How fat is too fat for a bikini?

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

I am size 16 and have a hefty wobbly belly. I would never dream of wearing a bikini ordinarily and don't think I've even owned one since I was 12.

But we are going on hol somewhere very hot, very other-side-of-the-world next week, it will be quiet and relaxing . I'm starting to think all my carefully panelled, tasteful retro 50s one-pieces might be a bit hot?

Or shall I just think 'fuck it'?!

[Butterbur]

There is NO too fat for a bikini. Fuck it is the right attitude. There is no reason why women who are not sticks should hide away.

[MrsSeanBean]

I would go for it. I sympathise re wobbly belly. However, if I was going somewhere hot / quiet / non -poseur like then I might go for a high waisted style (bit of holding in capability). I am size 12 but old and non confident. I've also thought about tankinis in the past but then worried that they might just expose the worst and hide the better areas - e.g. waist. HTH. Hope you have a wonderful holiday whatever, just enjoy and don't worry too much about what you wear :)

[VivaLeBeaver]

After going to Egypt last year I would say if you're a 16 you will not be the biggest person in a bikini. There were women I would estimate who were a size 20 in bikinis.

Agree that you should think fuck it and wear one. As long as you won't be so worried about how you look that you can't relax. Have a good time.

[MarmadukeMarmalade]

Wear one!! relax and enjoy yourself. I've noticed that when I'm on holiday all other nationalities of all shapes and sizes seem to wear a bikini and it's only the Brits that are in the one-pieces!! One word of caution, though, make sure you put a high factor sunscreen on all over the areas that have never seen the sun! like your tummy, I found this out at easter - a badly burnt tummy is no fun

[Rosemallow]

Fuck it is exactly the right attitude, as long as you won't feel self conscious.
I wore a bikini on holiday during both pregnancies and 2 and 3 months after having both my DC. I had definitely not lost all my baby weight and have stretch marks on my tummy too (although they have faded and you can't really see them).
I was very vain slim and toned before DC but I think I look just fine now, despite the extra weight and baby wear and tear!
I guarantee you'll look better than you think and there'll be many women much bigger than you. (make sure you get a nice supportive well fitting one and you'll feel great)

[overmydeadbody]

I'd say fuck it and just wear one.

I don't see why size should matter really, as long as you are confident and comfortable, you're on a beach.

I love the beaches in Europe full of elderly, sometimes very large women sunbathing topless.

Just wear sunscreen ouch

[ggirl]

just wear a bikini
not a string one tho
one piece doesn't hide anything anywya so you may as well enjoy it

[CointreauVersial]

It's a myth that people look slimmer in a one-piece swimsuit - they just look as if they're trying to hide.

Go with the bikini, but arm yourself with a nice beach kaftan or a sarong for walking about.

[Lizzylou]

I wore a bikini for the first time post-dc last year, honestly I needn't have worried, all shapes and sizes in bikinis.
The only time you'd ever notice someone is if people shuffle off and try and hide and don't hold themselves well, y'know all obviously self-conscious. Get a good, well fitting one/a couple and hold your head high.

[MissKittyEliza]

Wear a bikini. Fake tan will enhance the wobbly bits...... Paint your toe nails.... Big glasses.......kaftan style beach wrap. Done.

Enjoy!

[lubeybooby]

What cointreauversial said

I was very happy in one at size 16 and always think one piece swimsuits or tankinis just make it worse

[cheesesarnie]

as someone who wouldnt wear one on a recent holiday because i felt i looked like an ironing board pretending to be a woman,id say go for it!

enjoy your holiday!!!

[AtYourCervix]

so where might a large person find large bottoms suitable for a large bottom? i've just been having a looksy and couldn't find any.

[Himalaya]

Go for it. Tankinis are the work of the devil.

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

ooo thanks! Am usually quite confident and I wear clothes that I know are well-fitting and that suit me, but I've always had this thing about bathing suits.

Agree with AtYourCervix - been looking for comfy well-fitting bikinis on line today but haven't had much luck. I want some bottoms that cover my c-section overhang and that won't roll down everytime I sit down/stand up/breathe, and a top that will contain support my norks nicely.

Been laughing at Geri Halliwell's collection on the next website. Sturdy looking halternecks for large boobage and then tiny frilly bottoms the size of an atom. They are like cossies for lady-boys.

[dreamingbohemian]

Just think about all those big pot-bellied men in tiny speedos on the European beaches. Fuck it indeed!

Are tankinis really that bad? I was thinking about getting one, I have lost most of my baby weight but still have a wobbly tummy so thought it might be a good idea...no?

[Insomnia11]

I had two operations as a kid which left me with scars on my tummy (which I still have, visible but faded) so I never had 'the perfect tummy' from age 7. I didn't wear a bikini until my late teens when all my friends were wearing them on a girls holiday when I thought "Feck it, I'm hardly an eyesore!" I was about a size 12-14 then but the biggest among my friends who were all skinny and tall.

That's the attitude I have had since then - I've looked pretty hot (if I say so myself) in my twenties when I did loads of exercise and was a very slim and toned size 8 (I had an Ursula Andress style white bikini and a gold one of all things to flaunt myself) to now when I'm a size 14 and a bit more 'sturdy' - or curvy, depending on how you look at it.

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

Trouble with tankinis is that they don't really hide your tummy, unless thay are extra long and either have a kind of gathered front or have tummy panels, and you then may as well wear a one-piece. Most tankinis finish just above the problem area as if to cruelly highlight it. I used to think tankinis were the answer. I learned that they are not.

[Insomnia11]

I think tankinis are great if they fit well. Easier to go to the loo in than a one piece too. I had a maternity one from Debenhams which was brilliant.

[dreamingbohemian]

ahhhh thanks, I think I see what you mean!

[MumblingRagDoll]

My DH says ALL women look great in bikinis..inluding me at size 14.

[MumblingRagDoll]

[disclaimer] My DH is like that song...in that he just loves the female form..."I like dem small girls, I like dem tall girls, I like them black girls I like dem white girls" and so on. Basically he loves women.

[brambleschooks]

I've bought my swimwear from bravissimo, got a nicely fitting one piece and a bikini with correct bra size and big knickers - could have chosen fishing twine type but am realistic!

[noddyholder]

No one is too fat for one. It is beach wear and its purpose is swimming and sunning and those are not the preserve of the thin. Take a look at european women age size shape irrelevant but all appropriately dressed for the beach. Only brits hide under t shirts and sarongs and look uncomfortable.