At which age(s) do you think wearing a string bikini is inappropriate?

[TinkPirateMom]

My almost 15 year old wears the triangle top style bikinis. For her age there isn't much else out there. She is a bit more pear shaped so she always covers her bottom with board shorts and I think she looks appropriate.

For adult women, I think it has to do more with body type than age.

 

[Ceila]

This was an adult and not young - think geriatric. The woman was thin and could definitely do a bikini if it had been age appropriate. I have no problem with people wearing what they are comfortable with, but I think they should also have some consideration for what other people have to look at - especially young children on a public beach. Shall we say there were bits and parts hanging down and out that just shouldn't have been on public view. Yeah, those, teeny tiny triangles didn't cover enough.

That sounds like a body shape or personal hygiene issue, not an age issue.

 

[huey duey & luey]

just because you could doesn't mean you should!

I think it should be from 17/18 to 35. Not that someone older or younger can't where a bikini. I just think that it should be a bit more age appropriate. I will also amend that depending on where it were worn. An adults resort in the carribbean or Vegas go for it, more family resort I feel should be a little more modest

 

[OceanAnnie]

Not long ago, I read some "People" type website that had a picture of Meg Ryan in a bikini. I thought it was tasteful and she pulled it off. It probably wasn't a bikini in the true since of the word. It was a two piece, that had kind of a brief bottom. It highlighted her figure yet was modest. It looked nice.

 

[Charade]

Any adult age as long as the person has the body to pull it off. Unfortunately, the world is full of delusional people who think they fit that category.

This ^

While not a string bikini, I think she could pull it off.

 

[golfgal]

Two answers - for women of age, whatever age the person feels good in one.

For children - depends on how revealing it is. Not all string bikinis are created equal. I don't like sexualizing children.

As the mom of a 16 year old, I would MUCH rather have her in a bikini at age 3 vs 16. At age 3 the boys don't even know the difference between boys and girls, at 16

 

[luvsJack]

I have far, far, far from the perfect body. But, there are times I think there should be two rules for swim suits--1. Just because it comes in your size does NOT mean you should wear it and 2. If any body parts are sagging below where the suit can hold them--leave it alone. Nobody wants to see that.

Judgemental--maybe but mostly just observant.

At the younger end of the spectrum, dd is 13 and wears a boy short style two piece. No string bikinis. MAYBE when she is 16 or so or if dad has his way-NEVER.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

As the mom of a 16 year old, I would MUCH rather have her in a bikini at age 3 vs 16. At age 3 the boys don't even know the difference between boys and girls, at 16

The boys will continue to look, even when she wears a parka in the winter. No stopping hormones at that age.

 

[miralys]

My parents always took the "no discussion allowed" path to answer these questions.

When are you old enough to wear a string bikini? Doesn't matter because you won't be wearing one until you're 18.

Same thing applied to make up, tatoos, etc.

I suspect that if I had children, I might have the same policy.

To answer the other part of the question, once a person is over 18, that's more than old enough to wear whatever you want. It doesn't bother me either way.

 

[suzannen]

This was an adult and not young - think geriatric. The woman was thin and could definitely do a bikini if it had been age appropriate. I have no problem with people wearing what they are comfortable with, but I think they should also have some consideration for what other people have to look at - especially young children on a public beach. Shall we say there were bits and parts hanging down and out that just shouldn't have been on public view. Yeah, those, teeny tiny triangles didn't cover enough.

Honestly, I would much prefer this to all of the topless 70- & 80-year old women we saw while sunbathing in Italy!

 

[U2_rocks!]

Not all string bikinis are the same. Sounds like that woman had one on that wasn't supportive enough on top, and perhaps not offering quite enough coverage on the bottom?

There's also a difference between string bikinis and other kinds of bikinis. I wear bikinis, but I avoid the string ones because I don't find them supportive enough. For my top I need either underwire or a halter with a thick support band underneath. I can't wear a string bottom either - it rides all over the place. But I don't like bottoms that are too big either - I like full back coverage, but I want low-ish rise. I can't stand a lot of wet fabric on me, which is why I won't wear a tankini or whole piece. I hope I will always feel comfortable in 2 pieces.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Under 18.

There is an "over" as well, but it depends on the person.

 

[NikitaZee]

I have far, far, far from the perfect body. But, there are times I think there should be two rules for swim suits--1. Just because it comes in your size does NOT mean you should wear it and 2. If any body parts are sagging below where the suit can hold them--leave it alone. Nobody wants to see that.

Judgemental--maybe but mostly just observant.

At the younger end of the spectrum, dd is 13 and wears a boy short style two piece. No string bikinis. MAYBE when she is 16 or so or if dad has his way-NEVER.

I agree. The woman the OP is describing is an old lady with sagging breasts hanging out of her top. Yuck. A regular bikini with an underwire, please, if bikinis are her preference!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, I am not one to judge...
Whatever....

But, having said that...
Just personally.
I don't think that any article of clothing that amounts to little tie-strings is ever appropriate, and at any age or body type.

 

[bombygriz]

yes, I know I'm probably judging but a 300 lbs gal in a string bikini (which I see often) is not my definition of appropriate.

IMO, age has nothing to do with it but body type/BMI does.

YES. I went to the public pool in my town for the first time last year, and there were SO many girls and women wearing string bikinis that were too small or obscured by mountains of fat! I'm all for loving your body, but that was just too much, in my taste.

Hey, I am not one to judge...
Whatever....

But, having said that...
Just personally.
I don't think that any article of clothing that amounts to little tie-strings is ever appropriate, and at any age or body type.

I agree completely. Modesty is a value that Americans are slowly losing.

 

[3boymthr]

I agree. The woman the OP is describing is an old lady with sagging breasts hanging out of her top. Yuck. A regular bikini with an underwire, please, if bikinis are her preference!

And sagging cheeks hanging out the bottom. (I will also state that I don't think thongs are appropriate beach wear - thy cheeks they should be covered - though my hormonal teenage son generally thinks they are just fine .) The bikini just didn't cover enough. As I said, even a regular bikini would have been okay. I'm not perfect, and it WAS the beach so usually I'm like, whatever, as long as you're covered fine, and there were plenty of women in the 30's and 40's and 50's wearing bikinis, they all looked okay, stretch marks and all. Oh, and a guy in banana hammock. Not what I (or DH) would wear, but it is a personal choice and if you're comfortable wearing it, well, usually I'm like, whatever. This woman's bikini just didn't offer enough support for the flesh it was encasing.

 

[NotUrsula]

Personally, I don't like them on anyone who is actually planning on going into the water; they come off too easily, and IMO that's a safety hazard in open water. (And I'll admit it, I'm prejudiced about people who take up space on a beach and never set foot in the water -- they could soak up the sun anywhere, so they are making the beach more crowded for no good reason. And yes, I know that's an unpopular opinion, but there it is.)

As to suits that don't fit, well, that can happen with any suit, and it's always wrong. At the pool I frequent in summer, there is a lady who comes with her DH to swim laps. I'd guess she's about 70, very thin, and she's there every day. Unfortunately, so is her suit, and it's past it's prime -- WAY past it's prime. The suit is a plain tank that I'm sure was very modest when she bought it, but at a guess, that was probably about 15 years ago. I think that it may have originally been blue or purple, but now it is a very faded grey, and has worn thin in several spots, which is bad enough. The worst, however, is that the fabric has completely lost its stretch. The armholes and neckline now hang VERY low, and the rear end sags halfway to her knees. The thing sways in the breeze when she walks, and essentially, everything shows. Honestly, I'm waiting for the day when she hauls herself up the ladder and leaves it behind -- it's THAT loose on her. (Honestly, I've been SO tempted to leave $40 in her gym bag with a note to ask her to please go and buy herself a new tank suit.)

 

[Wishing on a star]

Honestly, I'm waiting for the day when she hauls herself up the ladder and leaves it behind -- it's THAT loose on her. (Honestly, I've been SO tempted to leave $40 in her gym bag with a note to ask her to please go and buy herself a new tank suit.)

"You know, I found this nice tank swimsuit the other day, that must have fallen out of somebody's bag... It is not really my size, and, it does look like 'you'... Hear you go!!!"

or:

"My friend/sister/cousin gave me this tank swimsuit, but it doesn't really fit me either... I would be so happy if you would take/try it...."

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't think it's age as much as body type.