By Mikayla Lee
The Swimwear Struggle Starts Here
My eternal search for the perfect bathing suit began back in the Summer of 2016. I had just gotten my license, Tumblr had reached its peak, and I was gayer than ever before. Having spent the school year experimenting with men’s jeans, boxers, and an embarrassing yet ever- growing collection of snapbacks, I felt ready to brave the neighborhood pools in my very first pair of swim trunks.
However, like many dreams of gender euphoria, reality eventually set in, and I discovered just how challenging it would be to find a swimsuit that actually catered to my needs as a masculine-presenting woman.
Fueled by optimism and a fresh paycheck from Sky Zone, I embarked on a journey to my local shopping mall, scouring racks for the perfect combination of men’s swim trunks and women’s bikini tops. It did not take long before the entire ordeal brought me right back to Algebra class – lost trying to concoct a formula that would help me find a satisfying solution.
Anytime I thought I’d found the right trunks, they didn’t have my size or didn’t look right around my wide hips. Then, just when I thought I’d gotten the right bottoms, I’d struggle to find a matching top that wasn’t a triangle-top string bikini with bows. Many of the less revealing women’s options were marketed at young girls and touted girly floral prints or a halter cut.
After hours of shopping and mental gymnastics, I was able to find suitable swimwear for the year, but not without spending twice as much as my peers, since I essentially had to purchase two bathing suits to achieve the look I was going for.
Just Keep Swimming – The Struggle Continues!
Thankfully, this is an issue that I only have to confront on a semi-annual basis. Nonetheless, each summer I return, dread-filled, to shopping malls and online storefronts to meet the same disappointing experience.
One might imagine that now, almost a decade later, there are more inclusive options out there for our genderqueer swimmers. While there are a plethora of small brands that specialize in making gender-neutral swimwear, many of their options are exceedingly expensive and covered in rainbows or other tacky LGBTQ+ imagery.
Is it not enough that I’m a gender-ambiguous person in custom swimwear? Do I really need my top to say “Sorry boys, I’m a lesbian” in rainbow print to drive the point home? Just like most corporate brands every Pride Month, many of the designs seem tone-deaf and ingenuine.
Find Your Stroke – Solutions for Trans Masc Swimmers
Over the years, I’ve developed a handful of strategies that help make bathing suit shopping a bit less intimidating and a lot more exciting!
- Be prepared to spend more! I always have a hard time grappling with this one, but it helps to just accept that the industry has not yet begun to bundle swimwear the way I’d prefer. You will most likely end up buying two or three separate articles and combining their parts. Yes, it is more expensive. Yes, it will yield better results.
- You’re not straight, but your priorities should be! There is a good chance that you’ll have to make some sacrifices, so decide ahead of time what is most important to you. Is it the color? The fit? The style? Determine your non-negotiables to make sure you feel cool and confident when you’re chilling poolside.
- Get Creative! There is no doubt that money can be a barrier to accessing gender-affirming clothing. Consider how you can repurpose the items you already have – especially sports bras, binders, and compression tops – to double as your swim top. The same can be said for basketball shorts and board shorts. Check the tag to see if the fabric contains Nylon or Polyester, which are fast-drying and great for swimming.
Local Brand Shoutout – Rhode Island Surf Co.
If you are ready to start shopping and would like to support local brands, Rhode Island Surf Co. happens to have some great options.
While most of their attire still follows traditional gender norms, they also offer simple, boxy, solid-colored women’s tops that are great for anyone looking to achieve a more masculine look. They even allow you to purchase the swim top separate from the bottoms, which could save you a few bucks. Additionally, their women’s section includes board shorts, while their men’s section has a massive selection of swim trunks to choose from as well.
I hope this guide serves you well on your search, and I look forward to seeing studs, mascs, butches, and dykes alike gaying up our beaches this summer!
