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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that girl's and women's swimsuits are sexualised

372 replies

DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:33

Why should I have to make sure I've tidied my pubic hair before going swimming? None of my other clothes cut so close to my genitalia.
Is it about aerodynamics? (the swim shorts worn by most men definitely aren't)
Or were they designed by men and now we're all just conforming to societal norms?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Hufflepods · 21/09/2023 20:35

You can wear whatever you want. No one’s forcing you to wear a swimsuit that shows your pubic hair.

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 21/09/2023 20:37

No one is forcing you to do or wear anything. Shave/don’t shave. Bikini/swimming costume/shorts whatever… no one cares.

Original poster
DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:41

I have just ordered one - thanks @MeinKraft 😊

OP posts:
BananaSlug · 21/09/2023 20:42

I think most women choose to wear it don’t you? If no one bought it they wouldn’t sell it.

Geminio · 21/09/2023 20:43

Get a legsuit, I’ve had one for years.

123autumn · 21/09/2023 20:45

MeinKraft · 21/09/2023 20:34

Why is it called a boyleg swimsuit?

Original poster
DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:45

Thanks @Geminio - I am now the owner of one, and now know what they are called.

OP posts:
Throwawayme · 21/09/2023 20:47

DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:45

Thanks @Geminio - I am now the owner of one, and now know what they are called.

I love Mumsnet for things like this! Problem to solution in less than fifteen minutes! Nice one!

UnctuousUnicorns · 21/09/2023 20:47

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09WXP8F6Z/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the above, bust support cos I need it, two piece as I'm not very mobile when walking and would struggle to wrangle myself out of a wet one-piece by the time I'd made it to the loo, shorts legs so no fear of pubes showing.

Women can buy swimwear in whatever style they please. 🤷‍♀️

Throwawayme · 21/09/2023 20:47

Ps I have ordered one too 😁

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/09/2023 20:50

DD has a fetching two piece 3/4 leg and sleeve swimming outfit. She chose it (hates being exposed). I was a little concerned when she went to a swimming thing with school but all the girls now want one. They were very jealous.

So if it's not women who want them for their girls, and the girls don't, who the hell is encouraging girls in bikinis? That's quite the thought.

Original poster
DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:50

123autumn · 21/09/2023 20:45

Why is it called a boyleg swimsuit?

Show quote history

Very good point! 👏

OP posts:
Original poster
DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:51

Throwawayme · 21/09/2023 20:47

Ps I have ordered one too 😁

😊

OP posts:
itsmyp4rty · 21/09/2023 20:52

UnctuousUnicorns · 21/09/2023 20:47

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09WXP8F6Z/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the above, bust support cos I need it, two piece as I'm not very mobile when walking and would struggle to wrangle myself out of a wet one-piece by the time I'd made it to the loo, shorts legs so no fear of pubes showing.

Women can buy swimwear in whatever style they please. 🤷‍♀️

Love this! I only ever wear shorts as I really don't want to have to worry about my pubes and I'm fairly sure no one else wants to see them just like I really don't want to see anyone else's.

gravitytester · 21/09/2023 20:52

Yes! I've recently started swimming again, and as well as being revealing in the front- they're practically thongs!! (My arse is rather large, but the size of the solution does not fit with the coverage offered!).

(To be fair, the one I have is a 'sporty' brand of another fashion brand, rather than actual swimming like Speedo etc)

Original poster
DieselBlue89 · 21/09/2023 20:53

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/09/2023 20:50

DD has a fetching two piece 3/4 leg and sleeve swimming outfit. She chose it (hates being exposed). I was a little concerned when she went to a swimming thing with school but all the girls now want one. They were very jealous.

So if it's not women who want them for their girls, and the girls don't, who the hell is encouraging girls in bikinis? That's quite the thought.

Very true, and it was seeing a girl in a modest shorts 2 piece today that made me question why the majority of girls have suitsuits that are so exposing, and then question my own choice too.

OP posts:
ReadtheReviews · 21/09/2023 20:53

Yes blah blah can buy whatever you please, but OP is right that the default style, as it has been for gymnasts' leotards is a lot more revealing than the men's versions.
Good that there are more choices available now but op's point stands.

Geminio · 21/09/2023 20:54

Oooo @MrsTerryPratchett where did your DD get her swimsuit?
I’ve been looking for something with long legs for my DD to wear on the beach but I just can’t seem to find anything.

Mum2jenny · 21/09/2023 20:54

Never really considered swimming costumes as being sexualised, but I buy mine for comfort and practicality given I may have young children clinging to me

Precipice · 21/09/2023 20:55

BananaSlug · 21/09/2023 20:42

I think most women choose to wear it don’t you? If no one bought it they wouldn’t sell it.

We could say that women 'choose to wear it' if they had equal choice between these kinds of cut-away costumes and ones that covered up more. We don't. Legsuits have come in more in these last years, but are still much harder to get than the standard cut of swimming costume. Even swimming costumes made for serious regular swimmers (not talking Olympians), made for enduring long in the chlorine, are cut that way. Speedo standard training costumes are cut that way; they have a legsuit but the legsuit lists a bust underband, which the normal swimming costume doesn't, so it's not an equivalent.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/09/2023 20:55

Geminio · 21/09/2023 20:54

Oooo @MrsTerryPratchett where did your DD get her swimsuit?
I’ve been looking for something with long legs for my DD to wear on the beach but I just can’t seem to find anything.

Now you're asking. It was an online shop. Let me see if I can find it.

DreamingOfRest · 21/09/2023 20:57

Totally agree. Whatever about the top half, the bottom half is ridiculous. You're basically walking around in public in a pair of knickers.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/09/2023 20:57

Found it. Calypsa.

CharlotteBog · 21/09/2023 20:59

If you swim a lot the sports direct / Slazenger one won't last long (cheap as chips though so it's an observation rather than a complaint).
Decathlon do some nice leg suits (short or long), and I have some lovely ones from Land End (more pricey).

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