Bathing Suits and Cover Ups

Ana- Viejas, since I left Venezuela I have been to the beach very few times. It is my fault as in my mind; nothing compares to Venezuelan beaches. The fact that I have not been able to get a new Venezuelan passport (which was supposedly issued November 2021 but I have yet to receive) only aggravates the situation.

As if the above was not enough, there are other barriers to spending time at the beach. An older body, an apio (ä’ pē-ō) complexion, and uncontrollable body bulges.

Now, please do not let any of that deter you vieja.

As for the apio skin color; unless you are a particular mix of Indigenous Venezuelan, Spanish, Portuguese, and African descent; your mom probably never told you had apio colored skin. For the other matters, there are ways to add to a bathing suit to look fabulous under the sun; up to the moment you decide to get into the water. After you get into the water you are covered and probably more worried about the aquatic fauna than appearing in an unflattering photograph. Here are some ideas of bathing suit and cover up combinations to keep it cool and look cool at the beach. Enjoy the summer!

Corina – I have been in the USA for over 40 years. It is my home and some of my friends who I grew up with (and yes, we are still in touch) tease me about how American I am. However, there are a few things that after all this time I still miss, one of them being the tropical weather and the Venezuelan beaches. We spent almost every weekend and holiday at the beach, which means beach wear was a must!

Going to the beach or the pool is not something I do much anymore. If I do, a stylish swimsuit coverup is an essential part of the weekend. It serves to cover how “pale” I am these days. It also serves as my dress to walk around, shop and go into restaurants while at the beach. Luckily, there are many styles and trends to choose from these days. I like the one piece easy to pull over coverup in a light fabric and a neutral color. Occasionally, I still wear a pareo tied around the waist and always complete the look with a pair of flip-flops.