Finally it’s summer time! We can spend hours outdoors, enjoy cold drinks, eat loads of ice-cream, and most importantly, leave boots and jackets at home, although that’s probably the place where you might need it, because of the often family discussions about the ideal air-conditioners temperature.

Putting freezing conditions aside, the summer brings not only tanned (and shaved) skin, but also fresh pedicured feet, bright make-up colours, up hair-dos, fruity perfumes and fashionable sun-glasses, for every taste and pocket.

Although the prolonged sunlight has the same meaning as positive energy, it hides its darkest shade: the shame of the own figure.

Summer means hot weather and hot weather means fewer clothes – at least for the non-Muslim community. And what do fewer clothes mean? In some cases, sheer panic.

“Is the dress long enough to cover my fat thighs? What about the sleeves? I must hide my flabby underarms at all costs! Bikini? Oh, I wish I could…”

That’s exactly the problem. Why all this wishful thinking? Why must we feel as if we were not worthy the summer, the pool, the sea?

I understand that 99% of us, women, are not 100% satisfied with our bodies – not to mention our faces that can’t be hidden under any coat. But who are we trying to satisfy in the first place? Do we really feel that miserable when we are naked staring at the mirror, or do we only realize these issues when we catch ourselves fantasizing about malicious gossips?

The legendary bikini should be a right to every one: model-skinny as Kate Moss, muscular as Madonna, normal weight as Kate Winslet, luscious as Jennifer Lopez, pregnant as any beautiful pregnant woman, a bit overweight as Kirstie Alley and pretty heavy as Gabourey Sidibe, the actress of the film Precious.

And why is the bikini so important? Actually it isn’t. You can easily swim in a bathing suit or in a legging plus t-shirt bathing outfit, preferred in some Muslim countries. What happens is that the bikini gives the feeling of the utmost freedom. You feel free not to care what the others will say when they spot that huuuuuuge amount of cellulites on your buttocks or thighs. You will ignore when your chubby belly goes up and down with every step you take, like a jell-o being transported from A to B. You will also keep on smiling when you walk around the pool or stroll down the beach without the hideous wrap around the waist. The best of all? You will feel glorious for eating a succulent burger for lunch while wearing a tiny but yet decent bikini while the model-skinny lady beside you pretends to be happy with a boring caesar salad, also wearing the same sexy bikini as you.

Being a Brazilian by birth and by heart I first didn’t quite understand the fuss around Brazilian women when seen from international eyes. Now, 12 years after I left my country, I fully get it. Brazilian women are sexy not because they are supposed to possess flawless bodies in every way, far from it, since any person who visits a Brazilian beach can prove that not every silhouette is perfect. Brazilian women are taken for sexy because of the unbeatable femininity and confidence, and that’s what counts!

Short skirts, spaghetti shirts, silk dresses, white trousers. Slim or fat, luscious or flat, Brazilians don’t deny the summer, nor should any woman around the world because of any silliness. We have the right to feel good with ourselves, regardless of the weather.

So what are we waiting for? Let the splash season begin!

Luciana B. Veit