Would you wear a bikini if you have stretch marks?

[flawless29]

After having my first child, I developed quite severe stretch marks that have since faded, but remain somewhat visible. I've lost a significant amount of weight, but my tummy still has a slight wobble.

I feel very self-conscious about this, and with an upcoming vacation in June, our first trip abroad, I've purchased a few tankinis and lovely strapless swim dresses to conceal my stomach. My sister gifted me some beautiful bikinis, but I mentioned that I might not wear them.

She was surprised by my response, saying it was unnecessary to worry and encouraging me to wear the bikinis, as there are always various "sights" at the beach, and people may not even notice.

When you go on vacation, do you choose to wear a bikini or opt for more coverage?

I felt the same as you, I have a friend who is part of the traveller community, we went on a hen do abroad with lots of women from the same community. I have never felt more empowered and uplifted in my life. Women of all shapes sizes and ages wearing the costumes and bikinis comfortable for them. Telling each other how great they looked, what they liked about their outfits etc. I was told to be proud of my body and my stretch marks, because I had given life to my child and no man can ever do that 😁. I always wear bikinis on holiday now.

I’d wear the bikinis - I wear them and while I have no stretch marks, my stomach is not flat and there’s a definite wobble.

Personally, I think swim dresses are aging and are mostly worn by people who are body conscious. I actually think bikinis can be more flattering to wear than tankinis, swim dresses or swimsuits that cover a lot of the body iykwim.

You could buy a few over-size linen shirts to throw over the bikini at times.

I definitely would, I don't see stretch marks as anything bad at all.

My lumpen tum on the other hand is not pretty to look at. However, meh. People don't really care. I tend to wear a one piece suit so that my toddler doesn't try for impromptu boob access but the tummy thing doesn't really bother me.

I have a few flattering swimsuits so I wear those. My tummy is very wobbly and white though.

Wear the bikini!

The majority of people on the beach / around the pool are either too busy sunbathing and ignoring the world around them, or too busy thinking about themselves and their own perceived flaws being modelled in their own swimwear. Wear the bikinis and get on with having fun.

You should wear what you feel comfortable in, because you don't want to waste your precious holiday time in the sun worrying about your tummy. I have loose skin on my tummy and faded stretchmarks too and I do wear a bikini in public, but it took me a while to work up to it - I preferred a swimsuit and then a tankini for a good while.

Wear the bikini

Wear it OP, if you feel comfortable in it. Nobody will see your stretch marks and, even if they do, nobody will judge you for them.

Full coverage here. Just wear what you want. I have seen some sights at the beach, no point pretending otherwise, but to be honest, I do not sit there dwelling on people.

You could always take them with you and see how you feel once you've got the lie of the land

I wear a bikini. On the first day you’ll notice people in a worse state than you wearing one, so take it, and when the confidence kicks in you’ve got it.

I would wear it with pride if I were you

Wear the bikini, there is no shame in having stretch marks, you definitely won't be the only one.

Wear the bikini! I'm sure you'll look amazing. Also I am less concerned when I'm abroad anyway! If I was seeing loads of people I knew I'd be more self conscious

I have the worst stretch marks and saggy tummy. Think the "before" pictures in a tummy tuck advert. I will wear a bikini abroad where I don't know anyone but it's strictly one piece swimsuit in the UK where I bump into people I know. I hate my stomach so much. I'm slim but the skin is shocking. I was once sunbathing and heard a teenage exclaim that I look liked I'd been attacked.

Go with what you feel comfortable in. If that's a one piece swimsuit then go for that but I do find bikinis more comfortable when it's hot.

Wear it . I have always worn mine and I have stretch marks . I guarantee on your first day you'll see women of all shapes and sizes in bikinis.

@UndercoverCop love this and fully agree! Us women should lift each other up, not put each other down. Show off those stretch marks OP, you've grown a human. You're amazing x

Wear what you want, no body cares. People exist of all shapes and sizes, so learn to love your body and be kind to yourself

Wear the bikini. So many women and men have stretch marks. I've noticed a few adverts recently where the models have not been retouched and you can see stretch marks on their thighs. It's not a thing to be ashamed of, it's so incredibly natural.

Personally I think those swimsuit dresses are worse. All that material is really unflattering and screams that you hate your body.

Yes. They are a normal thing to have. Ridiculous that we feel ashamed of them.

Those swim dresses are the worst btw...when the wearer goes in the water it all floats about like a self-conscious jellyfish, then clings like a wet bin bag when they emerge. Crap.

That stretch marked body has grown a baby. I wore those stretchmarks like a badge of honour (unlike the ones I got through puberty which I was embarrassed about!)

I do although I have swapped to the ones with slightly larger pants and an underwired top rather than the string bikinis I used to wear pre kids. Lots with a high waist in the shops last year which were very flattering on a saggy tummy.

Why do stretch marks need to be hidden? Ditto cellulite or a non-flat tummy?

Fwiw I've got a cool looking 'board shorts and vest' tankini. Love that. It's not a cover up but so versatile as I can hike and shop and whatever else in it while it dries off after a dip in no time.