European Beach Attire - All or Nothing??

OK, DH has been telling me all about how women in Europe sunbathe topless, and that I will actually stand out if I don't take my bikini top off.  I know a certain amount of modesty has been built in, since I grew up in the bible belt and all, but do you guys let it all hang out when on holiday? Dang, I was even thinking of buying a one-piece, since I don't feel I have a bikini-worthy body, but DH says only old ladies wear them in the Med.
Is this true? Am I going to have to suck it up and just learn to let go?

I don't think I would ever sunbathe topless, even if a lot of the women on the beach were doing it !

I've never been to the Med, but I say just go with whatever feels comfortable for you - if you would rather wear a one-piece, go for it .

It is entirely dependent upon where you go whether there will be topless folks, and regardless I would say wear what makes you comfortable.  Which would you prefer - feeling like people are looking at you for being "too" covered up or feeling uncomfortable about how you look?

Perhaps do a Google Image search for the beaches where you are going to be going.  Maybe someone has some vacation photos or whatnot that will show you what's really "typical" for that area.

Personal anecdote: went to a beach in Italy where I went topless for the first time and got the absolute worst sunburn of my life.  So if you go frisky - lather up!

Personal anecdote: went to a beach in Italy where I went topless for the first time and got the absolute worst sunburn of my life.  So if you go frisky - lather up!

No joke man, the girls have never seen the sun! 

My coworker just told me it's really only English people who do this, apparently the Greek women are very modest. She said I should definitely wear a bikini, regardless, but bring some sarongs and cover-ups for the tavernas. She said no one would notice or care if I took my top off or not, so I guess DH is just being cheeky, as usual, and winding me up! 

Part of me read that and went "Oh HELL no!" and part of me wishes I had the guts.

Although I should probably start with not swaddling myself from head to toe whenever I go near a beech.

Might I suggest a compromise in a tankini?  It's two piece, but offers a little more coverage (and actually can be a bit more flattering than one-pieces in some circumstances).  You could get a tankini with both a long top and a bikini top, so that if you get un/comfortable enough you could swap.  I saw some super-cute ones at our local Sports Direct that one bought as separates.

Might I suggest a compromise in a tankini?  It's two piece, but offers a little more coverage (and actually can be a bit more flattering than one-pieces in some circumstances).  You could get a tankini with both a long top and a bikini top, so that if you get un/comfortable enough you could swap.  I saw some super-cute ones at our local Sports Direct that one bought as separates.

Yeah, that is what I usually wear and seems to flatter my curvy body. I can't imagine wearing a full bikini, it's just not my style, but I suppose I could try it out. For one pieces, I am looking at
some pretty sexy ones that are backless with halter ties, etc., so not granny style. I don't care what DH says! LOL...
What do you think of this style? I could untie it when I lie on my stomach, and if I get brave enough to let the girls loose, it wouldn't be too ungraceful...  The back view is pretty good.

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=VITA-92MONX&mci=&size=&colour=&image=r633836-p633900-front

Mort, I know just what you mean. The fact that I have bits of psoriasis pretty much all over makes me feel I need to cover up entirely, but since the sun is good for it, I am going to try not to be too self-conscious this time.

What do you think of this style? I could untie it when I lie on my stomach, and if I get brave enough to let the girls loose, it wouldn't be too ungraceful...  The back view is pretty good.

That is super cute!  Go for it!

You will really stand out if you were a one-piece swim costume or a tankini.

You don't have to go topless, but only British or Americans are not wearing bikinis, IME.

I'm of the 'when in Rome' school of thought, so whilst living in France I went topless.

Easier to do in a bikini.

 

I think that suit is really cute! I say go for it! Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I have a Spanish friend who has an amazing body and she wears one piece suits sometimes.

Jewlz that suit you picked out is really nice! 

But on a personal note, may I add....I would *never* wear a bikini, let alone go topless *ever* anywhere on any beach or private home swimming pool anywhere in the whole world!!  I'm average weight, certainly not bikini worthy by US standards.  I haven't worn a two piece since I was probably 8 years old and haven't worn a swimsuit since I was about 17.  Yes, I am one of those who goes to the beach and in the ocean in shorts--long shorts and a tank top. I don't care how much I stand out.

My experience was like expat's--on the topless beaches in France, I went topless.  It's liberating, in a way.  Of course, I was thinner then. 

The suit you chose is lovely, and you should wear what makes you feel comfortable. 

You will really stand out if you were a one-piece swim costume or a tankini.

You don't have to go topless, but only British or Americans are not wearing bikinis, IME.

I'm of the 'when in Rome' school of thought, so whilst living in France I went topless.

Easier to do in a bikini.

 

I'm just curious.  Do overweight and average weight but a bit squishy women just do the bikini and topless thing as well?  How about more modest women like me or perhaps modest because of their religion?  Do they just not go to the beach then?  What do the men wear?  I'm sort of picturing the Speedo type of swimsuit.  I don't think my hubby would ever wear anything like that....

I'm from the bible belt too and the first time we went to the Med you can imagine my surprise when a few women popped their girls out.    But to my experience there was just as many women who didn't and was quite a few in one piece swimsuits as well. Go with what you feel comfortable in, people aren't there to judge you. 

I'm British but I've never gone topless in my entire life. I've worn bikinis and one-piece suits at beaches in the UK. I have not been to continental beaches so I can't say what I would do there. At this stage of life even though I have an slim to average body and have a nice figure, just for my own personal comfort I'm no longer interested in wearing a bikini OR one piece. I would wear something more along the lines of Andee even though my body is good, and I don't care if I stand out or not. Just a personal modesty/comfort zone thing and not to do with weight (I'm fairly fit) or religion (I don't have one).

Let everyone else do what they want, you must do what YOU want too, even if that happens to be different.