From cheeky-cut bottoms to ‘underboob’: Sexy bikinis are trending and they’re a statement of female empowerment
Underboobs, ultraskimpy, low-cut – sexy swimwear is about to be everywhere this summer. But after a Sydney woman was bikini shamed, is the trend too hot to handle?
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Ultraskimpy, low-cut string bikinis that leave very little to the imagination are about to be everywhere this summer.
From Emily Ratajkowski’s tie-front styles to Fashion Nova’s extreme “underboob” bathers and the controversial V-string bikini (popularised by Beginning Boutique), swim suits are becoming more and more revealing. And power to the women who wear them.
But in very 2020 style, bikini shaming – like body shaming – is real.
A Sydney woman was recently left “humiliated” (and considering legal action) after a security guard told her to “put on shorts” because her bikini violated a poolside dress code.
She was wearing a “cheeky-cut” bottoms that were described as a cross between a full brief and G-string.
Her swim attire, the guard claimed, did not pass a by-law that required occupants to be “adequately clothed” at the pool.
The bikini bottoms sounded practically tame compared to other styles that have hit the mainstream, from a minuscule Chanel two-piece (on Kim Kardashian) to a “mini triangular cup” kini top from fast fashion chain, Pretty Little Thing.
While he wasn’t aware of the case in question, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he believed women should be able to wear what they like.
“Well of course, I thought they always could! I wasn’t aware that any of that had been constricted,” Mr Morrison told a Sydney radio station, when asked about the bikini scandal. The PM joked that, as a father of two daughters: “I can assure you as they get older, I might apply some dress standards … but that’s for family to sort out. They’re a bit young yet.”
But as swimwear designs become more and more daring, is there such a thing as showing too much skin? The short answer is no. Unless you are flashing to an X-rated or distasteful level, or at risk of an awkward malfunction that would qualify as indecent exposure, then there is absolutely not.
Speaking on the topic of female empowerment, Ratajkowski – who is a feminist activist and has her own swim brand, Inamorata – told GQ Australia: “It’s about defying stereotypes … it’s about being in a string bikini on the beach and also, at a protest”.
“I don’t think any of us have to limit ourselves to a box, to the perception that someone might force on you.”
Swimwear is also playing an unlikely role in the US election, with Kylie Jenner’s recent bikini-clad Instagram post – in which she posed in a strapless two-piece – urging young Americans to vote.
It was credited with a 1500 per cent spike in traffic to vote.org, and resulted in an 80 per cent boost in voter registrations.
On the eve of the Australian summer, demand for swimwear was up 60 per cent last month, according to trend forecaster Lyst – and it’s “still growing”.
The most requested styles of the season so far are “crocket” and “square neck” bikinis, according to Lyst.
Let’s just hope those don’t lead you to be accused of being naked in public.
Originally published as From cheeky-cut bottoms to ‘underboob’: Sexy bikinis are trending and they’re a statement of female empowerment