Topless Grans

I can remember being amazed when my friend and I went to Ibiza in the 60's and the beaches seemed to be full of fat Spanish ladies in their underwear! Perhaps they didn't make swim wear in those sizes in Spain?

Go for it Swimhome. I can recommend some quiet beaches in N Wales

Some people have no pride in themselves.What a bleddy sight when you em got yer gun.cover it up please.

My mother had bigguns and my sister does too but I missed out in that department. I'm more than happy being less well endowed but prefer to keep them out of public view. The nearest I've come to outdoor exposure has been when I was breastfeeding babies. I was always discreet though. Flashing your assets in public is surely the ultimate attention seeking behaviour.

I have and still would get my boobs out, in fact I would go to a naturist beach if I could, total freedom and something I will look into next year. So be warned, I might be coming to a beach near you!

YUK! Pass me a bucket.

deedaa in South Africa immediately after the country was liberated, it was a common sight to see people previously denied the privilege of swimming in the ocean on certain beaches (how crazy that seems now) in the water in their underwear. When you think about it, why not?

I live in SW London and every year around the time of Wimbledon I can't help but notice how many older women on the trains, often deeply tanned and heavy-breasted, go for a "look" that requires strappy vests and displaying cleavages down to their ribcages... not for me, but each to their own.

That is rude and inappropriate marmark - nobody is forced to stare at other people's bodies if they find them disgusting. Just look the other way!
There is far too much judging of other people's bodies going on IMO and in particular women's bodies. This has got much worse over my lifetime. Back in the 60s we were not constantly assessing breasts, bottoms etc etc in the way we do now. By today's standards Diana Dors would be obese and Barbara Windsor seriously in need of silicone implants.
Those nasty women's magazines that are constantly criticising celebrities (female of course) don't help. Too thin, too fat etc, all the time. The low point came I think when the Kate M bravely faced the world's cameras the day after giving birth (when, as we all know, you still look 6 months pregnant) and the press started stories about her "baby weight"

Swimhome- that's great - but you can do so without 'imposing' the sight on others. I've used to go topless but then I had a really good pair. I would do it now still, but in private- out of respect for others who might prefer not to have my saggy boobs displayed. Same for my tummy.

And yes, why not go to a naturist club or beach if that takes your fancy. We did it one summer, by chance- (eg the beach in Argelès was so noisy, busy, crowded and full of g-strings) so we and the kids walked quite a distance to another beach- then found out why it was so lovely and quiet ;) We went back to the other beach, but then after 30 mins of super woofers blasting in our ear, and people jumping all over us... we looked at each other and said 'shall we' - great 2 weeks- and brown as berries all over. Never done it again, and never felt the need- but I'd say that's the way to go if you want to feel the sun all over without being in 'peoples' faces'.

Friend of mine used to go topless on hols, until one day by the pool she heard voices behind her 'oh hello Mrs X- are you on holiday here too' - 2 teenage boys from the tutor group- never again!

The only time I swam without my bikini top was in a private villa in France. I swam my usual lengths of the pool and stood up to see the farmer sitting on his ? next to the fence watching me. The water was too blooming cold to stay put, I hope I didn't put him off his lunch

If you have the confidence to go topless then do it! sod what anyone else says its your body no one elses.

I'm with JessM. Very disappointed to see body shaming of older women in an older women's forum.

I'm shocked at home many of you concur with the original post. Live and let live.

Well said Jess M. Each to their own.

Just returned from a couple of very nice weeks in Mallorca. Many topless ladies, of all ages and sizes. Although older bosums are can be baggier and saggier i actually admire their confidence, and think good luck to them. The thing I did notice was the huge increase in very extensive tattoos on both men and women, all nationalities. Instead of the odd butterfly, rose or heart , entire legs, arms, chests, backs, sides, were covered in complicated and detailed designs. Not my taste, but live and let live. They may come to regret when the wrinkles inevitably come calling.

Don't worry littlefierce we do body shaming of older men too!

And of course many more topless men, which no one would comment on despite some of them having saggy and baggy bosums too!!

I once saw 2 older rather large naked ladies walking on a beach in Spain and thought how wonderful to see such body confidence, I really admired their attitude and felt a bit of a frump hiding in my towel. After seeing them my towel was off - I felt so free from their example. Wonderful. Do what you feel is now my motto.

Thank you, JessM. One of the most helpful experiences of my life, when I was 25 and utterly self-conscious, was going to a sauna and steam room at my local swimming pool and seeing every shape, size and age of woman naked. It made me realise that we were acceptable as women whatever we looked like and I spent many happy years going to naturist beaches and enjoying the sea on my body without the constriction of a costume. The only reason I no longer do it is fear of the sun and the nasty things it can do to our skin.

We are lucky enough to spend the summer on a Greek island but very few of any age tend to be topless these days. You can bet your life though that your eating a meal and on a sunbed nearby there will be a scary sight-enough to put you off your taramasalata!
Those days are long gone for me but each to their own.

Oddly appropriate - taking a break from packing to read this thread. We're off to the South of France at sparrowfart... and never mind topless.. the whole kitten caboodle comes off!

Can only say if you haven't tried it, you don't know what you're missing. And if you think anyone else on a naturist beach gives a kippers dick what you like like... um... sorry but they don't !

Oh yes and just for the record I'm 65 and size 18!

My daughter has lived in Germany for l0 years and Germans "do naked" at the drop of a hat. Go to any lake, there are naked people happily splashing around. Spas are always mixed and "textile free" ie just a towel/or not! and if cossies are used you have to check with management. I admire it, I think, but its not for me too self conscious.

it's not about body 'shaming' at all- but a time and a place ...

OMG the possibility of the crispy nipples............no,no,no,no, and no.

Perhaps someone has already remarked but I would add into the chat that exposing as much skin as possible to the health giving rays of the sun is to be encouraged. As we age we become less effeciant at absorbing Vitamin D from the sun and it is so important for older people general health and bone health in particular.

Sadly with our climate we tend to cover our bodies too much and many will lead a life indoors rather than out, not what nature intended.