Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Bikini as underwear ?

31 replies

Montypig · 18/06/2023 13:48

I am fed up of not getting in the water when wearing the wrong underwear- boys just strip to their pants, but we can't !Would it be mad to buy a few bikinis and wear them as underwear ? Any brands people like that are a) like a proper bra top and b) not such sweaty material that you would feel really uncomfortable and c) not priced like Rigby and peller ? Or is it a terrible idea ?....

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 18/06/2023 13:50

If you're going swimming it's fine to wear bikini under clothes. Not sure why that's a question. Not particularly comfortable for every day wear though but presumably you know when you're lonely to need it

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 18/06/2023 14:30

I have tried this in the past and have found two problems. No bikini is as properly comfortable and supportive as a proper bra and pants. Also, after you've had your swim you find yourself going about your business in a wet bikini which leaves wet boob and bum areas - uncomfy and more than a bit embarrassing.

My solution now is to always have a swimsuit in my rucksack along with one of those tiny fold up microtowels which come in a zip up waterproof case. Takes no room and I can always swim.

Assignedtoworryyourmother · 18/06/2023 14:48

Two things.
I used to do that when I was a student and had run out of clean underwear.
How on earth do you encounter regular need to get your kit off and swim? Can't say that's been an issue for me this side of 1980.

TheYear2000 · 18/06/2023 14:48

I'm not sure when/where you need to be quickly ready for swimming, but when I've been walking near the coast and known I might fancy a swim, I just pop spare pants and a vest into my bag and would swim in (black, not tiny) pants and wearing my bra and vest. I doubt anyone cares or can tell that my vest isn't a proper tankini. After a swim, I put on dry pants and dry top and wet bra quickly dries (I only do this in hot weather!).
I have also worn bikinis under clothes before but agree usually the bras aren't as comfy.

EarringsandLipstick · 18/06/2023 14:53

TheYear2000 · 18/06/2023 14:48

I'm not sure when/where you need to be quickly ready for swimming, but when I've been walking near the coast and known I might fancy a swim, I just pop spare pants and a vest into my bag and would swim in (black, not tiny) pants and wearing my bra and vest. I doubt anyone cares or can tell that my vest isn't a proper tankini. After a swim, I put on dry pants and dry top and wet bra quickly dries (I only do this in hot weather!).
I have also worn bikinis under clothes before but agree usually the bras aren't as comfy.

Or ... bring a swimsuit / bikini without you instead of the second pair of underwear!

How is this a thing?!

OP where are you so often desperate for a swim but not having swimming costume or bikini with you?

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 18/06/2023 14:59

OP where are you so often desperate for a swim but not having swimming costume or bikini with you?

I'm not the OP, but I've just spent the last 3 years living near the sea. I'd walk my dog daily for long distances on the coast path and sometimes I'd just fancy a dip - I'd happen upon a good spot, the sun would come out etc. Perhaps it's something like that?

EarringsandLipstick · 18/06/2023 15:08

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 18/06/2023 14:59

OP where are you so often desperate for a swim but not having swimming costume or bikini with you?

I'm not the OP, but I've just spent the last 3 years living near the sea. I'd walk my dog daily for long distances on the coast path and sometimes I'd just fancy a dip - I'd happen upon a good spot, the sun would come out etc. Perhaps it's something like that?

Oh I know. But if this is the case, surely you'd (you or OP!) pop in a swimsuit / bikini / towel into a bag & have it ready

If you live in scenic areas & go for walks there, it's not like it comes as a surprise thar you might have the opportunity for a swim!

Majoree · 18/06/2023 15:19

When on holiday, I always put bikini bottoms on under my clothes, so I'm ready for a swim 🤷‍♀️

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 18/06/2023 15:28

EarringsandLipstick · 18/06/2023 15:08

Oh I know. But if this is the case, surely you'd (you or OP!) pop in a swimsuit / bikini / towel into a bag & have it ready

If you live in scenic areas & go for walks there, it's not like it comes as a surprise thar you might have the opportunity for a swim!

Show quote history

Hence my post at 14:30 saying that I do exactly that. I learned my lesson from wet patches and chafing soggy clothes 😀

kitsuneghost · 18/06/2023 15:37

Just get black shortie style pants and a crop top style bra.

PuffinsRocks · 18/06/2023 15:51

This sounds like a recipe for thrush/BV. I think it's ok to do it occasionally but not all the time as down there needs to breathe.

Hedonism · 18/06/2023 15:56

How often does this happen to you?

Genuinely curious.

TheYear2000 · 18/06/2023 18:23

Lol, I can understand it seems silly to do it the way I do. I think it's sometimes because I don't take swim stuff with me on trips because of space/forgetting that the sea often lures me to it but also because I have big boobs and find putting on a swimsuit or bikini top on in public more awkward than doing it the way I described which doesn't involve bra removal 🤷‍♀️
I'm sure there are better ways to do it but it works for me!

Daisy62 · 18/06/2023 19:04

In the summer I often wear bikinis made by bra manufacturers (eg Freya) as underwear (big boobs) if I might want to swim. But if taking a bag I’d take a micro towel and dry underwear too.

Riapia · 18/06/2023 19:14

You seriously think that anyone on MN would be the type of person to act on impulse?
What if it got back to the PTA ?
😉😁😁😁

Laiste · 18/06/2023 20:13

I find myself doing this on holiday too these days.

We've been lucky with the weather the last few years (uk) and every day it's been easier to bung on my bikini under a pair of shorts and vest, jump in the car and whip off the shorts and vest when you get to the beach.

mewkins · 18/06/2023 20:28

I do this in the summer because I prefer halterneck/racer back tops and I don't like the straight vertical bra straps. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm off for a swim. Decathlon or H&M are good.

My aunt lives by the sea and always does her morning walk with a swimsuit under her clothes in case she fancies a swim.

Original poster
Montypig · 19/06/2023 11:56

Sorry to disappear like that ! I realise its not MN etiquette. Thanks for the help as well - Its just been bugging me - I am surrounded by DH and boy children and water and they can just jump in and by the time I have dug out my kit and changed, the rest of the family are already cooled down. I do realise this is not a terribly urgent or important issue 😀

I will investigate, and if brave enough and if the PTA allow it, report back on the use of the bikini as underwear ( mind you I have to go and actually buy a bikini now )

OP posts:
ZacharinaQuack · 19/06/2023 12:06

I put my bikini on instead of underwear if I'm likely to want to jump in the water and have proper underwear in my bag for afterwards. If your boobs aren't too big though I recommend those compression-style sports bras - comfy and supportive, but also fine for swimming and reasonably quick drying.

ZacharinaQuack · 19/06/2023 12:06

(the crop top ones, I mean)

silverbubbles · 19/06/2023 12:07

Underwired Freya and fanatasie bikinis are just like their bras and very supportive

Original poster
Montypig · 19/06/2023 13:14

oooo I will take a look thank you

OP posts:
TheOrigRights · 19/06/2023 13:27

From the info you've given, it sounds like you live near the water and the opportunities arrive frequently when you're out and about.
I presume it's only really spontaneous when the weather is really nice i.e. for a few weeks of the year.

I think it would be fine to jump in, in regular knickers (maybe not your lacy thong) and a regular bra, or crop top. It would also be fine to wear a bikini under your clothes.

Again, unless it's really warm, I presume you're all heading home to change after the dip, otherwise the stripped off males are going to be getting cold.

I'm struggling to picture the situation. Either it's really warm and no one is carrying towels, bags and changes of clothes, in which case wearing a bikini under your clothes will be fine. It's just like being on holiday in a warm country.
Or it's not warm enough, in which case you'll have a towel, bag and change of clothes.

Wiennetta · 19/06/2023 15:21

If you’re frequently in a position that an unplanned swim is on the cards then surely just pack a little microfibre towel and bikini in your bag and leave it there? As the males being finished their swim and cold by the time you get changed - really? It can’t take that much longer to change than it takes them to strip off. Maybe just wear a loose dress if you think you’ll be swimming so it’s easier to change underneath.

KatyS36 · 19/06/2023 16:25

I've done a lot of hill walking and climbing where random swims were a thing!
I found wearing black pants that looked like bikini bottoms and a crop top bra did the trick perfectly.
There are many parts of my life that the pta wouldn't approve of 😂