Are bikinis bad?

karuna · Jul 28th, 2008, 22:19

Quote:

Indian swimming costumes for women are extremely modest with little skirts

I went to my local pool for the women only swim last week. It's really Indian-and-Muslim-women's swim. It was the first time I've seen a Muslim swimming costume in action, several of them in fact. Rather like those Victorian men's swimsuits that cover the thighs, except in black, not white and red stripes.

Of the huge persuasion myself, I quite like the way it covers the acreage, although I might draw the line at swimming in a pink anorak, which this womenswear retailer swears is a swimming costume: http://www.modestfashion.co.uk/index.php?cat_id=31

I must say, Indian ladies don't put much effort into their swimming. It seems to be all about the gossip! Great atmosphere, I'll be going again tonight.

jnw1277 · Jul 28th, 2008, 22:34

I went to Kerala in January and some of the girls did wear bikinis. We got a lot of stares but then again, when didn't we? 11 american dancers.. we were always on display

puchoo · Jul 29th, 2008, 01:29

My point exactly.. you don't necessarily need to be doing something inappropriate to get stares..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

you need not necessarily be doing anything but you can be stared at,if you are not a local - simply because you may look different.

kalyani68 · Jul 29th, 2008, 02:10

I guess the best thing would be to give yourself some options. Take the bikini and wear it. Then if you decide you want to cover up more, you can slip on a t-shirt and shorts/sarong.

Hmmm.... I'll have to try swimming in a sari sometime. Sounds like an adventure!

kristinm · Jul 29th, 2008, 05:13

It makes me quite nervous to watch them at Bondi actually - because like most of the tourists they don't swim between the flags and instead go straight out into a rip which looks deceptively flat but can sweep you out to sea in a flash - A sari, or jeans and shirt as some wear must be very heavy when wet!

Diana · Jul 29th, 2008, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

Bikini's are fine in places like Kerela and Goa,

Not the bit of Kerala beach I swim at.

(How did I manage to land in the most conservative part of the country???)

We had a swim picnic for my "bon voyage from India for a while" party last April and I took my lead from the locals. An opaque salwar-kameez (sans scarf at least, thank God) is the hot 2-piece there.

As for being heavy...that's where the warmth of Kerala pays off. Instant dryer!

Sama · Jul 29th, 2008, 09:24

I felt like I was wearing a burka (sp?) when I wore salwar kameez in cochin, compared to all the chicks in mini skirts and tank tops.

I immediately ran out and bought some tank top style mini-dresses (cotton with "indian" embroidery) to wear over my baggy yoga pants and felt so much more comfortable.

met lots of male tattoo admirers that way, too.

never had to buy a chai for myself once.....
funny how that works.

federica · Jul 29th, 2008, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnw1277

I went to Kerala in January and some of the girls did wear bikinis.

In Kovalam and Varkala wearing a bikini is no problem. There are many people with bikinis. On a lot of other beaches even a swim suit is a no go.

Gardener972 · Jul 29th, 2008, 11:31

At the beach at Pondicherry I saw no bikinis and it's frequented by Europeans a lot. In fact, I saw no women in the water, only men.

kristinm · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by karuna

I went to my local pool for the women only swim last week. It's really Indian-and-Muslim-women's swim. It was the first time I've seen a Muslim swimming costume in action, several of them in fact. Rather like those Victorian men's swimsuits that cover the thighs, except in black, not white and red stripes.

Of the huge persuasion myself, I quite like the way it covers the acreage, although I might draw the line at swimming in a pink anorak, which this womenswear retailer swears is a swimming costume: http://www.modestfashion.co.uk/index.php?cat_id=31

I must say, Indian ladies don't put much effort into their swimming. It seems to be all about the gossip! Great atmosphere, I'll be going again tonight.

Our local women's pool is wonderful too - a mix of Muslims, Nuns, lesbians and all sorts of others!

That pink thing looks like certain death by drowning to me - I think I'd stick to the bath if I had to wear that!

Aishah · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:32

Karuna - good link there and interesting. The pink anorak job doesn't appeal though! I have just invested in a 'modest costume' which I bought in Mussoorie (the mountains) of all places. For 720rupees, I have a sort of Victorian bathing suit look with little frilly skirt - all in navy lycra. Does the trick of holding you all in very nicely, and will be most appropriate for the swimming pools here!

kristinm · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:34

Aishah - I'm picturing the picture as I read... you with your knitting & book poolside in a frilly skirt and one of those bathing caps with the rubber flowers stuck on! Like something out of a 1930's Busby Berkely movie....

theyyamdancer · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:36

Please can we see a photo then? It sounds delightful. Next we would expect a water ballet in the swimming pool, full of synchronized swimming!!

Aishah · Jul 29th, 2008, 16:42

LOL you two!! And 'synchronized swimming' - ah those were the days. I used to be in the Spreydon Swimming Club's synchronized swimming team!! So you hit the nail on the head there Theyyam. We were pretty good too, all sorts of amazing formations and leg raisings going on!

brishti · Jul 29th, 2008, 17:09

mandatory learning-how-to-swim pool attire in anderson club/robindro sarobor/calcutta:

blouse - petticoat - half sleeves nightie on top of that. [ strict rule: sarees are not allowed inside pool ]
them 'caps' on head - lil bows tied under chin to keep them in place.

gives a whole new perspective to the word buoyancy.

incidentally: watched one of them synchronized swimming shows in calcutta once.
really confusing. i could've sworn there were 10 women in the pool - saw only 7 legs pop up in them leg stand routine.

:brishti

karuna: do they really wear em jumpsuits? i mean - really?

Jul 29th, 2008, 02:10	#49
kalyani68 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 215	I guess the best thing would be to give yourself some options. Take the bikini and wear it. Then if you decide you want to cover up more, you can slip on a t-shirt and shorts/sarong. Hmmm.... I'll have to try swimming in a sari sometime. Sounds like an adventure! __________________ My Travel Blog- South India Dec. 2007 www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/wildcat007

Jul 29th, 2008, 09:24	#52
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,465	I felt like I was wearing a burka (sp?) when I wore salwar kameez in cochin, compared to all the chicks in mini skirts and tank tops. I immediately ran out and bought some tank top style mini-dresses (cotton with "indian" embroidery) to wear over my baggy yoga pants and felt so much more comfortable. met lots of male tattoo admirers that way, too. never had to buy a chai for myself once..... funny how that works. __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Jul 29th, 2008, 16:32	#56
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,482	Karuna - good link there and interesting. The pink anorak job doesn't appeal though! I have just invested in a 'modest costume' which I bought in Mussoorie (the mountains) of all places. For 720rupees, I have a sort of Victorian bathing suit look with little frilly skirt - all in navy lycra. Does the trick of holding you all in very nicely, and will be most appropriate for the swimming pools here! __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Jul 28th, 2008, 22:34	#47
jnw1277 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: United States Posts: 12	I went to Kerala in January and some of the girls did wear bikinis. We got a lot of stares but then again, when didn't we? 11 american dancers.. we were always on display

Jul 29th, 2008, 05:13	#50
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,524	It makes me quite nervous to watch them at Bondi actually - because like most of the tourists they don't swim between the flags and instead go straight out into a rip which looks deceptively flat but can sweep you out to sea in a flash - A sari, or jeans and shirt as some wear must be very heavy when wet!

Jul 29th, 2008, 11:31	#54
Gardener972 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas USA Posts: 334	At the beach at Pondicherry I saw no bikinis and it's frequented by Europeans a lot. In fact, I saw no women in the water, only men.

Jul 29th, 2008, 16:34	#57
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,524	Aishah - I'm picturing the picture as I read... you with your knitting & book poolside in a frilly skirt and one of those bathing caps with the rubber flowers stuck on! Like something out of a 1930's Busby Berkely movie....

Jul 29th, 2008, 16:36	#58
theyyamdancer Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 2,115	Please can we see a photo then? It sounds delightful. Next we would expect a water ballet in the swimming pool, full of synchronized swimming!!

Jul 29th, 2008, 16:42	#59
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,482	LOL you two!! And 'synchronized swimming' - ah those were the days. I used to be in the Spreydon Swimming Club's synchronized swimming team!! So you hit the nail on the head there Theyyam. We were pretty good too, all sorts of amazing formations and leg raisings going on!

Jul 29th, 2008, 17:09	#60
brishti just another member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 2,263	mandatory learning-how-to-swim pool attire in anderson club/robindro sarobor/calcutta: blouse - petticoat - half sleeves nightie on top of that. [ strict rule: sarees are not allowed inside pool ] them 'caps' on head - lil bows tied under chin to keep them in place. gives a whole new perspective to the word buoyancy. incidentally: watched one of them synchronized swimming shows in calcutta once. really confusing. i could've sworn there were 10 women in the pool - saw only 7 legs pop up in them leg stand routine. :brishti karuna: do they really wear em jumpsuits? i mean - really?

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