect in some cases the potatoes have ben thoroughly "smashed" well before the swimsuit ever went on.

sbparadis, Where have you read that speedos are required on Paris Plage? I don't think there's any boy that age who wears speedos!
Older men, yes, they do. Sometimes the tinier the better. You may see quite some men in thongs on beaches in southern France.
For women: two piece bikinis!

Sbparadis - Maybe they are talking about Speedo swim caps. I think some of the public pools have rules about wearing swim caps but I don't know if it's actually enforced.

I've read the same thing about public pools in Paris- they didn't specify "Speedo", but I think they don't allow big, baggy swim trunks, but want trim, closer fitting trunks.

Many, I'd even say most, public pools require speedo type bathing suits. Apparently a question of hygiene. Don't ask. Not sure about Paris plage, however.

-Kevin

In 2003 i was in South france with my then 9 years old grandchild.Because of the extremely hot weather we stopped at the local pool. He wasn't allowed to go in, because he had good old OP swimming trunk. The attendant told me that unless he wears slim type bathing shorts or Speedo the pool was Off Limit.
Trevor told me that he would not wear funny shorts, no way!!..however,after a couple of days, when he saw all the fun that he was missing, he gave up and wore a tiny suit.Neverthless to say, that he left it behind the day that we left.

The rule was imposed nationally ten years ago that men had to wear Speedo type bathing suits in public pools.

thanks for your replies- for my guys, this could be a cultural line they won't be able to cross. We shall see. Vive la difference.

I think swim caps are often required also, as someone else noted, in Paris pools.

YOu are aware that Paris Plage isn't a real beach? It's a summer promotion along the Seine (and Hotel de Ville) where they truck in sand and people mainly sunbathe in public alongside the Seine, there is volleyball in front of HdV, and generally hang out. I think they did start a pool as part of that promotion last year, though, near Pont Sully. But it's not a real beach.

<i>&quot;I'm confused about the potato. Should it be a Yukon Gold or a Red Bliss?&quot;</i>

My spud lover's packin' a meaty, beefy, sun-baked Idaho. Not enough room in a Speedo. He wears a midcut, and on a fit, middle-aged man with a great azz, this style can be very sexy.

After reading this thread, I shall never again look at a Mr. Potato Head in the same way. :O

They did do a pool but not sure about the speedo requirement.
I will ask?
Why is a speedo more hygienic?
Everything passes the same way?

Potato? You Americans don't know anything about sex.

&gt;&gt;pools require speedo type bathing suits. Apparently a question of hygiene&lt;&lt;&lt;

????? I think it would actually be a good deterrent for sexual activity! Most men over the age of 30 +/- and some at 20 are less than attractive in a speedo. Just like most women should not be wearing thong bathing suits. It may be natural and all that politically correct stuff, but let's face it, some things are better left unseen...unless you want to have nightmares later.

&lt;&lt;unless you want to have nightmares later&gt;&gt;
Hmm ... could as well be: unless you want to CAUSE nightmares! ;)

Fred; get some Villbrequin swim shorts. Available in most larger Cote d'Azur towns. For a middle aged women, I would recommend Kiwi St Tropez, also widely available, for a swimsuit (or bikini if you're in good shape) with matching sarong. Or Missoni, Pucci, La Perla, if you don't mind spending a bit more.

Can't stand Speedo's, but some of the tighter fitting shorts can look great. Wasn't it Burt Lancaster who wore one to great effect in a movie once?

hey hey hey!what does a Yukon potato look like?In France men are supposed to wear tight bathing suits at the pool , that's the law , so if they tell you to do so , either you buy one or don't swim.But many pools don't really say anything about it , usually , except that Paris pools are going to be crowded as usual , so who knows!Why do we have such a law?
Because most Europeans including ourselves are not as clean as what you can usually expect in America:guys would spend the whole day fixing a car or gardening or doing anything in shorts , and they used to go to the pool for refreshment in the same UNCLEANED ones.
So probably the Ministere de la Sant&eacute; thought they wouldn't die of being obliged to wear underwear like bathing suits , while they're was a risk we could all get these guys germs!!!!
For bathing in the sun topless:it's allowed , but we usually don't really do it after 40-45years old .They do it more on the Southern coast , (because it's warmer!)and in Les Landes or C&ocirc;te basque.
In Vend&eacute;e or Bretagne , even non conservatives usually avoid to do so.
In Northern France , a sweater we'll probably be very helpful , so just do as you please !
But I heard it's not very much in style these days!