The 11 year old and bathing suit shopping

[Anonymous]

How about Land's End? They have mix and match. "Tugless" bottoms... Plus you can order from online and return to any store if it does not fit.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you so much for all the responses. We found some very cute suits at dicks sporting goods, much like the speedo link a pp posted. She was happy, I was happy, and life went on. For the record I'm really not a very conservative person and I don't want her covered from head to toe but I did feel like some of the previous suits we tried were made for woman's bodies. And yes I realize at this age it's more about impressing friends as opposed to looking sexy but this mama still said no!

[Anonymous]

Another reason to buy a fuller coverage suit. There was an 11 year old girl swimming in the ocean today and a wave completely knocked off one side of her top. She was very full busted and completely mortified. I felt so bad for her. Who wears tiny bikinis to truly swim in the surf?

[Anonymous]

Thank God for the other parents who want their 11year old girls dressed ....like an 11 year old girl. The triangle tops are creepy at that age. Padding- IDon't think so! Ick

Gap kids and even (don't laugh) Gymboree have up to size 12 or 14, 2 piece girls suits that are stylish and "cool" but still age appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target. They have the ruffled bikinis and tankinis. That's what many of the 11-13 yo girls had on at our pool this weekend.
http://www.target.com/sb/kids-girls-clothing-swimwear/Swimwear-Set/-/N-5xtvvZ5unnk#?lnk=Grid_GRLSWIM_0304_X0Y0W4|X0Y0W4&intc=430249|null

These are great! And probably cheaper than the mall stuff.

All the Tweens were wearing cute 2 piece suits, lots of ruffles and one shoulder look. Time to move beyond the year round swim team speedo one piece look.

Not "all" the tweens... signed another parent of an 11 year old DD with boundaries... have agreed to tankini, but little to no belly showing. Lands End had some last year, haven't checked this year, also saw some nice ones at Sports Authority that were NOT swim team types, one was Nike, very stylish, but more coverage. Unfortunately a children's 14 was too small for us...

[Anonymous]

Target, old navy, lands end (online). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Target. They have the ruffled bikinis and tankinis. That's what many of the 11-13 yo girls had on at our pool this weekend.
http://www.target.com/sb/kids-girls-clothing-swimwear/Swimwear-Set/-/N-5xtvvZ5unnk#?lnk=Grid_GRLSWIM_0304_X0Y0W4|X0Y0W4&intc=430249|null

These are great! And probably cheaper than the mall stuff.

All the Tweens were wearing cute 2 piece suits, lots of ruffles and one shoulder look. Time to move beyond the year round swim team speedo one piece look.

Not "all" the tweens... signed another parent of an 11 year old DD with boundaries... have agreed to tankini, but little to no belly showing. Lands End had some last year, haven't checked this year, also saw some nice ones at Sports Authority that were NOT swim team types, one was Nike, very stylish, but more coverage. Unfortunately a children's 14 was too small for us...

Oh please. Just b/c someone may let their 11 yo wear a bikini (see the all bikinis are not equal posts, which are 100% correct) doesn't mean they don't set boundaries. They just set DIFFERENT boundaries that you. But, sleep well in your sanctimony.

[Anonymous]

Wow

[Anonymous]

I think that 11 year olds should wear what they want.

[Anonymous]

I think the pre-teen either got her bikini or didn't by now - this is an old post!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is she a "poor tween" if she is covered up for her own and her familiy's religious and cultural beliefs? I don't want to hijack here, but I think it's great when I see girls covered up to swim because I think it shows amazing character!

1000x agree. Tweens in bikinis, with padding are just trying a little too hard to grow up too quick. Self esteem issues written all over their tween bikini

I guess if the OP caves for triangle tops at 11yrs old, thongs will be okay by 13????

This whole new world of parents being friends with their kids is just a total mess. Would any of your Dad's let you out of the house with a string padded top bikini at the age of 11?

[Anonymous]

I am so grateful that my almost 12yr old has no desire to WANT to wear these type of bathing suits. She is athletic, super in shape but is nervous and modest of her body which is what I thought was typical for her age.

She has been to many swimming parties this year and I would say it was about 70% modest (one piece, tankini, nothing low cut) and 30% bikini's with about 20% being string or low cleavage bikini's. I guess once you go to the "dark side" you go all the way. Hehe.

Anyway, one girl at a party had a white bikini on and it was so see thru (when wet) you could see her nipples and her pubic hair. Just a tad awkward when all the Moms and Dads are coming to pick up their kids from the party. It was the elephant in the backyard - that is for sure!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was a disaster and ended in tears, and I was pretty close to crying myself. She wants what boils down to a bikini I am willing to compromise this year and upgrade from a tankini to a more "sporty" two piece. So I was picking out suits with a sports bra top or a shorter tankini top. She wants a true triangle bikini top...she especially wants a padded top! I was just not ready for it, she came out in suits that you buy to go on your college spring break trip to Panama City! We went to justice, American eagle, and Macy's. I told her we are going to get a good nights sleep and go out with fresh attitudes in the morning. (we have a swim party at 2 pm tom) I am thinking of going to Target. Anyone btdt with advice? It's a really hard age and I want us to both find something we like or else it will be a long long summer. I told my husband if we find one we both agree on I'm buying every print/color and am not even looking at the price! This is a desperate time!

I agree with a lot of PPs. I have an 11 year old DD and she asked for a bikini for the first time at the beginning of the summer. I did not tell her no but that I would be the one to make the final decision on what is appropriate and inappropriate -- case closed or no deal. DD has a very nice athletic build and the key was getting the right fit bikini that was not hot and showy. I found great two piece suits at Old Navy. I took the padding out because DD did not need them. The interesting thing is DD still wears her one piece suits as much as the two bikinis we bought. Sometimes I even ask her if she is going to wear the bikini because she actually looks good in them. But, I let her decide if she wants to wear the one or two piece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was a disaster and ended in tears, and I was pretty close to crying myself. She wants what boils down to a bikini I am willing to compromise this year and upgrade from a tankini to a more "sporty" two piece. So I was picking out suits with a sports bra top or a shorter tankini top. She wants a true triangle bikini top...she especially wants a padded top! I was just not ready for it, she came out in suits that you buy to go on your college spring break trip to Panama City! We went to justice, American eagle, and Macy's. I told her we are going to get a good nights sleep and go out with fresh attitudes in the morning. (we have a swim party at 2 pm tom) I am thinking of going to Target. Anyone btdt with advice? It's a really hard age and I want us to both find something we like or else it will be a long long summer. I told my husband if we find one we both agree on I'm buying every print/color and am not even looking at the price! This is a desperate time!

I agree with a lot of PPs. I have an 11 year old DD and she asked for a bikini for the first time at the beginning of the summer. I did not tell her no but that I would be the one to make the final decision on what is appropriate and inappropriate -- case closed or no deal. DD has a very nice athletic build and the key was getting the right fit bikini that was not hot and showy. I found great two piece suits at Old Navy. I took the padding out because DD did not need them. The interesting thing is DD still wears her one piece suits as much as the two bikinis we bought. Sometimes I even ask her if she is going to wear the bikini because she actually looks good in them. But, I let her decide if she wants to wear the one or two piece.

Are you serious?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was a disaster and ended in tears, and I was pretty close to crying myself. She wants what boils down to a bikini I am willing to compromise this year and upgrade from a tankini to a more "sporty" two piece. So I was picking out suits with a sports bra top or a shorter tankini top. She wants a true triangle bikini top...she especially wants a padded top! I was just not ready for it, she came out in suits that you buy to go on your college spring break trip to Panama City! We went to justice, American eagle, and Macy's. I told her we are going to get a good nights sleep and go out with fresh attitudes in the morning. (we have a swim party at 2 pm tom) I am thinking of going to Target. Anyone btdt with advice? It's a really hard age and I want us to both find something we like or else it will be a long long summer. I told my husband if we find one we both agree on I'm buying every print/color and am not even looking at the price! This is a desperate time!

I agree with a lot of PPs. I have an 11 year old DD and she asked for a bikini for the first time at the beginning of the summer. I did not tell her no but that I would be the one to make the final decision on what is appropriate and inappropriate -- case closed or no deal. DD has a very nice athletic build and the key was getting the right fit bikini that was not hot and showy. I found great two piece suits at Old Navy. I took the padding out because DD did not need them. The interesting thing is DD still wears her one piece suits as much as the two bikinis we bought. Sometimes I even ask her if she is going to wear the bikini because she actually looks good in them. But, I let her decide if she wants to wear the one or two piece.

Are you serious?

I sure am. I make the final call on which bathing suits I will purchase for DD, so I know they are flattering and not hoochie so she can choose which flattering suit, one or two piece, she wants to wear.