Bikinis were made for the male gaze so isn't it about time we stopped wearing them

[Hadmysay]

https://www.tiktok.com/@ddp8792/video/7509271473366830378

They were created for the male gaze.

Nah- hook to one side like we did with body suits in the early 90s!

Yeah I added that before. To one side.. no idea why I said pull it down. That's just silly.
It definitely doesn't fall on the floor though. That's just my trousers when using toilets and hoping that is just water on the floor 😞

All of us have been subjected to the social conditioning that tells us what looks good. And it’s always about what men like.

I think fashion would be very different if it were all about what men like.

Sexual attractiveness is obviously relevant, but I don’t think that, for instance, men were particularly attracted to women in fingerless gloves or sailor collars in the eighties, even though they were both fashionable.

Haven't RTFT, but...a tankini. All the benefits of a bikini and a swimsuit. Practical for weeing, but lots of room to show a beautiful print, really stylish designs, flattering. Can also have (light) period bottoms, or mix and match tops and bottoms.

It's an interesting subject to ponder because apart from societies where religion dominating clothing choice the fashion industry has largely been dominated by gay men and what's on the runway has tended to filter down to the high street.

I don't think many straight men are involved in design of women's clothing although on a more individual level men may influence the clothing of their partners and daughters.

It would probably make an interesting reality tv show to get a bunch of average blokes to design some women's clothing and see what they came up with. Would they give us more pockets? Or would it be all slinky little dresses? If it was my DH he'd probably choose some version of waterproof hiking trousers and a fleece because that's what he likes. Maybe with an accent of pink somewhere so you know they're for women. 😂

Social media influence has possibly meant that women are leading more on fashion trends now rather than waiting on the catwalk cycle to rinse and repeat. So maybe we get shown more clothing designed to appeal to straight men minus the avant-garde high fashion angle, rather than less.

This is all just speculation because I rarely go on instagram or tiktok and see what is trending with young women and I'm only moderately interested in fashion trends.

This! I do this when I go swimming, no way I’m pulling a costume down, quick yank to one side and you are good to go.

Is choice the point of feminism? Choice of, specifically, garments totally outside of necessity?

"You're a strong independent woman, of course it's up to you if you wear a thong in public. Or dungarees. Or a skirt short enough to flash your pants... Payrise? I've asked, I'll ask again... promotion to director? Not without a bit more experience... Eight years? I suppose so. Yes he did make director after only two years but he was more qualified... no not on paper, I agree, on paper you're the best... you just need a bit more practical experience. Look how about you do this really difficult job none of the chaps want to do because it involves actual hard work and a ton of flak? On your current pay, yes, but this will help your case for a rise. Good girl, yes, wear what you choose."

I don''t believe people that say they wear this or do that, not for anyone else (men or women) but just for themselves.

Not talking about bikinis here but in general. My appearance is for me not anyone else etc

If the whole world went blind tomorrow, and it was just you and your mirror.
Would you seriously still spend hours styling your hair and applying make up and so on?

You'd do all that just to look at yourself in the mirror and feel good?

Sounds narcissistic, or you're not comfortable with your natural self, and pretty insane.

The two ladies that said before that they do want to look good for the opposite sex were at least being honest

Sounds narcissistic, or you're not comfortable with your natural self, and pretty insane.

Or you're conforming to expected beauty standards and gender stereotypes and have been brainwashed into thinking it's empowering.

Choicey choicey “feminism” is rarely beneficial to women as a class in the long run.

Feminism is about equality, at the very least, and liberation from the patriarchy.

As always, there’s rarely an intelligent discussion to be had to MN on thread like these, unfortunately. A couple of good posts but mostly the point has clearly whooshed over everyone’s head.

The above sentence should have been

'it sounds narcissistic (or you're not comfortable with natural self) and it sounds pretty insane.

Not that the woman are insane. JFC

I am going to come clean and say I don’t understand what the point was.

Fgs, the concept of feminism has changed since my day. Leave people alone to choose what they wear. You aren’t the wardrobe police.

I get a funny vibe from him.

I wear a bikini because I like wearing a bikini. I like the sun on my skin. I like being able to go to the loo more easily. I like not being sliced in two by a swimsuit that is too short for my long body.

If a man wants to look at my wobbly tummy that has stretched for three babies, so be it but I couldn't give a toss what men think.

At one point I felt too self conscious to wear a bikini but a friend and I dared each other to try it and see if the world ended. It did not.. .

I haven’t clicked on the TikTok but a couple of others have explained it quite clearly upthread. Basically, people (women, in this instance) don’t make choices in a vacuum. The choice to wear an itty bitty, 2 tiny triangles top and bottom bikini, is not a freely made choice in reality, whether you realise it or not.

Do men freely make the choice to wear budgie smugglers?

God I hope not. They are always vile.

I love the feeling of sun on my skin.
I don't like the feeling of wet nylon on my skin.
Bikini doubles as a bra in some outfits.
I love that you can quickly change the bottoms to avoid a full on thrush attack - I'm partial to a mismatched bikini.
Easier to go to the loo than a costume.

Fuck the men & their gaze.
I like a bikini.

Oh I see - you are describing a particular type of bikini designed to give minimum coverage.

But as most women I see on the beach (south coast of England) aren’t wearing a bikini like that, I’m still not sure of the relevance.

Who is being forced to wear these bikinis against their will?

And yet they carry on regardless without women espousing on them on social media.

I think many people have been honest on this thread, not just the two who said they want to look good for the opposite sex.
I truly do dress to please myself, I wear makeup to please myself, and though my husband loves me with short hair....I wear it long, cos I like it that way.

Thankyoul @Ddakji .
It's not about wardrobe police..Women almost naked is somehow empowering and liberating. The new feminists that bang on about sex work being empowering and demonstrate by sitting naked in public, her just get laughed at and leered at. ??
Heterosexual men aren't being 'empowered' to walk around with their buttocks on show.
The media aren't talking about Starmer's sexy suits in the same way they went on about May's leather trousers..

Why have women been removing body hair for several decades? Why is our hair ugly and unhygienic but it's fine for men? Ok, that was the razor company increasing their market but woman bought into it. Why? Because they suddenly thought eww hair..I'll look more attractive without it. ?

I've had men tell me that I'll never attract men unless I change my appearance. I need to show more leg, cleavage, wear make up etc.. wear a mini skirt .

The over sexualised clothing that some women choose to wear is entirely dictated by men, even if these women claim otherwise

What nonsense. I used to wear a bikini but don't now. It's up to the individual.

This is so stupid. I wear bikini as its next best thing to going naked - so lovely to feel the sun and water on your skin!

@NovemberMorn I'm not saying others aren't being honest. But WHY ? Why do you wear make up?
Do you not think your face is nice without it? Is it truly just for yourself?

Really if there was no one around to see you, wouldn't you just be happy to shower and be clean ? . No make up. If not, why not?

I'm asking in good faith here.

Disclaimer. I still remove my body hair because I can't stand the sight of hair. So I'm conditioned too.