It's 'tankini summer' – and it's already sparking online debate
The tankini is igniting social media debate over modesty at the beach.
For some, tankinis are reminiscent of being a preteen: A bikini bottom or shorts paired with what is essentially a waterproof crop top was often the first graduation from the one-pieces of childhood to swimming in a two-piece. Or perhaps they were the performance swimsuit you remember your mom or guardian wearing, the front swath of fabric adding extra coverage targeted for people with post-birth or pregnant bellies.
Either way, the tankini has gotten a revamp in 2025, with popular retailers from ASOS to Cupshe marketing these tummy-covering two pieces to some shoppers who likely haven't worn one since the summer before seventh grade. These upgraded tankinis offer refreshed color palettes and not-so-boxy designs, but don't totally skimp on the style with unexpected cut-outs and cute patterns that paired seamlessly with a skirt or shorts.
But the tankini takeover has prompted some social media users to wonder if the resurgence is as innocuous as pure 2000s nostalgia, or whether it's a totem of a cultural shift that wants women to cover-up.
"I don't know if the modesty propaganda is working on me or if they're actually just making cute tankinis this year," one TikToker mused. "Every ad I've seen for tankini, is the cutest tankini I've ever seen and I must have it. Am I going to be wearing tankinis all summer? Is it working?"
Tankini summer indicates America's zeitgeist, said Lorynn Divita, associate professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising at Baylor University. There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks. Then, the Cannes 2025 Film Festival banned nude gowns on its red carpet. Seeming ubiquitous cut-out booty shorts and strappy crop-tops have sparked debate over modesty at the gym. And let's not forget Miley Cyrus turning heads in a completely sheer dress just this week.
"I'm not a fan of whatever direction we're going in," another TikToker said, arguing tankinis have a nefarious subtext young women are falling for. The same creator later posted the "tankini police" came for her when she tried to call out this so-called "random radical shift to more conservative clothes."
Meanwhile, others said a little more bandwidth offers inclusive, cute options for a range of body types and lifestyles. One fan posted she loved how a tankini was "modest and spicy at the same time."
Another stated it shouldn't even be a debate: "Just stop the discourse. It's so unnecessary ... It just puts women back!"
Summersalt, PacSun and more 👙 Shopping guide for where to buy bathing suits
On one hand, the internet is valid in sensing a "significant shift" toward traditional gender roles in fashion, according to Leora Tanenbaum, author of "Sexy Selfie Nation." Clothes associated with stereotypical femininity, even if they are a revealing bikini, are popular right now, she said. Look no further than dominance of the "low-cut milkmaid dress" garments that accentuates "womanly" aspects like breast cleavage, Tanenbaum said.
"There is a very narrow aesthetic ideal of femininity," she said. But at the same time, the internet's battle misses the point women will face "relentless" sexualization no matter what swimsuit they choose this summer, Tanenbaum said.
"I see the tankini debate not as much as pressure to look modest, but more as young people saying 'I am just so sick of being objectified,'" Tanenbaum added. "There's no way to win this. On the hand, if you wear a bikini, you open yourself up to slut-shaming because of the presupposition that someone who dresses in a revealing way is 'asking for it.' But if you wear a tankini, you're seen as deficient as a woman because you're rejecting being sexy according to a binary way."
Wellness coverage from USA TODAY: Online, young female OnlyFans stars make their lives look aspirational. Is it problematic?
If the aim of wearing a tankini is to avoid sexualization, "that is a losing battle," according to Tanenbaum. But for people who wear tankinis to feel empowered mentally and physically, she said to "own it."
"We all have the right to feel a sense of autonomy and ownership over our own bodies and if that little extra piece of fabric gives us that self-empowerment, we should wear it."
People might also just be tired of what's in their closet and want to try something new.
"We've reached fatigue level of teeny teeny bikinis, what's going to look fresh?" Divita said.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Tankini summer': The online debate over covering up at the beach
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
23 minutes ago
- Forbes
Apple Music Chief: It's 'Crazy' Other Streaming Services Offer Free Music Tiers
Music icon on an iPhone NurPhoto via Getty Images Oliver Schusser, Apple Music's top executive, said it's 'crazy' that other music streaming platforms continue to offer free consumer tiers and suggested it devalues music as a form of art. Speaking with National Music Publishers Assn. CEO David Israelite during the organization's annual meeting on June 11, Schusser, vice president of Apple Music and International Content, said, 'I think it's crazy that 20 years in, we still offer music for free. We're the only service that doesn't have a free service. As a company, we look at music as art, and we would never want to give away art for free.' He likened Apple's music streaming model to its parent company's business model for television streaming service Apple TV+. 'Let me give you an example,' he said. 'In January we added the most successful show in the world on AppleTV +. It's called 'Severance.' You know what you have to do to watch 'Severance'? You had to sign up to Apple TV+ and pay $10. It isn't available anywhere for free,' he said. Pointing to Gracie Abrams - who accepted the Billboard Breakthrough Songwriter of Year award at the event, and Kacey Musgraves, who was honored with this year's NMPA Songwriter Icon Award - Schusser added, 'So I don't understand why Gracie's album would be available for free, or Kacey's. It makes no sense. We don't have a free service, we will not have one, we have no plans for one.' Schusser's comments come as tensions persist between the music industry and the streaming platforms, where songwriters are still often splitting pennies per play, and new offerings are exacerbating the situation. Spotify last year began offering subscriptions that bundle music with audiobooks, a move Amazon Music has recently parroted. 'The songwriting and music publishing community has been in what seems like a never-ending dispute with Spotify, a company that's constantly attacking songwriters and trying to cut what they pay," said Israelite. "And now Amazon is also bundling and we've seen a reduction of royalties in the last few months.' At the meeting, NMPA executive VP and general counsel Danielle Aguirre put numbers behind those losses. 'We lost over $230 million' last year as a direct result of Spotify's bundles, she noted, and in the first three months since Amazon started bundling, 'we've seen a 40 percent decrease in music revenue from Amazon.' Israelite shared that music publishing revenue in the U.S. grew 17 percent to more than $7 billion last year, but suggested that growth would be more significant if strenuous government regulation such as mechanical royalties weren't a factor.
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Vogue
42 minutes ago
- Vogue
What Is the Dress of Summer? It's Surprisingly Simple
Every summer, without fail, a fan-favorite dress emerges; a dress becomes the dress. During the pandemic, for instance, the strawberry dress went viral—and everyone on your Instagram or TikTok page was wearing it. Last year, sheer naked dresses were all the rage. It's no surprise that statement dresses become popular during the season, as they are the perfect, easy garment to wear during a heat wave. And given we are officially entering the summer season next week, we're currently wondering: What will the breakout summer dress of 2025 be? According to celebrities, there are already signs of the silhouettes will reign supreme. Over the past few weeks, stars have been debuting their best summer frocks—and the consensus this year is that minimalism is back. (I mean, did it ever leave?). Simple, sleek maxi dresses—from tank dresses to slinky gowns—have been making their rounds both on the streets and on the red carpets. Compared to bold floral dresses (which are often popular this time of year), the new crop of summer sdummer whisper a sense of elegance. Dakota Johnson Photo: Splash News Cardi B Photo: Backgrid There have been both day and night approaches to the more streamlined look. In New York City, Dakota Johnson recently stepped out in a white Khaite tank dress that was a perfect choice for elevated day wear. The square neck and calf-length hemline made it feel modern, and it's precisely the kind of timeless design you can sport for many summers to come. Ditto for Cardi B and her beige bodycon halter dress: With no embellishments or bright colors, it put all emphasis on the figure and her killer accessories. (With Cardi, that always includes a staggering heel.) For a more formal nighttime feel, meanwhile, simple tank or slip dresses have also prevailed. At the Cannes Film Festival last month, Bella Hadid slinked her way onto the red carpet in a draped black Saint Laurent gown. Again, it was all about the open back and high slit—and less about the dress itself being overly complicated or flashy. In New York, Miley Cyrus wore a black sheer sheath dress; what it lacked in ornamentation, it made up for in drama via a totally-transparent fabrication. Why do such simple looks feel so right for this summer? For starters, they point to the quiet mood of fashion in general right now: Rather than going super experimental, brands like The Row, Lemaire, and Khaite are all zeroing in on classic silhouettes this season. Clearly, the stealthy-chic trend is resonating, and has now ventured into summer dress territory. Still, that doesn't mean your warm weather wardrobe has to be devoid of personality in the months to come. As these stylish celebrities have proven, add a great shoe and fun jewelry, and your look can still have a major impact. Consider these simple dresses your blank canvas—but how you style them, is when a true style masterpiece happens. Start brainstorming, Picassos.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
For Elite College Admissions, Fewer Activities May Mean More
The River Ridge bench celebrates in the final seconds as River Ridge's Jesica Mergen scores on a ... More free throw in their 43-42 overtime win against Prentice in a Division 5 semifinal WIAA state tournament basketball game Thursday, March 24, 2011, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) When people find out that I write about colleges and universities, I am frequently asked for advice about getting kids into college, or getting them a rung or two up the college prestige ladder. I probably get a related question by e-mail once or twice a week, on average. I usually disappoint the inquirer, since I do not think I have much to offer on the topic. Although lately, I have been advising parents not to let their eager applicants use AI for their applications or personal essays. Colleges want authentic voices. And many do check for AI use. Few things will do more harm more quickly than having an admissions reviewer think an applicant is faking it, or worse – being dishonest. I do also suggest that parents and families sign up for direct admission programs because I am a big fan of how they're changing the application and admissions process. I love how these programs give admissions instead of rejections, which can be great for student confidence and grit. I also love how they can dramatically broaden an applicant's gaze to include schools they perhaps did not even know about, and very likely never even considered. Plus, direct admission financial aid and scholarship packages can be quite strong. Maybe that means that I do have a few things to offer about the college admissions journey. But starting now, based on a survey I saw recently, I'm adding another morsel of admissions advice – don't overdo the extracurricular activities. For some families, that may seem counterintuitive. The inclination has been, I suspect, to do as much as possible, to jam every available hour with one enterprise or another. The assumption was that carpet-bombing a college application with this activity, and another, and yet another thing showed ambition, energy, and curiosity – things applicants assumed colleges wanted in their students. Or that, alternatively, showing how an admissions prospect was managing 20 hours a week of extracurricular activity while also booking a 3.9 GPA demonstrated maturity, focus, and time management skills. But based on a survey of students who applied to, and were admitted at, top-tier, highly exclusive colleges – think: the Ivy League, plus the likes of MIT, Stanford, Duke, and one or two more – fewer activities, fewer hours a week may be the best course to convince the admissions gatekeepers. The survey, by Pioneer Academics, which provides accredited academic and extracurricular enrichment programs to college-bound students, asked more than 150 high-tier applicants and admitted students about the high school activities that went into their applications. The results show that for elite universities, the sweet spot for quantity of extracurricular activities is just four. Acceptance and enrollment rates ramp upwards based on the number of activities from one (8% admission rate), two (15%), three (25%), to four, where 30% of students get in. After four, the rates drop. Students with five extracurriculars got good admissions news 25% of the time. At six activities, the admissions rate was seven percent, slightly worse than having just one extracurricular activity. Further indicating that it's possible to over-do the out-of-class activities for students accepted at the nation's elite schools, the average number of extracurriculars was 3.7 – just under four, in other words. A similar trend held true for the amount of time college prospects spent on their extracurricular engagements. For hours spent, the admission and enrollment sweet spot was just four to eight hours a week. Those rates were close to, although slightly ahead of, the rates for students who spent an average of eight to ten hours a week on activities outside the school. If students spent more than ten hours a week on extracurricular stuff, their admissions rates actually fell by 10%. On the other end, students who spent less than four hours a week were, according to the survey, nearly three times less likely to get golden admissions tickets. Putting the two data points together, if you were planning, the best place to be is three or four activities practiced four to eight hours per week, about an hour or two per activity. The survey suggested that this three-to-four, four-to-eight window was a kind of Goldilocks zone, where commitment was evident, but so too was passion – that students were investing in what they cared about, not just checking as many boxes as possible in the hope that something stuck. The survey analysis also suggested that it may be beneficial for the chosen extracurricular activities to be related, all in music or art, or all related to animal welfare or global climate change, things like that. Demonstrating genuine passion over frantic pace, in other words, may be the code-cracker. Even though the lifetime benefits of a college education, especially at an elite college, are rich and abundant, I would never advise overtly trying to hack or code-break college admissions. Nonetheless, this survey information from Pioneer is likely helpful for students and their support people not to overdo it. Extracurricular activities are not like the SATs or your GPA, where every extra point can matter. When adding enrichment activities to a college application, having fewer activities may be more.
