Bottom line

A proposed ban on the bikini bottom, while well-intentioned, would never work here

The Gold Coast and bikinis go hand-in-hand. It’s not just because of our giant, sun-kissed beaches and enviable lifestyle. The Gold Coast was, of course, the place where Paula Stafford designed and helped popularise the bikini back in the 1940s and, through to the present, they remain inexorably linked.

So it was with some surprise that Ian Grace, founder and president of local charity Youth Music Venture is campaigning to bring an end to the beach bum era.

Mr Grace – a finalist in the 2023 Gold Coast Australian of the Year Local Hero category and 2022 Gold Coast Volunteer of the Year – has written to Mayor Tom Tate to demand changes after encountering a woman at a function wearing a risque outfit which he described as “the tiniest triangle in front and was as close to naked as anyone could be.”

“You could see she was looking almost defiantly at people as they approached, almost daring them to say something. There’s something very wrong here,” he said.

“Bare bums can be seen to be every bit as erotic if not more so, than women’s bare breasts – so would it not make sense they are banned identically? If not banned at the beach, very definitely banned the moment they are off the beach.

“This certainly should not be allowed in public pools or theme/ water parks which are very much more family orientated. Young kids don’t need to see women’s bums.”

The Mayor has understandably poured cold water on the idea.

It’s clear Mr Grace’s views on the matter are well-intentioned and come from a good place, are community focused and are made in good-faith.

There’s certainly an argument to be had around social decorum and whether people should put greater thought into what they’re wearing in public.

Bikinis are great on the beach, the pool or lounging around in the heat. Less so at functions.

But it’s unrealistic to hope that anyone would have the power to either ban the bikini bottom or have the resources available to police it.

Bikinis aren’t going anywhere but that doesn’t mean they should be worn everywhere.

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