They say Brazilians are some of the most beautiful people in the world. That doesn’t really help with self-esteem! All joking aside, yes, there are remarkably gorgeous people in Brazil, and, for the most part, their warmth and friendliness makes them that much more beautiful.

Clothes

It can be intimidating to walk down the street and see women who look like they’ve just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Clothes are typically high fashion with women wearing super skinny jeans or short shorts. The tighter the better.  Jeans are also well-fitted for the gentlemen.

We don’t see men wearing too many hats here, but lots of ladies like the fedora, especially around the beach.

Soccer jerseys for beloved teams are very popular among guys. Authentic jerseys can be expensive, but like most products in South America, a cheap counterfeit substitute will quickly be offered to those who cannot afford them.

Shoes

Seeing a woman walking down a cobblestone street in 4-inch heels is a fascinating scene as it’s apparent she has had much practice at this. Flats of every color and shape are also popular, especially among younger ladies.

Men can be seen in pointed-toes, Italian-leather shoes with buckles. Even when dressed down, the shoes are European tennis shoes.

Havaianas flip flops are a must. Not only does everyone wear them here, but it’s the only brand of flip flops we see, proudly displaying a small Brazilian flag along the straps. We gave many pairs for gifts this holiday season.

Jewelry

Gold seems to be the preferred metal in Brazil, as I only saw one person wearing silver. With earrings, the bigger the better. I particularly like to buy from beach vendors, and feather earrings are very popular right now. Wedding rings are kept pretty simple with smaller diamonds and plain bands, often to avoid potential thieves.

Personal appearance

 

In much of Brazil, tattoos are plentiful and displayed proudly with many people having lots of meaningful marks. Tattoos do not seem to have a stigma like some parts of the U.S. In addition to images, song lyrics, in Portuguese or English, are popular. While most tattoos may be covered in the workplace, they will be abundantly obvious at the beaches where most Brazilians spend their weekends.

The opposite of the U.S., you almost never see a woman without her fingernails painted, but her toenails often are natural. Cabeileiras or beauty shops are everywhere to perform manis/pedis. The way they do manicures here isn’t as precise as the nail technicians in the States, but the ladies get the job done.

Of course, in the country where the Brazilian bikini wax originated, personal grooming is a must, especially for the tiny bathing suits here.

Beachwear

For most Americans, the most striking difference in fashion among Brazilians is in beachware. As one Brazilian told us “Brazilian swimsuits are like American underwear and American underwear is like a Brazilian swimsuit.” The Brazilian bikini, with its minimal coverage, is world famous and has helped make Brazilian beach volleyball a popular viewing sport worldwide. Men wear sungas, a much more revealing piece than the Speedo. While the Speedo blocks a frontal view, the sunga “emphasizes” the curves, leaving very little to the imagination. Regardless of people’s size or even pregnancy status, the swimsuits are plentiful at most Brazilian beaches and don’t always provide the beautiful imagery associated with Cariocas playing volleyball.

Fashion in Brazil is highly valued, and, therefore, the country is rated as one of the most stylish places to be seen. What style comes to mind when you think of fashion in Brazil?

-Monica