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AIBU?

To go swimming without shaving?

425 replies

ArriettyMatilda · 18/04/2017 21:10

I am not a regular shaver. It's time consuming, occasionally itchy during regrowth and I hate myself for feeling like I have to conform to society's expectations plus I'm lazy I really want to take dd swimming more regularly but I really can't be bothered with maintaining a smooth bikini line and legs.

I am well aware that I wouldn't even be asking this if I was a man, but I can't shake the feeling that someone will be disgusted by my hair. I'm so annoyed that I feel like I have to remove part of my body to become an acceptable member of society.

Would you judge me for having hairy legs and hair around my bikini line? If you don't like shaving what do you wear swimming?

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 18/04/2017 21:11

No one will see your legs. They'll be underwater.

Yorkshiremum17 · 18/04/2017 21:14

Legs no problem, but in all honesty I don't wanna see your pubes poking out everywhere!

You kinda don't even need to shave bikin line, just trim to make sure it's all tucked away neatly, or I guess you could get a swimming costume that has legs or a skirt.

ScarlettDarling · 18/04/2017 21:15

I can't be doing with shaving off every last pube but I must admit I would never go swimming with hair poking out of my swimming costume. I'd feel really self conscious and I do imagine that people would notice.

It's totally your decision whether to shave or not and I certainly wouldn't judge you for being hairy, but if I'm being honest, I probably would notice and think "ooh, she's brave!"

FanaticalFox · 18/04/2017 21:15

Swimdress! Solves any issues all round.

msrisotto · 18/04/2017 21:16

I desperately avoid looking between strangers legs in public areas, let alone swimming baths. YANBU not to shave.

WorraLiberty · 18/04/2017 21:16

As a pp said, no-one will see your legs under water.

I don't like to see pubes poking out though, so I wear a swimsuit with built in shorts.

Makes me feel better too.

QueenofLouisiana · 18/04/2017 21:16

I'm too busy trying not to drown to notice you! However, I wear a costume with hot pants length legs to avoid any bikini line incidents.

Puffinsareblackandwhite · 18/04/2017 21:17

I'd notice the bikini line if there's a lot of (dark) hair. I would think "Odd. No! brave" and then get annoyed with myself and society that it is even a thing to notice... Not sure that helps, I totally understand your conundrum, it really annoys me how badly we're conditioned into believing certain beauty ideals...

WorraLiberty · 18/04/2017 21:17
PandasRock · 18/04/2017 21:20

I wear swim shorts, so avoid the bikini line issue. Mine came from Fat Face.

I generally don't shave legs to go swimming, but do shave underarms if I remember/have time. Which is odd now I think about it, but there you go.

I don't notice what anyone else does, but then I'm too busy trying to keep children safe (3x non swimmers with asd) and stop them drowning me!

brassbrass · 18/04/2017 21:21

longer leg swimsuit would work then you're only showing hairy legs

To go swimming without shaving?
peukpokicuzo · 18/04/2017 21:22

I decided a couple of years ago that I wouldn't be shaving again. My body hair grows where it grows and anyone disgusted by it is suffering from massive internalised misogyny and shouldn't be pandered to. I go swimming regularly and make sure my swimming cossy isn't too high-legged and covers all my pubic area because privates are private.

HolditFinger · 18/04/2017 21:24

I've gone when I haven't had time to shave before (I hate it too, I find it a massive ball ache and I'd never shave again if I felt confident enough.)

I doubt anyone is going to be looking that closely. If they do, you can always ask them why they're enough of a weirdo to be looking. Wink

Vegansnake · 18/04/2017 21:24

My costume has shorts built in ,it's a speedo one,that would save you doing yr bikini line,and once yr under water no one sees yr legs...I'm never close enough to other women to noice if they've shaved or not..I wouldn't worry ,just enjoy your swim x

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 18/04/2017 21:25

I leave my pubic hair untouched and only wax my shins in the summer. It has never crossed my mind what anyone else would think about this. Surely most people are more fussed about their own appearance than judging others? We all have different priorities and that's great.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 18/04/2017 21:26

I used to feel like that. Then I took the children swimming without shaving because I don't shave in winter and I didn't have time. Nobody gives a monkeys. Nobody notices. People are only interested in themselves. Anybody who stares at my groin closely enough to see the stray pubes is not worthy of my concern.

I quite like releasing the little leg hair bubbles.

TheUpsideDown · 18/04/2017 21:27

I have PCOS. One of the symptoms of this condition is excessive and/or fast body hair growth. Im lucky in that its not overly excessive in comparison to some other PCOS sufferers. But its still more than the average woman, it grows back super fast and I have sensitive skin. Regular shaving leaves me with unsightly and uncomfortable sores, rashes and spots. I have to leave it 2-3 weeks inbetween shaves, but my hair is dark and noticeable.

I enjoy swimming for exercise as its kinder on my painful joints and bad back/neck. I also find it therapeautic for my depression and anxiety. But I worry about the same. Im self-conscious people will notice and be disgusted.

I just hope people dont notice my legs and armpits, and I wear some small board shorts over my swimsuit to adequatelg cover any rogue 'spiders legs' Blush

CharlotteCollinsneeLucas · 18/04/2017 21:27

No way I could tuck mine in... Guess I shaved badly in my youth? Swim dress all the way for me. So much more flattering than normal costume shape!

camelfinger · 18/04/2017 21:28

I wouldn't worry, no one's likely to notice.

Midnightprobs · 18/04/2017 21:29

The swim suit pictured above is perfect. Personally i wouldn't care much but it would save your pubes being on display.

FaintlyBaffled · 18/04/2017 21:32

I have that one worra, does a splendid job of keeping those rampant stray pubes under wraps Grin

inmyshoos · 18/04/2017 21:35

I wear a swimsuit with my 'swim leggings' underneath. They are the ones made of swimsuit type material from primark designed to hold you in.
I am very dark and hairy with sensitive skin. My leggings mean to swim i only have to do my underarms and my toes Grin

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arbrighton · 18/04/2017 21:35

How much time are people spending looking at other people's crotches to see if they are trimmed/ shaved/ whatever? Personally I don't. And i didn't think it was particularly socially acceptable to do so myself.

How long before someone comes on to say 'this other woman was looking at my nether regions' and everyone is justifiably outraged on their behalf???

tinydancer88 · 18/04/2017 21:35

Be as hairy as you like. Enjoy your swim.

Trills · 18/04/2017 21:37

Even if your pubes are halfway down your thighs anyone who doesn't want to see them can just look away.

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