Why are all bikinis often considered immodest by Christians?

[OfArtemis]

First off, I really hope this is the right place, but if not, please direct me to where this oughta be! And secondly, I'm sorry it's so long, I just wanted everyone to right away understand why I'm confused about this.

I’ve grown up going to a Christian camp with the rule you stomach cannot show for your swimsuit (even though it was an all girls camp… huh?), at church retreats it has always been one pieces or modest tankinis, or even going to someone’s pool for a homeschool event no showing stomachs were allowed. However, I never hear anything about the bust area. Ummm, why not? Why don’t they say, full bust coverage? I’ve seen v neck swimsuits as low as the bust itself with the breasts peeking out the sides too at my Christian camp, but nope, that wasn’t a problem. But an inch of belly showing was??? I understand wanting the bust covered. Gotcha, that’s, well, private and I don’t want everyone seeing that. Of course. And the bottoms. Ahhh, I understand the desire for even shorts cause ya don’t really want your bottom peeking out. However, I don’t see that absolutely necessary if it does have good coverage (debatable, I know).

So all that I agree with, except, well the midriff. Now I’m not saying I disagree with that rule. In fact, I don’t know *what* I think. Thus, this post. First off, I understand your bottom and breasts, those are, uhhh… special on female types. Sure. But the stomach? Everyone has one. Guys pull off their shirts at a beach retreat and who gives a second thought about that being modest? Very few. But if a girl wears a bikini top that covers the bust up perfectly, it’s “Oh my gosh, that’s immodest, put a shirt on!” But what’s so modest about guys being topless when even if a girl covered up her bust it’s considered immodest? I’ve never been able to find a swim suit that both covered up the bust AND the midriff completely but not end up looking like a grandma or a plain athletic one piece (I’m sorry, but no, just no, plus those athletic ones don’t have built in bras). So, I always have to compromise. My swimsuit shows ever so little of the bust, but it’s not completely covered. Also, I’ve heard from a Christian guy that after you are in the water, even if you’re wear a tshirt, it’s skin tight, anyway. And guys will lust no matter what you are wearing, I’d like to point that out, no one forces a guy to lust. Sure, some situations might be harder, but just cause you are wearing a once piece doesn’t make you lust proof.

Here are some examples of the bikinis I am thinking might be modest (I’m just looking at the tops in these pictures): Swimsuit 1 | Pinterest
Swimsuit 2 | Pinterest
Swimsuit 3 | Pinterest

 

[faroukfarouk]

They look fine to me.

Some stringy one-piece suits show more than some bikinis.

(But what do I know?)

 

[selfinflikted]

Bikinis are often considered immodest by Christians because a lot of Christians seem to be sexually repressed.

 

[Joykins]

It's all cultural, definitions of relative modesty. It's not logical.

This swimsuit is what I think of as "modest," and if you can match that facial expression too you will attract only the most emo of boys.
Rainbow Skelly Exene Swimsuit | Modest is Hottest! (Bathing Suits!) |?

 

[Gadarene]

if she isn't shaving that skull is going to have a goatee.

 

[faroukfarouk]

if she isn't shaving that skull is going to have a goatee.

Excuse me?

 

[OfArtemis]

Excuse me?

I'm not sure if you are just confused or wondering why someone would be so blunt, but just in case you are confused I guess he was saying if the girl wearing the swimsuit didn't shave her pubic area the hairs would show through, which is more or less true, making it appear as if the skeleton on the swimsuit had a goatee. And if you were wondering why he was being so blunt, my apologizes : P

 

[faroukfarouk]

I'm not sure if you are just confused or wondering why someone would be so blunt, but just in case you are confused I guess he was saying if the girl wearing the swimsuit didn't shave her pubic area the hairs would show through, which is more or less true, making it appear as if the skeleton on the swimsuit had a goatee. And if you were wondering why he was being so blunt, my apologizes : P

Oh I didn't grasp that he was talking about pubic hairs needing to be shaved.

I guess this is why many lower triangles on bikinis are quite big.

(You see, I'm not an expert...)

 

[OfArtemis]

Oh I didn't grasp that he was talking about public hairs needing to be shaved.

I guess this is why many lower triangles on bikinis are quite big.

(You see, I'm not an expert...)

Okay, I'm glad I wasn't pointlessly explaining something, that's always awkward. It took me a bit to figure out what he meant too : P

Yeppp, tho it seems like most females shave or trim down there. Well not most, but most bikini clad females

 

[faroukfarouk]

Okay, I'm glad I wasn't pointlessly explaining something, that's always awkward. It took me a bit to figure out what he meant too : P

Yeppp, tho it seems like most females shave or trim down there. Well not most, but most bikini clad females

Umm.. I don't know what to say.

 

[selfinflikted]

Umm.. I don't know what to say.

"Thank goodness" would work here.

 

[graceandpeace]

Defining "modesty" is not easy, because norms vary from culture to culture. I think Christians should consider the culture they live within, & use wisdom in deciding how to dress - but not just regarding swimwear.

That said, I personally do not wear bikinis, in the same spirit in which I refrain from tops with too deep of a v-neck, or halter tops. I wear shorts & otherwise dress weather appropriate for summer weather, but "exposing" regions I consider "private" is where I draw the line.

This is my personal stance. I don't judge others who choose differently.

 

[Sammy-San]

It's all cultural, definitions of relative modesty. It's not logical.

This swimsuit is what I think of as "modest," and if you can match that facial expression too you will attract only the most emo of boys.
Rainbow Skelly Exene Swimsuit | Modest is Hottest! (Bathing Suits!) |?

What do you mean by "illogical cultural definitions of modesty"? Elaborate.

 

[keith99]

Well, I do think people over in the US are more modest than the area you live in. I've never heard of those in the US (they could exist, I'm not certain about that) but I hear they are in Europe. Even the Christians I know in Europe don't give a second thought about bikinis, so it is also a lot of a cultural thing. Of course I only know a few Europeans from when I was over a couple weeks last year and another couple weeks this year. So that's not much submersion : P

40 Years ago there were at least 2 flat out nude beaches in Southern California. Black's Beach near San Diego and a bit South of Zuma Beach near Los Angeles. I don't think either was official but both existed and had minimal issues with the law. The one South of Zuma was not accessible from land. you either swam in or waded at low tide.

 

[keith99]

First off, I really hope this is the right place, but if not, please direct me to where this oughta be! And secondly, I'm sorry it's so long, I just wanted everyone to right away understand why I'm confused about this.

I’ve grown up going to a Christian camp with the rule you stomach cannot show for your swimsuit (even though it was an all girls camp… huh?), at church retreats it has always been one pieces or modest tankinis, or even going to someone’s pool for a homeschool event no showing stomachs were allowed. However, I never hear anything about the bust area. Ummm, why not? Why don’t they say, full bust coverage? I’ve seen v neck swimsuits as low as the bust itself with the breasts peeking out the sides too at my Christian camp, but nope, that wasn’t a problem. But an inch of belly showing was??? I understand wanting the bust covered. Gotcha, that’s, well, private and I don’t want everyone seeing that. Of course. And the bottoms. Ahhh, I understand the desire for even shorts cause ya don’t really want your bottom peeking out. However, I don’t see that absolutely necessary if it does have good coverage (debatable, I know).

So all that I agree with, except, well the midriff. Now I’m not saying I disagree with that rule. In fact, I don’t know *what* I think. Thus, this post. First off, I understand your bottom and breasts, those are, uhhh… special on female types. Sure. But the stomach? Everyone has one. Guys pull off their shirts at a beach retreat and who gives a second thought about that being modest? Very few. But if a girl wears a bikini top that covers the bust up perfectly, it’s “Oh my gosh, that’s immodest, put a shirt on!” But what’s so modest about guys being topless when even if a girl covered up her bust it’s considered immodest? I’ve never been able to find a swim suit that both covered up the bust AND the midriff completely but not end up looking like a grandma or a plain athletic one piece (I’m sorry, but no, just no, plus those athletic ones don’t have built in bras). So, I always have to compromise. My swimsuit shows ever so little of the bust, but it’s not completely covered. Also, I’ve heard from a Christian guy that after you are in the water, even if you’re wear a tshirt, it’s skin tight, anyway. And guys will lust no matter what you are wearing, I’d like to point that out, no one forces a guy to lust. Sure, some situations might be harder, but just cause you are wearing a once piece doesn’t make you lust proof.

Here are some examples of the bikinis I am thinking might be modest (I’m just looking at the tops in these pictures): Swimsuit 1 | Pinterest
Swimsuit 2 | Pinterest
Swimsuit 3 | Pinterest

If you are dealing with overly priggish types I'd stay away from 1. Just the top would likely be OK, but the bottom even if covering much more skin could be thought of as looking like frilly underwear and that kind of person is often looking for any excuse.

 

[Messy]

Well, I do think people over in the US are more modest than the area you live in. I've never heard of those in the US (they could exist, I'm not certain about that) but I hear they are in Europe. Even the Christians I know in Europe don't give a second thought about bikinis, so it is also a lot of a cultural thing. Of course I only know a few Europeans from when I was over a couple weeks last year and another couple weeks this year. So that's not much submersion : P

First time I read about bikini's being immodest was here on this forum last year. They all wear 'em here, never gave it a second thought. I never wear a bathing suit, you don't get brown and it's for grannys.

 

[Joykins]

What do you mean by "illogical cultural definitions of modesty"? Elaborate.

There is no consistent standard over time and from culture to culture on what constitutes modest attire. The best you can say is that the genitals are usually covered. Otherwise there is simply no way to deduce the standard by logic.

I've been watching the Outlander series, and in the very first episode Claire's very normal 1940s dress is taken for underwear in the 1740s. Meanwhile some other traditional cultures do not cover women's breasts. Surely you've seen the National Geographic pictures.

 

[Inkachu]

Bikinis are designed to be sexy and get attention. That's just a fact. Even if you're trying to be "modest" with a bit more coverage than a typical string bikini, you're still trying to be sexy and get attention. You've got 90% of your body exposed. That is saying "Look at me!" You can dress it up with excuses about how it's "cute" instead of "sexy" or how it's soooo much more comfortable than a one-piece (spare me, please) or how you just wanna work on your tan (right, cause in your every day life, it's sooo important that your co-workers and relatives see how tan your thighs are). No. You wanna be sexy. And you want attention.

The motives are what need to be examined. Not how "modest" or "immodest" your bikini is. Look inside yourself with brutal, harsh, no-holds-barred honesty, and ask yourself why you're wearing that style of swimsuit. Ask yourself if you're being modest. Ask yourself why you think it's OK to be mostly naked at the beach and not in church; isn't God present in both places? Don't you have a witness and testimony in both places? Ask yourself what you feel you would lose by wearing something that covers you more. Is it just horribly, unbearably uncomfortable, or is that you wouldn't be able to show off your body?

I know this is a touchy subject, and I've seen many feathers ruffled over this topic. So I'm not here to argue with anyone. This is my opinion and that's all.

 

[KitKatMatt]

Boys wearing swimming trunks also have the vast majority of their bodies showing.

Immodest, I tell you!

 

[Paradoxum]

if she isn't shaving that skull is going to have a goatee.

Jeeeeze... very blunt for a Christian site.

Bikinis are designed to be sexy and get attention. That's just a fact. Even if you're trying to be "modest" with a bit more coverage than a typical string bikini, you're still trying to be sexy and get attention. You've got 90% of your body exposed.

Is there anything wrong with being sexy?

Humans are naturally 100% exposed... if anything the weird thing is that humans wear any clothes.

I'm not in favour of nudism, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

That is saying "Look at me!" You can dress it up with excuses about how it's "cute" instead of "sexy" or how it's soooo much more comfortable than a one-piece (spare me, please) or how you just wanna work on your tan (right, cause in your every day life, it's sooo important that your co-workers and relatives see how tan your thighs are). No. You wanna be sexy. And you want attention.

I don't see what's wrong with wanting a tan all over. It's not SO important... but something doesn't have to be SO important for you to favour it. Also, maybe you just don't want to wear too much when it's hot. Guys take off their tops, so what's the difference if we do it, as long as the chest is still covered?

The motives are what need to be examined. Not how "modest" or "immodest" your bikini is. Look inside yourself with brutal, harsh, no-holds-barred honesty, and ask yourself why you're wearing that style of swimsuit. Ask yourself if you're being modest. Ask yourself why you think it's OK to be mostly naked at the beach and not in church; isn't God present in both places?

It is okay to be mostly naked in both places. It would be okay to have a naked church (I think such a place exists). Being naked isn't wrong.

Don't you have a witness and testimony in both places? Ask yourself what you feel you would lose by wearing something that covers you more. Is it just horribly, unbearably uncomfortable, or is that you wouldn't be able to show off your body?

Even if it weren't about tanning, being cool (not hot), or being comfortable, why is being sexy so bad? It's quite similar to wanting to look good... which pretty much everyone tries to do everyday.