‘Inappropriate’: G-string ban takes new turn as Aussies weigh in

Aussies have given the final say on a skimpy bikini trend that sparked calls for a ban on Australian beaches. Do you agree?

Aussies have given the final say on the skimpy G-string bikini trend that sparked calls for a ban on Australian beaches.

Ahead of launching The Great Aussie Debate – a new survey that will reveal what Australians really think about all the hot topics of 2025, from the lighthearted to the serious – news.com.au asked a sample of Aussies to weigh in on an array of issues.

Of 1870 people we asked, two thirds were in agreement that G-strings should not be banned on Aussie beaches.

An overwhelming 67 per cent of Australians said the clothing item shouldn’t be banned, and people should be allowed to wear and that people “should be allowed to wear whatever they want”.

Many had a lot to say on the topic.

“Promote them,” one man laughed.

Another said: “Personally, I don’t wear them but I think people should be able to wear what they want to wear.”

“Why would you want to ban anything if people are happy to wear something that shows off there bum — whether it be big, small, gorgeous. Wear what you like,” one declared.

“I think they’re jealous because they’ve got funny bums.”

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One said: “As long as you’re not upsetting anybody, go for it.”

Meanwhile 33 per cent of people labelled the swimwear as “inappropriate”.

Of those who weren’t a fan of the teeny bikinis, 44 per cent were women.

Interestingly, married people were more keen of getting rid of the cossies than those with other relationship statuses, with 36 per cent of wedded Aussies in favour of a ban.

Gen Z were the least in favour of banning the swimmers.

Racy bikinis have become a regular feature on Aussie shores. Picture: Instagram/aliciadavisxx

Those most likely to be against G-string cossies were the married. Picture: Instagram/@regardingcindy

However, two thirds of Aussies were against a ban on beaches. Picture: Instagram/Karina Irby

G-string bikinis have always raised eyebrows on the beach. Last year, community worker Ian Grace pleaded for Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate prohibit the skimpy swimwear in a letter published by the Gold Coast Bulletin.

The Queenslander was desperate for women to “cover up” as the trend left him “uncomfortable”, claiming while it was a “pleasant view” women were sending the “wrong message” with the look.

“While any man would enjoy ‘the view’, I believe women are very much demeaning and cheapening themselves, portraying themselves as sex objects, then decrying it when men see them that way,” Mr Grace wrote at the time.

“Bare bums can be seen to be every bit as erotic if not more so, than women’s bare breasts – so would it not make sense they are banned identically? If not banned at the beach, very definitely banned the moment they are off the beach.

“This certainly should not be allowed in public pools or theme/water parks which are very much more family orientated. Young kids don’t need to see women’s bums.”

Earlier this year, Blue Mountains Leisure Centres, banned the swimmer bottoms.

A post on its Facebook said: “Thongs and G-string swimwear is not acceptable for males or females when visiting our leisure centres.” It added that “bikinis are acceptable and considered recognised swimwear”.

The ban quickly sparked anger among Australians, with many expressing shock at the “old-fashioned” and “ridiculous” rules.

Model Jess King condemned the decision, stating it has huge implications for women, the main wearers of the swimsuits.

“Such a ban implies that the human body – specifically the bum, (which we all have!!) – is inherently inappropriate or sexualised, reinforcing shame rather than promoting acceptance,” she shared on Instagram Stories.

Some have labelled the swimmers ‘inappropriate’. Picture: Instagram/@oliviacrompton

It's been a point of debate for years. Picture: Instagram/Abbie Chatfield

Women have spoken up about the shame they’ve previously faced over their choice to wear the skimpy swimmers. Brooke Blurton, who rose to fame on The Bachelor, hit back at critics who accused her of “letting down” Indigenous women by wearing a pair of G-string bikini bottoms at the beach.

She said she was “sick of being told what to do” by “entitled trolls”.

“I hate when I’m made to feel like sh*t,” she said at the time.

“I love the ocean, love spending time in the ocean, and I’m sick of people making me feel like sh*t for doing things I love.”

Blurton, a proud Noongar-Yamatji woman, said the comment was “screaming internalised misogyny”.

Originally published as ‘Inappropriate’: G-string ban takes new turn as Aussies weigh in