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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH's comment about my bikini has really knocked my confidence

343 replies

jessywxo · 05/08/2026 19:24

We're on holiday at the moment and this happened yesterday before we went down to the pool.

I'm late 20s and I've put on quite a lot of weight over the last few years and I'm not pretending otherwise. I don't look the same as I did a few years ago and when I met DH and I'm aware my body has changed.

I've sometimes struggled with my confidence because of it, especially when it comes to things like swimwear but I decided before this holiday that I didn't want to spend the whole time worrying about how I looked.

I brought a bikini that I've had for a while that I always loved and felt good in. It's definitely tighter than it used to be, but I didn't think it looked terrible. I felt comfortable in it and I actually looked in the mirror and thought I looked okay, which can be quite rare.

I came out of the bathroom ready to go and I saw DH give me a funny look.
I asked him what was wrong and he said "Nothing", but I said "No, what is it?"
Eventually he said, "I was just surprised you were wearing that bikini."

I asked him what he meant and he said that he thought it looked too tight and that they were digging in on me. He said he wasn't trying to be horrible, but he was only saying it because he'd rather I knew than walked around the pool feeling uncomfortable or looking silly.

I know he probably wasn't trying to hurt me, but it really upset me. I hadn't asked him what he thought. I wasn't standing there asking if the bikini suited me or if it still fitted, I was just ready to go.

Until then I actually felt quite good about myself. After he said it, I felt really self-conscious and ended up changing into a swimsuit because I didn't feel comfortable wearing the bikini anymore.

I spent the rest of the day feeling rubbish, which annoyed me because my weight and how I look is already something that bothers me and I was trying to make an effort to avoid that..

Last night I told him that his comment had upset me. He said he didn't understand why I was making such a big deal out of it because he hadn't said it to be mean or nasty. He said if he was wearing something that didn't fit properly, he'd want me to tell him. I said I would if he asked me, but I wouldn't just look at him and point something out that I knew would surely make him feel bad.

He's very 'black and white' sometimes and his view seems to be that couples should be honest with each other even if its not nice to hear. I think there are some things you don't need to say unless someone actually asks.

For balance and to be fair to him, he is normally a good husband and I don't think he was trying to be mean/cruel. I just don't know if I'm overreacting, or whether he should have kept that thought to himself in the moment

AIBU to be so upset over this?

OP posts:
Newsenmum · 05/08/2026 20:00

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:33

Surely if it was too tight, you would've just changed by yourself? The comment does seem to be a bit mean and unnecessary to me. It's also disappointing that he can't just say sorry about hurting your feelings instead of trying to minimise them.

This. Youre not so stupid you wouldnt realise it’s uncomfortable. 🙄 He made a mistake to comment and should be apologising.

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:59

Piccly · 05/08/2026 19:55

Hmm. How much leeway is there usually in a bikini?

I used to work with someone who believed she was a size 10 because she could squeeze into 10 clothes. It would have been a kindness if someone had told her the truth.

It doesn't sound like OP was actually squeezing in to it though. She was comfortable and happy with how she looked which is ultimately all that should matter.

OhThePotential · 05/08/2026 19:59

I can see why you’re smarting but I don’t think your DH meant to insult you - If you know you’ve gained quite a bit of weight you probably should have bought new swimwear that actually fit instead of wearing a bikini that you felt good in at what, two? sizes smaller and deciding to ignore the issue.

It sounds to me as if the bikini really did look too small and you need to first buy nice new clothes that fit you now (and then think about losing the weight if its making you feel rubbish).

ChampagneLassie · 05/08/2026 19:57

I’m team DH here, he’s got your back and he’s trying to stop you wearing something in public that clearly doesn’t fit you anymore. You’d prefer he didn’t say something and you look ridiculous?

Culpeper · 05/08/2026 19:56

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:47

Rubbish. Good grief no wonder men continue to body shame women when it appears there are plenty of other women ready to enable them. Disgusted at some of the responses here. The op felt comfortable in it and though it looked good so that is the only opinion worth anything.

Nonsense. If my husband gained weight and something no looked good on him, I’d tell him. I’d expect him to do the same and be grateful for the honesty.

Tunnocks34 · 05/08/2026 19:56

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:45

Again it obviously wasn’t if the op felt comfortable in it. It’s not for anyone else to make that judgement for her and certainly not anyone on the internet who have no way of knowing what it looked like on anyway.

No. The OP states she had it a while, she has put on weight, and it was tighter than it used to be.

It’s great she felt comfortable in it. If she wants to wear it then absolutely she should, and she should tell her boyfriend that she feels good in the bikini and didn’t appreciate his comments. And continue to wear it.

But it is disingenuous to say that because she’s comfortable in it fits. And a partner who has seen her in the bikini when she was smaller, and presumably when the bikini fit as intended is going to notice too.

toomanycoffeecups · 05/08/2026 19:56

You are being a bit daft. Would you really prefer your husband told you only what you wanted to hear - if if it’s patently untrue ? To take things to an extreme - imagine you had stepped out in an outfit that is obviously 3 sizes too small but could still squeeze into it . Would you rather he said ‘you look great darling’ when obviously you don’t ? and then subject yourself to public sniggering ?

I’m all for enjoying who you are from size 6-30 but the clothes need to fit. !

I don’t know about anyone else - but there are only two people’s opinions that have any value to me when it comes to clothes . First it’s me and second is DH.. If I like it - that’s good. If he likes it too it’s a winner . The same for him. Conversely if he likes something but I don’t. - then it’s a loser . He told you the truth . from his perspective.

This is of course assuming that he is not a controlling arsehole who as done a number on you for going from an emaciated size 6 to a 10 ! (but it still needs to fit !)

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:56

emuloc · 05/08/2026 19:52

That is not a given though, I have seen plenty of Women, and Men wearing clothes that are way too tight.

OP said that she felt comfortable in it. It also isn't a given that DH's comment was correct just because he said it.

Ghostiescotchie · 05/08/2026 19:55

It’s one of those no win situations for him. He’s honest and he loses, he’s not honest and you could be walking around in something that’s too tight?

I mean it’s subjective. As a larger lady who has been slimmer I don’t think I look good in a bikini anymore. I genuinely don’t like seeing really overweight people wearing bikinis or crop tops I think it looks ghastly but that’s my own negative opinion. I respect people who have the body confidence to not care but personally I don’t enjoy looking at that.

Piccly · 05/08/2026 19:55

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:50

Tighter than it used to be doesn't necessarily mean too tight. If it was too tight then surely OP would've been uncomfortable and changed anyway?

Hmm. How much leeway is there usually in a bikini?

I used to work with someone who believed she was a size 10 because she could squeeze into 10 clothes. It would have been a kindness if someone had told her the truth.

TheOriginalEmu · 05/08/2026 19:55

The thing is OP, when you asked him what was wrong and he said nothing, you then pushed it so he told you. You can’t push for an answer and also be upset at the answer not being what you want to hear.
And i get it i would also be upset if it was me, but i can also see that he didn’t actually want to say anything.
The trouble is your confidence is low and that means anything he said was going to knock you. If you were feeling confident in yourself then his comment wouldn’t have bothered you so much. i don’t think either of you are wrong or unreasonable, it’s just a hard topic when you’re already feeling a bit crap. so i have no answers but lots of empathy. ❤️

beeautifullif3 · 05/08/2026 19:54

Maybe buy clothes that actually fit you 🤷‍♀️

SixAndJuliet · 05/08/2026 19:53

He didn’t do anything wrong.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 05/08/2026 19:53

Who cares if a bikini is slightly too tight, I’m sure you looked great. His comment was unnecessary.

emuloc · 05/08/2026 19:52

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:50

Tighter than it used to be doesn't necessarily mean too tight. If it was too tight then surely OP would've been uncomfortable and changed anyway?

That is not a given though, I have seen plenty of Women, and Men wearing clothes that are way too tight.

Livelovelaughfuckoff · 05/08/2026 19:52

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:45

Again it obviously wasn’t if the op felt comfortable in it. It’s not for anyone else to make that judgement for her and certainly not anyone on the internet who have no way of knowing what it looked like on anyway.

Of the OP genuinely felt comfortable then I doubt the comment would have had so much impact. She said herself it was tighter and he just said the same thing really.

I think in honesty plenty of people wear ill fitting clothes that are tighter than they think. He didn’t say I'm surprised you are wearing A bikini just that particular one. My friend is a good size 16/18 but rocks a bikini so it’s not really about size/body shape it’s just about wearing well fitted clothes.

NeedAnyHelpWithThatPaperBag · 05/08/2026 19:51

He could have asked "Do you want the truth or shall I lie"? 😘

dottiedodah · 05/08/2026 19:50

To be fair to him .I think he was being honest really.If things are too tight its not really a good look.Maybe treat yourself to a new one while on hols?

SouthLondonMum22 · 05/08/2026 19:50

Jellybunny98 · 05/08/2026 19:48

Right there in the OP- “It's definitely tighter than it used to be”.

OP knows it was too tight, he made the same observation.

He hasn’t said anything nasty here, just factual.

Tighter than it used to be doesn't necessarily mean too tight. If it was too tight then surely OP would've been uncomfortable and changed anyway?

Kimmers4334 · 05/08/2026 19:49

Sherararara · 05/08/2026 19:39

Why should he apologise when the issue is OP having an unreasonable response to his comment? He hasn’t done any wrong and plenty of people value a partner having an honest opinion, me included. If I look bad in something I expect him to tell me and vice versa. The issue here is OP sensitivity.

Lots of people are sensitive about their weight, I don’t think the OP is having an unreasonable response by telling her husband she was upset by his comment about something she’s self conscious about. Different if it was hairstyle or lipstick or something she could change in the moment, but she was feeling good, trying to be confident and he said she looked silly. Everyone is different I guess in how honest they want their partner to be but I sympathise with OP

ApplePieCinamon · 05/08/2026 19:49

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:47

Rubbish. Good grief no wonder men continue to body shame women when it appears there are plenty of other women ready to enable them. Disgusted at some of the responses here. The op felt comfortable in it and though it looked good so that is the only opinion worth anything.

But that’s her opinion and he has his own. I also have my opinions on dh at times and tell him.

ScribblingPixie · 05/08/2026 19:48

I have always said to my DH to please tell me if I'm wearing something that looks bad. I'd so much prefer that to people judging me. It sounds like he wasn't critisising, but was on your side.

Jellybunny98 · 05/08/2026 19:48

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:45

Again it obviously wasn’t if the op felt comfortable in it. It’s not for anyone else to make that judgement for her and certainly not anyone on the internet who have no way of knowing what it looked like on anyway.

Right there in the OP- “It's definitely tighter than it used to be”.

OP knows it was too tight, he made the same observation.

He hasn’t said anything nasty here, just factual.

ApplePieCinamon · 05/08/2026 19:47

Twinkylightsg · 05/08/2026 19:43

I don't get it. You said yourself it felt tighter. He said it looked tight.

🤷‍♀️

I would definitely want dh to tell me as well rather than me walking around like a fool. If you also said that it was tight then he wasn’t making it up.
Funny enough I also put on my costume this year and it felt tighter, I also put on a little weight. Asked dh and he told me. I don’t see what the big deal is. I’ve also told him when something doesn’t look good on him.

buffyajp · 05/08/2026 19:47

Sherararara · 05/08/2026 19:39

Why should he apologise when the issue is OP having an unreasonable response to his comment? He hasn’t done any wrong and plenty of people value a partner having an honest opinion, me included. If I look bad in something I expect him to tell me and vice versa. The issue here is OP sensitivity.

Rubbish. Good grief no wonder men continue to body shame women when it appears there are plenty of other women ready to enable them. Disgusted at some of the responses here. The op felt comfortable in it and though it looked good so that is the only opinion worth anything.

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