Androgynous looking Swimwear for teen

[Mydustymonstera]

Hey shoppers
I’m trying to find some alternative swimwear to suggest to my teen daughter. she does not want to look in any way girlie or feminine. I just want her to feel comfortable at the beach! Her style is v androgynous. She’s sent a link to a swim top which I’m not keen on so trying to find some alternatives.

I’m thinking tankini / crop top in plain black, no cutaways or flounces or ‘shape enhancing’; not padded or wired, a blurb on the site that doesn’t talk about flattering one’s figure… bonus points if the models are boyish looking. I’m really struggling to find this even in sportswear and surf sites. The swim shorts we have sorted in plain black, it’s just the top.
it’s for a beach holiday where it will be hot.
she’s in adult sizes. Medium/ 10-12. Don’t think we’ll get away with age 13-15.
thanks for any help!

Lands End have board shorts and rash vests
https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Board_Shorts_-_with_Swim_Briefs/pp/P_40292.html?

Does she have big boobs? Would affect what I went for. What’s wrong with her choice of top?

Shes already told you what she wants though, and sent you a link. Why would you look for alternatives and send her those when she has already chosen something? It doesn't matter whether you like it or not, you're not wearing it.

I like slazenger swimsuits, boy short style

Let her buy the one she has chosen.
What's your objection to it?

I do let her choose her own clothes mostly and she’ll get final say on this!

the one she picked was a compression top / binder like some on this site. and I’m not a fan of the health risks (back pain, breathing issues) I’m trying to explore if she can be gender neutral without actually causing any physical discomfort to herself. She’s a young teen still, she’ll pick her own path but I can at least show her some other examples. (And she’s still ok with me using ‘she’!)

Fair enough OP, I wouldn't want that either.

Good luck OP, that sounds like a wise approach.

Puberty can be difficult but this is rough ground you need to get over lightly.

Good luck navigating the issue, OP. Sensible to avoid a binder.

I wear a rash vest when it’s really hot, I see lots of women do the same.

I hope you find something op, I've been looking for something similar and I'm not having much luck. I just want a black tankini top that's got a bit of coverage and a high neck. I'm leaning towards this one but being amazon I'm not sure about the quality

https://amzn.eu/d/02FCcTW6

Yes and rashies are very common for both boys and girls, men and women. I wear a long sleeved rashie myself if I’m going to be in the sun for longer than a quick dip.

You definitely need some support underneath.

I used to wear board shorts and a rash vest or tankini top when I was younger. A legsuit for proper lane swimming in a pool. What don’t you like about the top she wants?

Sorry OP, had missed your reply about the compression/binder aspect. Understand your view. Swim tops are often a little bit more flattening, so she might not mind them if she tries them? I had a speedo tankini that was pretty solid without any of the health issues.

Finisterre have some nice bits, but they’re a bit spendy.

Have a look at Funkita OP.

I have quite a few of their bits and often mix and match when I want to be a little more feminine. The boy short bottoms are fab and there’s several style of tops too

I also have board shorts and rashies but mainly for the sting and sun protection - top curl so great block coloured board shorts

Search on Amazon for 'modest swimming costume'
I got one like this for swimming at the pool in my gym as I didn't want to wear beachwear - I hope the link posts!
www.amazon.co.uk/Vinuwu-Swimming-Costumes-Swimsuit-Swimwear/dp/B0GH6TZ74D/ref=sr_1_15?crid=1RRVH3J2TK045&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4XXUEbjKXgRA1KBhJH0D8AKJojNfM72Z5ssMcapIMoIjlBahobGUpBcm_1s9naCiOpBhSzOKn4jKNoyLDFfoH9IUZKlF38yqE03bTpfjTxQZUsmlcZJUa4yilFFfYBYSMurvm1Hr7fKij7qyx0i1vlrKekfsPu6TVYNGZbV8OQv2NgJweqeBhEPjCRFuyR0w5hZaP528jYguvDznK1PjhYBgXGhpqsdpZODJayWwsXTMLUfkwQh4LDRP2891XDNFFrpUDcuiwN7zhh1fztLWHH4LkY_Gl473OOjALOsPa58.GXHWY6t9CjVZ94EmEUmKAfgP9vcPKHmOpHiS_q0j5T4&dib_tag=se&keywords=modest%2Bswimming%2Bcostume%2Bwomen&qid=1777362447&sprefix=modests%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-15&th=1&psc=1

Why not just get her a men’s rash vest from somewhere like Quicksilver in a small size? If she doesn’t want it shaped in at the waist or tight around the chest then men’s wear is the way to go. Boys Quivksilver in 13-15 years might work as well (the sizes in boys rash vests are always bigger and baggier than girls)

I have never liked womens swimsuits and I love there's loads more options now.

I usually have a mix of things: boyleg tankinis where the straps are thick and without ruffles/strings/cutouts, a couple of rash vests, and I also have a white SPF hoodie to zip over. The problem with wearing a yoga bra underneath is they get very soggy and heavy, though sometimes I do it anyway.

Boyleg shorts are generally better than actual boys shorts because menswear has all this weird netting inside that's a bit uncomfortable in your bits. You can get women's swim shorts now with pockets and everything.

In general unfeminine swimwear is simply not permitted in high street stores for some reason, but there's loads on Amazon, and in sporty shops. Speedo, Zoggs, ONeill etc usually do a decent boyleg tankini every year.

Let her have the top she wants.

I like landsend swimwear. Expensive but really good quality and focused on practicality rather than glamour. My DD has a black tugless swimming costume for days when she doesn't feel like she wants her big boobs to feel like a normal part of her body not message to men (i.e most days) and she's very happy with it. www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Rash_Vest/pp/P_24761.html

I grew up in a hot country swimming every day. This is such a non-problem. Surely she just wears whatever swimming suit she likes and sticks a Tshirt on top? I suppose you could get some sort of rash or surfer type specifically made for swimming but any Tshirt will do.

Non-problem problems are a huge feature of life with a teenager though. You can have a perfect common sense solution to all sorts of things but your 14 y o doesn't often agree with you. This is before you get to the actual problem problems, and that's after you've worked out the difference. Exhausting.

Animal are great. I prefer sporty swimwear. Swimming in anything padded or low cut feels like its all coming out so i tend to go for plainer styles.
https://www.animal.co.uk/collections/womens-swimwear/products/latero-womens-hybrid-swim-t-shirt-jet-black