(Or maybe the better question is, Should women of a certain age wear a bikini?)You know it's almost summer when every day there's a new bikini or swimsuit offer from Victoria's Secret in your in box. And, I have to admit, Victoria's Secret does have some nice bikinis. And I could probably use a new swimsuit, and have actually been thinking about buying a bikini (though probably not one from Victoria's Secret -- unless they include a pair of C-cup breasts with it) as I'm in pretty good shape these days.
But recently I have been wondering if I am too old to be parading around in a bikini. (Not that I would be parading anywhere. More like leisurely strolling or sitting in a chaise longue reading a book.)
Yeah, sure, it's fine for some hot twentysomething swimsuit model to parade around in a bikini. (Curse you, Brooklyn Decker, and your not-so-little Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue friends, too!) But what about the other 99.8% of the female population, especially us women of a certain age? Is it still okay for us to expose our navels and a little bit of derriere in public? Or should I just opt for a muumuu? (Or does it have nothing to do with age and everything to do with confidence and/or how you look?)
Let me know your thoughts -- and if there are any rules for wearing a bikini -- via the Comments.
In the meantime, here's a bonus video clip from "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini," one of seven classic "Beach Party" movies made by American International Pictures back in the 1960s.
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10 comments:
It's a matter of attitude and comfort with oneself.
Age is just a number. Helen Mirren is 60-something and rocks a bikini, blowing away 20-something thin but out of shape Hollywood babes.
As for "buying" C-cup - those "chicken fillets" do wonders, no surgery necessary!
So buy a bikini (or two) from VS, stuff with chicken fillets if necessary, and walk proudly! Show the world all your hard work! If you've got it, flaunt it, sister!
I'll meet you at the beach in my mumu :-)
Yes. See e.g.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1035510/Helen-Mirren-bikini-queen-reigns-supreme-63.html
Suggestions for wearing a bikini for women of a certain age:
1. Make sure it fits, even if it is tiny.
2. Unless you have had a boob job, underwire and probably padding too.
3. Rather than forego the bikini entirely, work the pareo or sheer beach coverup.
4. Accentuate the positive. While you can't eliminate the negative, you can downplay it with cut, color, and print.
5. Don't be so hard on yourself. Every women has physical flaws and imperfections, even the Brooklyn Decker's of the world.
On a totally different subject...I am guessing you did not blog on the AI finale because it was just sooo horrendous. Two hours of torture for 2 minutes of disappointment and disgust. Nuff said.
Anna
@Lizzy, the spouse made the exact same comment (about it being a matter of attitude/comfort, not the "chicken fillets") when he saw the post -- and told me I should just go buy a bikini. See you at the beach!
@Anonymous, Helen Mirren sure is getting a lot of plugs today! Thanks for the link and the suggestions. Though I am going to skip the boob job (not that you were suggesting I get one). Maybe I should take you swimsuit shopping with me. ;-)
@Anna, I absolutely blogged about last night's American Idol. It's just that it's an update to my previous AI post. (I always include the results as an UPDATE rather than a separate post.)
You look GREAT in a bikini – a lot better than the muscle-toneless girls in that video clip – so continue to wear them. When I was in my teens in Philadelphia, my mother used to take me to a shop called Sophie Curzon that specialized in junior-sized dresses. Its motto was “Junior is a Size, not an Age,” and to me the same holds true for Bikini. But please be sure to slather yourself in sunscreen.
In general, I agree with the comfort-level statement. But there has to be some level of realistic self-assessment, which is why you'll never see me in a Speedo. :-)
In your case, J-TWO, yes, you should definitely wear a bikini.
It's really quite simple:
If you want people to see the exposed parts of your body, wear one.
If you don't want people to see those parts, don't.
Who cares what other's may say.
Anna
In your case, J., I think we're all willing to make an exception. ;-) Of course, you can't put up a post like this and not follow up later this summer with some steamy beach pics. And I know just the guy to take 'em, too!
What I notice is that men who are older than you will think its fine and those younger than you will be "bleh." It is unlikely a guy used to 20 year old girls is going to think any 40 year old looks good in a bikini. Sixty year old men will think otherwise.
Of course they can. I've just come back from vacation in Spain and women of all shapes and sizes wear wearing bikinis. My mom is 57 and she still wears one on her summer break. She is confident to reveal her tanned looks. Why shouldn't she. I don't think there is a cut off point, as long as you feel confident to do so,
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