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

No.

Have not read the thread, but I it's much more practical to go to the loo in a bikini. You don't risk getting the whole thing on the floor.

I wear a bikini if I want to. I wear a one piece swimming costume if I want to. That's all there is to it. I'll also buy them if I like them, and I want all styles available for me to choose from.

I couldn't give a shit what men (or other women) think. I don't give that any headspace.

My possibly controversial view is that bikinis are not only more comfortable but also more flattering on the vast majority of women. By ‘vast majority’ I mean - all women of a healthy weight, even if a bit flabby, and up to around 2 stone overweight. I think a bikini creates a waist and a shape where a lot of swimsuits can look really frumpy and dumpy, unless v expensive and flatteringly cut. This is nowt to do with the male gaze - I have no desire to attract it and my husband, the only male whose gaze I care about, thinks I’ve looked great at all the various weights I’ve been and frankly couldn’t care less what I wear on the beach.

Hmm. Well I am slim with a long body and I struggle to find a one piece that fits. So it’s bikinis all the way for me. I have one that’s for the swimming pool that has more coverage and a smaller one for tanning. I don’t care who’s looking, I dress for my own comfort and convenience.

I just wear what I want and what I feel comfortable in. Some days that's a bikini, some days it's a full swimsuit. I follow a girl on TikTok who is constantly "dressing to avoid the male gaze" or so she says and honestly it's exhausting. You do you and fuck everyone else. Not near as many people are gazing at you as you think.

I don't wear a bikini in public because I know men will think it's being worn for them to scrutinise me. But I do wear one in private (e.g. in my boyf's back garden) and I don't think you can tell women what to wear or not to wear!

I prefer bikinis as they fit better. Mine are far from skimpy, underwired tops and bottoms are shapewear I own a swimsuit for the indoor pool as you don’t see bikinis there but it tugs on my shoulders

I find it rather sad to see women here saying , I'm 45, 50, , size 14 (gasp!) no man is looking at my body anymore.

Yea they are. Women too. And not necessarily in a creepy way.

You aren't invisible just because you're not in your 20's anymore.

Know your worth

I’ve never worn a bikini but now I think about it swimming costumes are an absolute ballache to put on and off (and I used to swim daily so was doing it a lot).
I honestly don’t give a shit what women wear as long as they are wearing something they’ve chosen and they want to. Feminism is choice, whatever form that choice takes.

I have not worn a bikini since I was 7 I do not want my DH to see my flab, this is what I would look like

That’s probably you don’t see anybody wearing them.

Yes, let's be careful. There are many men entering this country who would like us to do exactly that.

There’s lots of things that are made for the male gaze but I’m not going to stop wearing things like bras and knickers.

If you think about it, shapeless clothing like the hijab are made because of the male gaze so women can’t win. In some countries showing wrists and ankles is deemed too provocative.

If women couldn’t wear anything that turned men on then they wouldn’t even be able to wear shoes. There’s plenty of men who will buy used women’s shoes including slippers and trainers that are falling apart and smelly.

I'm going to guess the video is referring to itty bitty bikinis. Like tiny triangles of fabric that dont really hide anything. I'm not sure who they are comfortable for certainly not for me and in my younger years i just worried constantly about falling out. I've never found full swimsuits comfortable I need more boob support so stick with tankini and shorts then I can actually swim move about and enjoy my time on the beach/pool. I don't care about what I look like to anyone I care about comfort.

I do think the advertisements and maybe society pressure(i think im beyond that so im guessing for younger women) could do one though. I don't see men being advertised as much to wear uncomfortable garments it's usually all function and comfort for them cheaper looser easier to find better quality.

These will dry quickly and get you a great tan. But what's the point? Just don't bother.
Just go topless like men do.. oh wait ..🤔
I can't see any point to these type of bikinis apart from attention seeking

I don't think a man would see a difference with a bikini or costume. You can still see everything in most one pieces. It clings to the body and still shows plenty of skin. I wear board shorts over a tankini, I feel very exposed in a swimming costume.

When I was young and lovely, I never wore a bikini. I was pale as paste, didn’t want to attract anyone’s gaze, let alone the male gaze, and had zero confidence. I have a long body, so would spend half my holiday pulling my swimming costume out of my crack and sweating.

I’m 51 now, and realise no bugger’s looking at me. I wear bikinis with abandon, and they’re a revelation. Comfortable, and fun to wear. I’m sure the male gaze flies off me like water off a chip
pan 😂

I also have a small bottom half and a much bigger top half. Plus a long body. Swimsuits give me a wedgie and do not support my chest. I need underwire, in the correct place.

I don't do beaches other than to paddle my feet and look for shells like a six year old in a Ladybird book. I've never worn a bikini, but having had to schlep myself in and out of soggy swimsuits at the baths, I completely see the upside of a two-piece. Pulling a whole suit down to go to the loo and then back up again has to be one of the most unpleasant sensory experiences ever. Plus, while you're enthroned, you're in all your glory and you'd better hope that wonky bolt on the cubicle door holds...😳

More broadly, one person's taste, preference and interpretation of what feminism is about shouldn't dictate the personal choices of others. Men don't tolerate having their lives made harder and more complicated through what they wear and nor should we.
.

Is there a full moon? There are some utterly bonkers threads on here today! Yes, I wear a bikini, no, I give no fucks about the “male gaze”. Frankly I’d probably look better draped in a giant bed sheet but since a bikini is much easier to go for a wee in, I’ll stick with that.

I wear a bikini as swimsuits are too hot and sweaty. What a ridiculous thing to say.
Do men wear budgie smugglers for the female gaze?
maybe we should have segregated beaches and public areas?

What a load of crap.

I wear bikinis because the fabulous bra sized bikini tops now mean I'm better supported in a well fitting top rather than the hideous monoboob created by swimsuits.

I use Landsend. Thy have some longer swimsuits, but the best fit for me is a Landsend long line tankini plus swimming briefs.

I watched the TikTok.
He makes a perfectly good point.
He's not telling anyone what to do, just commenting on a social paradigm which is worth discussing.
He doesn't mean bikini as in the concept of separate top and bottom. He means those apologies for garments that have been aggressively marketed recently.
I always wear a bikini when I'm poolguarding, under shorts and shirt. I've got six or seven. They are presentable for primary school kids in a lesson.

My point was about the limited choice there is. Look at many of the threads in the Style and Beauty section.