To Girls (Or Anyone) Wearing Cheeky Bathing Suit Bottoms: GO AHEAD!
As spring approaches, some of you may be afraid of facing moralistic judgment for wearing what makes you feel happy.
You may feel like you should cover your beautiful curves because some people say your body makes them uncomfortable. Likewise, some of you may also feel pressured to show off more skin than you are comfortable with. The secret is, you are both right!
A while back, I read an article lamenting the downfall of feminine dignity by way of the nefarious booty-baring garment known as “cheeky” bathing suit bottoms. I know it has been a little while, but I really wanted to join the wave of responses. The author seemed to be under the impression that baring some sun-kissed booty and having respect for yourself as a human are mutually exclusive concepts. This could not possibly be further from the truth. Dignity comes from within, from somewhere deeper than a floral V-neck one-piece. It is how you hold your head up high when you walk out of the changing room. It is casually pulling out a wedgie caused by a strong ocean wave, because, let’s be real, the ocean does that to all of us. Most of all, it is knowing you are fabulous, empowered, and capable of wearing whatever you want to wear. Your dignity does not depreciate with every inch of skin you show or cover. You can wear cheekies, a G-string, a burkini, a wet suit, or some basketball shorts. None of these choices are somehow tied to your value or the level of respect you have for yourself.
As for the argument that men do not flaunt their bodies on the beach, all you have to do is go to a somewhat crowded beach to bust that myth (have you ever heard of Bay Watch?). Whether you identify as a man, a woman, or non-binary, you should be able to wear whatever bathing suit makes you feel the most confident and comfortable.
One of the most concerning aspects of the article I read was the idea that the bathing suit you wear can negatively influence the young people in your life. I believe that teaching a child to place value on other human beings based on superficial characteristics is far more damaging than wearing tight fitting bottoms. If boys flock to your daughter because they like how she looks in a bathing suit, teach her to demand the respect she deserves from those who may objectify her. It is hard enough living in a society that unfairly values thin, white, able, gender normative bodies. We do not need to add more narrow regulations. Yes, I know that the objectification and premature sexualization of the feminine body are problematic societal issues. However, the thing about societal problems is that they are cultural ills that exist no matter what we wear. Sadly, all the neoprene in the world cannot protect us from the glare of objectification. There are more productive ways to challenge the devaluing and objectification of certain bodies than to just cover them up.
Besides, there are far more urgent issues in this world than how much butt can be seen on the beach. How about we worry about the ice caps shrinking, not shrinking bikini bottoms?
As for me, you will find me frolicking in the waves with sandy hair, wearing whatever the heck I want.
