What age for bikini

[samanthasmom]

my dd turned 6 a few months ago.  we went bathing suit shopping the other day and she wanted to get a bikini.  we didn't end up getting one because they didn't have any suits in her size (bikini or otherwise)  she doesnt want a tankini, just a bikini. 

just wondering what the thoughts are on wearing a bikini at 6.  i thought it was ok.  i'm more concerned with sun exposure when we go to the beach.. we have spf shirts for the beach.  so the bikini would be just for the backyard sprinkler or the pond.  my dh said no because he doesn't want that much skin exposed and worries about people looking at her.  he's also concerned it would be growing up too fast. 

wdyt??

[TiredX2]

Personally, I have no problem with a young child wearing a bikini.  There is nothing inherantly sexual, IMO, about skin.

My DD was actually really excited to get a one piece suit when she was a little older than your DD is now.  She was always so thin that two pieces worked better.  Friends of ours who dress their kids modestly also like two piece suits because they are so much easier to get on and off (for potty breaks).

[Honey693]

We always do two piece suits here b/c it's easier to pee in them.  I have no problem with bikinis for little kids unless they're the triangle top ones.  If the top has decent coverage and the bottom covers as much as their underwear I'm ok.

[Monkeygrrl]

We did tankini's or shorts/tops or one pieces until the girls were 15/16 and responsible about it, then they could wear bikini's if they wanted to.

[erigeron]

My mom said she always felt sorry for her childhood friend Jill who always had a two-piece swimsuit and the top always seemed to be riding up on her. I think that might have been part of why she always put us in one-pieces as kids. If the suit fits properly and stays on, I don't see a huge issue with a two-piece for a little kid, but I wouldn't do a string bikini because that does seem like a shout-out to an adult fashion that I don't think is appropriate.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by samanthasmom 
  so the bikini would be just for the backyard sprinkler or the pond.  my dh said no because he doesn't want that much skin exposed and worries about people looking at her.  he's also concerned it would be growing up too fast. 

Your DH's opinion counts more than the other posters here.

My DDs were competitive swimmer for years, so they wore one pieces because they stay on for diving and flip turns. I think the suit staying put for what you plan to do while wearing it is the most important criteria. 

As far as modesty, I personally think the actual cut of the suit is more important than if it has one or two pieces -- I've seen tasteful suits both ways, and I've seen bimbo suits both ways.

I think finding some common ground for daddy and daughter would be good. They need to talk to each other, or may be go shopping together.

[Monkeygrrl]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

Your DH's opinion counts more than the other posters here.

For sure. 

Find out what your DH is ok with. Go shopping. Take pictures - send them to him. Keeping him involved will help validate his opinion. :)

[Peony]

We usually do tankinis are rec swimming, when DD1 was on the the sim team, it was a one piece of course. She has been asking for over a year for a "real bikini" . I admit to liking my girls to have swimsuits that are not tiny. DD1 is 9 now. We went to the beach for spring break and she desperately wanted a bikini, she tried on suits everywhere we went, but with her thin frame, none fit well. We recently found one at justice that does it her very well, stays put, so I allowed her to buy it. It is rather string bikini like with two triangles. It makes her happy and I have one to realize like another poster mentioned, it is just skin.

[samanthasmom]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 


Your DH's opinion counts more than the other posters here.

Of course it does. I didn't mean to imply it didn't.

[MilkyWayMom]

For a long time I have favored a one piece. DD just turned 4, but we swim a lot.  Partly, yes, I felt like a bikini is too much of a "grown up" look. Maybe it's just me wanting to keep my little girl little. Last year she received a two piece as a gift. It just didn't fit right. A year later she has really grown into and it is actually one of my favorites. It's more a tankini though. And of course, I finally discovered, it's much easier for her to use the bathroom with this suit. I still haven't had her in an actual bikini. One other thing to consider - the less covered, the more sun exposure, so more sunscreen especially on areas that don't see sun often. 

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

As far as modesty, I personally think the actual cut of the suit is more important than if it has one or two pieces -- I've seen tasteful suits both ways, and I've seen bimbo suits both ways.

Yeah, maybe this is a terminology thing? I think of a bikini as a particular kind of 2-piece suit - 2 triangles for the top and low-cut/high-rise bottoms.  If it's a modesty issue, there are lots of 2-piece suits with more generous covering on top and bottom - tank/sport bra-tops and boy cut shorts. Look around, you can probably find something. There are good reasons to choose a 2-piece. Ease of removal for bathroom is one. Fit is another, if she has a long torso. 

[mumkimum]

I won't be getting my kids bikinis (or 2 piece suits, really) because of a combination of my views on modesty, practicality while swimming, and our family's easy-burning skin.  They'll have to wait until they're adults & want to buy their own.    

I do think, that if you're interested in one, there are a lot of kid-appropriate styles out there in a bikini or two-piece.  A lot of kid clothing stores have pretty decent options - I'd hunt out some things online and show your dh first so he can get more of a sense of what's out there too.  (Might be he's mainly got one idea of a bikini in mind, yk?)   

[Red Pajama]

I'm really impressed with the quality and choices available from Lands' End. You may find something there that you like.

I'm very protective regarding sun exposure, and my kids (boys and the girl) wear swim shirts to the pool.  Only time they can be without is in the sprinkler of the evening at home.

And for us, showing that much skin in such an adult way isn't appropriate. I have no problems with people who feel differently.

[meemee]

dd is 9 and has worn bikinis since she was 5. she wouldnt wear them before that, but at 5 she REALLY wanted a bikini.

now i like bikinis because really she can wear them for a longer time than a one piece bathing suit. she doesnt outgrow them that fast. 

she does have a bikini, a tankini and a one piece. 

however my philosophy is - if a man wants to look at a child they will do so no matter what. bikini or no bikini. 

that is why i find bikinis are ok. 

however i think dd is going into the modesty phase and is wearing her bikinis not too often these days. 

where sun is concerned however i worry more about the mountains and snow than water. 

both dd and me burn more easily on snow on a sunny day. even covered in layers those are the times we have to use sun block or actually burn in just one afternoon. 

[transylvania_mom]

Originally Posted by meemee 

however my philosophy is - if a man wants to look at a child they will do so no matter what. bikini or no bikini. 

that is why i find bikinis are ok. 

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

Personally, I have no problem with a young child wearing a bikini.  There is nothing inherantly sexual, IMO, about skin.

I agree with this. My 2 y/o wears a bikini.  Many kids dd's age are completely naked on the beach in Europe where I come from. This has nothing to do with modesty. She couldn't care less, and if there are sick people out there they will look at kids bikini or no bikini.

JMO

[Neera]

I prefer it if dd wears it now at a young age. I'll want her to be modest when she is older. She has baby fat and it actually looks cute on her.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by Neera 

I prefer it if dd wears it now at a young age. I'll want her to be modest when she is older. She has baby fat and it actually looks cute on her.

This was totally how we viewed it too.  Now that DD is 13, DP has way more of a problem with DD in a two piece swimsuit (or short shorts or skirt) than he did 10 years ago!

[Boot]

I don't have a problem with naked kids at all but some bikinis are more sexualising than nudity. I don't like to see a 5 year old dressed like an 18 year old hottie. However, more importantly, it's a lot more work to keep a child from burning when their upper thighs, hips, tummy and back are exposed. I just keep my 2 year old in a sun suit. Any time it's warm enough to swim it's warm enough to burn where I live. However, I wouldn't mind her wearing a little girl style bikini at the indoor pool when she's older. 

Something like this I would be fine with -http://www.amazon.com/Hartstrings-Girls-Little-Ruffled-Bikini/dp/B007KIZ6UO/ref=sr_1_30?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1340208341&sr=1-30&keywords=child+swimsuit

But not this -http://www.amazon.com/Hurley-Banded-Halter-Bottom-Swimwear/dp/B0058XE05U/ref=sr_1_52?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1340208616&sr=1-52&keywords=child+swimsuit

It's very subjective of course. 

[transylvania_mom]

Originally Posted by Boot 

I don't have a problem with naked kids at all but some bikinis are more sexualising than nudity. I don't like to see a 5 year old dressed like an 18 year old hottie.

It's very subjective of course. 

I agree. It feels so weird to put a bra on my almost 3 y/o. If it were for me, I would just put a bikini bottom on her. But I don't want other kids to make fun of her or an adult to be "offended".

[The4OfUs]

At our house: 

two piece=yes. I love rash guard shirts and boy shorts, or tankinis.  Comfortable, functional, win all over.

triangle/string bikini=no. I think to myself - why do grown up women wear triangle bikinis?  Not really primarily for comfort or function, you risk a wardrobe malfunction if you get too active.  It's to look good, and look appealing.  To look sexy.  And there's nothing wrong with that if that's what you want to do as a grown person who is capable of being in sexual relationships.  I don't want that to be a consideration for my kid until they are at an age where sexuality comes into play. That's my objection to "sexy" or "adult" clothes on little kids (well, little girls, let's be realistic).  It has nothing to do with whatever pervy creep might be around gawking at my kid, cause she could be wearing overalls for all they care.  It has to do with the mindset of why do you purchase a piece of clothing.  Comfort and function come first, for a little kid.  Fashion comes second.  Looking hot comes a way distant third, when they are starting to contemplate sexual relationships. 

Some may say I'm reading too much into clothing.  I go on seasonal school clothes shopping rants about why little girl's shorts have a half inch inseams and are tight, and little boy's shorts have a 4- inch inseam and have room to move.  Why little girls' jeans are skinny/boot cut/low rise, and little boys are relaxed fit/carpenter.  Why little girls' bathing suits are minimally and strategically placed, and boy's board shorts are practically coulottes - ever seen a pair of Speedo swim briefs in a boy's section of a regular clothing store? 

But maybe I think too much about it.