What Croatia Taught Me About Swimwear, Summer & Body Confidence

There’s something different about Summer in Croatia.

Maybe it’s the impossibly clear Adriatic. The rocky beaches and little swimming platforms tucked beneath old stone villages. The long afternoons by the sea that seem to effortlessly become evenings over dinner and drinks.

But after spending time here this European summer, one thing I’ve found myself noticing again and again is the way people wear swimwear.

And perhaps more importantly, the way they don’t seem to overthink it.

The bikini reigns supreme

One of the first things I noticed was how few one-piece swimsuits I’ve seen.

As someone who designs a lot of one pieces, it really stood out to me. Along the Croatian coast, bikinis are everywhere—and the classic triangle bikini seems to be a firm favourite.

Simple shapes. Tie sides. Minimal silhouettes. Pieces that feel relaxed rather than overly styled.

There’s also plenty of mixing and matching. Bikini tops and bottoms don’t necessarily need to belong to the same set. Different colours, prints and styles are worn together without hesitation.

It feels less about creating a perfectly coordinated “look” and more about throwing on the swimwear you love and heading to the water.

And every body is wearing one

This has probably been my favourite observation.

There seems to be far less concern about whether someone has the “right body” to wear a bikini.

Different ages. Different shapes. Different sizes.

They wear the bikini.

There isn’t the same sense that you need to cover certain parts of yourself or reach some imaginary standard before you’re allowed to wear a particular swimsuit.

Of course, body confidence is deeply personal and Croatia is no utopia. But from what I’ve observed on the beaches this summer, there’s a refreshing normality to seeing all kinds of bodies simply enjoying themselves.

No apologising. No waiting until you lose five kilos.

Just swimming.

Swimwear is actually for swimming

Another thing I love is how much time people spend in the water.

Beach culture here feels less like an event and more like part of everyday summer life. You arrive, find your spot, swim, dry off, talk, read, eat something, swim again.

I’ve particularly noticed beaches coming alive later in the day. Rather than feeling like everyone needs to claim their spot first thing in the morning, afternoon swims seem woven into the rhythm of summer.

And when the Adriatic is warm, glassy and sparkling in the afternoon sun, it’s not difficult to understand why.

The European love affair with a golden tan

There’s certainly no shortage of sun worshippers.

Tanning feels very much part of the summer culture, and SPF 30 products seem especially common on the shelves and around the beach from what I’ve seen.

Coming from Queensland, I’ve personally found the Croatian summer sun feels different on my skin. I’ve tended to develop more of a gradual golden colour here compared with the intensity I associate with Australian summer.

That absolutely doesn’t mean the Croatian sun can’t burn you, though. Mediterranean UV can still be intense, particularly through the middle of the day, so sunscreen, shade, hats and sensible sun exposure remain important wherever you are.

The tan may be European. The SPF should still come with you.

Perhaps the biggest difference isn’t the swimwear at all

The thing I’ll take home from Croatia isn’t a particular bikini shape or trend.

It’s the attitude.

There seems to be a greater willingness to embrace summer exactly as you are.

Put on the bikini. Get in the water. Order lunch. Stay another hour. Let your hair dry naturally. Go home salty.

There’s something wonderfully freeing about watching people of all ages and body types enjoy the beach without appearing to spend the entire time wondering what everybody else thinks of them.

And it made me think about Australian beach culture.

We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world for swimming, yet I think many of us can still be incredibly hard on ourselves when it comes to our bodies—particularly when swimsuit season arrives.

Maybe we could borrow a little of the Croatian approach.

Not necessarily the triangle bikini.

The freedom.

Wear the swimsuit you love. Swim at any age. Swim at any size. Mix your prints. Wear the bikini. Wear the one piece. Stay for sunset.

Because perhaps the best thing you can wear to the beach is the confidence to stop worrying about whether everyone else approves.

That’s the kind of European summer energy I’d happily bring home to Australia.

Julianne x

Founder, PLIVATI