Yep, that's right, I found a shop in Florence that sells thongs as bikini bottoms for 2 years old up!
I was looking for a new swimming costume for my 3 year old daughter. The shop I looked in had really pretty, from a distance, bikini's with frills etc. I picked up a pair of bottoms and the back of the pants was an inch wide strip with a frill running up each side. Is it just me or is this sick?
Buying swimming costumes in Italy isn't easy even when you're older I've learnt this lesson. I bought a few some years ago, none of which fitted right. Now I wait until I can go to Topshop or Marks+Sparks.
BTW, Giulia from the board is having problems finding her daughter a costume too IIRC (from her blog).
I don't know what beach you go to or are going to but you won't have to worry about the size of the bathing costume as most toddlers are running around "au natural" (bare arsed)!
Posts: 2583 | Location (City & State): Connecticut, USA | Registered: 07 October 2005
Hah- that reminds me. My Swedish dad used to always complain about toddlers wearing bathing costumes. I wanted a pink frilly bikini when I was about 3 (not a thong mind you!) and he insisted that I had to go to the beach au naturel "because that's what they do in Sweden." (Annika - is this true?)
Just a sidenote - anyone know where the "unclad" beaches are in Italy? Is skinny dipping "done" here or not? Just wondering...
Ramona - at Torvainica just south of Ostia is the nude/gay beach. It's also right next to a beach that is known as a family beach. Our children were oblivious the last time we were there. Looking to one side of us were a bunch of families with their children and on the other side of us were a bunch of very buff and nude gay men and women. Topless for women isn't a big deal though no matter which beach you go to.
Originally posted by Gil: I don't know what beach you go to or are going to but you won't have to worry about the size of the bathing costume as most toddlers are running around "au natural" (bare arsed)!
Except those that are all dressed in silly costumes that include things and bras (a bra ona 3 years old pre sex- and gender-conscious child is the silliest idea in the world, IMHO!).
For the family nude beaches, you have to google for "naturista". There are naturist groups that also "run" beaches where people can go with no worry. Most of the nudist beaches that are not supervised by these organizatons, instead, are crowded with unwanted guests.
I'm pretty sure there's a naturist summer community near here, in Baia Domizia. At least that's what my husband has told me. He says that they're all Swedish! Maybe your Dad would have a fun time there, Ramona.
Disclaimer: the content of this post is specific to my personal experience of Italy and may differ from received opinion about the bel paese.
i thought that here in Italy nudist beaches were only "private circles". I have never heard of public nudist beach (in France yes) in Italy, there are stabilimenti balneari owned by nudists and you have to pay.
When I was a child around the age of 4 I thought that swimming costumes were made to swim, so I put them on before going into the water, and took them off as soon as I reached tthe beach! ahahah!
Posts: 1249 | Location (City & State): Pavia (PV) - north Italy | Registered: 24 September 2005
Ramona, I don't think the beach is sleazy just that it is a very obvious gay beach. However, I'm sure gay or straight could frequent it. Sleazy would be the transsexual and transvestite hookers on a nearby side road that connects to via Cristoforo Colombo.
IIRC there's a nudist beach in the Sperlonga Gaeta area (Lazio). I went to a beach in that area and someone said the beach further down is a nudist beach. I can't understand it myself, but it would solve the problem of finding a decent swimming costume.
Originally posted by Delina: IIRC there's a nudist beach in the Sperlonga Gaeta area (Lazio). I went to a beach in that area and someone said the beach further down is a nudist beach. I can't understand it myself, but it would solve the problem of finding a decent swimming costume.
Unfortunately, I can vouch for the existence of that beach. We often go to a beach that's right next to the nude one, and if we want to go for a walk along the water, we pass that one. It's mostly older men.
Disclaimer: the content of this post is specific to my personal experience of Italy and may differ from received opinion about the bel paese.
Originally posted by Gil: I don't know what beach you go to or are going to but you won't have to worry about the size of the bathing costume as most toddlers are running around "au natural" (bare arsed)!
I understand letting a child run nude. I do not understand the idea of a thong. The sole purpose of the thong would be to sexualize the child, which is pretty sick.
We eventually found a very pretty bikini - she wants to be like mum and insisted on a 2-piece - with proper knickers and a top that looks like the old-fashioned summer dresses - shirring elastic with rick-rack, so more like a cropped top. She's happy, I'm happy.
Unfortunately with her long blonde hair and blue eyes I don't want her nuddy on the beach as you don't know what sickos are taking photos these days. A thong would also be a step in the wrong direction.
As for nudist beaches - the one in Brigton UK is priceless - lots of cold old men! Again, the clothed beach abuts it.
i think there are hygiene reasons for putting a bathing suit on a child as well. a british woman here in berkeley used to let her daughter go naked at the local park- i mean in the sand, down the slide, down the pole- it made me sick to watch. i also worried about how happy it made the pedophiles...
Originally posted by Ramona: Hah- that reminds me. My Swedish dad used to always complain about toddlers wearing bathing costumes. I wanted a pink frilly bikini when I was about 3 (not a thong mind you!) and he insisted that I had to go to the beach au naturel "because that's what they do in Sweden." (Annika - is this true?)
(a year later... ) Yes it's true At least up to the age of 3 or 4. I have memories of running around our neighborhood in the nude too, and mom couldn't understand why, at the ripe age of 5, I refused to do it anymore. "Don't be ridiculous, take your clothes off! Nobody cares, and the fresh air is good for you!" she said. Well, I cared!
quote:
a british woman here in berkeley used to let her daughter go naked at the local park- i mean in the sand, down the slide, down the pole- it made me sick to watch. i also worried about how happy it made the pedophiles...
Ten years ago I was able to go topless at the beach in Italy without batting an eye. Now that we live here, I am bummed to see most women covering up. Last summer I spotted some guy taking pictures of me an the two other topless women on the beach with his cell phone. I guess that's why most women are covering up. When I noticed him (he was trying to be very discrete) I got my camera out and started taking pictures of him... he looked around in shock and left the beach. Hah!
Expats in Italy Forum 
I've learnt this lesson. I bought a few some years ago, none of which fitted right. Now I wait until I can go to Topshop or Marks+Sparks. 
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) Yes it's true 
At least up to the age of 3 or 4. I have memories of running around our neighborhood in the nude too, and mom couldn't understand why, at the ripe age of 5, I refused to do it anymore. "Don't be ridiculous, take your clothes off! Nobody cares, and the fresh air is good for you!" she said. Well, I cared! 
ouch!