European Beach Attire - All or Nothing??

I never wore a bikini my whole life (and I could have certainly as a kid) until I started dating my ex who's German. He basically said the same thing as someone above that very few younger women wear one pieces. Also, he told me that my body is *just fine* the way it is and really encouraged me to go for it. Now, I only wear bikinis (not string bikinis, but a "modest" version that covers the essentials and a bit more). It was nice to be told that my body looks good like that and it's certainly an ego boost!

I also am from the bible belt and hardly go around showing my bits (none of those booty shorts or low cut shirts for me). However, I have gone topless a few times in France and Spain on the Med. You will see all types- many people you wish would really cover up (loads of those leathery "I practically live here" older folks and guys in way too tight speedos!) It's doubtful that people will be paying much attention to what you have on. Wear whatever makes you most comfortable and own it and you'll fit right in.

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....

In my experience, all body types seem to shove their bits into suits that I wouldn't wear if you gave me a Cindy Crawford body and a million dollars. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I've been scarred for life by the sight of an 80 year old Italian nonna (grandma) sitting topless on the beach watching what I thought was her naked grandson playing by the water.  It was shocking (I'm not judging, she was clearly comfortable, but I was quite shocked nonetheless)

Of course, she may have only been 40 and had the skin and features of an 80 year old because of overexposure to the sun, but I really doubt it.

Also, not to stereotype, but the Germans come to mind when you bring up this question (maybe because there are SO many of them on Italian and Spanish beaches).  Germans, on the average, tend to be stouter folk, and seem to have absolutely no problem wearing bikinis and speedos-type bathing suits. 

It may be that I simply noticed these people more than those who were more modestly dressed precisely because of the "OMG" factor.  But yeah, bikinis and speedos abound and are worn by those who perhaps are exposing more than others are comfortable seeing.

Hrm.  My DH is kind of a skinny minny.  Wonder if I could convince him to wear a speedo-type suit.  He'd be kinda cute.

Thanks L_E, MidnightBlue, Gottaget, and exjerseygirl!  I think when the time comes I'll wear maybe a modest one-piece--maybe a retro 1940's style suit, sort of "boy-cut" on the bottom part and a little wrap-around cover-up as well.  If not, then I'll join Midnight blue in long shorts and a tank!

n my experience, all body types seem to shove their bits into suits that I wouldn't wear if you gave me a Cindy Crawford body and a million dollars. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I've been scarred for life by the sight of an 80 year old Italian nonna (grandma) sitting topless on the beach watching what I thought was her naked grandson playing by the water.  It was shocking (I'm not judging, she was clearly comfortable, but I was quite shocked nonetheless)

This is hilarious!  Hilariously disturbing.

Thanks L_E, MidnightBlue, Gottaget, and exjerseygirl!  I think when the time comes I'll wear maybe a modest one-piece--maybe a retro 1940's style suit, sort of "boy-cut" on the bottom part and a little wrap-around cover-up as well.  If not, then I'll join Midnight blue in long shorts and a tank!
This is hilarious!  Hilariously disturbing.

Yay, lets rock the shorts and tanks!! 

Yay, lets rock the shorts and tanks!! 

Yeah!

I wore a tankini when we went to Cyprus.

I've been to beaches in Cyprus, Italy and Croatia.  The majority were wearing tops, only a few in Cyprus were topless and I would say they were German.

As for bikini or full suit, I have no idea.  I'm sure everyone will be having too good a time in the sun to notice what type of suit you are wearing.

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....

On the whole, and admittedly most of my experience was in France because I lived there for a couple of years, yep, women of all body types wore bikinis.

It was quite refreshing, poeple not being so hung up on being 'thin' or having model-type bodies.

You don't find many people as religious as you do in the US outside of the Middle East, IME.

Again, just my experience, but there you go.

After a while, for me at least, it made me more comfortable with my body and now, with the changes that have come with age and childbearing.

As long as I'm fit, I no longer stress about weight or size. 

I'm now so glad I went!

This is hilarious!  Hilariously disturbing.

The scarred for life part is no exaggeration.  It was 12 years ago when I saw this, and I still remember the details WAY too vividly. 

Glad this thread could resurrect that which I had tried to suppress! 

Also, because it cannot be emphasized enough - regardless of what bathing suit you choose (not) to wear, make sure you wear lots and lots and lots of sunscreen! 

On the whole, and admittedly most of my experience was in France because I lived there for a couple of years, yep, women of all body types wore bikinis.

It was quite refreshing, poeple not being so hung up on being 'thin' or having model-type bodies.

You don't find many people as religious as you do in the US outside of the Middle East, IME.

Again, just my experience, but there you go.

After a while, for me at least, it made me more comfortable with my body and now, with the changes that have come with age and childbearing.

As long as I'm fit, I no longer stress about weight or size. 

I'm now so glad I went!

Awww, thanks for that. I do want to be comfortable with myself. And although I don't have some tanned, tropical, Giselle Bundchen g-string bikini type body, I certainly don't think I would gag anyone or make them feel offended by my choice of swimsuit, regardless. As DH says, there will be all shapes and sizes, and it doesn't matter very much. We are there to have a good time. If old ladies and extra-large lassies can sport a bikini (sans top or not) and not be bothered, then why should I? But, I guess I will just have to try a few suits and bikinis on and see what I am most comfortable with. Hopefully I will get there and just not give a $hit like all those other women!    Maybe it's best to buy a tankini that also has a bikini top, this way I can decide which is better once I get there. And lots of sarongs and cover-ups for when I am walking to the bar or whatever. Besides, my boobs are actually my best feature, so why not show them off? It's the belly that concerns me... lol! So if everyone can see the worst bits, then why not show them the best bits at the same time?  At least that will even out the perspective a bit.

Buy and wear what you feel comfortable in and have a good time!  That's what it's all about at any rate.

I went topless in Italy and felt very comfortable, but that's me and I don't have much to see.   The most important thing is to do what you are comfortable with. The last thing you want to do is feel self conscience on your holiday.

About that one piece, I think it is very cute but I think that it might be harder to wear than a bikini, especially if you are curvy. That type of suit is for someone that wants to create more curves, like a boyish body.

I'm quite comfortable with my body and I started wearing tankinis on trips to the beach because it was easier to go to the bathroom! 

I don't think I'd go topless, simply because I'd fear sunburn on my pasty-white boobs.

One thing I noticed when I wanted to pick up a bathing suit for a stay at a hotel that had a pool was that even the tankini tops seemed to be REALLY low cut compared to the tops I bought in the US.

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.

This is me as well. The last time I really wore a swimsuit was when I was way little, and since I live in Oregon and 90% of the time it's well too cold for a bikini at the beach anyway, I go without. I don't even wear shorts because I don't go anywhere near the water--I don't swim, so at the most I just walk along where the tide comes in so my feet get wet, so I roll my trousers up a bit. I don't really stand out I don't think in a beach here in Oregon, but I can't wait till Steve tries to drag me off to a beach in Spain or something  I wouldn't be caught dead in anything nearly resembling a swimsuit or bikini.

I tried it once in Greece. I was on my own, on the beach, and the only woman wearing a top. But I was laying on my stomach reading.

Then I started getting paranoid of getting a sunburn *there*.  I've gotten burned on multiple occasions while wearing SPF 85 sunscreen, and that just wasn't a risk I was willing to take!

I usually wear tankinis because I have a long torso and it's hard to find a 1 piece swimsuit that fits me right.

Do what's comfortable.  Tankini's seem to be very popular -- at least in the catalogues.
BTW, Jewlz, my mum had psoriasis and whenever we went to the beach she would trot down to the surf -- in her shorts and blouse! -- and religiously splash seawater over her elbows and legs which were the worst affected.  Then she would always take a bottle of it home with her.  My aunt had it as well and would often come back from the beach with a bucket to share!  Seemed to work.