Summer swimsuit weather is here and I can’t help noticing the fashion trend towards bikinis for girls of all ages. They are temptingly cute but I can’t help heed the nagging voice of dermatologists everywhere telling us to protect our babies’ skin! Think about it: kids spend ALL of their time wearing swimwear in the open sun and water, not under the shade of an umbrella. This means that even the best sunscreen will have a limited benefit over time.
This is an argument for fashion over function, not often a cause célèbre among designers. Apart from the nature of child’s water play being impractical for skimpy tops - specifically belly slides & flops that can cause injury from rubbing/chafing on a child’s midsection; it just makes sense to have less square footage to lather sunscreen on. For most parents applying and re-applying sunscreen is a battle. Kids just don’t like it. Minimize the drama by having kids’ swimsuits that include a swim shirt (preferably long sleeve) and separate swim bottoms. They are practical and easy to wear for all outdoor water play. Keep in mind kids are always wet so they won’t be hot. I am skeptical of many tankini tops that are as bare in the back as bikinis. Make sure to check out the back as well as the front when considering a tankini for water & sun safety.
Start a fashion trend in your neighborhood. I did and we are all safer for it!
-Lesley Fleming, Designer
Cheeky Banana - specialty children’s clothing
Lesley is a mother of two who designs and manufactures a line of girl’s classic-contemporary boutique clothing in sizes 2-12: Cheeky Banana. All of the clothing is manufactured in North Carolina
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