Bikinis were made for the male gaze so isn't it about time we stopped wearing them

That's just silly and not in the style of your usual comments

I wear a bikini and I am 59. No man is going to be lusting after me on the beach. And who are you to tell me what to wear. Freedom for all women, to wear whatever they want.

Best wear a tent at the beach then cos I'm not sure how much better any other form of swimming attire is any better.

I watched it and it’s just a man wondering why swim wear is socially acceptable, particularly for women.

He doesn’t seem to be so concerned about the social acceptability of men walking around in swimwear, but the point of the video is still basically ‘swim wear is like underwear - that’s odd!’

It’s not particularly linked to the thread title.

I've just had to go back and check that this is still in the FWR section. I thought it might have been moved to AIBU or the Style board. I don't recognise hardly anyone's usernames

I think this mirrors a lot of the discussions I've seen on TwiX in the past couple of weeks around women shaving their legs/arms/armpits. There's been a lot of friction over whether or not people do these things, such as wearing bikinis, for men. Quite naturally, the things women find attractive to wear are often the things men find attractive on women as well, but that doesn't mean women are doing it for men.

I've seen some very salient points about how most women don't do these for men, they shave/wear bikinis/wear makeup because they like it and want to do it, but that it should be acknowledged how these expectations began and why they've been encouraged. Just because something originated with the patriarchy doesn't mean you shouldn't do it or enjoy it for yourself, and be able to do it without judgement or male commentary, but we shouldn't forget where it came from either.

It’s also about examine our thinking, which should never be a bad thing.

Women do plenty of non-feminist things. I do, without a doubt. I can examine my thinking and actions, and I can still make the same decision but it’s perhaps a more informed decision. And if feminism in that context is important to me, I might make a different decision.

I like bikinis, I find them more comfortable than swimming costumes and I like my stomach to get sun too.

I think the link in the OP, rather than simply the title, is relevant. I haven’t watched it but someone upthread did and described what she saw.

The title of the thread is

‘Bikinis were made for the male gaze so isn't it about time we stopped wearing them ‘

If women are choosing to wear them, why should they stop?

No one. Obviously, not sure why you said that or what point you’re trying to make. Nor why you not seeing these in southern England is relevant.

I wear a tankini or bikini at the beach because it’s easier to pee.

No man is going to be the slightest bit interested in my saggy ageing body but I am comfortable. I’m definitely a full coverage woman but I do think a bikini is so much easier!

I do wear a swimsuit for the gym pool because I think it’s weird to swim in a bikini. So I guess if I was going to be more active, swim park or the like, swimsuit would be my choice.

i really dislike thong swimwear on women or men, I struggle with seeing so much of someone’s rear but I know it’s because I’m getting older!

I still don’t understand the premise of the OP.

Is the idea that

a) it is intrinsically wrong to dress to be attractive to men?

or

b) even if you aren’t dressing to be attractive to men, you should wear something less comfortable in case men find it attractive

or

c). Don’t be pressurised by society into wearing something you don’t want to wear just because men think it is attractive.

I would agree with c), but avoiding wearing bikinis completely seems to still allow men to dictate what women wear.

Im not sure what beaches you’ve been to op. I’ve been to French, Spanish and Italian beaches, you see women with all body types wearing bikinis and nobody cares!

if you feel confident in a bikini, go for it!
i am against making women cover themselves on religious grounds, that is ridiculous. Why would got be offended about us showing our hair? I’d rather be free and wear a bikini if feel like it.

@NovemberMorn I'm not saying others aren't being honest. But WHY ? Why do you wear make up?
Do you not think your face is nice without it? Is it truly just for yourself?

Really if there was no one around to see you, wouldn't you just be happy to shower and be clean ? . No make up. If not, why not?

I'm asking in good faith here.

Disclaimer. I still remove my body hair because I can't stand the sight of hair. So I'm conditioned too.

This is so stupid. I wear bikini as its next best thing to going naked - so lovely to feel the sun and water on your skin!

What nonsense. I used to wear a bikini but don't now. It's up to the individual.

Thankyoul @Ddakji .
It's not about wardrobe police..Women almost naked is somehow empowering and liberating. The new feminists that bang on about sex work being empowering and demonstrate by sitting naked in public, her just get laughed at and leered at. ??
Heterosexual men aren't being 'empowered' to walk around with their buttocks on show.
The media aren't talking about Starmer's sexy suits in the same way they went on about May's leather trousers..

Why have women been removing body hair for several decades? Why is our hair ugly and unhygienic but it's fine for men? Ok, that was the razor company increasing their market but woman bought into it. Why? Because they suddenly thought eww hair..I'll look more attractive without it. ?

I've had men tell me that I'll never attract men unless I change my appearance. I need to show more leg, cleavage, wear make up etc.. wear a mini skirt .

The over sexualised clothing that some women choose to wear is entirely dictated by men, even if these women claim otherwise

I think many people have been honest on this thread, not just the two who said they want to look good for the opposite sex.
I truly do dress to please myself, I wear makeup to please myself, and though my husband loves me with short hair....I wear it long, cos I like it that way.

And yet they carry on regardless without women espousing on them on social media.

Oh I see - you are describing a particular type of bikini designed to give minimum coverage.

But as most women I see on the beach (south coast of England) aren’t wearing a bikini like that, I’m still not sure of the relevance.

Who is being forced to wear these bikinis against their will?

I love the feeling of sun on my skin.
I don't like the feeling of wet nylon on my skin.
Bikini doubles as a bra in some outfits.
I love that you can quickly change the bottoms to avoid a full on thrush attack - I'm partial to a mismatched bikini.
Easier to go to the loo than a costume.

Fuck the men & their gaze.
I like a bikini.

God I hope not. They are always vile.

Do men freely make the choice to wear budgie smugglers?

I haven’t clicked on the TikTok but a couple of others have explained it quite clearly upthread. Basically, people (women, in this instance) don’t make choices in a vacuum. The choice to wear an itty bitty, 2 tiny triangles top and bottom bikini, is not a freely made choice in reality, whether you realise it or not.