A mother has expressed outrage after discovering a children's swimsuit from fast-fashion giant Shein featuring built-in padded breast cups. Kayleigh Shore, from Manchester, stumbled upon the garment while browsing a charity shop with her seven-year-old daughter, Penny. The swimsuit, labelled for age eight, contained structured padding in the chest area, which she believes is inappropriate for young girls.
Petition Launched
Kayleigh has since started an online petition urging Shein to remove all padded bra inserts from children's clothing lines and ensure their ranges are age-appropriate. The petition has garnered over 25,000 signatures in just a few days. She stated, 'Whoever designed this garment looked at a child's body and decided it needed shaping, padding, adult contours. My daughter is seven years old. She doesn't need a padded bra, no child does.'
Body Image Concerns
Kayleigh argues that such items send a dangerous message to young girls that their natural flat chests need to be hidden or altered. She noted that while modesty is important, it can be achieved with thicker fabric rather than padded cups. Body image campaigner Molly Forbes, of The Body Happy Organisation, supported the campaign, highlighting that children as young as three absorb negative body messaging. She said, 'More than half of children and young people feel bad about their body, and this type of clothing only adds to that noise.'
Industry Response
Kayleigh checked other high street retailers like Next, Marks & Spencer, and H&M, and found no similar products in their tween ranges. She is calling on Shein to follow suit. A Shein spokesperson defended the design, stating that padding in children's swimwear can offer an extra layer of modesty and comfort, but added that they would review feedback and take action if listings do not meet standards. They encouraged customers to report concerning items.
Kayleigh, a specialist in kids' sustainable fashion, hopes the petition will pressure Shein to adopt more positive body image messaging. She concluded, 'Every name on this petition tells Shein that parents are watching, and we will not let this pass quietly.'
