Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Little girls should not wear bikinis

270 replies

SpiritedLondon · 01/08/2017 22:06

On Saturday I'm heading off on holiday with my DH and DD5. I have bought DD a new swimsuit and a bikini which I obviously think is cute. I happened to mention this to FIL who was visiting and who immediately announced in front of DD that little girls should not wear bikinis.( he didn't like it and didn't think it was appropriate) I was slightly Hmm about it. Later on that evening I raised the subject with DH and it became apparent that he doesn't really like the idea either....he kept making comments like " it does have a long top doesn't it?" Er no not really. Is this a thing? I don't really think it's a problem and I don't actually think I'm being unreasonable but if you think I am do you think you could tell me what you think the problem is so I can understand it.

uk.accessorize.com/view/product/uk_catalog/acc_7,acc_7.2/2834409925?skipRedirection=true&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsoWi_fS21QIVybvtCh0wZQ26EAQYAiABEgLZjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJHt0__0ttUCFZPHUQodJmoDMw

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/08/2017 22:08

I wouldn't put my child in a bikini. She would burn and the bikini top is to put boobs in and she doesn't have any. She doesn't wear a bra so why a bikini top?

Writerwannabe83 · 01/08/2017 22:08

I don't like seeing young girls in what look like normal bikinis - I.e with triangles covering their nipples, but I think what you've bought your daughter is fine as it's more like a crop top than a bikini.

LoyaltyAndLobster · 01/08/2017 22:09

YANBU

FuckingHateRats · 01/08/2017 22:09

I think it's totally fine. The string/triangle ones look a bit odd on young girls imo but that's absolutely fine. My girls each have a bikini from Mini Boden this year - they're lovely prints and not at all 'grown up'.

FuckingHateRats · 01/08/2017 22:09

My girls are 5 and 7 btw

OverAndAbove · 01/08/2017 22:10

How old is she? I think it's a bit odd for a 2 yo but mine loved wearing bikinis from about 8.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 01/08/2017 22:10

I see nothing wrong with that at all.

Luckymummy22 · 01/08/2017 22:11

My 5 year old would love this......me not so much!

I'm not a fan of bikinis on young girls and when I buy her swimsuits for outdoors I go for the full lengh long sleeved with hat swimsuit.
Especially when abroad!

inkzooka · 01/08/2017 22:11

I don't see the point in a fuss either way. I agree that the triangle ones are a bit weird, but honestly if you're the one sexualising a little girl in clothes that cover everything but wouldn't bat an eyelid if she was just in a nappy (or if it was a boy in just trunks) then you're the one with an issue.

She doesn't even have anything to bloody cover yet, it's ridiculous. The burning argument again only flies if you wouldn't put a boy in shorts/trunks.

WindyScales · 01/08/2017 22:11

I'm not sure what they are implying, what's not appropriate about it? She's 5 yrs old for goodness sakes!

The only issue I'd have is exposing your 5 yr olds skin to the sun. My little ones wear UV suits. We are very fair skinned though and skin cancer is an unfortunate feature in our family.

Wandastartup · 01/08/2017 22:12

I relented 2 years ago when my DDs were 6&8.( was channeling my inner mother before) I initially bought tankinis but have gone for similar to you this year. Much easier for under a wetsuit or when needing a wee!

ijustwannadance · 01/08/2017 22:12

I would let my 6yo wear that but she'd happily just run round in the pants!

Ummmmgogo · 01/08/2017 22:13

bikinis are better for little girls because they are easier to go to the toilet in. that is a very nice bikini she will love it.

LockedOutOfMN · 01/08/2017 22:13

I don't think little girls should wear bikinis. Why wear the top part when they don't have breasts?

Where we live in Spain, most of the children's clothes shops and supermarkets just sell bikini bottoms for girls and swimming trunks for boys i.e. more or less identical. Girls rarely wear one piece swimsuits before age 9ish as they are a pain for changing out of and going to the toilet (kids live in their swimming stuff all summer here). The exception is school swimming lessons when they tend to wear a plain one piece from the age of about 5.

Bikinis start being worn after they hit secondary school age which is 12 here.

Muddlingalongalone · 01/08/2017 22:13

DD1 (6) asked for a bikini this year for our hols and I had no issue at all with it although she'll need a t-shirt for most of the day if it's super hot!
My parents questioned the appropriateness until I pointed out that when I was a kid we used to not wear tops at all a lot of the time.

Writerwannabe83 · 01/08/2017 22:14

Now that I've clicked on that link I keep getting adverts for the bikini flashing up at the top of my screen Grin

PodgeBod · 01/08/2017 22:14

I don't have a problem with kids in bikinis but I think the one you've bought would look much nicer if it was a one piece.

Sittinginthesun · 01/08/2017 22:14

I think it's lovely.

I have always worn a mix of bikinis and swimsuits. Even as a child I had a little proper bikini, and sometimes wore just the bottoms, other times the top as well.

When it's warm, I have always preferred a bikini, rather than a damp swimsuit over my tummy.

Wolfiefan · 01/08/2017 22:15

The strappy crossover straps would mean sunburn for us.
On water slides she would likely lose the whole thing!
Much prefer a costume for young kids.

KickAssAngel · 01/08/2017 22:15

Most of Europe they would be a bit confused that she has any kind of top on. I grew up in the 70s, and just about everyone under 10 wore some kind of 'bottom' covering and that was it.

Only if you think of young children as having sexy bodies which they are showing off is it a problem to see a child's body. I would suggest the problem is not the child, but the beholder.

MaryShelley1818 · 01/08/2017 22:15

I think the one you've posted is fine (although personally I'd use a sunsuit).
I hate to see children in adult style triangle bikinis though.

StarryCorpulentCunt · 01/08/2017 22:16

I don't like it either. I don't know why, nothing concrete I can put my finger on. Just that bikini's are generally the grown up, sexier version of a swimming costume and it seems wrong to put them on a child. The one you bought isn't too bad imo as it does have a proper top rather than just triangles but I still wouldn't put my DD in it.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 01/08/2017 22:16

That bikini is totally appropriate for her age .

phoolani · 01/08/2017 22:16

The only problems I have with young girls wearing bikinis are 1. They don't provide enough coverage (sun tops all the way for mine), but if you're going 'au natural' why are they wearing a top?? Just the bottoms are perfectly fine (and less 'odd' looking to me).

Tiptoethr0ughthetulips · 01/08/2017 22:16

I'd personally have a 5 year old in a UV suite unless using indoor swimming pool, however there is nothing remotely inappropriate about its style.