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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

439 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:
Foggydaze · Today 06:56

I don’t ask my hubby anything. I expect him to tell me if something doesn’t look right. This is exactly what your husband did & you are on unhappy with a fact. As you stated the bikini was to tight/small. Simply purchase a new bikini.

your husband probably feels damned if I do damned if I don’t.

BeKindPearlBiscuit · Today 07:58

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Nowthatshuge · Today 08:12

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What a disgusting comment. If anyone is sat round a pool on holiday, or in any other scenario for that matter, commenting on someone else’s appearance then they need to question why their one lives are so sad, bitter and shallow that they spend a minute doing this.
everyone is so brain washed about size, we’re all different shapes and sizes and maybe most importantly it’s nobody’s business what someone else looks like, it has zero affect on anyone else’s life!!

Tiredhotmess · Today 08:41

I don't think you are being unreasonable for being upset at the comment, but you are being unreasonable for blaming your DH for being honest with you. I don't believe he was intentionally cruel. You say he made a funny face, which was probably involuntary, and then you pushed him to say what he thought...so he did. He didn't actually say you were fat, he just said the bikini was too tight and didn't look good on you.

I say this gently OP, and as someone who has also suffered with body image issues over the years, but i think you are projecting you're own feelings of insecurity and low self esteem onto your DH. You are aware that you're overweight, but have you actually done anything to tackle the issue? Perhaps use this incident to kick start you into doing something about it. Explain to your DH that your weight is really getting you down and you would welcome his help and support in trying to lose it.

PoppyGalore1 · Today 08:58

Wear the bikini! You’re so young, and you’ll look back wishing you hadn’t been so hard on yourself. Think about who you’re really wearing it for? Yourself. The truth is that most people won’t even notice, and those who do won’t remember it. Life’s too short!

Crazykatie · Today 09:11

You are being too sensitive and hubby hasn't learned not to make comments like that.
Like many of us I cant wear a bikini, too many rolls so it's a full swimsuit in the water and a sarong out, all I do is make the best of what Ive got. Rarely mine does comment, because Ive got it badly wrong, otherwise he says how nice I look.

TheUsernameChecksOut · Today 09:24

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?

The moment you asked, he was in a lose-lose situation.

Tell you the honest view, you punish him.

Tell you a lie, you find out from someone else, then punish him.

One was immediate, the other is delayed.

Aluna · Today 10:15

Ultimately you’re upset about being overweight and that’s not his fault. I think he was reasonably tactful.

YourTwinklyduck · Today 10:19

If your weight is the issue as you say, tackle this, it will need addressing. .MyFitnesspal is good, can log your intake. No subscription needed.

CoolCritic · Today 11:04

Stop eating crap, go to the gym, or run/walk - get fitter and you will get your confidence back! Stop making excuses and feeling sorry for yourself! Late 20s is the age where you can make impossible possible, not clinging to silly excuses; Kudos to your husband for being honest! Surprised that he still tolerates someone who is so unreasonable and lack of respect to maintain her physics and character

Dalston · Today 12:14

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?

Surely you tried the bikini on before you packed it to go away? You say you’ve gained weight, well don’t we all. It’s not about whether you look good in a bikini it’s whether your old bikini still fitted you. I always size up when buying swimwear because I don’t like anything digging in me especially around my hips. I think the issue is that you already feel negatively about your body size. There isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t know what that’s like. But I wonder if DH has made comments in the past about your weight? I wonder what he looks like, got a perfect 6 pack has he? I doubt it. Don’t tie your weight to your worth or your self esteem or let it stop you from doing or wearing anything you like. Do keep an eye on how your DH makes you feel.

Dalston · Today 12:16

Dalston · Today 12:14

Surely you tried the bikini on before you packed it to go away? You say you’ve gained weight, well don’t we all. It’s not about whether you look good in a bikini it’s whether your old bikini still fitted you. I always size up when buying swimwear because I don’t like anything digging in me especially around my hips. I think the issue is that you already feel negatively about your body size. There isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t know what that’s like. But I wonder if DH has made comments in the past about your weight? I wonder what he looks like, got a perfect 6 pack has he? I doubt it. Don’t tie your weight to your worth or your self esteem or let it stop you from doing or wearing anything you like. Do keep an eye on how your DH makes you feel.

Edited

Sorry not BF DH 🤦‍♀️

Dalston · Today 12:22

CoolCritic · Today 11:04

Stop eating crap, go to the gym, or run/walk - get fitter and you will get your confidence back! Stop making excuses and feeling sorry for yourself! Late 20s is the age where you can make impossible possible, not clinging to silly excuses; Kudos to your husband for being honest! Surprised that he still tolerates someone who is so unreasonable and lack of respect to maintain her physics and character

Oh wow 😮 what do you think you’re doing? Do you think speaking to people like that is going to make them take up a health and fitness regime? Shame on you for shaming another woman.

Notonthestairs · Today 12:34

Dalston · Today 12:22

Oh wow 😮 what do you think you’re doing? Do you think speaking to people like that is going to make them take up a health and fitness regime? Shame on you for shaming another woman.

They posted to get a reaction, they don't understand the difference between 'physics' & 'physique', and needed to name change to post at all. Ignore.

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