I know, I know – bad timing. Summer’s end is nearing and I’m bringing up bikinis. But I came across a picture today that made my vocal chords instinctively sputter out “YOU GO, GIRL!” and I just had to talk about the bikini-age relationship. The above picture is of the 86-year-old Duchess of Alba sporting a floral bikini with her husband on the shores of Spain.
Stepping out in a two-piece bathing suit in general is a weary task for many women that are generations younger than the Duchess. Where does she find the confidence to defy the body-snarking baggage that comes hand-in-hand with one of the most self-conscious garments women can tackle?
Of course, people of the crapshoot colony we call “Internet” are bashing the royal lady for daring to wear swimwear to the beach. Must the bikini only be confined to the young, toned and gorgeous and serve as an unrealistic goal for the rest? Well, that’s no fun. Why can’t you let the Duchess have fun, Internet?
(Side note! Snarking on physical imperfections is a concept that never registered in my head and unlikely ever will. Picking apart humans who are not your ideal because you came here to be impressed, dammit, is an unhealthy notion that happens too often and does not benefit a thing. Normalizing this makes us the acceptably mean.)
The Duchess of Alba, whose real name is Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, put on a bikini, went to a large body of water and had fun. This is every bikini’s purpose and it should be fulfilled regardless of age or shape. You are here to enjoy the summer season, bask in the sun and let the water refresh your body and cool you down. Swimming is a destination for merriment, to relax and feel free. Allowing your skin to soak in the sun and be in your element can be the most relaxing and pleasant feeling. Don’t let anyone keep you from feeling otherwise. Also, wear sunscreen.
Shame that I didn’t cover this at the beginning of summer.
Do you think that bikinis are or are not for everyone? Do you think the Duchess of Alba should be commended for wearing a bikini at her age?
via Huffington Post
Image source, Image source, Image source, image source
orchid / 234 posts
She looks fine, dressed for the occasion. I do not think they have an age or weight limit (Although I do not like to see children in skimpy string bikinis) ,it is up to the individual , but I am not going to sport a bikini I am just to rolly….I do that as a public service, some things are better unseen. I do have a few nice swimsuits one is a tankini with a skirt.
guest
Personally, there are some people I’d rather not see wear bikinis, but the same goes with some men who wear speedos.
However, I’m always impressed when I see someone not caring what others think. Maybe this lady shouldn’t wear a bikini at her age, but I think she looks rather cute in it. Remember, old people were once like you. If she’s confident enough to wear a bikini, more power to her.
sunflower / 451 posts
I’d say, if you’re not in a place with a dress code, the only person who has to like the outfit is the person wearing it. So more power to her!
guest
I know, most people will probably think that an woman over a certain age shouldn’t wear a bikini, but she rocks it. It fits and covers all the right parts, and the print is fun for summer. It is not like she was trying to wear a tiny triangle bikini top with a thong bottom–now that would be a bikini with age and weight limits. I think people should be able to wear whatever swimsuit they are comfortable in, as long as there is no free show for anyone, as there are usually other folks and often children at the beach and/pr pool. I not that comfortable showing that much skin in public so I’ll do myself a favor and wear a tank suit (one piece) or a tankini.
guest
There is no age limit. If you don’t like how someone looks at a public beach, you don’t have to look at them.
guest
I dont know if there should be an age limit, but I do admire her for wearing it!
(But I really wish she was wearing one that actually fit her properly.. Its a little saggy on top.. just my opinion)
However, I hate the look of bikinis on toddlers…
And no man, no matter his age, should ever ever be allowed to wear a speedo
guest
I think there should be an age & weight limit on bikinis.
It’s disgusting to see a saggy and/or fat woman in one.
guest
It’s not about what other people think it’s about the comfort of the person wearing the
bikini. To “reserve” bikinis to a category such as young and toned is horrible. Most of us aren’t that toned or young. I weigh 103 pounds and I am 20, I still have flab. I figure I am 15 pounds under weight, I should be able to wear that bikini even if I don’t have a flat and toned tummy. I recently lost 40 pounds and I wore a bikini for the first time, it couldn’t have been more intimidating but I was proud and that’s all that mattered to me! All bodies are beautiful whether they are big, small, wrinkly/saggy, toned, burned, freckled, you get the picture. Each and everyone of us is unique, go out and be proud of what you have to offer. People are attracted to different things so no matter what you wear out many women and men are already critiquing your outfit!
guest
She looks good! Who cares.
guest
If you don’t want to see it, don’t look is my policy. You can’t monitor what other people wear nor should you try to.
orchid / 119 posts
@SUPletstake___surveys@xanga -
You’re a much more disgusting person than a old or fat person in a bikini.
guest
She looks amazing. I also love seeing people be proud and embarrassing there bodies.
guest
Haha, I’m glad most people seem to agree with me here. “Go, granny, go!” To each his/her own, and I’ve definitely seen worse. (By “worse”, I mean that while I didn’t want to see it, it’s not my place to tell someone what they can or cannot wear, as long as there are no hygiene or safety concerns.)
guest
Agggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, my eyes!!!!!! I’ve gone fucking BLIND!!!! Aggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!
guest
*ROTFLMAO @ all the pussy liberals in this blog stating it is quite alright for the fugly, aged bitch to wear a bikini, thus revealing her sickening, disgusting body for all to see* I can GUARANTEE were these same pussy liberal bitches and cocks with their friends, they would be exclaiming ‘ewww’, then saying they should not be wearing such bikinis. These liberals, saying they have no problem with the skanky grandma wearing the bikini are so full of shit. What they are doing here is called ‘Doublespeak’. They say what they do not actually mean, in order to please their liberal peers. We fascists call it like it is. Cover yourself up, you aged, wilted fugly skank! We will NOT have you romping around on a public beach like that! You liberals are simply too pussy to say what you REALLY think.
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@thatkyliegirlx@xanga - Karma’s a bitch. People who think like that are the ones who will never have the confidence to wear something like that whether they are old or become fat. I just feel bad for them. If you really don’t want to see other people wearing what they like, just admire yourself in the mirror or divert your gaze elsewhere.
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@thatkyliegirlx@xanga - Ah yes, the fat bitches. Keep them off our beaches too. I live near a lake and a beach. I have seen the fat skags wearing bikinis. Trust me when I say there is nothing more disgusting than seeing a fat cow wearing a bikini… well that is until I saw that picture up there. Fucking disgusting.
guest
I’ve always been okay with people showing what many would consider to be “too much” skin. I’m actually more comfortable being covered up, personally, but I think if you wanna wear a bikini…****ing do it. You have one life; one body to live in, and everyone has the freedom to decide for themselves.
guest
@CanuckFascist@xanga - If I rolled on the floor laughing my ass off as often as you do…I’d have amazing abs.
orchid / 119 posts
@CanuckFascist@xanga -
You don’t even know what the fuck you’re talking about. I know you’re type, bro. Think you’re better than everyone because you’re a big tough asshole. Spend your whole life making sure you think, feel, dress and act different than the average person. Cause we’re all little mindless sheep, eh? Well guess what, nowadays we’re able to think for ourselves. You just decide what we are and what we do when you have no proof to go on. This is an essentially anonymous forum, why would people even bother to try and respond with the socially acceptable answer? It doesn’t make any sense, people either say how they feel whether it’s what everyone else thinks, an opposing view, or they’d just ignore it, not wanna be bothered with drama and wait for the next post.Anyone can wear whatever the fuck they want, that has nothing to do with being liberal whatever the fuck that even means. It has to do with being a normal, caring person who understands a persons rights and believes in believing in yourself and others, as opposed to an ignoran asshole.
guest
@thatkyliegirlx@xanga - Oh my, such a violent little temper tantrum! Truly, you need to get a handle on your emotions.
Dear, you have never met my ‘type’. Trust me on this, for my type wouldn’t give you a passing glance, and most definitely not even mutter a ‘hello’ in your direction. Judging from the way you responded to my comment, not a hope in hell. My type does not deal with the absurd.
‘Nowadays’? You mean you were once upon a time incapable of thinking for yourselves? Well, I always knew that, but thank you for proving me correct.
Ah, but this is a ‘social forum’, therefore cliques are indeed created. Within this forum, one may find many different types of individuals, with liberals representing amongst the worst members of society. They would indeed choose to be socially acceptable. Would they not wish to gain acceptance amongst their peers. Otherwise, would not others react to them in a most ridiculous manner as you have reacted to me? It is you who fails to understand social mores.
What of the rights of the person who is forced to view the aged skank in a bikini? Have you no understanding of those right? But of course you do not. After all, the woman in question is aged, therefore of greater import than the general population. Typical liberal thinking. Fuck the rights of the majority in order to give rights to a tiny, tiny minority. Surely you do not believe I am alone in my thinking when it comes to this subject, no? I can GUARANTEE 90%, or even more, of the individuals on a beach would agree with my thoughts, although some would PRETEND to care and want the aged wrinkle to have her way. You DO understand the way your society works, yes? Majority rules?
guest
@Manic_Butterflies@xanga - What of the freedom of the individual who is forced to gaze upon such a disgusting sight? I guess such individuals do not matter in the grand liberal scheme of things?
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@thatkyliegirlx@xanga - ’Bro’? The intellectual advancement of our society has come to the word ‘bro’? Just as bad as ‘dude’. My children, you are seeing the downfall of Western society. This big girl is one example of that downfall.
guest
She looks like she’s melting. But that may be the results of too much plastic surgery?
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@CanuckFascist@xanga - That’s a matter of wanting protection, not freedom.
guest
she looks remarkably good for an old lady. The health nuts may even call her a role model.
Personally I let people wear what they want and let others comment what they want. If they need something to gossip let hem be happy. As long as there is no law on who is allowed to wear what I don’t care.
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@Manic_Butterflies@xanga -
guest
Woooah it is a bit scary – took the picture a while to load n I wasn’t expecting that…
But hell no, bikinis should be for whoever feels comfortable in them, I think the wearer should consider other peoples eyes though, like no one wants to see a hairy bush or awful fat rolls, but age is something that can’t be helped so no age limit
guest
@CanuckFascist@xanga - Really? What kind of fascist society do you live in that you’re being “forced” to look at anything?? You have a major sense of entitlement and due to what, your preference on what you find attractive? News flash, you are not the deciding factor on what people believe to be beautiful.
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@taketimeforme@xanga -
She is on a public beach, therefore the PUBLIC cannot help but see her. Has she never heard of common courtesy? You speak of ‘entitlement’, yet the old bag feels she is ‘entitled’ to wear handkerchiefs that cover nothing. It has nothing to do with my own personal preference. It has to do with the preference of the majority, and I can guarantee no one on that beach wants to gaze upon her fugly, disturbingly disgusting body. They pay taxes, which pay for the upkeep of the beach. As such, they ARE entitled to demand she cover herself up. It’s a numbers game, sweetie. Far, far more people would prefer to see her covered up. You know it and I know it.
As for being the deciding factor on what people believe to be beautiful, I am tuned in. I KNOW what others believe to be beautiful. Now, please do not go into a diatribe about how I cannot possibly know this. Such knowledge is in fact common knowledge. You may bullshit all you want, but facts are facts.
P.S. In a fascist society, the aged skank wouldn’t be allowed to wear a bikini on the beach. She would be banned from it, unless she agreed to wear a one-piece that covers everything, including if possible, her face. Hooray for fascism!
guest
More power to her for having the confidence to wear whatever the hell she wants! I agree with everything said in your post. I feel like most people her age just DGAF about what people think lol
guest
I think it’s great ! She looks fine to me and I’m glad she’s getting out and enjoying life ! Age notwithstanding.
Carmen Dell’Orefice, for instance, is 80-years old and still modeling for photo shoots. All I can say to that is nice job ! Φ ≡