Modesty: Inside or Out?

       Today, I swam laps in a two-piece swim suit.  Not one of those two-piece swimsuits that meets in the middle and from far away you would mistake for a regular bathing suit, a real, honest-to-goodness, two-piece swimsuit.  Now I know that may not seem like a big deal, but it's a first for me.  And no, it's not because I'm so fat or self-conscious that I never wore one before.  It's just that in my family I was raised to believe that bikinis are immodest and two-piece swimsuits should be avoided at all costs.
       I didn't wake up this morning and decide to be rebellious and do things my own way. It was much less dramatic than that.  It happened like this:
       I got out of my first test of the semester at 9 o'clock this morning and felt like swimming, but when I got to the pool and looked in my cubby I realized that I had taken all my swimsuits home except for my bright red, two-piece, life guard suit.  However, I really wanted to swim.  The test hadn't gone well and I was tired, disappointed, and pretty stressed out.  So, I bit the bullet and wore it.
       I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this.  I mean, I do know how I feel about it in the physical sense.  I liked it.  There was something nice about the way the water rushed across my bare skin, but as far as moral implications go?  I'm torn.  I didn't really feel all that immodest in it and only slightly more self conscious than I do in my normal Speedo swimsuit.
       I've always adhered to the rather old-fashioned Christian notion that skin (especially on girls)  should remain covered (especially when in swim wear).  I used to wear surf shorts and a rash guard whenever I went swimming in obedience to my parents' wishes, but I've begun to doubt the reasoning behind it.  After all, guys will be guys.  They'll check you out whether you're walking into class fully (and modestly) clothed, in a one piece swimming laps, or sunbathing at the beach in a bikini.
       Does it really make that much difference whether or not you have a piece of tightly fitted fabric stretched across your midsection?  I'm not sure, but it seems to me that much of the modesty that should be sought after comes more from a girl's attitude than her clothing.  Of course, there are some outfits that are knowingly provocative and rather inappropriate.  Some who would argue that any and all bikinis fall into that category, but there are people who would say the same thing about my Speedo.
       So what's the answer?  I have no idea.  I do know that I'm seriously considering buying  a bikini and wearing it to the beach.  I also am pretty sure my parents will be less than pleased to hear that.  We shall see.