Bikinis and Modesty - A Mother Responds to her Daughter

[Xantippe]

Men’s Speedos are also kind of in-your-face (and definitely look like men’s underwear, but tighter and bulgier) and yet they are appropriate swim attire. And that’s half as much coverage as a bikini…

Context is important.

 

[Xantippe]

Rau,

I didn’t even see your post on Speedos before posting.

That was totally accidental.

 

[Burt_Macklin]

Men’s Speedos are also kind of in-your-face (and definitely look like men’s underwear, but tighter and bulgier) and yet they are appropriate swim attire. And that’s half as much coverage as a bikini…

Context is important.

I’ve only ever seen one man wear a speedo and he obviously did it to get some laughs. Appropriate or not no man ever seems to wear them.

 

[Rau]

Men’s Speedos are also kind of in-your-face (and definitely look like men’s underwear, but tighter and bulgier) and yet they are appropriate swim attire. And that’s half as much coverage as a bikini…

Context is important.

Speedos tighter than underwear? I think that depends on the type of underwear. And bulgier?? That may depend do the man. . Context IS important!

 

[Avocadomom]

I’ve only ever seen one man wear a speedo and he obviously did it to get some laughs. Appropriate or not no man ever seems to wear them.

They are the norm for men’s swimwear in Europe and also the norm for serious swimmers everywhere. Here in CA we see beach tourists in them all the time.

 

[manualman]

They are the norm for men’s swimwear in Europe and also the norm for serious swimmers everywhere. Here in CA we see beach tourists in them all the time.

Serious swimmers haven’t used Speedos in more than a decade. Watch Olympics much? (Men’s Speedos anyways. Women’s Speedos are among the most modest of one piece suits. Go figure.)

Male and female minds very much work differently. I personally guarantee you that any man wearing a Speedo WANTS you to look and gets a rather puffed ego from it if you enjoy the eyeful. Which is precisely WHY men tend to think that when women wear bikinis, that men are thus allowed to ogle freely.

That’s really what it comes down to here. Making dress decision based on understanding the opposite sex and making charitable allowance. IMO, modesty is more about considering the effect on others than about any intrinsic morality of dress code.

 

[Xantippe]

Serious swimmers haven’t used Speedos in more than a decade. Watch Olympics much? (Men’s Speedos anyways. Women’s Speedos are among the most modest of one piece suits. Go figure.)

Male and female minds very much work differently. I personally guarantee you that any man wearing a Speedo WANTS you to look and gets a rather puffed ego from it if you enjoy the eyeful. Which is precisely WHY men tend to think that when women wear bikinis, that men are thus allowed to ogle freely.

That’s really what it comes down to here. Making dress decision based on understanding the opposite sex and making charitable allowance. IMO, modesty is more about considering the effect on others than about any intrinsic morality of dress code.

After listening to you guys, maybe I need to have a heart to heart with my husband to ask why he bought Speedos to swim laps in? (They’re the longer bike short type, but form-fitting.) He’s European, though, so maybe there’s a special European pass for Speedos.

Regarding bikinis, I’ve never tried this, but I believe that they can be especially suitable for the expectant mother (as the tummy is continually expanding).

aintnomomjeans.com/2010/06/should-you-buy-maternity-swimwear.html

That blogger says, “Everyone’s belly is different. Different sizes, shapes, and are all carried differently: high, low, etc. My biggest issue with one-piece styles is that they don’t adhere properly to the belly. They pull in some places, gap in others. This is not a good style for anyone. Just say no.”

 

[manualman]

Definitions surely do matter. When I hear people refer to a man wearing a “Speedo” I immediately think they are referring to those sort of male bikini bottom style things.

You are technically correct that the BRAND Speedo probably offers a variety of styles. But take a poll of guys (in the USA anyways) of what a Speedo is and I’d bet that most define it the way I did.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

I stopped reading this thread after the sixth or seventh post, because my imagination was powerful enough to make it the near occasion of sin.

(I think there should be a forum rule about not mentioning “wet t-shirt” contests!)

 

[phil19034]

After listening to you guys, maybe I need to have a heart to heart with my husband to ask why he bought Speedos to swim laps in? (They’re the longer bike short type, but form-fitting.) He’s European, though, so maybe there’s a special European pass for Speedos.

Xantippe - I don’t think you have anything to worry about. When people where saying “Speedo” they were not refering to the name brand, per se. But really, the men’s bikini bottoms which used to be used in competive swimming and still used in competive diving.

It’s kind of like saying Xerox Copy in stead of Photo Copy. Xerox isn’t the only company making photo copiers.

If you husband is using the longer bike short type (even if form-fitting) I seriously doubt he’s trying to show off. He’s simply trying to get good laps in without drag from baggy swim trunks.

 

[Zzyzx_Road]

Swimsuits can be changed. Tattoos cannot. Or at least not without considerable expense. Big difference. I prefer to date women without tattoos, still often think of them as tramp stamps.

I remember a wedding several years ago. The bridesmaids were making their way down the aisle in beautiful sleeveless dresses that were otherwise fairly modest. Then the 4th one showed up with an arm full of tattoos and that just jarred me out of the happy mindset I always try to bring to a wedding. Yes I know I’m old school that way, deal with it.

 

[KonstantinS]

Were bikinis created for a sexual intent?

I don’t personally think they should bother people – they’re not
showing all that much. Could be worse.