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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am i too fat to wear a bikini?

198 replies

Sammyfifi · 05/08/2016 00:44

Hi im new to this so here it goes ...
I go on holiday soon and im no slim Jim i weigh 17st and a size 18 and i don't know weather to wear a bikini or not would any body else if u was my size and weight or do u think i would just get laughed at ? My partner has told me to stick my finger up at people that look at me in disgust i just don't know wot to do 😯

OP posts:
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Thefitfatty · 07/08/2016 08:37

Wore my lovely bikini with my size 16 arse and 14 top on my holidays last week. Felt great. Love getting a tan on my stomach. Honestly I judge women who look honestly uncomfortable by the pool, swaddled in fabric, and wonder why they don't just relax.

TheOddity · 07/08/2016 09:24

I agree. Loads of sarongs and tankinis just scream 'lacks body confidence' to me. Anyone who wears a bikini nonchalantly looks fab!!

SanityClause · 07/08/2016 09:25

In a word, no.

Go for it!

unlucky83 · 07/08/2016 12:03

Theoddity I wear sarongs and cover ups in hot countries. Nothing to do with body confidence. I have pale skin and even with factor 50 will burn. So I am one of those odd people that cover up and come home a shade more tanned than went away...

Lweji · 07/08/2016 12:08

The only people I wouldn't recommend a bikini to are men, although some could benefit from some boob cover. Wink
In many holiday places nobody bats an eyelid even if you go topless.

SatsukiKusakabe · 07/08/2016 12:26

Wear it. Think of yourself in 20 years, you'll wish you'd have just gone for it.

SatsukiKusakabe · 07/08/2016 12:29

I mean the perspective of being older, obv you can still wear a bikini then, too Blush Grin

I felt self conscious this year, but I look back at when I had a 'better' body ten years ago and used to cover up, and am pissed off with myself. My dh pointed out I would feel the same about now in ten years and it gave me the confidence to go for it.

DerelictMyBalls · 07/08/2016 12:36

I'm a size 16/18 and look fabulous in a bikini. I hope you have a lovely holiday.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 07/08/2016 12:52

Yes it's all very well saying put up a finger up at people who look at you in disgust and. I'm in total agreement, but. You've got to be 110% confident wearing the bikini otherwise you can put as many fingers up as you want, but you won't feel comfortable.
But If you're happy. Good for you. I think it's marvelous that no matter your shape.

GarlicMistake · 07/08/2016 12:59

Taking a bit of a guess at where Boca lives, and nodding vigorously to what she says about confidence on the beach and British reticence ... These are all Brazilian celebs on beaches in Rio :)

aintnothinbutagstring · 07/08/2016 13:02

You'll probably see women of all shapes in bikinis where you're going. Especially some places in europe, have nowhere near the level of body shame over here. We were in Spain, and i saw lots of overweight women going topless, let alone worrying how theyd be seen in a bikini. Get a good tan (real or fake) and you'll have more confidence, a pretty sarong too for when you want to coverup.

SteviebunsBottrittrundle · 07/08/2016 13:06

Of course you can wear a bikini! The really revealing ones look a bit horrible on anyone IMHO , but there are some very nice ones about. I have seen plus size models who are a bigger size than the op looking amazing in them too.

Farmmummy · 07/08/2016 13:11

I'm a size 10 (not toned) but fine with my tum but seem to have a "back like an Amazon" (thank you DM for that description) for some weird reason with no boobs so a bikini top is nigh on impossible as they seem to think you have to have big boobs to have a 38 back. I also have a weird roll on my thigh no matter how skinny I get it never goes away so swim dress all the way bikinis fill me with dread! I'm definitely one of these people who only looks good in clothes!

minatiae · 07/08/2016 17:59

loads of lovely bikinis available for plus size and I've never seen a woman in one who didn't look great, go for it!

morningtoncrescent62 · 07/08/2016 18:09

Great advice from your partner. Go for it and have a wonderful holiday.

LemurintheSun · 08/08/2016 10:11

I'm a slightly love-handley size 12, and feel more comfortable in a swimsuit, plus they are better for swimming/body boarding etc. One with a sort of gather panel panel in the front does wonders for my figure. If you want to wear a bikini, of course, do. Totally agree that other people don't care that much. But you may feel happier if you work out what looks best on you. There's lots of good plus-size style advice out there on the internet e.g www.swimoutlet.com/guides/how-to-choose-flattering-plus-size-swimwear

Lweji · 08/08/2016 10:21

I love swimming and diving under waves. With the right fitting top and a non loose bottom, it's perfectly comfortable and safe to wear a bikini.

unlucky83 · 08/08/2016 12:17

Hmmm -on my recent holiday I was enjoying jumping around in the massive waves wearing my swimsuit and realised a boob had popped out Blush...no idea how long it had been loose for but luckily enough I was one of the furthest out so I don't think anyone was close enough to notice.
Actually a bikini may have been better - might have noticed sooner (and I wouldn't have got bits of seaweed that dried in my costume and welded to my tummy...)

Thefitfatty · 08/08/2016 12:26

I do plenty of jumping in waves, snorkling, body boarding. Never had an issue with a bikini. Actually, I prefer them to most of the one pieces I've worn because all those ruffles and rutching designed to hide your wobbles generally weigh me down.

Coxy234 · 08/08/2016 12:32

If you have the confidence - go for it. I'm bigger than I'd like to be but I just don't feel confident in a bikini. I see other women who are bigger than me in bikinis and am quite envious that they are confident enough to wear them as I think they look good.

BettyDraper1 · 08/08/2016 12:43

You'll be fine. I've seen people with figures over a size 18 go completely topless on beaches in the past. I think that's a great attitude. You should enjoy your holiday, enjoy the sun on your skin and I promise that nobody will think ill of you or say anything bad.

But do find a bikini or swimsuit that you feel comfortable in. I'm only an 8-10 but I'm opting for swimsuits more than bikinis these days as they are trendier (and more forgiving).

carefreeeee · 08/08/2016 12:54

On holiday in Italy last year I observed many extremely large older ladies wearing bikinis on the beach. One was even playing volleyball with a young grandchild. They were having a fab time and it was great to see.

This bikini shame is a British thing. Probably because it's so cold that the only people we see in bikinis are models.

Don't worry about what you look like just have a great time!

Hippychickster · 08/08/2016 12:55

I'm on holiday at the moment and everyone is wearing a bikini! No one gives a shit about anyone else as they are too busy thinking of themselves!!! There are all shapes and sizes on the beach. I'm 51 and with my 25 yr old cross fit mad DD and I'm wearing one. I think people look slimmer unclothed! Go for it definitely. You will feel liberated!!

CakeNinja · 08/08/2016 17:03

carefree, I think there's something in this, "because it's so cold that the only people we see in bikinis is models"!

BastardDailyMail · 08/08/2016 18:52

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