Non-binary Bathing Suits

[mdj]

Hi friends,

 

The time is soon upon us where everyone in NJ will head to the shore! That's right, this'll be my first summer since coming out as non-binary. I've already started wondering -- and getting very nervous -- about what to do. Googling "gender-neutral bathing suits" just brings up a lot of gendered options, but that won't cut it for me.

 

What do y'all wear?

 

Thanks,

m

[VickySGV]

This will be fun to hear, but do remember the rules about bathing suit pictures here.

 

Quote

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[Josie Beth]

Origami customs has some non binary options for swimwear. I’m pretty sure that they are the only company that even has thought of making swimsuits like that.

[DrumbeatAlex]

Hey M,

 

this is a tricky one! Bathing suits are often so overtly gendered. ? 

 

I usually wear boxer-brief type trunks underneath boardshorts, with a sports bra for support (provides decent compression as well) and a rash top.

 

I think boardshorts are a pretty good gender-neutral option (they are generally marketed towards males and females). The length of the shorts will determine if it appears more femme or more masc. Maybe you could go for mid-length to long shorts with a femme design (eg. floral) to try to get a gender balance. It really depends what type of clothing/style you like and what you'll feel comfortable in!

Also remeber clothing doesn't define you. You could wear a bikini or just speedos and still be non-binary.  ..it's all up to you and your comfort (and i get that wearing something so gendered may make you uncomfortable, so if you dont want to thats makes sense).

 

haha, I'm going to have a look online and try to find a cute nb outfit for swimming now!  I'll post pics if I find something nice.  

 

[DrumbeatAlex]

I've had a bit of a look, haven't found any amazinggg outfits but "Outplay" makes swimwear that isn't particularly gendered. 

Buzzfeed also has an article about gender neutral swimwear options which might help give you some ideas for some different possible styles. https://www.buzzfeed.com/shannonkeating/queers-at-the-beach

 

Let me know what you think!

 

[tracy_j]

In some respects I find this difficult as people general ly try to categorise someone as male or female. It does make it difficult to work.

 

As a bit of an aside on the same subject, it is interesting to look at photos of 1920's, and that sort of era, swimwear style as some is interesting from the gender point of view. Sexually both sexes were a bit 'played down' giving less gender clues.

 

Tracy

 

 

[gaynoodle76]

Last summer, I wore a pair of compression shorts and a tank-top over a one-piece swimsuit, and that worked okay for me. It wasn't perfect, but it did the job. It didn't make me too dysphoric, unless I took the tank off. I'm hoping to pick up a rashguard tank and swim trunks for this summer. The buzzfeed article Alex linked above was really nice too. 

[Lexi C]

hey M. I been realllllly nervous about this issues. I live in So-Cal and all Trans girls I know or see look like models and most of then wear a two piece with cut-off short  and cute sleeveless t-shirt...I CANT DO THAT...and I don't look like a model..i was think of wearing just one piece with cute-off short..but I am a bit afraid..The Buzz feed Art was not to helpful for me, but it did have soon nice choices..Good Luck   

[Kirsten]

I went with board shorts and a short sleeve rash guard last year. Cute, feminine, and full coverage. Makes tucking easy and it honestly helped me feel less in the spotlight. Although this year I’m definitely swapping my top to a bikini. Shorts will be needed at least 1 more year. Or a skirt bottom. 

[Charlize]

I've worn a skirt bottom with a matching top from Lands End. 

Perhaps not non binary but then again i'm a trans woman.....

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Vidanjali]

I realize this thread is old, but it's summmmmertiiimmme! (Well, it's almost always summertime where I live.) I recently got this suit from Amazon and liked it so much, I got it in a 2nd color. I am afab enby and my swimsuit wishes are: minimize the need to apply so much sunscreen, deaccentuate chest but cannot stand anything tight around the chest, eliminate the need for excessive "bikini area" grooming, don't mind showing off the booty. This suit fit the bill for me. The rash guard top has a built-in shelf bra which is loose, but just substantial enough to keep things in check. The boy shorts are flattering, and just long enough so that I don't need to risk inducing dysphoria by removing hair. The model in this picture appears feminine, so you have to use your imagination a bit to envision this on a person who leans more androgynous. 

[Desert Fox]

I like that outfit a lot, and that was my thought of the best compromise too....a rash guard top and short (but not bikini/speedo) bottom. I also agree with Tracy....a century ago, swimsuit styles had much more coverage and had fewer gender cues, and it's very interesting to look back at that.

 

While I won't be going out in public this summer, I hope to by next summer, and while at this point we are fortunate to be able to wear either a bikini or men's swim trunks and look OK either way, we don't FEEL comfortable either way, and with HRT that may change the ability to go in full male presentation. Plus we are significantly balding and I use a wig, so I'm not sure how that'll all work. I've wondered if our lap swimming days are over, but at least we could look alright on the beach or wading!