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

[DieselBlue89]

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?

Nonetheless, I don't think the answer to the ridiculous expectations places on women's bodies should be similar expectations being placed on men's.

And nobody puts little boys into sports clothes that require it.

Yes-but they are not shamed into doing it by societal norms.

I'm afraid I think they are. Same as owning a six pack.

It's not the 'male gaze' it's the 'Social Media Gaze'.

I've been buying athletic swimsuit since I was a teenager due to the length on my torso. Normal swimsuits looked obscene on me and despite my tiny bust my boobs always were threatening to pop out!

It's so much easier to get swimsuits with decent coverage now thank goodness! It was a real struggle finding things when I was younger.

Nonetheless, I don't think the answer to the ridiculous expectations places on women's bodies should be similar expectations being placed on men's.

Totally agree.

But that's what happening.

Google rising rates of anorexia in men.

Ultimately shaving the pubes is conforming to societal norms, not the shape of the swimsuit. You chose that.

The bikini I had as a child had a little skirt on the bottom and the top was like a crop top in no way reminiscent of a bra. Perfectly fine for a little girl.

I haven't read the full thread sorry but I wanted to share the new policy at my local pool which has delighted me.
The need to wear a swimming costume proves to be a barrier to women participating in swimming and taking their children too.

I've had several things from Calypsa and all have been really good quality. DD has a swim bra from there, which goes underneath their swim tops that don't have bust support (some tops have good, built in bust support, others don't).

I've also had some nice swim shorts from Halocline, which were better quality than the Calypsa ones.

Decathlon do some really nice 'standard' swimming costumes that are low cut on the legs and give full coverage. I found some really nice ones in their aquarobics range (forget exactly what it's called).

This year, I tried period swimwear. I don't think it would be sufficient if you were actually on your period, but it did give really nice coverage on the bottoms, and I felt much more secure in it than I ever do in normal swimwear when not actually in the pool.

@TriceratopsRocks Thank you for the Calypsa recommendation. I really like the tankini vest top, apart from the little ties at the side. I just want something plain. The shorts look good.

Tryingmybestadhd
I think girls swimsuits are sexualised because they are made to cover up their nipples despite having no more breasts than boys as children . When I was a kid we used bikini bottoms only . As for the pubic hair , well there are lots of nicer like cool swimsuits and bikinis and men , specially in competitions use speedos too ?

Agree with this. No actual need to cover a small girls nipples. Only 'female' convention.

I can assure you my very full coverage Middle Aged swimming costume is the opposite of what you suggest !

Does that mean women and girls cannot wear board shorts?

Some nice ones here: https://www.forluna.co.uk/

I think this is also a cultural thing . I grew up in a Mediterranean country where going to the beach is common . Most girls wanted small stuff so they didn’t get tan marks . Even now when family visits they look at British swimsuits in shops and they say they are horrendous as they cover so much .

Even now when family visits they look at British swimsuits in shops and they say they are horrendous as they cover so much.

Only the ones that cover so much, cover so much. The option to buy ones that hardly cover anything at all does exist.

Hard agree. I don't want to make a statement with swimwear - whether that is 'I am hot' or 'I am.indifferent to conventional beauty standards and rise above your disapproval' or ' l choose to be modest'. I just want to bloody swim.

The straightforward answer is that some are and some aren't and you select the style that suits you (no pun intended).

For "hygiene reasons", read "Islamophobia". The swimwear rules at French pools are about stopping women from swimming in burkinis and men from covering navel to knee. If your costume is clean on, the shape of it won't affect how hygienic it is.

No need to cover up an adult woman's nipples either, if we weren't so pornsick as a nation.

The rules are there basically to stop skanky people from wearing their shorts round the house for a week and then wearing the same ones in the swimming pool. They just don't care that the effect of the rule is problematic for religious minorities.

No need to cover up an adult woman's nipples either, if we weren't so pornsick as a nation.

Well there's a whole separate discussion to be had there.

And let's face it there you can go topless all over the place. Mostly on the continent .

And I'd say covering up nipples started way before mass market porn.

As others have pointed out, you don't have to wear a run of the mill women's swimsuit from a high street store. I often wear loose board shorts and a tankini top/ vest top.

You can wear what you want.

But still, the fact is that if you go into the women's swimwear section of a high street clothes shop, you will find things which are are tighter, clingier, and more revealing than men's.

That's the patriarchy for you.

But still, the fact is that if you go into the women's swimwear section of a high street clothes shop, you will find things which are are tighter, clingier, and more revealing than men's.

FTFY

But still, the fact is that if you go into the women's swimwear section of a high street clothes shop, you will find things which are are tighter, clingier, and more revealing than men's.

And shopping on line is kicking that into touch.