To think that bikinis on young girls are ridiculous

[Himalaya]

(didn't watch the programme but have been following some of the threads)

Do people think that little girls bikinis (...as sold by Boden no less..) fall into this category.

I think they are ridiculous. They ride up if there is nothing for them to hold. When you see little French and Italian girls by the pool/beach they look so comfy in just bikini bottoms. The British girls are the ones who have learnt by the age of 6, the reflex of readjusting their bikini top as they come out of the water.

As for those girls swim nappies with the halter neck top - what is the point ???

Tankinis are good - easier to use the loo than a swimming costume.

Very little children don't need tops anyway.

Actual bikinis shouldn't be allowed until you have something to anchor it.

No idea what programme you are on about.

Trillianastra - sorry, The Sex Education Show/Stop Pimping Our Children - doesn't really matter, but sort of explains why I was thinking about bikinis this morning!

Tankinis are the work of the devil IMO, just for the reason that they are so unflattering on anyone that needs a little flattering!

But yes I can see they are better for going to the loo than one piece swimsuits.

Still though trunks/shorts/bikini bottoms are the most practical option, but most girls and parents feel like they are not appropriate ( ?)

one piece suits on little girls are not the most practical - because of having to peel off and on a cold wet swimsuit to go to the loo, but also because on fast growing kids they are often a bit too short and uncomfy or a bit too long and gapey.

I wore trunks for swimmiming (1970s) until I got teased at primary school for turning up to swimming lessons in them.

Mother of boys now, so not really a live issue for me, just makes me sad to see that the default option for boys for active play around water is whatevers most comfortable, where for girls (even babies) looking 'like a girl' is more important.

my friend got told off for bringing his baby girl to the pool in just bottoms!

If you think bikinis are ridiculous then I suggest you don't buy them. And allow other people to decide for themselves.
My little girl has had both 1 piece and 2 piece costumes. It hasn't affected her 'swimming experience' in the slightest.
Really think some people overanalyse things.

Well I have just bought little girl (5) two bikinis for our holiday next month.
She will probably whip the top half off in no time at all, but it is very hard (tho not impossible) to just buy the bottom halfs.
BUT, I made sure that the two she chose had just plain tops ie. NOT silly little triangles like we would wear.

What I do find unreasonable is little girls in bikinis when abroad far too much skin exposed to sun imo. I have boys so not an issue but my friends little girl always wears bikini bottoms and a rashie (surf T-shirt). Means less skin to apply suncream to aswell

Bloodymary - I suppose that is the driver behind it for shops - you can charge more for a bikini or one piece than a pair of bottoms/trunks.

I think a lot of the pink and sparklification of girlhood has been driven by the fact that it reduces parents ability to hand-me-down stuff within families. Somehow we have been convincinced that jeans, tshirts, cots, potties, baby baths, tricycles, scooters etc.. are not unisex items but need to be bought twice over for girls and boys.

I have a lovely picture of my dad in a one piece swimsuit with shoulder straps from the 60s but you can be sure that men and boys gav these things up as soon as Lycra came in.

I think the pink glittery thing for girls initially made a stand for little girls....they could have it all, be powerful and glittery, just like the spicegirls . It seems to have backfired horrendously.

I now seem to spend my time walking a fine tight rope of finding items for DD that I think are both pretty and practical. So, no I don't think the Boden bikinis are ridiculous. DD does, though and would rather wear a pair of her brother swimming trunks.

The real question you are asking is; "Should little girls have their nipple covered?"

Lynette - yes I suppose that is the basic question. I don't see any reason why little girls nipples should need to be hidden any more than little boys nipples (I.e. Other than as part of general sun protection)

strandedbear - were you at H&M baby bikinis because of barely covered nipples, or because babies don't need bikinis?

Why are bikinis more ridiculous than one piece girls swimming costumes? They both cover the nipple area

Princessparty - you are right - I should have called this thread 'why is it not OK for girls to wear trunks?'

i don't think 'sexuality' has anything to do with it.It's just traditional girls and boys wear. The same as arguing why don't they sell boys skirts.

I need to buy one for mine as she is going straight to swimming after dance from April and will not have time to get changed. My fault only really have saturdays and a one piece is no good for quick toilet breaks. Probably go for a tankini or whatevery they are called. So they are more practical. I had one as a kid. Don't really see an issue.

YANBU - prefer cossie or bottoms. IMO cossie doesn't look daft to me as it is all in one.

I like my DD to cover her nipples.

I'm wondering if I has issues.

This is one of those things that I completely fail to get worked up about.

As others have said, my girl has gone swimming in a costume, a bikini, a pair of pants, swim nappy, totally naked when a baby. At the moment she has a bikini and a swimming costume to choose from. I really cannot see the problem.

Mine girls either wear just bottoms or shorts (aged 7 and 3) or all in one sun suits with little short legs and sleeves if it's really hot. My son like to wear sod all (aged 5) but also just shorts or his shark sunsuit.

Princessparty - you are right - I should have called this thread 'why is it not OK for girls to wear trunks?'

And I'm sure the general reply would have been....it is?

I don't know which places you frequent OP but the paddling pools/parks around here have just as many little girls with no tops on as with tops.

I had a towelling bikini in the 70s but only ever wore the pants or, most of the time was starkers. In the 70s no-one wore any clothes at all except for kaftans and flowers.