Cherie Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I don't believe it is modest for Catholic or any Christian woman to wear a bikini. Via a Facebook friend, I found this video of Jason Evert addressing that very issue and I thought it was great, so I posted this video on my own page: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtzIcz7MOkc[/media] You'd be amazed the flurry of comments from good Catholic people I know, both public and private, saying that they wear one or disagree with me--but they never really say why. I am always shocked to see good Catholic women I know who post pictures and lo and behold, they're wearing a bikini. It's disedifying at best, really. I truly don't understand how a Catholic woman can defend wearing one. Seriously - I wanted to "push the issue" and ask those defending it, "WHY do you believe it's ok to wear one? Do you think it's modest? Or do you just not care about modesty?" but I didn't think that was a good thing to do. So my husband and I had a conversation about it, and he tried to play devil's advocate, saying things like modesty is subjective, and that for some tribes in Africa or wherever, women don't even wear shirts and it's not a "sexual" thing, either, it's just the culture ... that it's so commonplace that it's not as sexualized anymore and standards of modesty change over the years, so it's not a problem nowadays where it would have been a problem when it was first introduced ... that hardly any Catholic follows the Vatican guidelines for modesty given a number of years ago (in the early 60s? 50s? Don't remember when it came out but it's true that even "modest" people don't follow those guidelines anymore, like "no shirts lower than two finger widths below the collarbone" and that shirt sleeves should reach the elbow) which means the standards must have changed even according to the Vatican... and that just as kneeling is more reverent for Western Catholics and standing is more reverent for Eastern Catholics, there are some outfits that are modest for some cultures that aren't modest for others (remember he doesn't really believe these things he was just trying to use arguments that others might use). I said things like yes, what I wear today isn't considered "modest" in Saudi Arabia, but in Saudi Arabia they go to the [i]other[/i] extreme -- we're supposed to go down the "via media" ... meaning not too far to the left and not too far to the right: extremes either way are bad. But that there ARE objective standards for modesty - and that basically wearing underwear in public (which is a bikini) can never be considered a modest option, and therefore is not an acceptable option for a Catholic woman. I would love to engage in civil discussion about this, because I truly don't know how a Catholic woman can defend the practice of wearing a bikini and I really would like to be enlightened about that. If you have any opinions or know why people defend it or even want to defend it yourself, please let me know. I really appreciate it, y'all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 You'll get no argument from me or most of the men here seeking to be chaste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 No argument from me, either. Though.... my dd is in the market for a new swimsuit and we are in search of a modest tankini (with shorts instead of a bikini bottom). She is so tall and thin that a one piece has become very difficult to find (now that she's a teenager, especially). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I always found it difficult to find a one-piece that fit. I did used to wear bikinis, but would not do so again, having a better understanding of modesty now. I'd prefer a modest tankini. Haven't been swimming in ages, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1310218747' post='2264933'] No argument from me, either. Though.... my dd is in the market for a new swimsuit and we are in search of a modest tankini (with shorts instead of a bikini bottom). She is so tall and thin that a one piece has become very difficult to find (now that she's a teenager, especially). [/quote] They pretty much don't MAKE one pieces for that age range! And the past few years I've noticed fewer and fewer shorts or skirt bottom swimsuits, either. They pretty much make almost nothing modest in swim wear for that age range, unless it's like board shorts or something like that. SO ANNOYING! You could cover more by taking the money you would pay for something like that and sewing it together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1310224055' post='2264944'] They pretty much don't MAKE one pieces for that age range! And the past few years I've noticed fewer and fewer shorts or skirt bottom swimsuits, either. They pretty much make almost nothing modest in swim wear for that age range, unless it's like board shorts or something like that. SO ANNOYING! You could cover more by taking the money you would pay for something like that and sewing it together! [/quote] Tell me about it! At least we aren't at odds-- she's fully on board with a modest suit. In fact, she's probably more modest than I would require (last time we bought swimwear, she got a modest one-piece, the swimshirt and the skirt... not cheap... and she doesn't even swim but once a year or so!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1310224489' post='2264945'] Tell me about it! At least we aren't at odds-- she's fully on board with a modest suit. In fact, she's probably more modest than I would require (last time we bought swimwear, she got a modest one-piece, the swimshirt and the skirt... not cheap... and she doesn't even swim but once a year or so!) [/quote] Yeah, swimwear is so ridiculously expensive! Good luck! I've found online shopping to be much better than in stores, because they have a much bigger selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Look for sport suits like for competitive swimming. So, I don't have a swimming suit right now (something about being incredibly depressed when I go to find one), and since we bought a kiddie pool, the kids and I have been outside every day. I wear an old sports bra and some shortie shorts. Would I wear that in public? Not a chance. But in my own backyard? It isn't a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1310218747' post='2264933'] No argument from me, either. Though.... my dd is in the market for a new swimsuit and we are in search of a modest tankini (with shorts instead of a bikini bottom). [/quote] I, for one, think it's great that you're so close with your designated driver that you shop for swimwear together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1310229642' post='2264961'] I, for one, think it's great that you're so close with your designated driver that you shop for swimwear together! [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I definitely believe that modesty guidelines have culturally changed. For example, most gentlemen I know won't bat an eye to a woman wearing a tank top (one with 1-2 inches on the shoulder that isn't ridiculously low cut) and "hipster" jeans, as long as stomach isn't showing. But then that depends on the person. I had a professor that always wore collared shirts and slacks to teach, but had a presentation or something one day and wore a knee-length skirt. Granted, there was nothing sexual about it, but after class everyone made comments about being surprised that Dr. So-and-so had calves and a collarbone! As far as bikinis go...I was wracking my brain for a good devil's advocate argument, but really there isn't one. The only things I can think of have already been said - it's RIDICULOUSLY HARD to find a decent suit for teenage bodies that is NOT a bikini. The few one pieces that are tucked onto a rack in a dark back corner of a store are usually hideous or matronly. But I've also found that even though it's really really hard to find a good, modest suit, it's surely not impossible. One just has to be sure to search multiple stores. I've been able to find a couple of good options for tankinis that are stylish, flattering but also provide plenty of coverage. I've had my eye on one of those vintage style one-pieces for a while, but they're so darn expensive. But really...what any argument for wearing bikinis comes down to is either the shopper doesn't want to look hard enough, or the wearer wants to be sexy and to heck with modesty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1310236265' post='2265010'] it's RIDICULOUSLY HARD to find a decent suit for teenage bodies that is NOT a bikini. The few one pieces that are tucked onto a rack in a dark back corner of a store are usually hideous or matronly. But I've also found that even though it's really really hard to find a good, modest suit, it's surely not impossible. One just has to be sure to search multiple stores. I've been able to find a couple of good options for tankinis that are stylish, flattering but also provide plenty of coverage. I've had my eye on one of those vintage style one-pieces for a while, but they're so darn expensive. But really...what any argument for wearing bikinis comes down to is either the shopper doesn't want to look hard enough, or the wearer wants to be sexy and to heck with modesty. [/quote] it's hard to find a swimsuit for little girls that is not a two piece. no lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1310237465' post='2265016'] it's hard to find a swimsuit for little girls that is not a two piece. no lie. [/quote] I'd believe it, since more and more little girls clothes looks like smaller versions of teenagers clothes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1310238052' post='2265018'] I'd believe it, since more and more little girls clothes looks like smaller versions of teenagers clothes. [/quote] I stopped even shopping at Abercrombie and Fitch after they introduced the push up bra for seven year olds and the tween thong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 (edited) Cherie, I love the video by Jason Evert!! Would you be caught wearing a bra and underwear in a grocery store? Then why would you wear a bikini? I'm totally against bikinis. I also don't like bathing suits, as they still are revealing and form fitting. Even skirt bathing suits are a problem; would you wear a skirt that short to Church or work? I like Splash Gear, which Lilllabettt told me about. [img]https://splas004.secure.omnis.com/store/images/uploads/productphotos/sport_front.jpg[/img] If surfers can wear stuff like that, then it's hip for everyone! Edited July 9, 2011 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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