to say 'wear the bikini'

[Workyticket]

I'm currently on holiday. I chewed myself silly over what to wear before coming away and skulked down to the pool in a big bather on the first day

I'm a short arsed 16, so probably look bigger than a tall 16

There are gorgeous women of every shape and size strutting their curves in teeny bikinis and, regardless of size, their confidence makes them look amazing!

I'm now in a bikini!

Anyone packing and worrying - please don't, nobody bats an eyelid! 🌞

@nomistake love this! Hope it’s made you feel free!

I hate these threads. They will be triggering for some, live & let live. Don't criticise other people's choices.

Why is it more enjoyable in a bikini though? More places to put cream on, or to burn! I do like separates but am happy in a tankini or one of several nice swimsuits.
If you've been wanting to wear a bikini but felt you couldn't, then absolutely go for it! But I don't see a bikini as a "better" option personally.

I always think this, I get to the beach expecting everyone to look like a supermodel but no one does.

I noticed some women in longer shorts this holiday, and a Muslim woman in full length swim clothes and headscarf. People can wear anything they want

I don't think she was criticising anyone- she said "feels wrong" not "looks wrong"

Every other thread on here could be triggering but the title includes the word bikini for anyone not wanting to see bikini chat

Really, truly, nobody cares what you look like at the beach. Wear what you like. Enjoy the sun sand and the water. When you're 90, you won't look back and regret it. All you'll remember is the sun on your skin.

I believe this, that there will always be a proportion of people who look badly on other people for the way they present their bodies, so weight, clothes' choice, hair and makeup etc. The same way that there are people who look down on anyone for any reason, disability, lack of education etc.
However I believe that they are in a minority and in general people on the beach are more interested in their own lives than other peoples' bodies.

Im quite happy in my tankini with board shorts. I don’t agree that more naked = more body confident so I don’t think we should be saying anything other than a bikini is “unfashionable” or “feels wrong”. I’m a size 10, and so well within conventional beauty standard there for a 50 something year old. Every woman should be able to wear whatever they want without being made to feel bad about it.

Yup no one cares. Im a size 20-22 and going away next month, I will probably take the one swimsuit I own but the rest will be bikinis.

@Workyticket

Three years ago MN had this really inspiring thread where women posted pictures of themselves in bikinis and I was really inspired and bought 2. Now I have a big menopausal stomach which I never used to have that makes me feel self conscious and a bit sick when I look at myself In them. I’d love to not care and I think women should wear what they feel good in but I’m not there yet. ( I’m also pre menstrual so also have to weepy hormones on top of the stomach. Lose/lose 😩). Have a great holiday though and enjoy xx

I spent years when I was small not wearing a bikini and being self conscious. Not any more. Yes there is more of me now but I look kind of okay and that will do.

You never hear of men not wearing swim shorts because of their tummies!

I wore a bikini for the first time last year after a mumsnet thread like this.

The pro's were easier to go for a wee in, easier to change in and out of behind a towel and it dried much quicker than my multilayerd stomach control one piece.

I dont think they look better or worse and find actually swimming better in a one piece.

Quite a few men in my age group though don’t take their shirts off or wear a rash shirt because of their andropause bellies.

I wore a bikini for the first time in 12 years last month - and I'm not even 30 yet. The sad, self-conscious size 10 teenage me would be shocked if she could see short-arsed size 16 current me (😁) finally not caring about other people's opinions anymore. I wore it again to a spa last week and I thought everyone else looked gorgeous and relaxed and happy and then realised I probably did too. Lovely post, OP.

I’m in my 50s with only one boob since my mastectomy, I’m in Greece at the moment wearing my bikini. I’m well past caring what I look like, I’m alive and I’m (relatively) healthy, that’s all that matters.

Lots of ladies here of all shapes and sizes wearing their bikinis, it’s all good.

@Workyticket - the second post was about how awful one pieces are. That was my point, badly made.

Bikinis way better if you wearing them all day such a faff going to the loo in a one piece you have to totally undress if youve thrown something over it. Total bikini fan here!

Agree with this. I'm a size 8/10 and love my one-piece. I have a horrible appendectomy scar and feel loads better when it's covered up. Nobody stares at me and I'm not the only one in a one-piece!

@WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe

Something about a full on bathing suit on holiday always feels wrong

Er, speak for yourself.

I was thanks hence the use of the word “feels” not “looks” 🙄

I have a gorgeous halterneck tankini and I'm a size 18. I wear it to the beach here no fucks given. When I was young though I was ashamed of my plus size body and hid it away in short and t shirt on the beach

At nearly 40 I'm currently living in strapless short beach dresses as its so hot and not caring!

Wear what you want but I love my bather and wouldn't judge ANY item of swimwear! That's to those saying a bather seems too x,y,z. There are lovely ones and I don't want my massive belly on show, I look much nicer and feel more confident in a bather thanks

Fine, but I do get sick of the people starring at women in tankinis and swim leggings.

Women are either wearing too much or too little in someone’s eyes.

No one cares, you're right. I wear a swimming costume plus a UV tshirt in the pool because I've had melanoma in the past, but otherwise would have no issue with wearing a bikini. Whatever you choose be careful not to burn.
One thing I would say is a swimming costume is a better choice than a bikini at waterparks if you like the fast slides!