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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wear a burkini?

91 replies

AliceMcK · 01/05/2025 00:55

Dose anyone know what would happen if I wore a burkini in France? I understand there has been issues, rightly or wrongly, with religion and wearing burkinis in the past. I’m just wondering if I would be causing problems if I decided to wear one.

For reference, I’m not religious, if I was to choose it would be lapsed catholic, I hate the sun and beach, I go to the beach one day a year for my DDs ( northern English beach), however, we are going to France with DHs family in the summer and expected to spend several days at the beach so I’m looking to find something to cover my very pasty white skin to reduce sun exposure and loving the idea of a burkini.

posting on here for traffic.

OP posts:
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6
minnienono · 02/05/2025 18:50

Personally id suggest a bikini (for support) a rash vest and men’s swim shorts, far more comfortable

Fattitude · 02/05/2025 18:47

Try Calypsa (Californian co. have to get it in the post, takes a week or less). They do a huge variety of 'modest' swimwear with no religious connotations, aimed at outdoor swimmers, good for plus sizes. Some lovely colours and combinations.

angelinawasrobbed · 02/05/2025 17:40

There is a bright pink 3 piece burkini I set in the Next clearance section for 22 down from 88. Long leggings, tunic, separate coif hat

Tarragon123 · 02/05/2025 17:35

Bollihobs · 01/05/2025 01:28

Both Simply Be and JD Williams do rash vest and leggings sets that seem to be what you're looking for.

www.simplybe.co.uk/buy/XX251-hpdp?optionColour=LEAF-PRINT&optionSize=14&promo=6202&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21311895521&gbraid=0AAAAAD_UHHdKD9NIF2P71NnFNyQsw1I7B&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlMfABhCWARIsADGXdy-auOY9pfeV3nuGIFntBb5S3HxVww5wzzo566LtWr6TC-9a591CdSsaAsj5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&pageNumber=2

Thats a really good price. I bought a one piece which is knee length and long sleeved. In hindsight, something like the pieces that you have linked would have been ideal for me.

Hallebere · 02/05/2025 17:10

I tried a burkini type thing as I felt self conscious about my body. It was one with a 3 quarter type leggings and a long top with short sleeves. I would say it drew much more attention to me than if Id worn a swimming costume. The opposite effect to what Id hoped for. People were visibly staring and whispering. So I've gone back to a costume. This was in the UK by the way. I'm white British blue eyes light hair etc which may account for the staring I'm not sure.

Jen579 · 02/05/2025 16:55

Swimming leggings and a rash vest?

hydriotaphia · 02/05/2025 16:49

the sad fact is that the answer as to whether you will have any trouble likely depends on your ethnicity…

Ace56 · 02/05/2025 13:05

A burkini is a bit dramatic imo. As pp have said, just wear a rash vest and swim shorts, which basically looks like a t-shirt and shorts. No need to cover up more than that on the beach, surely? I say that as someone with pale skin as well.

Gettingbysomehow · 02/05/2025 12:53

They will take you off the beach it's very strict. I was fat last time I went to France (I'm thin now) and people were horrible. I had comments about my body all day long. I'm not going again.
I wear swim shorts and a tanking top as nobody wants to see my 63 year old body.

TheSquareMile · 02/05/2025 12:45

@AliceMcK

Speedo have some leggings which would work for you, you could team them with one of the rash tops they sell.

https://www.speedo.com/women-s-panel-legging-blue/15645021.html

https://www.speedo.com/women/rash-vests.list

MellowCritic · 02/05/2025 06:56

Op if anyone challenges you just explain you are not Muslim. You'll be fine..it's only the Muslims that the French hate not the outfit.

JHound · 02/05/2025 02:03

They just look like scuba suits l. I don’t get the fuss over them nor how we “liberate” women by telling them to get their legs out for the lads.

Yazzi · 02/05/2025 01:59

Masmavi · 01/05/2025 22:17

Burkinis are a bit uncomfortable with their layers and if you’re not wearing one for religious reasons I’d go for a rash vest over a swimsuit/bikini. Unless you’re swimming or snorkelling for hours with your legs stretched out in the sea legs don’t tend to burn easily. I’m presuming they have umbrellas at the beach? Stay under that when not swimming, I normally put a light loose cotton dress with short sleeves over my swimsuit.even under the umbrella. In the sea the rash vest will do most of the sun protection job - I love not having to lather sunscreen on my shoulders and back. Very freeing!

They're really not, they're made out of 2 pieces sometimes 3 (a detachable skirt). The same as a rash vest and swim leggings.

I'm Muslim in Australia and live near the beach. It's very normal and non controversial here to see women (like me) wearing burkinis. It's generally seen as a positive thing to have all people enjoy the beach, and anyway many people cover moreso than in Europe because of the skin cancer risk.

Very grateful that I as a woman am not seen as so weak of mind that the government can or should dictate what I should wear to the beach or pool- unlike in France.

nomas · 01/05/2025 22:54

SinkToTheBottomWithYou · 01/05/2025 14:41

Don’t wear a burkini in France, they take the no-religious signs quite seriously. At best you will be stared at all the time.
Rash vest + surf shorts (or floaty long skirt over a bikini bottom)

I think the staring twats should be stared at and made to feel bad for staring.

LifeIsGoodish · 01/05/2025 22:50

@AffIt

A cotton kimono dressing gown.

AffIt · 01/05/2025 22:45

I'm a pale blue person who wears F50 when gardening at home in Scotland, so while I'm not averse to wearing an ordinary swimsuit at the beach or by the pool, I prefer to be covered when I'm not in the water.

However, it is UNBELIEVABLY difficult to find a throwover that offers decent coverage (i.e., shoulders / full sleeves / at least knee-length). I'm happy enough to use sunscreen on my hands and lower legs and to wear a hat.

If anybody has any suggestions, I'd be delighted (sorry to hijack your thread, OP).

Obeseandashamed · 01/05/2025 22:36

I went away on a sunny holiday and remembered that my skin would be uv sensitive due to having has laser hair removal recently. I ordered a few nice cover up suits to protect myself - some were full length and others were capri… they were all from Amazon or a place called Lyra and I was surprisingly impressed with the quality!

NamelessNancy · 01/05/2025 22:36

Hekett · 01/05/2025 22:02

If men in France generally can’t even wear baggy trunks and have to wear Speedos, why would a woman be able to wear board shorts and a rash vest or a burkini?

Genuine question!

The Speedos rule tends to be for pools rather than beaches I think

Masmavi · 01/05/2025 22:17

Burkinis are a bit uncomfortable with their layers and if you’re not wearing one for religious reasons I’d go for a rash vest over a swimsuit/bikini. Unless you’re swimming or snorkelling for hours with your legs stretched out in the sea legs don’t tend to burn easily. I’m presuming they have umbrellas at the beach? Stay under that when not swimming, I normally put a light loose cotton dress with short sleeves over my swimsuit.even under the umbrella. In the sea the rash vest will do most of the sun protection job - I love not having to lather sunscreen on my shoulders and back. Very freeing!

Hekett · 01/05/2025 22:02

If men in France generally can’t even wear baggy trunks and have to wear Speedos, why would a woman be able to wear board shorts and a rash vest or a burkini?

Genuine question!

TeamMandrake · 01/05/2025 20:06

This sort of thing is nice, and easy to wear a dress/kaftan over:

amzn.eu/d/bzoXIHT

itbemay1 · 01/05/2025 19:40

Just wear a wet suit

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 01/05/2025 19:38

Maitri108 · 01/05/2025 02:12

Go for it! It's a bit of excitement.

I agree