Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: chat

Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

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

66 replies

StolenWillowTree · 05/09/2022 18:25

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?

OP posts:
latetothefisting · 06/09/2022 14:29

I often buy swimsuits from different supermarkets or non sports shops and have never had any issues with them riding up or not covering anything?

I would much prefer padding over the boob area otherwise, particularly if the colour is anything other than black you can often see nipple outline. It makes me feel more secure not less!

MrsJamin · 06/09/2022 20:14

I had a similar challenge recently, I ended up getting Speedo Essential Endurance Plus Legsuit from simplyswim.com which is really comfortable. My other swimming costume was from m&s and even though it was arguably more flattering, the extra layers of material designed to mask parts of your body really added to the weight of it after you were in the water. That Speedo swimsuit is a lot more streamlined.

MrsAppleHead · 07/09/2022 23:07

Get a decent brand like a Freya that will fit boobs properly too.

Marynotsocontrary · 08/09/2022 09:09

The OP seems to think there are only two reasons women wear swimsuits

  • those who are serious athletes/ sports swimmers
  • those who want to pose and display themselves on the beach
What about all the women who buy a swimsuit simply because they're bringing their kids to the pool or the seaside? Or people who do a bit of swimming for exercise because they have issues with mobility etc. Do they and their swimsuit requirements not count?
YouHaveAnArse · 08/09/2022 22:33

Decathlon suits are not at all designed for big boobs, which is really annoying.

TheLassWiADelicateAir · 08/09/2022 23:34

justasmalltownmum · 05/09/2022 23:36

Modest swimwear is booming right now. Not sure how good it would be for competitive swimming though.

And has been , well for decades. I hate the term "modest" but for swimwear after about the age of 30 I've always preferred "modest" styles, whether tankini tops and swim shorts, swimsuits like the decathlon one or skirted swimsuits.

TheLassWiADelicateAir · 08/09/2022 23:36

Marynotsocontrary · 08/09/2022 09:09

The OP seems to think there are only two reasons women wear swimsuits

  • those who are serious athletes/ sports swimmers
  • those who want to pose and display themselves on the beach
What about all the women who buy a swimsuit simply because they're bringing their kids to the pool or the seaside? Or people who do a bit of swimming for exercise because they have issues with mobility etc. Do they and their swimsuit requirements not count?

Yes. I can't be bothered ploughing my way through the walls of text but there's quite a judgemental tone to it

TheLassWiADelicateAir · 08/09/2022 23:41

Alopeciabop · 06/09/2022 00:24

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.

Excellent. I'm going to copy and save your post for future use. .

It took my husband decades to get to grips with the concept of a "man bag"- and even then only because he now has to carry medication with him. He's amazed how much more practical and secure a bag is.

lochmaree · 09/09/2022 00:02

Uglies are my favourite! they are double skinned and very comfortable as well as not being skimpy.

Fimofriend · 09/09/2022 17:19

I got a two-piece that looks like a bathing suit and the bottom part is hot pants shaped. The shop I bought them in shut down right after the pandemic but try googling "fifties' bathing suit"

Mandypocket · 07/10/2022 13:28

I'm more of a casual swimmer but I've taken to wearing swimming shorts now on top of a cossie, as the state of my pubic hair is noone's business but my own. Also you can sometimes get them with pockets

TheSheerCheekOfSomePeople · 07/10/2022 14:09

women get a choice of skimpy or skimpier.

I agree all this is extremely annoying. But the shops wouldn't be only stocking these things if people didn't keep buying them in droves so it is partly a supply and demand thing.

It's relatively easy to get lower cut swimsuits and women's swim shorts on Amazon. M&S and Primark both had less skimpy swimsuits this summer as well and I've seen swimdresses in several places and tankinis with shorts.

For actual swimming I just use Speedo leg suits (not the expensive ones) which are generally black or black-and-a-colour. If it is for serious swimming why does the colour matter that much? I actually wear these to the beach too. The more usual suits I keep for lazing by the swimming pool on holiday usually with a sarong whether that is in a hotel in the UK or outside in hotter climes. This doesn't happen often.

TheLassWiADelicateAir · 07/10/2022 23:07

TheSheerCheekOfSomePeople · 07/10/2022 14:09

women get a choice of skimpy or skimpier.

I agree all this is extremely annoying. But the shops wouldn't be only stocking these things if people didn't keep buying them in droves so it is partly a supply and demand thing.

It's relatively easy to get lower cut swimsuits and women's swim shorts on Amazon. M&S and Primark both had less skimpy swimsuits this summer as well and I've seen swimdresses in several places and tankinis with shorts.

For actual swimming I just use Speedo leg suits (not the expensive ones) which are generally black or black-and-a-colour. If it is for serious swimming why does the colour matter that much? I actually wear these to the beach too. The more usual suits I keep for lazing by the swimming pool on holiday usually with a sarong whether that is in a hotel in the UK or outside in hotter climes. This doesn't happen often.

women get a choice of skimpy or skimpier.

I agree all this is extremely annoying. But the shops wouldn't be only stocking these things if people didn't keep buying them in droves so it is partly a supply and demand thing.

but this is just nonsense. It really isn't difficult to find non skimpy swimwear. It's what I've always worn and I've never had any difficulty finding it.

StarmanBobby · 18/10/2022 19:56

I’m a swimmer - Tesco aren’t going to have decent swimsuits for women, they’re going to have holiday swimsuits.
you’ll find proper swimsuits at a sport shop, Landsend, and ALL the swimming brands do good trent suits. Zoggs, even Decathlon

StarmanBobby · 18/10/2022 19:56

‘but this is just nonsense. It really isn't difficult to find non skimpy swimwear.’

exactly

YouHaveAnArse · 21/10/2022 14:24

StarmanBobby · 18/10/2022 19:56

I’m a swimmer - Tesco aren’t going to have decent swimsuits for women, they’re going to have holiday swimsuits.
you’ll find proper swimsuits at a sport shop, Landsend, and ALL the swimming brands do good trent suits. Zoggs, even Decathlon

I'm a swimmer too, and it's so annoying to see LE constantly being recommended because nothing they make goes over my chest, no matter what combination of sizing I go for. Same with Decathlon. I literally can't fit my whole chest into anything there, never mind actually be able to move in them without something coming out.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page