Everyone wears a bikini in Greece. It’s true – most of the women here are wearing bikinis. One-piece swimsuits are not common on Greek beaches. I love the freedom that the women here feel – many of them of European tourists, of course. But whether French, Spanish, Greek or Italian, confidence emanates from them.
Despite their body shape or size, these women are wearing their two-piece bikinis and wearing them proudly. Not to mention that men of all ages are prancing around in boxers, briefs and even jockeys. I don’t see an ounce of body image anxiety at all. If there is, it’s hidden very well.
What the difference compared to the body image mentality in North America. Is there a difference? There must be. Europeans must not be concerned about Hollywood standards, instead celebrating their own definition of beauty. Perhaps they aren’t inundated with body-perfect images as we are in North America.
In Greece, you may not see an older woman wearing revealing clothing on the street, but on the beach, it’s a different story. It seems expected that women and men should shed as much clothing as possible, so they can feel the sun on every part of their exposed skin. Let your skin breathe! You’re not supposed to cover much of your skin at a beach.
You’ll also see women – even mature women – going topless, and it is perfectly fine to everyone on the beach. There is no judgement. How liberating! I’m positive that these women are not Greek, but tourists from other parts of Europe.
Personally, as long as your private parts are covered, and I don’t mean your breasts, wear what’s comfortable for you. I don’t have a celebrity “bikini body”, but I will rock my bikini at the beach. I’m 40 and do not have what the celebrity tabloids would call a “bikini body” but I will rock a bikini if I choose to, and where appropriate – I likely wouldn’t wear an itsy bitsy bikini in the community swimming pool at the community centre.
Here’s another thing to consider – I may not live up to Hollywood standards and not have a killer bod and abs, but my husband thinks I look hot and that’s good enough for me. Not everyone around the world cares about celebrities in Hollywood, or that a model size 0 is the best body.
I love seeing women of all ages be comfortable in their own skin – no matter how much is showing. As I get older, I am more comfortable in my own skin – if only I had that confidence in my 20s, I could’ve rocked that bikini even more!
Wear a bikini and be proud!
20 Comments
This is a great philosophy and example of how we should be living. Not by the standards that are so unrealistic and established by the media and movies.
Ah easier said than done. I’m starting to lose everything to gravity, lol
There are some good push-up bikini tops lol!
My only issue is that I am so white that bearing my skin would be more painful than pleasurable.
I was never comfortable wearing a bikini. It’s always the swimsuit for me, but I might try it in Greece. 🙂
I wish I was that confident to wear a bikini. I was raised in a very strict, conservative family and I admit, I have never donned a bikini in my entire life!
I hope you decide one day to try it out!
Such a nice place to visit with my family but im not comfortable wear bikini too , i hope we can get there someday
I would love to see that level of confidence in girls and women here in the states. Low self esteem is the norm here and it’s really quite sad. I just added Greece to my bucket list!
Excellent! Glad I was able to sway you to visit! I just find a different mentality here with respect to body image and confidence – wish I could see that more in North America.
Ahhhh I’m all about bikinis!!! Wish more people would be comfortable with them. Be proud of your body, big or small 🙂
Yay, glad to hear it!
Amen!
I think having a bikini for women for the purpose of exposing the body in the sun very reasonable.
I used to wear a bikini all the time but after 3 children I’m all about the wet suit! Nobody wants to see my body!
Says who?! If you want to wear it, go for it! Let your tummy see some sun!
This is neat. But at the same time, although there are all types of body types in Europe, they don’t have near the obesity problem we have here.
I think that it is great women in Greece feel comfortable wearing bikinis regardless of their body shape. I wish the US would adopt this fashion so everyone could feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Thanks for the post! There are so many societal pressures on women to be a certain way. We all need a level of confidence to be more comfortable with who we are.
I do not believe there is ahiyntng I can say to this that would not make me sound like a dirty old man. So, to quote a much more famous dirty old man (Jackie Gleason look it up): Homina homina homina .Seriously, this is a beautiful, stylish, and sexy photo. Much awesomeness!bcg