With Japan being an island country, even in the heat of summer most of the population thankfully isn’t that far from a beach, and there are numerous public pools that open up during the season to help people stay cool.
But while nothing beats a refreshing dip in the water, there’s also the stressful flipside of being seen in public wearing a lot less fabric than usual. In a recent Internet survey, a whopping 94 percent of Japanese women in their 20s and 30s said they don’t have enough confidence in their figure to feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit. Thankfully, they also passed along their tips for dealing with this problem.
The most common tactic was layering up to cut down on the amount of skin shown or otherwise obscure the body’s contours. Sarongs, zip-up sweatshirts, T-shirts, and shorts were all popular choices.
Not all women with this plan were looking to conceal cellulite. One 25-year-old woman expressed concern about her small bust. “I wear a bikini with a well-padded top, and throw on a parka as soon as I get out of the water.”
The most conservative wardrobe choice came from a 33-year-old who just wears pants on the beach, which is perhaps not the most appealing choice for guys looking for eye candy, but a definite way to preserve your modesty.
▼ And still scandalous by the standards of the Victorian era
Others took the opposite route of trying to create a body they felt more comfortable putting on display. “Diet, ab exercise, gym,” answered one concise 25-year-old. Another respondent picks the days she’ll be wearing a swimsuit well in advance, and starts a steady regimen of exercise and stretching to slim down as much as possible by then.
Of course, not everyone does such a thorough job of planning ahead. “I go on a diet for a week,” was the strategy of one 28-year-old.
Realistically, if it only takes you a week to get into bikini shape, you probably didn’t really have much of a problem to begin with. Still, every little bit helps, a sentiment best expressed by the 25-year-old whose plan is “I don’t eat anything right before I put on my swimsuit.”
But how you look in swimwear isn’t just a function of your body fat percentage. Ordinarily Japan isn’t big on exposed midriffs, and the weather gets chilly enough that during long stretches of the year you’re unlikely to go out in fashions that show much of your legs or arms either. It’s natural to get a little lax on hair removal during the colder months leading up to summer, so several women said they take a trip to one of the country’s numerous hair removal salons (many of which also receive male customers) before hitting the beach for the first time each year.
Of course, all of these tips can be superseded by treating any invitation to get in the water like an offer to do hard drugs and just saying no…
A few respondents said they flat-out refuse to wear a swimsuit under any circumstances. “Not gonna happen,” said one 25-year-old, who was backed up by a 36 year-old respondent who firmly stated “I absolutely refuse to wear a swimsuit.”
Harsh words for any guy who wants to see the girl he likes in a bikini; a group also known as “all men.” If a girl responds with this, the best hope for Operation Date with a Girl in Cute Summertime Clothes is to go with Plan B.
