Girls, why are you okay with people seeing you in a bikini, but if people see you in a bra and panties you don't like it? What is the difference?

Question

I have never understood this. Please enlighten us guys. Thank you✌

cipher42 · Accepted Answer

Conditioning and sexual connotations. First of all, at its core, the only reason we're uncomfortable with nudity (or any degree of exposure really) is because we're taught to be. It's entirely a societal thing, as evidenced by how different societies are okay with different degrees of nudity- some demand much more covering than most, some require none at all or close to it. In the case of our society, bikinis are basically the furthest we're taught to be comfortable exposing ourselves (but even then only if we have a body that looks good enough). But we're only taught that that level of exposure is appropriate in the context of bikinis and in particular when swimming or on the beach. After all, even wearing a bikini, most girls would feel uncomfortable if they were wearing it in an unusual place, like in the middle of town or in an office building or some shit.

Underwear takes all that another step further. Not only is the context already not one where we see it as acceptable to be that uncovered anyways, but the underwear adds a level of sexuality to it. Underwear is meant to be something unseen, or we're taught to see it that way in any case. Plus, it's seen as sexual. Often in the media when we see a woman wearing underwear, the scene has sexual connotations. All those things combined make underwear something we're far less comfortable with people seeing than bikinis.

Basically, bikinis don't have as many sexual connotations, and are only really acceptable in a certain context anyhow.

ebbyeb · Accepted Answer

This personally has been bothering me for the longest time! Both articles of clothing have pretty much the same amount of coverage of you know what I mean... But I think it's basically the ideas behind them. Like a bikini is more cute, fun and daring in a sense. But a bra is more directly flirty, as you aren't really supposed to show your bra to many people if you don't trust them etc. But in reality, if you stand back and look at the differences, there really aren't many. So it's really just the ideas and values that we've been taught and told that each article holds. Like money, we're taught how important it is since birth. It's just the influence of society really! I mean, one is made for water, and one has padding and maybe some wire. But they hold the same idea practically. So it's really just the values that we hold in each item! Hope this helped! :)

fauchelevent · Accepted Answer

It's not really a difference in clothing as much as it is a difference in setting. If you're in a bikini, you know you're going out in public and you'll be looked at. There will be other women in similar clothing so its not like everyone is just going to be staring at you anyway. You willingly put yourself in that situation, you know it's gonna happen. If you're in your underwear, you're usually at home or in another private setting where you do not expect someone to come in and see you. When they do, it's shocking and it's an intrusion. Of course you're going to react badly to that, your privacy was violated, you thought you were alone and secure and you weren't. That's not pleasant and you're gonna react negatively.

TheBebop99 · Accepted Answer

I've actually asked a female friend this very question, it's because when a girl is wearing a Bikini she knows people can see her and is prepared for that. While in her underwear she's caught of guard and isn't expecting anyone to see her.

bcromartie · Accepted Answer

Social conditioning.

Limbo · Answer

When I'm wearing a bikini, I feel confident and sexy. But I'm also usually at the beach or pool and looking my best. But I don't really feel pretty in my underwear. If someone saw me in my underwear, I would feel vulnerable and embarrassed.

But it is mostly context. Like who would be seeing me in my underwear? My boyfriend? That would be okay because I like feeling open and vulnerable with him. But if I was at school and my clothes fell off somehow? Obviously I would be humiliated.

So if a guy caught me changing or something, if he saw me in my underwear, I would be humiliated. If I was changing into my bikini, I would not be embarrassed (if it was all the way on). This is the only case I can think of where I would be more embarrassed in my underwear than a bikini that is not because of context.

watercolor_lions · Answer

You're confusing two different girl types... some girls have a problem being seen in their underwear AND a bikini. Others don't have a problem with either.

I will say though, it is probably related to context. If a girl is walking down the street in her underwear, people will think "What the heck is she doing?" If a girl is near a body of water in a bikini, though, people think "That chick looks hot in her bikini".

One is questioning the person's rationality, the other is assessing her appearance (which is probably good if she's confident enough to wear a bikini 😋).

JulieXO · Answer

Because there can be a massive difference between the two. Bikini Underwear

taylor_NJ · Answer

Well... bikinis are different from underwear. Yes they're similar looking and both reveal about the same amount of skin, BUT one has a different purpose than the Other. Bikinis are for swimming and for being out in public with. Underwear are considered undergarments and people normally can't see another's underwear in public. They're considered to be private articles of clothing, except to a significant other or possibly family or best friends.

Girlanony · Answer

I think it's more because of the difference men do when seeing a girl in bikini than when they see her wearing underwear... I mean by the face they make, that makes most women feel uncomfortable... in my case I don't have issues, I just think it's the same haha, I used to cover my bra if I was changing my blouse and someone would go into my room without knowing or something, but not anymore, it's just a bra and looks exactly the same as if it was a bikini... so please come in haha

FemaleAssassin · Answer

I'm a woman though i have never gone out with any of those lol not planning to either, so yeah, i was wondering about the same thing basically.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd only be okay with people seeing me in a bikini at a lake, swimming pool or beach.. where everyone else is wearing the same. I wouldn't be okay with it at a random place. And when it comes to bras and underwear, it's that they're more intimate in material and such. They're just private. Just like how guys are okay with wearing swimming shorts and being shirtless at a beach for instance, but wouldn't let other girls see him in his boxers in public.

destineerai · Answer

Usually we don't put on our bras thinking 'Hey I wouldn't mind if Tom sees me like this'. Whereas when we buy bikinis, we know you're going to see us in it. I really don't care, so yeah that's just how I feel.

PrincessPanda · Answer

I don't get it either. I feel the same way. I have no issue walking around in my bra an panties oppose to my bikini... it's just not social accepted... But I tend to wear a thong so that's a bit too much ass to show and you won't find me walking around in that unless I want you to

Luci92 · Answer

Well I'm not really that fussed, but one is for swimming and for other people to see, and well, the other is generally what you wear in a private setting.

SierraO · Answer

My opinion is that bikinis are made for public usage and viewing. Bra and underwear are considered more intimate in a way. It's private. The only people who see it are you, a significant other, close friends and family. It signifies that you're at home and comfortable where you are.

SweetHomicidalQueen · Answer

Most of the time bras and panties are more of a sexual thing, in a private setting. Bikinis are supposed to be a public thing. It really depends.

mooky06 · Answer

I'm actually the exact opposite. I'm uncomfortable when it comes to bikini's. But inside I'm not shy from walking around the house with my bra and underwear on. It's about privacy, which comforts me to be that way

reixun · Answer

Bikini is for swimming, I wear it intentionally whereas if I'm in underwear then you must've caught me off guard.

PizzaPrincess · Answer

Well for me I never wear a bikini that looks like that, mine cover more. So naturally yes, I would be uncomfortable with underwear.

garnetgalaxy · Answer

Lol I never wear a bikini, it's more like a one piece with shorts for me :p I'm not really ok with it anytime lol

Toriiiii · Answer

Because when you're swimming its different than just being in public

BrileyCat · Answer

Most bikinis are made with thicker and sturdier fabric than underwear  and don't become transparent when wet. Simple.

Anonymous · Answer

Oh dear me again with this question. The bikini is " come look at me" it's meant to be seen. Bras and panties aren't, no one walks around in public like that, and again, one is consent the other isn't

selenakaver · Answer

I'm fine with people seeing me in anything because I don't think everything should be sexualized.

manoobilli · Answer

Doesn't matter. If people see me in a bra and panty that would be just a surprise as I wasn't expectinh to see me in that. Otherwise no objection if somebody see no problem

SweetNB1tchy7 · Answer

I don't care if people see me in bra underwear same thing really no difference

Alicia_123 · Answer

I just am. I think bra and thong is a little more intimate. I dont think its about the actual clothing, its more about the meaning behind it.

teawrecks · Answer

A bikini is intentional. Bra and panties are not.

Anonymous · Answer

Girls live in a world full of hypocrisy and confusion. Society has enforced so many contradictions on how girls should behave, they've been left confused. They live in an imaginary world.

daremetwo · Answer

Makes little difference very few people see me in a bikini or my undies.

CorvetteGirl · Answer

I don't know. Same thing. Actually bikinis can be smaller

Anonymous · Answer

I don't wear bikini at beach I wear a short and a shirt

ElissaDido · Answer

I don't wear bikinis:p

Puppylove94 · Answer

I'm kind of conservative about both actually

Autumn-Bunny · Answer

I'm conservative and I don't wear a bikini

datgirl · Answer

Never worn a bikini.

KTY897 · Answer

I don't mind either

Girls, why are you okay with people seeing you in a bikini, but if people see you in a bra and panties you don't like it? What is the difference?

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What Girls & Guys Said

Girls, why are some girls embarrassed to be seen in their bra and panties but totally fine being in skimpy bikinis that show off more around men?

Girls, why are you okay with people seeing you in a bikini, but if people see you in a bra and panties you don't like it? What is the difference?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Girls, why are some girls embarrassed to be seen in their bra and panties but totally fine being in skimpy bikinis that show off more around men?

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