New Look responds to backlash over padded bikini for young girls

Honestly I'd sooner wear a two piece if I was going to spend any amount of time in the water, due to the likelihood of needing the loo, & I suspect DD would too. I'd probably rather a tank style top than those tiny triangles though. For comfort aside from anything else.

Its not just the "sexy types " that are fetishised though is it.

I mean assults and misogynistic behaviour happen In countries where women are covered head to toe in baggy clothing.

I mean let's not forget this whole adult nappy thing and adult baby grows. You couldn't get more covered up than a massive nappy akd a onesie.

I agree they don't look particularly practical bit the panic over moulding gets ridiculous

There is a difference between finding a model in a boilersuit with a lot of cleavage sexy, or even just a normal woman wearing one for work attractive, and sexualisation. The same wit other clothes, there is a wide variety of women's clothes that are fairly neutral and fuctional but also still nice looking.

Sexy nurse's uniforms etc don't even look much like real nurse's uniforms, that are vaguely like uniforms from 30 or more years ago, but not really. Somehow they are never wearing the things you find in the nurses uniform sections of the department store. Or bloody scrubs or vomit on their shoes.

Triangle bikinis aren't great for swimming or sports because they typically don't stay in place well, and they are crappy for sun protection. Something more like a tankini is a lot more practical if that's really what's wanted.

I know everyone on MN has a daughter who would never develop breasts before the age of 13, would always wear a rash vest with nothing underneath and who is happy to show the silhouette of her breast buds to any gawping man or boy so as to not to promote the aesthetic of the perfect breast

Well its obviously not everyone on mumsnet

You'll all faint, but my DD's from quite a young age wore string bikini's, but then if everyone is wearing them it is normal. And no, it is not sexual at all, because they are not fully formed women.

I wore bikinis all the time as a child, just bottoms when I was very young then a top too when I started to develop breasts. I had swimsuits for swimming, but for leisure I always preferred a bikini.

I wear moulded bikinis now because I think they're more comfortable on sensitive areas and they disguise my topology. I would probably have chosen one as a youngster if they'd have been an option then, for the same reason.

who swims in a bikini? Costumes are for swimming.

There were loads of bikini being worn at the DC swimming lessons when we were doing those.

I did try and get tankini's as they are easier to get to the toilet and on and off themsleves but often had to settle for a one peice - my DDs didn't want bikini for lessons but many others did - though often in younger age ranges.

You could sell old holey stinky socks on ebay if you so desired. There'd be someone who'd happily snap it up.

The problem isn't realky the clothes

But name one item of clothing that hasn't been sexualised/fetishised by men?

Everything from bikinis to boilersuits. School uniform has a right following. As do nurses uniforms etc

The same isn't the case for men generally speaking. I mean, for the most part people are turned off by speedo type suits on men, rather than seeing them as sexualising them.

Moulding fine IMO - my DD have some bras like that they're more comfortable.

DD1 did have a summer holdiay when she did bikini - sun vest and board shorts to swim in sea with. I think she must have asked for the bikini as I've always prefered tanki tops as they are best - easier than one peices.

However like drspouse I've seen many preteen and young teens on beaches in bikini's and wondered about sun burn but then we all have pale easily burnt skin - so swim tights/leggings and sun tops/jackets and hats are really necessary for us.

So I think they're proably aimed at the smaller older teens - though I suppose some 9 year old will be bought them - but yea I find it hard to get that worked up about it.

I don’t get people who say they’d prefer to wear this type of bikini as they were self conscious about their breasts. Someone who’s body conscious would surely prefer to wear a full swimsuit and even a t shirt over it to hide their bodies?
I get it!
I didn't mind a bikini when I was a child , it was a normal thing to wear and I would have looked odd being tbe only child in a swim suit. However I hated my nipples poking through the material. I didn't know why, I just did. I didn't like the fact that my mum told me I was bring silly. My feelings were real.
I would have loved a padded or moulded bikini top. This is over 45 years ago. I'm sure children feel self conscious for the same reasons.

its just really tedious, the whole policing of what little girls wear. The problem is pretty much EVERYTHING girls and women do is sexualised. Its a hell of a pressure.

And loads of women and girls swim in bikinis.

Have you never been to a beach or a holiday swimming pool?

mine was having periods at 10.
Plus theres the fact that kids clothes in the UK are always sized by "age" rather than height, so actually these bikinis are far more likely to be bought by older girls who might just be smaller. Ive never ever seen actual young children in these sort of bikinis

I know everyone on MN has a daughter who would never develop breasts before the age of 13, would always wear a rash vest with nothing underneath and who is happy to show the silhouette of her breast buds to any gawping man or boy so as to not to promote the aesthetic of the perfect breast.

But in the real world many 9 year olds have already started puberty and many adolescents are embarrassed by their developing bodies and want to keep the changes private under a bit of moulding. Many petite secondary school girls will also fit into this size.

Or many we can make kids pay vat on clothes by labelling them as adult size 00, and then a bunch of thirty year olds can complain about how they can’t fit into sizes designed for adolescents and it is promoting anorexia.

Or you could just leave girls alone to make their own decisions about whether they want to show their breasts.

I know loads of parents of preteen girls who put them in bikinis or very high cut one-pieces (I saw a video the other day of a friend's DD playing in the back garden and getting a wedgie from her one-piece). I don't get why at all when there are lots of UV suits or long sleeved tops and shorts for this age. If you are wedded to girly designs, I'm sure there are UV tops and shorts that have Elsa or Barbie on (or plain colours for the less preschool mindset).

So nipples on show is sexy but moulded cups are too sexy. Can we just leave the kids be?
Actual childrens clothes are worn by adult women in a sexy way. School uniforms are sexualised, and yet if a pre-teen wears a bikini thats not allowing them to have a childhood?
This isnt new looks fault. Kids often want their own versions of fashion

They hide the breast buds which as a mum
Of a 9 and 11 year old dds I understand.

They are also comfier.

However I hate that all tops are cropped and shorts so small They show their bum cheeks.

Why do girls need a bikini top at all? Some nationalities don’t use them until closer to puberty based on my observations at the pool on holiday. Here it’s seen as weird.

Yes it does affect their self image.

I was a child who wasn't allowed certain items due to notions of "appropriateness"

It left me thinking things like they thought I was too fat to wear it. That I was somehow responsible for other people's reactions despite it being something everyone else had. And believe me I didn't Ask fir much really.

I hated my body. Still do in fact . But I hated not having boobs because at least then I'd get a bra instead of not being allowed anything underneath ny white school shirt because no one over the age of 10/11 wants to he seen dead in a vest and crop tops are apparently unnecessary if there's nothing to cover up. I was thrilled when I was finally allowed a bra. Til I had to have one.of the unlined ones which showed everything...

I'm just saying we can go too far the other way too and believe me the body images are no better there..

But why are we pinning this on little girls

We're not.....the associations already exist. It doesn't do any harm to be aware of the subliminal messaging that is inherent in certain types of clothing. Or how dressing your child in a certain way effects their self image or sense of who they are or what they should be interested in. Certainly when dressing young girls who are not at an age when they can go to the shops and choose their own clothing.

Yes, we should wear what we like, but a little consciousness about what messages are being conveyed by our dress does not do any harm. Clothing is, by nature, a social construction

But why are we pinning this on little girls.

I think.equally we make it worse by placing so much emphasis on what iur daughters wear.

But then I know what I was like as a young teen. If someone had bought me that I'd have politely said thank you and shoved it I a drawer never to be seen again. If I did wear it there's a high chance I'd have worn.it once and declared it the most annoying thing ever and decided its not worth the faff.

However if a big song akd dance had been made about how "appropriate" it was or wasn't you can bet your life I'd have saved up my bus fare change walked into the store armed with a bag of 10ps and I'd taken it everywhere in a bag ir worn.it under what my parents had decided I should wear and I'd have happily looked like shit in an.ill fitting bikini just to prove a point.

Can't a bikini be worn by kids simply because it's frigging hot outside

Those crop top bikini sets are better than the bra type, in my view. Better for being physically active, and not with so much emphasis on the developing breasts.

Yes, we should wear what we like, but a little consciousness about what messages are being conveyed by our dress does not do any harm. Clothing is, by nature, a social construction.