Have you ever seen a facekini? You’re sure to remember as this bizarre fashion trend isn’t dying but gaining more popularity on Chinese beaches this summer.
Summer in China has seen temperatures soar to 30 degrees Celsius, prompting residents to seek out the beach. However, it’s not the sheer number of people who swarm China’s beaches (one beach recorded over 20,000 people) but swimmers sporting the infamous “face-kini” (face bikini), which shields the wearer’s face from UV rays.
While us outsiders may find it extremely bizarre, most older women in Qingdao don’t think twice about donning the serial-killer-esque masks in order to protect their fair skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
Many netizens on Weibo have grown accustomed to the sight of these “face-kinis”, but are more concerned with the crowds than the heat:
“Look at how dirty the beach is! I would prefer my bathroom to this public beach!” one wrote.
“You call 30 degrees Celsius hot? How about 40 degrees in Xi’an?” another chimed in.
Last year, one designer introduced a revamped version of these weird swimsuits for Chinese women over 45 years old.