I wore a bikini for the first time in 7 years yesterday

[SexNamesRFab]

My tummy was all but destroyed in the process of having DD2 (5yo). Old ladies crinkled front bum is the phrase that comes to mind.

Over the last few months I've been having some kind if MLC whereby I'm really loving shopping and getting back into fashion, but also starting to fret about being an old hag (40 next yr). I've been swimming and running every week since spring, but it's not made a huge amount of difference.

After reading all the threads on here about bikinis vs one pieces, I wanted to go to treat myself to a really well cut bikini before we came away. Didn't quite have the nerve. Got here, France is having a heatwave and I feel like a modest Victorian bather in my tankini. Ended up hunting down bikinis in the supermarket and wore one by the pool for the first time yesterday. That's it, the sky didn't fall in and no one fled the campsite screaming. DDs said I looked lovely and DH.. well, you don't want to know. I still have horrible saggy stretch marks that make me want to cry... But so do lots of other women my age and they don't seem so horrified at letting them see the light of day.

[Thefitfatty]

Good job!!!! I'm sure you looked fab!

Best thing about letting those stretch marks see the light of day is that a good tan makes them fade. ;)

[43andcounting]

yay!!! well done you!

I bet you looked great :-)

enjoy the rest of your holiday!!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I'm glad you found the confidence to wear your bikini.
I tend to get anxious about how I look. I think we can obsess about our flaws and they can become magnified in our heads until we think that is all others will notice, if that makes sense! In reality, most people will notice your hair colour, whether you are smiling, that sort of thing, or they're so busy getting on with their life (or worrying about their own imperfections) to scrutinise your figure.
Enjoy your holiday .

[Branleuse]

I hate covering up in the sunshine, and I love bikinis. Good for you x

[RedMapleLeaf]

and DH.. well, you don't want to know.

I do! I hope it was a, er, positive reaction!

[QueenofLouisiana]

I'm in the French heatwave and also in my bikini- 2nd time in 11 years- the first was at Christmas in Tenerife. I've lived in mine for the last 3 weeks pretty much, complete waste of my carefully planned and organised capsule wardrobe!

My tummy has an overhang, I wear a high waist style. No-one has gasped in horror, children haven't pointed and stared. It's all good.

[AmberGreyson]

i forgot about bikini :(

[ItGoesWithoutSaying]

Well done. Did the same in Spain a few years back. Took a one piece and a bikini not being sure if I'd have the courage to wear the bikini. I noticed that no-one under 70 appeared to be wearing a one-piece and that there were many women with worse bodies than mine in skimpier bikinis than mine. The one piece was only worn once.

Since then I just take a selection of bikinis and (as you say) the sky does not fall in.

[Summer23]

Well done! Yes we all need to be braver. The kids don't care what we look like and what about all the fat men! Bet they don't think twice before putting on the speedos

[SexNamesRFab]

Thanks for your lovely replies - it felt like an epic moment! For some stupid reason, I'd never thought that the sun might help fade them fitfatty

[Summer23]

A brown tummy always looks better too!

[Archfarchnad]

Well done, it's a real 'ohhhh' moment of liberation to realise that the majority of women in bikinis on the beaches of Spain and France aren't slender, toned 20-year-olds, but rather all ages and sizes – and nobody gives a toss. It's really too hot for a one-piece.