New Look has defended a range of padded bikinis for girls as young as 9, after facing accusations that it had 'sexualised' children.
It comes after a photo of the bikini set. shared by an 'angry and baffled' mum, was retweeted by 'feminist campaign group' Object, reported The Mirror.
"It's hard enough shopping for my daughters in New Look with the insistence on all the tops being cropped but, PADDED BIKINI BRAS?!" tweeted Vicky Snowdon.
"Padded bikinis for 9 year olds. Really?"
"I was so angry and just baffled at the same time.," added Vicky. "Just why? I complained about it to the girl on the till but she didn't get it and it's not her fault. I only shopped in New Look because I had a voucher. Just awful."
The tweet was shared by 'feminist campaign group' Object, who said: "Stop sexualizing children New Look. It's wrong and damaging.
"Take them away. We OBJECT."
Commenting on Object's tweet, Louise Hersee said: "Girls just don’t stand a chance of a childhood do they?
However, other mums have defended the bikini. Commenting on a FB post by Wales Online, one said: "For goodness sake why is it these days that everyone has to conform to one opinion.
"If a child is self conscious of her developing body and feels happier with a padded garment then why does she have to go without that because its been withdrawn from sale because in the opinion of someone else it is not age appropriate. If you like it buy it if you don't just keep walking til you get to the garment you would like to purchase."
Another said: "I was a B cup by 11. The padding is for modesty! Without it, growing girls who maybe don’t like it, are more in show!
"I don’t agree with some of the fashions and don’t agree with some of the swimsuits for children. But the light padding is there for a reason."
A spokesperson for New Look said : “The bikinis in the New Look 915 range are designed with shaped foam cups to offer structure to the garment and to provide modesty for the wearer.
"This type of swimwear is widely available from other brands on the high street.
"We always listen to our customers and comply with all the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Responsible Retailing guidelines to create products that are age appropriate and best suit their needs.”
