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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:
Cantseethewoods · 01/08/2017 22:44

Basically, taking sun out of it, I'd be happy for DD to wear a standard one piece (which she usually does either with or without a rash vest, depending on temperature). On that basis, I am indifferent to her wearing that vs a bikini . No-one over the age of three wears an all in one sun suit with legs where we live and whilst I'd personally be fine with it, I see v few little girls with no top on (although the ones that are are Spanish :-)).

Meerkatonmywall · 01/08/2017 22:44

I think its cute and age appropriate. Its verging towards a tankini style which I think are really smart.

Defo echo comments upthread about easier to go for a wee just peel off pants without faffing with a whole costume.

I just don't get it - if we cover them up it sexualises them, if we have them starkers it sexualises them??

Clothing doesn't sexualise them, weirdos do.

Now mankinis on the other hand...

haba · 01/08/2017 22:45

You know, I used to think bikinis were awful on little girls, but a dozen years on MN have changed my opinion. Like I said, I didn't put DD in them as a small girl, but I really cannot be judging other parents' choices in this matter any more.
Goodness- do I get "most reasonable MNer of the day" award for that? Grin

Greenifer · 01/08/2017 22:45

And how are string bikinis not practical?! I haven't seen one to buy in the UK for a ten year old recently but would totally get my daughter one if she wanted it. She's 10 but very slim and the lovely thing about string bikinis is they are endlessly adjustable (and last for years if you are a string bean like she is and I was as a child).

36plusandtrying · 01/08/2017 22:45

Looks fab ! Why the hell not, if she is happy in it surely that's all that matters ?!? Happy hols !

heateallthebuns · 01/08/2017 22:46

Phoolani, I was in France this year. Some French kids had rash vests some didn't, the vast majority of the uk / Irish kids had rash vests. Their skin wouldn't be used to the sun like French kids, perhaps many paler genetically also.

geekone · 01/08/2017 22:47

OMG YANBU. Thinking a child shouldn't wear a bikini. Is sexualising the child. Plenty of sun cream and a little top just in case it gets too sunny is fine. I find my self getting Angry at the replies to this. MN is full of people saying we shouldn't judge women by the clothes they wear and then saying innocent little girls shouldn't wear bikinis. Anyone who thinks a bikini is too sexual for a 5 year old should really consider why sexual and a 5 year old should even be in the same sentence, we don't think speedos are too sexual for little boysAngry. Love the bikini btw

Original poster
SpiritedLondon · 01/08/2017 22:48

greenifer I miss the days of being able to go topless - it was quite fashionable in the 80s and early 90s but seems to have fallen out of favour now for some reason. Felt much nicer than wet synthetic fabric next to the skin.

OP posts:
MaureenDodd · 01/08/2017 22:49

If little girls aren't allowed to wear bikinis,because some adults may look at them and sexualize them, then little boys must cover up too - can't have their bare chests on display and heaven forbid they were Speedos or the like, showing their wares for all the peedos.

Hmm
KERALA1 · 01/08/2017 22:49

I don't like it either bikini tops on little girls look odd and wrong triangles covering non existent boobs.Compromised on tankinis which irrationally felt were ok. None of my friends saw any issue at all so kept this dislike to myself!

Ellieboolou27 · 01/08/2017 22:49

I'm not keen on them, my dd is 5 and asked for one this year whilst on holiday, I almost relented but something stopped me. Like others have said I'd rather her just wear the bottoms as the top implies she's something to cover up, maybe I'm a closet prude Smile

Imbeingunreasonable · 01/08/2017 22:49

I think it's lovely op

heateallthebuns · 01/08/2017 22:49

There's a lot of people saying going to the toilet is hard in a one piece. (Nothing to do with kids) you just move it to the side Wink

Original poster
SpiritedLondon · 01/08/2017 22:50

haba I reckon you do Grin

OP posts:
Lolabee · 01/08/2017 22:51

I've bought tankinis previously for dd (now 9) but they weren't cropped ones. Personal choice for me, not because necessarily the sexualisation of her but because her middle is never exposed to the sun it would probably burn quickly.
Don't see anything wrong with the accessorize one from OP. Kids bikinis I do have an issue with are the cheese string triangle ones. IMO they are disgusting and shouldn't be sold. Those ones do sexualise girls

Tralalalalz · 01/08/2017 22:52

Totally fine and cute bikini

SoupDragon · 01/08/2017 22:52

Clothing doesn't sexualise them, weirdos do.

This.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 01/08/2017 22:53

If little girls aren't allowed to wear bikinis,because some adults may look at them and sexualize them, then little boys must cover up too - can't have their bare chests on display and heaven forbid they were Speedos or the like, showing their wares for all the peedos

Make your mind up, either all little girls and boys' chests need to be covered up or neither do. It is the bikini top that sexualises little girls.

Pootle40 · 01/08/2017 22:54

It's lovely. The world has gone mad!!

SoupDragon · 01/08/2017 22:55

It is the bikini top that sexualises little girls.

No, it is the mind of the person looking.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 01/08/2017 22:57

It is the mind of the that thinks a female child's chest needs to be covered when a male child's don't.

inchyrablue · 01/08/2017 22:57

That is cute, and not at all what I was expecting. It would be fine under a rash vest too, if you are going somewhere sunny.

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 01/08/2017 22:58

*doesnt

Greenifer · 01/08/2017 22:59

SpiritedLondon I still go topless if somewhere where it's OK. I agree, much nicer than horrible clingy fabric. Nothing sexual about it at all necessarily.

PovertyJetset · 01/08/2017 23:00

Dd who is 5 wears swimsuits for swimming lessons, just bottoms at the beach and that's it.

UV suits are bonkers, when we have been in Spain and Italy all the locals looked at Dd in her uv suit like she was an alien Victorian baby.

Hat, high spf applied often and she has never burned and turns a lovely golden colour. Not one freckle either.

UV suits are bonkers. Unless you have an exceptionally fair child.

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