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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think kids shouldn't wear bikinis?

157 replies

cinnamonswirl99 · 02/02/2025 11:23

I'm just browsing the kids swimwear range on the John Lewis app, and keep coming across bikinis for little girls.
I don't know, am I weird for thinking this isn't right.
If I had a daughter, I wouldn't want her to wear something like that at such a young age.

OP posts:
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5
DrRichardWebber · 02/02/2025 20:09

But, it’s a million times easier for wees when you’re wearing a bikini! Just the thought of taking off a wet swimsuit to wee then putting it back on makes me shudder.

Printedword · 02/02/2025 20:20

SwingTheMonkey · 02/02/2025 19:55

What an incredibly bizarre attitude. There is nothing sexual about a child’s body that needs covering up with loose clothing. It’s just a body.

I feel sorry for children who are being raised in homes where wearing practical, comfortable clothing is unacceptable because it displays their child like form.

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Well, they are not practical if worn as trousers. Really cold

OCDmama · 02/02/2025 20:22

Depends on the style.

For girls/women with longer bodies it's easier to wear a bikini, otherwise even when wearing a 'long' branded one you can be hunched over (and they're pretty ugly). I'm not even sure you can get long ones for kids.

And tankinis are pure shite. If you can get one long enough it just flaps around.

Alifemoreordinary123 · 02/02/2025 20:22

I have an 8 year old for context and find binkinis for young girls distasteful. It reminds me too much an underwear - can’t really put my finger on it but it gives me the ick. My daughter has never asked or been offered the option to wear one. Of the 15 in her class, at least 8 are bikini only and have three or more of them.

AngelinaFibres · 02/02/2025 20:24

KimberleyClark · 02/02/2025 11:27

I wore a bikini from age 6 but it was definitely a child’s bikini, the bottom had a little skirt and the top was not bra shaped, more like a short vest.

I had one too in 1970 when I was 5. It was terry towelling in green , black and white horizontal stripes. The bottoms were big pants and the top was a short, fitted tank top. Some things( my dad's fondness for teeny tiny speedos) have not aged well in photos but I've never thought my small child bikini was sexual or inappropriate. I can see why people would want more skin coverage now for sun safety. Definitely wasn't a thing in 1970s Wales.

SALaw · 02/02/2025 20:25

Agreed. My daughter was always in rash vests on holiday, like my son. Kids' skin is so precious so I always covered them up as much as possible.

AngelinaFibres · 02/02/2025 20:27

BlueSilverCats · 02/02/2025 18:13

@chargeitup these start at 12 months old! They don't even cover a nappy ffs.

Definitely wouldn't put a small girl in one of those

Toomanyusernamestochoose · 02/02/2025 20:30

Agree with majority that the triangle style ones don't really sit right with me but DD regularly wears crop top or tankini style because they are so much more practical than one piece. Rash vest worn when in hot sun and then taken off for evening swims on holiday

TheEllisGreyMethod · 02/02/2025 20:30

I don't like kids in bikinis or crop tops and I hate girls in those bloody Nike pro shorts.
Call me what you want, but kids have plenty of time to wear what they want when they grow up, they don't need to be dressing as adults from about 5 years old. It's disgusting.

PLHJ84 · 02/02/2025 20:38

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 02/02/2025 11:26

I like a tankini. Covers more, easier toileting.

My daughters have always worn them since they were out of swim nappies. Doesn’t show much more than a costume.

BlueSilverCats · 02/02/2025 20:49

DrRichardWebber · 02/02/2025 20:09

But, it’s a million times easier for wees when you’re wearing a bikini! Just the thought of taking off a wet swimsuit to wee then putting it back on makes me shudder.

A two piece does the same job, doesn't have to be a bikini.

BlueSilverCats · 02/02/2025 20:50

Reallyyyyyy · 02/02/2025 20:02

They shouldn't be wearing them. One, all kids should be wearing suits that protect from the sun. And also, why are we sexualising kids. Y putting them in adult styled clothes, this goes with shorts too. Girls shorts are always so much shorter than boys. So I buy from the boys section. Young girls don't need crop tops either.

And more expensive.

Mrsdyna · 02/02/2025 21:00

Yanbu

Lovelysummerdays · 02/02/2025 21:02

It’s much easier to pop to the loo in a two piece. My daughters prefer them. They are cropped top / sports style rather than the triangle type with ties. Those are inappropriate for children imo.

SwingTheMonkey · 02/02/2025 21:37

TemporaryPosition · 02/02/2025 20:02

Bikinis aren't as practical or comfortable as a swimming costume.

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I’m not sure what that has to do with what I said about leggings?

But actually, ‘bikinis’ as I’d think of them- like the pictures posted up thread (that people denied were bikinis and instead called them 2 pieces) are much more practical than swimming costumes for things like going to the toilet. They’re also more comfortable and don’t ride up ones crotch…

SwingTheMonkey · 02/02/2025 21:39

Printedword · 02/02/2025 20:20

Well, they are not practical if worn as trousers. Really cold

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Do you live in Siberia? The UK is a temperate climate. Leggings are perfectly fine as a bottom covering for most of the year.

Cakefolk · 02/02/2025 21:42

I find it more weird you're browsing kids swimwear and don't have a daughter, I guess you could have a son??

MissTrip82 · 02/02/2025 21:42

FumingTRex · 02/02/2025 11:35

I do not think a child should wear an adult style bikinis as it is sexualising. Its making out they have boobs and drawing attention to them. A vest or tank top two piece is fine. Two flimsy triangles covering the boob area is not.

It’s impossible to sexualise a toddler.

Bikinis shouldn’t be worn for sun protection reasons.

There is no other reason. There is nothing sexual about a three year old. People who find a three year old capable of being sexualised are sick.

coldcallerbaiter · 02/02/2025 21:43

Women should not really either tbh.

I used to fill my bikini bra with wet sand as a small child to amuse myself and other children with boobies.

Printedword · 02/02/2025 21:45

SwingTheMonkey · 02/02/2025 21:39

Do you live in Siberia? The UK is a temperate climate. Leggings are perfectly fine as a bottom covering for most of the year.

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Sorry not a fan. Windy weather and leggings are not compatible. Also, as the mother of boys, I'd not want any kids looking like they in leggins. Yuk

BlueSilverCats · 02/02/2025 21:50

@MissTrip82 so why not put a 3 yo in a thong bikini? Or a mini skirt and a tube top? Why have any rules about clothing at all?

SwingTheMonkey · 02/02/2025 22:19

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Glitterbomb123 · 02/02/2025 22:50

MissTrip82 · 02/02/2025 21:42

It’s impossible to sexualise a toddler.

Bikinis shouldn’t be worn for sun protection reasons.

There is no other reason. There is nothing sexual about a three year old. People who find a three year old capable of being sexualised are sick.

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Please explain this because I'm genuinely confused. Are you aware that there are weirdos around that would take pleasure from seeing a child dressed like this? Of course People who find a three year old capable of being sexualised are sick. So why dress them in minimal/adult clothing!?

hulahooper2 · 02/02/2025 23:03

I don’t see any issue with them

Printedword · 03/02/2025 01:01

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Yes they should, boys don't get this pressure to dress like that