Bikinis are immodest - why exactly?

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Litcrit said:
From another thread, but i got this was the general opinion: apparently bikinis are immodest to wear while swimming, at least among US Catholics.

Why?

It’s an honest question, and I’m really curious.

I don’t see one’s stomach and back as sexually temtping in any way, so I really don’t understand how a bikini is more ‘immodest’ than a one-piece.

To be clear, I don’t think one-pieces are immodest either, as there is really nothing sexual about arms and such… 🤷
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The mere fact that you can go swimming and your bikini top shifts, falls off, probably would make it in my opinion…immodest. I have seen this happen to other girls too in the company of men.
 
I disagree that bikinis are immodest UNLESS theyre tiny and/or include a thong… Thats not even really wearing clothes! But as far as wearing something similar to normal, covering underwear - why not? Many men wear swimming trunks similar to boxers and some wear speedos!
 
We ask, why exactly are bikinis immodest. The answer is not absolute nor independent of culture, but still modesty is universal in application.

Condensing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, modesty protects the intimate center of the person and the mystery of persons and their love. Modesty achieves the purposes of:
  • dignity and unity of people
  • lowering the risk of unhealthy curiosity
  • resistance to the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies
  • protesting of voyeuristic explorations
  • expressing the spiritual dignity proper to mankind.
So we can say, conversly, that immodesty achieves these goals:
  • lack of dignity and unity of people
  • increasing the risk of unhealthy curioity
  • giving in to allurement of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies
  • celebrating voyeuristic explorations
  • expressing a lack of respect or reverance for the souls of mankind
Judge for yourselves, which set of statements the bikini best associates.
 
Few things are prettier than a girl in a bikini (or let’s just say two-piece, because bikinis tend to have a skimpy association here) and I don’t mean “sexier”, I mean prettier. The thing is not to make it the other thing. If you can’t look, look the other way. If you can’t wear it with dignity, don’t wear it at all. Yes, much depends on how it’s worn. Some people are just natural and if they don’t mean anything foul, they can look modest in a two-piece.

I don’t want to give in to magical thinking, but I kinda see it like if a girl goes to the beach innocently, she smiles (instead of preening) and does her own thing (instead of trying to attract attention) and generally behaves with dignity, she’s all fine in a two-piece suit. The rest depends on you, i.e. the guy.
 
chevalier, you said: “…and generally behaves with dignity, she’s all fine in a two-piece suit.”

It may be that she will not sin mortally if there is no intention and knowledge to do so when wearing a bikini or two-piece swimsuit. It is risky however in that any of the current swimsuits conforming tightly to the form below the waist or exposing the belly, shoulders, and thighs, lowers the risk of unhealthy curiosity and does not protest against voyeristic exploitations, and this does not resist current fashion and the pressures to conform to the modern trend to display the body for enjoyment. Enjoyment of prettiness or beauty, that can easily change to lust in the observer. Do to these reasons, it may be scandalous, that is, lead others to sin (men or women attracted to women), and give a bad example to children.

Easy to find suggestions for swimming have been to wear compression shorts, with skirt over, and a T-shirt. For men, board shorts and T-shrit.
 
I suppose such solutions may be prompted by high sensitivity, and in that case, they might actually be merited, but to me they seem excessive. I’m mildly shocked by the idea that someone would look at a two-piece suit in categories of mortal or venial. Obviously, a swimsuit that’s made to draw attention to the body is a no-no and so is one that has a risk of malfunction (although for different reasons), but I see no inherent problem with two-piece suits in general. If they don’t draw attention to what they’re supposed to cover, they don’t fail in covering it and they don’t pose a risk of malfunction, then I see no problem in them.
 
Maybe women could wear burkhas all the time and I think they even came out with a new burkhini for women’s swimming in Iran.
 
chevalier, I see that you consider a two piece to be so common that it is not a problem.

But not all men having seen the female body, wrapped up in two horizontal strips of cloth, with such pleasing qualities, without imagining how nice it would be to touch also, and may not look away and instead dwell there in that visual and imaginary enjoyment. The memory can also be a problem later when alone. Seeing more of a womans body may be a serious temptation to sin for men. Especially men that are continent, where they become more sensitive, as the testosterone levels increase about 50% more.

I submit that a swimsuit is designed to draw attention to the body: to both the areas that are not covered, such as shoulders, back, tummy, and thighs, and to those areas highlighted by high contrast or patterns, typically the buttocks and breasts. (You see that concept realized in pocket designs on jeans also.) Also to elongate the legs and slim the appearence, which are desireable features. The suits are carefully chosen for effect by women based upon their best physical features. That makes it difficult to find a swimsuit that is not going to scandalize somebody.
 
this thread is pretty amusing. I won’t try and convince anyone of anything, but I’ll offer something from my own perspective as a guy.

Ladies, I’d guess if you were actually able to completely read our thoughts on the beach while wearing your bikini’s, you’d probably:

a) throw up
b) leave immediately and shower for hours in scalding water
c) never appear in public in anything but a floor length long sleeved old maid dress again.

yes there are probably a few saintly types like those on here who are admiring God’s gift of the feminine form in a perfectly chaste manner. however, for a lot of us, it takes a herculean effort of will not to think like filthy, filthy, filthy apes 🙂
 
PPeterson said:
this thread is pretty amusing. I won’t try and convince anyone of anything, but I’ll offer something from my own perspective as a guy.

Ladies, I’d guess if you were actually able to completely read our thoughts on the beach while wearing your bikini’s, you’d probably:

a) throw up
b) leave immediately and shower for hours in scalding water
c) never appear in public in anything but a floor length long sleeved old maid dress again.

yes there are probably a few saintly types like those on here who are admiring God’s gift of the feminine form in a perfectly chaste manner. however, for a lot of us, it takes a herculean effort of will not to think like filthy, filthy, filthy apes 🙂
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Male apes are seldom much affected by bikinis.

Men, however…that’s another matter…:cool:
 
this is coming from a male swimmer, for the record

i honestly do not see the point behind bikinis, or any two piecie swimsuit useless

i see a swim suit as having one purpose, to practice and to compete in

when i see someone in a swimsuit, i think about how strong they would be at said event
 
Vico said:
chevalier, I see that you consider a two piece to be so common that it is not a problem.
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Nah, I haven’t said anything of that kind.
But not all men having seen the female body, wrapped up in two horizontal strips of cloth, with such pleasing qualities, without imagining how nice it would be to touch also, and may not look away and instead dwell there in that visual and imaginary enjoyment.
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I would think men for whom it were such a fast step would be in the minority. It’s not a healthy reaction - it takes a bit more than being a man to go down that route so fast.
The memory can also be a problem later when alone.
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Unless someone has OCD, it shouldn’t really.
Seeing more of a womans body may be a serious temptation to sin for men. Especially men that are continent, where they become more sensitive, as the testosterone levels increase about 50% more.
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Skin alone doesn’t do it, it’s the way it’s presented (or perceived). Many of today’s designs will have that effect simply because they’re raunchy or at least flirtacious. A reasonably thick full-cup with decent straps shouldn’t pose so much of a problem, for instance. They way many young girls behave also makes a difference.
I submit that a swimsuit is designed to draw attention to the body: to both the areas that are not covered, such as shoulders, back, tummy, and thighs, and to those areas highlighted by high contrast or patterns, typically the buttocks and breasts.
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Not at all. A swimsuit is a device enabling people to swim without too much uncumberrance while keeping their modesty. It was designed to cover, not to reveal or draw attention. What certain designers are making of it doesn’t apply backwards to the whole idea.
(You see that concept realized in pocket designs on jeans also.)
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They skip the pockets and make it tight if they want to attract attention.
Also to elongate the legs and slim the appearence, which are desireable features.
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And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. 🙂 I pick my business suits for the same effect and I’m a guy.

In fact, tight jeans make women look either overweight or starved and if you want a happy middle, you need to cut it some slack.
The suits are carefully chosen for effect by women based upon their best physical features.
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That’s not wrong yet. Looking good is not a sin and trying to isn’t either. What’s wrong is getting people to think about sex or testing their limits.
That makes it difficult to find a swimsuit that is not going to scandalize somebody.
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You can’t avoid scandalising someone somewhere no matter what you do. You’d have to stay locked home all day and that would scandalise people too.
 
It seems any outfit that you have to starve yourself, exercise constantly, and use photoshop before you look good in it should be avoided. seriously, from a male perspective bikinis are very rarely flattering. Also bikinis don’t offer any protection from the sun or sea life so they just seem really impractical as bathing suits too.
 
Wow this thread is still going? I can’t remember if I commented before but here goes…

One should ask themselves what is the purpose of wearing swim wear to begin with? Kind of a form follows function idea. One wears swim wear for swimming, lying on the beach, by the pool, getting sun, etc. It seems to me one could easily find a bathing suit, a stylish and flattering one to boot, that wouldn’t hinder at all this activity that covers more than a bikini (note I say bikini not two piece, they’re not the same thing). So you have to ask yourself then, if you can wear a functionally appropriate garment that covers more than a bikini, what is the purpose of wearing less than that? :confused:
 
chev yeah I guess so. I’m not sure why you need to tan your midriff though, with the vast majority of the rest of your body uncovered, surely wearing something over the middle won’t impede your vitamin D production:p

I just really have a hard time coming up with a good reason to wear less than necessary clothing when you’re barely wearing much to begin with and something that covers more will still be perfectly functional for the related activity.:confused:
 
PPeterson said:
yes there are probably a few saintly types like those on here who are admiring God’s gift of the feminine form in a perfectly chaste manner. however, for a lot of us, it takes a herculean effort of will not to think like filthy, filthy, filthy apes 🙂
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Well hey, maybe I’ll be the first self-proclaimed atheist to become a saint. Seriously though, I for one always enjoy the views at beaches and water parks and plan on continuing to do so. Are Catholics really so repressed that a little skin will turn them crazy?
 
shannyk said:
chev yeah I guess so. I’m not sure why you need to tan your midriff though, with the vast majority of the rest of your body uncovered, surely wearing something over the middle won’t impede your vitamin D production:p
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And what’s wrong with the middle that it absolutely has to be hidden anyway? 😛 It’s hot, people want to feel the sun on their skin, so people wear as little they can while still maintaining their modesty, i.e. wearing a bathing suit that covers what does need to stay covered. You can question the reasonability of tanning, sure, but I hardly see it as immoral just because it doesn’t have a rock-solid theory. 😛
I just really have a hard time coming up with a good reason to wear less than necessary clothing when you’re barely wearing much to begin with and something that covers more will still be perfectly functional for the related activity.:confused:
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Well, I start from the other end and wonder why insist on covers and covers and covers when the essentials are covered anyway. We don’t get born in burkhas. 😛
 
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