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!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su672464/ak9087

Styles like this for swimsuits are my fave

My daughter (doesn't like frills/flounces/cut outs etc, revealing things) wears a crop top style bikini with shorts bottoms (was hard to find, as apparently girls aren't supposed to want functional things that cover them up, went for Speedo in the end) with a long sleeve rash vest on top.
Bikini top for support under rash vest.
She wears a swimming costume that has legs (short) for swimming lessons.

What about a really functional set of swimwear? Something from Speedo rather than something fashion, so it wouldn't be all padded and fussy. Then she could just wear a rash vest and board shorts on top.

I wish the high street was listening to this, there is clearly demand for as a pp put it functional swimwear

I love the decathlon crop top sports bras. Semi compression but not so much it would cause any damage. Very cheap and would be perfect under a swimming t shirt.

My kids wear a rash vest and shorts.

I like this type as I need some support but like the vest over the top to feel less exposed. Love a short rather than a brief bottom.

Tankini Tops for Women UK，3 Piece Tankini Swimsuit for Women Swimwear Tank Top with Bikini Top Boyshort Set : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

I've had this with my DD for years, she's 10 now. Boden separate shorts and long sleeve tops have fit the bill and you can order different size for each part. But they are expensive, even with discount codes. I like the block colour adult offerings they have in at the moment but I can't justify for me as unlike DD I don't actually swim much. I will be looking through the suggestions here, thanks PPs.

No, don't help her harm her growing body. She doesn't need to hurt herself to feel comfortable. There are other options.

There's an American model called Rain Dove who often presents in a very stereotypically masculine way, yet has quite large breasts which she doesn't appear to have to flatten in order to do so. It definitely helps that she's really tall, but it's worth looking her up to see how she plays around with style.

My DD was the same. Just make sure you get something with light padding as my DD was mortified by the thought of her nipples showing.

I do because it feels more comfortable that way!! Also a reasonable size!! Could maybe try a sports bra under a rash vest if that's more suitable for her.

This is a really helpful post! My daughter hates being 'girly' so any sort of swimsuit / bikini is a no-go. She found a pair of longer swim shorts (but tight, she doesn't like the feel of anything loose) and a sports bra type top and wears them with a rash guard from the boys section. The set isn't at Next anymore - we actually got 4 sets as it took ages to find something she was comfortable in so it's good to know she's not the only one.

But yes - I would have a pass on any sort of binding options for a teenager.

Most of my more masculine friends wear a sports bra/crop top (Nike etc.) with men’s swim shorts.

Decathlon do some dirt cheap uv swim protection tshirts , I wear them over a bikini top when I'm playing with the kids in the pool on holiday as I am ridiculously pale and burn in the blink of an eye. They are a looser fit than many rash vests so I don't know if that would be what she wants but thought I would mention them anyway

This one is just a plain colour
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-short-sleeved-uv-protection-t-shirt-malo-blue/324760/c276m8851399

these are more feminine I guess
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/womens-surfing-short-sleeve-uv-protection-t-shirt-malou-shellrise-orange/358995/c281m8978000

Landsend women’s board shorts have proper bikini bottoms built in so no netting weirdness.

My very masculine presenting ex would wear
Surf shorts and a large (as in a lot of material) sports bra (more like a crop top).
Then when she put on weight she'd just wear a sports vest over the top.

What was it about the one your DD suggested that you weren't keen on?
TBH if you want her to feel confident its best to let her choose for herself.
I"d point her towards brands that do plain sporty swimwear and let her choose for herself rather than her settling for something you prefer.

Sports direct do loads of tankini tops (swim vest top) with no padding or underwire, and surf brands like Roxy, O’Neill, Quiksilver do some very cool knee-length or mid-thigh length board shorts. Or she could wear a sporty swimsuit with board shorts on top.

Check out https://swimweargalore.com/collections/womens-rashies-sunsuits?filter.v.availability=1

you can filter by rashies / sun suits / boards etc - all the best Aussie brands, delivers globally. I always stock up here for the kids and me.

Look at triathlon suits on wiggle or decathlon.

A recent-ish holiday lots of the girls were wearing these shorts with various tops, including tees https://www.nike.com/gb/t/pro-mid-rise-7-5cm-biker-shorts-N9D4uOSw/IQ1037-010
They looked so comfortable in themselves, wish I’d been more that way.

I wear a tankini with full vest top and matching fitted shorts - I've no desire to have any part of my arse cheeks on display to strangers, so go for something that's functional and gives me the cover I want. I got mine on Amazon, there's loads to choose from.

Op explained that it was a binder, which can cause health issues including breathing difficulties, breast damage, back pain etc.

My DDs have always worn rash vests and shorts, from decathlon, but more recently have added a bikini top underneath as otherwise they are bit too much like just wearing a wet t shirt (they are 14 & 16).

Would love it for both them and me if there was some sort of tankini top that was just a vest top but in swim material (With some kind of secret support). At 48 I’m happy with my body but don’t want a swim suit that involves cleavage, and my DDs are the same (currently, I’m sure in a few years they’ll dress more for male attention!)