A rant about swimsuits (and the sexualisation of female sport)

[StolenWillowTree]

I am prepared to be told IABU even though this is not AIBU, but is anyone else frustrated by the difficulties of finding swimsuits or other sports gear for women that are practical and not just designed to look sexy?

I am a serious sports swimmer, a former competitive swimmer, and it seems basically impossible now to find women's swimsuits that are not impractical and seem designed for Instagram posing, unless you order a plain black Speedo.

I went into four different shops this spring (including Tesco, and a specialist sports shop) and none of them had even one single swimsuit that didn't have padded breasts and super high cut legs that turn into thongs the second you put them on. Why on earth does any athlete need padding when they are competing or practising?? What woman even thinks about whether her tits are big and round enough, when they are in the water trying to beat their practice time? There's absolutely no reason for a swimsuit to have padded cups unless it's specifically a fashion suit being purchased for posing on the beach. Which is fine of course, but that shouldn't be the default. I've been swimming for more than 30 years and none of my old swimsuits (that I've owned for many years) have padded cups, or bottoms cut so high they turn into thongs as soon as you start swimming. But it seems impossible to find suits like that in shops anymore.

I bought what looked like a plain black swimsuit from Sports Direct, and when it came it was clearly designed just for posing as you couldn't move an inch without your breasts and entire bottom coming out, it was so flimsy.

It seems to be an issue with other sports, with female sportswear (even for women competing at high level) being far skimpier and more sexualised than male sportswear.

Honestly, between this and all the gender stuff around swimming, I really do think there's an attempt to force women out of sport or tell women their job is to look sexy and not be real athletes. It might sound like a minor thing, and yes I know there are proper sports suits to be found if you look for them. But women and girls who like to swim should be able to pop into Tesco or Primark and buy a cheap basic one-piece that isn't padded and won't move in the water. Or sports suits in nice colours and patterns you can actually be athletic in.

Sorry am just ranting - I've due at the pool in an hour and my favourite (ancient) suit completely ripped, and of the four sports one-pieces I've bought this summer all are just completely impractical. Am I just a crotchety old woman who sees everything as a feminist issue?

GENUINE QUESTION:

Sorry but I actually like trousers that aren’t filled with wallets and phones. I prefer a tailored look, which is spoiled by filled pockets.

I seriously don’t know why some women use this pocket thing like it’s some kind of sexist conspiracy by men to prevent women from having somewhere to put their stuff?

If you want pockets BUY trousers with pockets, if you don’t don’t surely?

My aunt is Mrs Functionality and buys trousers with pockets. I’m the opposite and buy trousers with few pockets. We are both women and both achieve what we want in the trouser buying department. Just go to millets or mountain warehouse and you’ll find all the pockets.

if you want your ass showing off in a pair of jeans go somewhere they sell those.

Men do this. For example a man would wear one set of trousers (e.g smart fitted suit trousers) to an event and very “pocketed” (e.g cargo shorts) to their day job as a labourer.

Now aren’t they the ones with the real issue here? What about when pockets spoil the cut of their trousers…??? When they aren’t in a pocket mood…they want to look clean cut and fresh. They can’t carry handbags without feeling judged by society, can they? Isn’t that worse? Where do they put their stuff? No pockets AND no handbag.

Please can someone explain this pocket repression to me? I’ll be really sad if shops only sell trousers covered with pockets.

pockets.

I was in Sports Direct looking for exactly that, and was about to give up when I discovered they actually have two swimwear sections (or at least the branch I was in did).

Upstairs was the fashion swimwear, all high thighs and cleavage, but downstairs was sports swimwear with decent coverage.

If you're going to fight a cuase you really need to do a bit more research/take a bit more interest than a quick Google. The campaign is well underway and has achieved significant change to rules.

Only the French open banned Serena's catsuit, not "tennis". She wore it elsewhere.

Beach Volleyball has changed it's rules now, but there were rules about maximum length of shorts for men too.

Lots of the old requirements for female athletes have changed, but the althelete still choose the traditional dress. E.g. women have always been allowed to wear long baggy shorts for tennis, most choose not to. Gymnasts are now allowed to wear shorts with their leotards, most choose not to.

I've been pool swimming regularly for over 30 years (not competitively) and have always bought Speedo (or occasionally Arena or Zoggs) swimsuits.

I have never found anything other than 'fashion' swimsuits at supermarkets or chain stores, I agree with you they tend to be unworkable - flimsy, poor coverage, uncomfortable, many of them have tummy control which drives me bonkers. I stopped looking long ago and stick to Speedo costumes even at the beach as I mainly go there to swim. I agree with you there is no 'in between option', but I am not sure how much of a market there is for it.

I agree I don't want to pay a fortune so I tend to buy previous seasons' styles, in the past I aimed to pay about £20 but since Covid it's more like £30.

Re swimsuits for competitive wear at e.g. the European Games, yes women's swimsuits are tiny/revealing - but so are men's (thinking in particular of the costumes of diving).

Not something I've had problems with. Bought several from Decathlon recently that ate practical to swim in. They do have padding but it's removable and padding isn't always to make swimwear 'sexy'. I appreciate a bit of thin padding as I've got older to support my breasts.

I get mine from Asda and they last years and I swim weekly (not very well but I do lengths in the pool for half an hour).

I usually buy the tummy control suits as they tend to have a lower leg cut (also I'm short in the body so have never had too much of an issue with this).

Re swimsuits for competitive wear at e.g. the European Games, yes women's swimsuits are tiny/revealing - but so are men's (thinking in particular of the costumes of diving).

Again there are no actual rules requiring it though. Both sexes choose their own costumes based on comfort and aerodynamics. I have a strong suspicion that any (male or female) diver who chose to be less skimpily dress would find it harder to get good sponsorship deals, but the sport doesn't require it, it's personal choice.

Not my experience at all - bought a new costume just yesterday in Sports Direct £12 a 2 tone blue Slazenger with no padding and plenty of arse

I agree with the beach volleyball etc

I watched a competition recently and it was very much sold as entertainment with dance music in between sets, bar, crowd entertainers. I imagine skimpy outfits plays into that and certain sponsors will be pro it - yuk.

I'm somewhat surprised that a serious, former competitive, swimmer such as OP isn't aware of more of the high street sports shop options, suppliers such as SimplySwim and Wiggle, let alone the actual high performance suppliers.

Though I agree it can be hard to find plain black, and that might have been what was limiting your options. If you go for the ones with eg the adidas stripes down the side, or other sports brand branding, then there should be plenty to choose from.

If it has to be plain black, then the LandsEnd 'tugless' might be the best bet.

Why on earth does any athlete need padding when they are competing or practising?? What woman even thinks about whether her tits are big and round enough, when they are in the water trying to beat their practice time? There's absolutely no reason for a swimsuit to have padded cups unless it's specifically a fashion suit being purchased for posing on the beach.

I think you've completely misinterpreted the reason many women choose padded cups. I'm not an athlete, nor do I pose on the beach, I just splash around with the kids. I choose padding for quite the opposite reason you think - so as not to display my breasts. I find the padding provides support and coverage. I definitely don't want my nipples on display, so am much more comfortable and relaxed in a suit with padded cups.

I agree with your points re volleyball outfits etc though.

Thanks for that - I wasn't sure if it was choice or rules, but it seems to be pretty much a level playing field in terms of costume for men and women.

I wanted padding to cover my nipples during swimming lessons but none of the swimsuits I looked at had padding. Agree that some are worryingly skimpy for swimming in a pot (I had some serious side boob in an Arena swimsuit from Sports direct. I bought a two tone Slazenger swimsuit which keeps my boobs and bum cheeks in place which might be more what you're looking for. I still didn't find it comfortable as the body seemed too short and was pulling me down from the shoulders. I asked for help in the fitness section and there were lots of recommendations for the Slazenger Boyleg suit which is much comfier.

Never had any trouble finding practical swimsuits in SportsDirect 🤷‍♀️ Speedo do excellent ones with racer backs and shorts.

If you want something a bit fun but still practical then try Batoko (it is a premium price point but thats largely down to it being a small, sustainable business rather than paying for a label - I appreciate it’s not accessible to everyone though) - excellent thick costumes with good coverage but lots of fun patterns so work for holiday as well as actual swimming. Last for ages and wash really well - chlorine hasn’t destroyed mine yet!

Ugh yes totally agree. There's never actual SWIMMING costumes in any clothes shops. But they can be found in sports shops and online. The clothes shops ones are always for beach wear, totally impractical for actual swimming.

I've bought, and sent back, 5 costumes this year. It's almost impossible to get a non-padded costume in a large size (46) for actual swimming. Padded ones finish the padding about halfway down my very large breasts - I don't need my nipples hiding, they aren't prominent. I have 3 Speedos which I bought about 4 years ago, I'm making them last until they go transparent and crossing my fingers that Speedo bring out something decent soon. The current Speedos in my size have a deep V at the front & don't work for me

Why would there be costumes for serious swimming in fashion shops? You don't expect to find running, climbing or football kit there either.

Are the padded ones for LIA?

You don't think swimsuits should be suitable for actual swimming??

Any shop that sells swimwear should sell at least a few suits that you can actually do a couple of lengths in. That's the most basic minimum for a swimsuit.

Of course I'm well aware of online specialists (there are certainly no brick and mortar specialist shops anywhere near where I live, except for Sports Direct, who were useless).

It's all part of the sexualisation of women and female sport and the trend to see female athletes as decorate and not proper athletes, which is a recurrent issue for female athletes.

Perhaps you could try Sports Direct online if your local store is so useless ?
I buy my swimming costume for swimming there and my holiday costume for fun swimming in Tesco Asda or Primark

Why? In the same way I don't expect fashion shoes to be suitable for running in or fashion shorts to be good for the gym.

Fashion costumes are find for a splash on the beach (in the same way that fashion shorts would be OK for the gym as a one off) but not suitable for serious swimmers. And that's fine, they're good for what they're designed for.

Loads of work has already been done on this issue OP with considerable success, including some rule changes. Why are you determined to dismiss the work done by female athletes? In most sports now they're able to wear what they choose and prefer the skimmy outfits for their own reasons (either aesthetic or performance). Would you prefer women not to have that choice?

Bottom line is shops sell what sells. If people wanted more coverage in swim suits, that's what shops would sell.

@Alopeciabop the problem is comparing like for like between products made for female and male customers.

Of course cargo trousers are going to have more pockets than jeans or smart trousers. Women's jeans have shallower pockets than men's jeans, so I buy men's jeans. The same is true for women and men's shorts, so again I buy men's shorts (there is the additional factor of length, because sometimes it's difficult to find women's shorts that aren't very short).

For smarter wear: many blazers for women have only fake pockets or only very shallow pockets on the outside. Men's blazers and suit jackets tend to have inside pockets as well (they all seem to store their wallets there). Men's smart trousers typically have pockets; women's very often don't. It depends on the cut as well, but as the style I like is rarer to find anyway (tighter on thighs and looser on calves, rather than the more available narrow/wide all the way down), I haven't seen any with pockets at all.

Any shop that sells swimwear should sell at least a few suits that you can actually do a couple of lengths in. That's the most basic minimum for a swimsuit

But not all people wearing swimsuits are doing them for swimming lengths. A significant number of women wear them to sunbathe, to cool off in a hotel pool, to float around the local leisure centre pool with their kids, to wear in a sauna or steam room. The purpose of a swimming suit isn't solely to swim lengths in.

Mind, I don't know what supermarkets / stores you are looking at, as I've got three swimsuits from Sansbos, Primark and Asda and all three are perfectly up to the job of containing my body while I do a few lengths in the hotel pool.