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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you have a problem with the burkini?

817 replies

Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 20:28

Honest answers please

would you give a woman (maybe Muslim maybe Jewish) a wide berth if you saw them wearing a burkini or modest (Ie fully covered) swimsuit at a pool?

if you see a woman wearing one do you give it a second thought or is it just a meh, who cares?

tia

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
MrsPerfect12 · 07/05/2023 21:57

I'd look/notice as I haven't seen one before but not for any other reason.
like others have said most of us are more bothered about how we look.

AmazonAmazine · 07/05/2023 21:58

I think it’s a good thing, it breaks down a barrier for women and girls who often are less likely to be swimmers. Far better a burkini than sitting on the edge. I have too many female friends who don’t swim at all, not even the basics, due to modesty restrictions when they were young. Frankly I don’t care how we overcome barriers to sport that impact women and girls, it’s more important we find a way to get women accessing sport than it is to worry about the semantics of the arguments around modesty or religion etc. Women only sessions, modified dress… it doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things.

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 21:58

WashAsDelicates · 07/05/2023 21:56

*Haha no if you think swimming in your day clothes is not minging, you carry on. It isn't something I am overly invested in, I just avoid places that let people do it, as I have higher standards of hygiene.

As for burkinis (made of actual swim material) I'm not a fan, and do consider them mildly unhygienic*

Burkinis are not day clothes.

What makes them 'unhygienic'? The only way they are different to a bikini is the amount of fabric and coverage and lack of underwiring. So is it the coverage that makes them 'unhygienic'? Are swimsuits therefore inherently more 'unhygienic' than bikinis? What sort the ones with extra fabric in the tummy control panels? Or maternity swimsuits? How low cut do you permit a swimsuit to be in the leg before it becomes 'unhygienic'?

'Unhygienic'. What prejudiced nonsense.

Well who know what might be hiding under it? Grin

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 21:59

Wishawisha · 07/05/2023 21:52

I’ve never seen one which is surprising I suppose as I swim a lot and live in London. So because of that, I would notice, but it wouldn’t bother me unless my DC asked me about it, although honestly I’m not sure they would notice / care.
I think if the DC asked I would struggle to come up with a truthful, fair answer that I was comfortable to give (in the sense of, why women are told to cover their bodies but men aren’t etc).

Men are though, men have to dress modestly islamically too, modesty has slightly different connotations for a man though.

he can’t wear gold, red or silk, some say yellow too, his clothes can’t be tight, from his navel to his knee he must be covered (so shorts must go below the knee) a lot of men cover their heads too, it’s not obligatory but there is common saying in that Arab world I think, if a male scholar doesn’t cover his head, don’t take wisdom from him, it’s considered improper. So I hope that helps

OP posts:
ArsMamatoria · 07/05/2023 21:59

Could say similar about wearing stilettos or any other clothing that caters to the male gaze. Two sides of the same coin. I'm not a follower of any religion, but quite like the idea of wearing a burkini - good sun protection.

HuffPuffBosomHoik · 07/05/2023 22:00

I like them. I used to wear one actually! Partly modesty for religious reasons but partly because of the sun as I burn easily and have a tonne of moles. I now favour a rash vest over bikini top and shorts style bottoms. It's a bit less covered up but people don't seem to notice or care.

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 22:00

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 21:58

Well who know what might be hiding under it? Grin

Show quote history

It doesn’t cover the face?

OP posts:
Bayleaf25 · 07/05/2023 22:01

No issue here, should there be or am I missing something?

sweetdreamstenasee · 07/05/2023 22:01

no, why would I?

EE1980 · 07/05/2023 22:02

I'm not religious but would love to wear one - I think they're a great idea.

CaffeinateMeNow · 07/05/2023 22:02

Neverquitehappy · 07/05/2023 21:54

Is it your choice to wear it OP? I would look twice because it would be unusual and being totally honest my initial reaction would be is she made to wear that or does she actually want to? & will that little girl be made to wear the same thing when she’s older?

It’s hard to know when I think there is a whole spectrum? Certainly wouldn’t be rude to you though, I think any woman should be able to wear what she wants without judgment. (including arse cheeks out if she so wishes!)

Same.

I would absolutely not want to make you feel “noticed” and would defend your right to wear exactly what YOU want.

For me, the conversation around modest dress will always extend to a broader feminist issue and the need to hide the female body.

WashAsDelicates · 07/05/2023 22:03

Well who know what might be hiding under it?

What, you mean, like my knees? They could be a danger to society!

pointythings · 07/05/2023 22:04

I'm sorry you had such an awful experience and I hope it changes soon. If you look at the range of swimwear on sale online there are so many far more covered options now that I think the burkini is going to end up just another one of those. I'm going to Greece this summer with two very fair skinned members of my family and they will absolutely be covered up, and I'm looking at a swim dress for myself.

AlliumFairy · 07/05/2023 22:05

I'd feel sorry for her but absolutely wouldn't comment or stare or in any way want to make her feel any more uncomfortable.

ArsMamatoria · 07/05/2023 22:05

@Mvslimah wow - that sounds like a horrible experience. What a bunch of idiots. I'd fully support women who want to wear a burkini - and I wouldn't mind trying one out myself.

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 22:06

@Mvslimah I was being sarcastic. And mostly referring to things like possible hairy armpits/vulvas and who knows what other horrors women might hide when their body is fully covered. A boil or two? Stretch marks? No sanitary protection? Flesh eating bacteria? 😬Who knows what?

Otherwise I can't see how something made from the same material as bikinis,tankinis,rash vest,swim dress, swimsuit etc suddenly become less hygienic simply because it's longer/covers more. It's a nonsensical argument.

NatashaDancing · 07/05/2023 22:07

Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 21:37

Well tbh modesty means different things to different people, a lot of Muslims would say the burkini I have isn’t modest at all, so it’s a spectrum isn’t it

Show quote history

You're missing the point on the objection to the word "modest". I prefer skirted swimsuits or tankini style because they give more cover. I don't wear them to be "modest" and I find the concept of "modesty" in relation to women's clothing pretty offensive.

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 22:07

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 07/05/2023 22:06

@Mvslimah I was being sarcastic. And mostly referring to things like possible hairy armpits/vulvas and who knows what other horrors women might hide when their body is fully covered. A boil or two? Stretch marks? No sanitary protection? Flesh eating bacteria? 😬Who knows what?

Otherwise I can't see how something made from the same material as bikinis,tankinis,rash vest,swim dress, swimsuit etc suddenly become less hygienic simply because it's longer/covers more. It's a nonsensical argument.

Hahah, you can never really quite tell tone on here

OP posts:
YoungandHopeful · 07/05/2023 22:09

I saw someone wearing this the other day and thought it looked uncomfortable. My view as you are asking is that I think it looks ridiculous as you are under water anyway and honestly noone is interested in your body the few seconds it takes you to walk from the changing room to the pool. Seems to me to be about hang ups about bodies when no one is looking anyway.

userxx · 07/05/2023 22:09

The Brits are renowned for poor hygiene it's not an 'and now' thing

Really ?

WandaWonder · 07/05/2023 22:10

On what grounds would I give a wide berth?

Original poster
Mvslimah · 07/05/2023 22:11

I cant find the comment to reply, but yes it’s my choice to wear to it. I actually feel like maybe given a choice my husband might prefer if I didn’t wear it, as the stares today were quite something. My little girl dressed as any little girl does

OP posts:
usernamein · 07/05/2023 22:11

Not really an issue as woman's only sessions exist.

I would however like their men to stop looking at me

MidnightMeltdown · 07/05/2023 22:11

Just had a quick look and you can get some awesome ones:

lyraswimwear.com/

I like these, especially the coloured ones at the bottom with the grey leggings. I would wear one in a swimming pool and not give a toss what anyone else thinks. None of their business what other people choose to wear.

ShandaLear · 07/05/2023 22:12

OP, in last 2 years I have developed a great love of the water - swimming in the local hotel pool, and in the sea in the summer, and I do one or the other most days. It’s a great thing on every level and anything that helps people feel comfortable doing what they enjoy is absolutely fine by me. The people disrespecting you are rude and unwelcoming. If you can, keep going back - you deserve time in the pool as much as they do.