Little girls should not wear bikinis

[SpiritedLondon]

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 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

[Dixiestamp]

My DD7 wore a similar (if slightly more covering) one on holiday. She's just asked to buy a 'belly top' but I've said no- at the moment- as I think she's just too little. Bikinis of that style are absolutely fine on little ones.

[TestTubeTeen]

I am of the line of thinking that little girls don't need covering up, except from the sun, in the same way that boys do.

I would put a boy in trunks and a T and a girl in bottoms and a T. Or both in a rash vest.

Little girls in bikini tops and little girls in hijab say the same thing to me: covering a child up for reasons that should be (are!) irrelevant at their age.

But culturally bikinins on small children seem to be a norm.

I think we are messed up about sex, gender, lots of things.

[Genghi]

I love that bikini and don't view it as sexualized at all because it's for a child.

[Alicetherabbit]

There is a picture of me almost forty years ago wearing a triangle bikini, about three years old, maybe times have changed?

[RainyDayBear]

Completely appropriate. The triangular ones, like others have mentioned, I don't like. But that's more of a girly crop top and looks fine for a beach holiday!

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

Why is a crop top considered appropriate for a five year old? I really don't get it.

[midnightmisssuki]

Personally I don't like seeing little girls in bikinis - my daughter has a swimsuit or just her swim pants on, however - its your daughter and you get it say what she wears until she makes the decisions herself.

[Frouby]

My dd loved bikinis at that age. Much easier when she needed a wee and she liked wearing a grown up outfit like mine.

We used rash vests or t shirts when necessary. Anyone who has a problem with a bikini being worn by a child is fucking odd. Should very flat chested women not wear them as they don't necessarily need a bra?

Let her wear what she wants to wear. Dd is 13 now and feels too self conscious to wear a 2 piece. No doubt because she is worried about people judging. I don't hear of boys and men struggling to decide what to wear to swim in or sit on a beach so why girls and women constantly have to justify themselves is beyond me.

[GinIsIn]

I don't think little girls should wear bikinis, no. I also don't think little boys should wear swimming trunks either though, because neither of them offer enough protection from the sun. Fashion-wise they should wear whatever they like, who bodyshames a 5 year old?!

[Witsender]

They're entirely pointless and impractical. My daughter (7) often wears swim shorts (those little tight ones that boys wear) but we have never bothered with a top other than a rash vest. Gets far less sand in sensitive bits!

That or a normal costume

[Ameliablue]

Personally I think bikinis on children look awful.

[Rainatnight]

What on earth makes your FIL think it's his place to comment on the appropriateness of what your DD wears?

[Purplemac]

As far as I'm concerned, clothes are clothes - they cannot sexualise children, only people can. If someone could honestly look at a 5 year old girl in a bikini and think "that's a bit too sexy for a child" then the problem is definitely with them.

[bonbonours]

Obviously little girls don't need to cover their chests but as has been said up threade they like to dress like mummy. They don't need to wear dresses or skirts either but lots of them love to.

My girls wear a mix of bikini, one piece costume and long-sleeved tops. Sometimes the long sleeved top with the bikini bottoms, much easier for going for a wee.

It really doesn't matter what they wear and anyone who is remotely thinking about a small child looking sexy or needing to cover up has a problem.

Also I agree that grandad doesn't get to say what his granddaughter can wear.

[Allington]

Looks age appropriate to me - I have a similar style one for my 10 year old, she's tall and thin and one piece swimming costumes are either thin enough but too short, or long enough but flapping around her waist. I don't like the string ones (on anyone of any age!), but the shorts / crop top ones are practical and comfortable.

I think I went topless until about her age, but it's not the culture here so she would be embarrassed standing out from her friends.

[SpiritedLondon]

purplemac I largely agree with that ( although won't be popping DD in a thong anytime soon). Just to clarify I think it's fine pretty much whatever combination she wears - wears the 2 piece, just the bottoms, bottoms with a T shirt or cover- up. I'm also fine if she wanted to be naked although I gather from some of these comments that other people would have a problem with that so we won't be going there.

[SnowWhite33]

One piece or bikini bottoms only.
No boobs, no bikini tops it just really looks off to me, def not for a 5 year old. As they grow older and become more body conscious then they can choose to wear it themselves.

But then again, i think its off when small babies with no hair with hairbands

[DollyLlama]

I really don't like the triangle bikinis on children, and the bottoms that are just string holding them together.

The one you've chose I have no objection with, it's more sporty and covers well it seems.

The only issue that stands out is UV protection. At that age, my dad would make me wear a oversized t shirt and I put my 2yo in what's best described as a wetsuit with a sun hat, but I understand that's not as practical with an older child. As long as you're really hot on the sun cream applications, it should be ok.

[AmyGardner]

I'm honestly so confused by the responses on this thread. In one thread we've got:

• bikinis are sexualising
  
• Only pervs can sexualise little girls
  
• she should only wear bottoms as she doesn't have breasts
  
• It's fine
  
• Bikinis will make them 'grow up faster'
  
• Boys nipples are ok but girls aren't
  
• All nipples are fine
  
• Bikinis are chavvy
  
• I judge anyone whose child doesn't wear a rash vest
  
  The variety of responses just proves to me that it's time we stopped using the word 'should' in relation to little girls and their clothing.

[inashizzle]

Make the most of it. My olive skinned child had bone pain due to a vitamin d defiency which is on the rise now. A child's two piece is a lot easier, comfier. Just remember to constantly prevent sunburn .

In at a worse place where my dd has fully developed since last year . In adult size clothes but very unaware of inappropriate dress. Some of the bikinis in high street are like something out of Ann summers! We have to eliminate most, and make sure she's not trying to sneak out her 19 yr old sister's itsy bitsy club wear

[JacquesHammer]

There's absolutely no difference between a tankini and a one piece swimsuit.

DD has been developing since she was 8 so wanted some coverage on her top half. Our holidays would be bottoms and UV top when necessary, tankini top when not.

[Aworldofmyown]

I don't like to see children in adults clothing - nothing to do with sexualisation.

The bikini you linked too is pretty and unlikely to be worn by an adult, so I don't have an issue with it tbh.

River Island do a range of young kids clothing that is awful, its just mini versions of the adult section.

[ghostyslovesheets]

madness isn't it Amy

I let my daughters wear what they feel comfy with - dd3 is 8 and likes a bikini - the older two recently switched to swimsuits

It's clothes - that is all - nothing to get worked up about and certainly not an invitation for others to judge or comment

[smurfit]

I wouldn't but I also wouldn't care that other people do.

Usually here kids are in bikini bottoms and a rashie or a wetsuit (our sun is horrendous for burning in NZ but the water is cold down south!!).

[HipsterHunter]

I hate little girls in bikinis.

They ride up, there is more skin to get sub burnt and they aren't practical.

Also they don't have any boobs to cover so there is zero point!