The American Beach Burqa

Via Feministe, we get a preview of what swimwear for women will look like if the puritans have their way.

Besides being hideously ugly, these things are a drowning hazard. Few people are strong enough swimmers to be able to handle the extra layers of fabric that this suit is adding, much less the restricted mobility that arm coverings are going to add - even if the bodysuit part is made of nylon lycra fabrics.

While I realize that a lot of women - and men - are uncomfortable with some of the 'barely there' fashion swimwear out there, this is going the other way.

Dear god - better cover up those ankles dear, you don't want some man getting aroused by it. (Does anybody else see a return to the "Her dress was provocative" rape defense?)

The double standard here is ridiculous - women are expected to wear shapeless garments that hide their bodies, meanwhile men don't? What's with that? Are men such mindless animals that they couldn't possibly exercise a little self restraint when an attractive woman walks past?