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've been questioning this too as I've just recently had my second child. My belly has a pouch and a definite wobble and my stretch marks cover my belly up to my belly button. I've opted for a bikini with high waisted bottoms for this summer, I fully believe you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in, regardless of size, stretch marks etc. I'm proud of my body and all it has done, this feels like a comfortable option for me, it won't cover all my stretch marks or wobble but will cover some while giving me the confidence of wearing a two piece.

I've got lots of faded stretch marks after 3 babies and weight loss. I absolutely wear bikinis! Even with some lose skin on my legs/arms/back.

Do you care about all the women on the beach a couple or more sizes up from you with all the wrinkles and wobbles of life? Older ladies who wear bikinis in their 70s+? I'd hazard you don't really think twice, especially on holiday!

I really do get this is 100% easier said than done - I have never worn a bikini because I am too self conscious. I even have a slight 'skirt' on my swimming costumes to cover over a few more lumps and bumps - plus it saves any 'down below maintenance'!!

But really, I can honestly promise nobody will really look, care, or think one second about it in any meaningful way xx

You should wear what makes you comfortable and you like. Personally I like swim short bottoms, not the equivalent of knickers. It doesn't matter what size I am. Re traveller women bigging each other up, so do the Nigerian/Ghanaian women I know. Look on Shein at the pictures, the black/mexican women dngaf. I admire their body confidence. Shein isn't the most ethical choice, but you can get any type of kimono, if you want cover ups until you feel less self conscious.

I wouldn't judge someone else for having visible stretch marks. I prefer personally to be more covered up than a bikini allows but it isn't because of stretch marks (which I do have!). For me it's because I'm overweight and have a hairy tummy. I also don't like shaving my bikini line so prefer to be more covered up

I think you need to focus on what you are comfortable with. It really doesn't matter in the slightest what random people on the beach think of you. What matters is how you feel. If you are comfortable in the bikinis, wear them. If you aren't don't.

I must be that woman you're all looking at on the beach. If you want to lift women up could I suggest you all stop looking at me as a "worse sight". If you want to feel better about your stretch marks, get on with your holiday. and forget them. Thank you for listening

I'm somewhere in between in that I wouldn't let lack of a perfect body put me off, nor would I worry about other people's opinions. However, nor would i wear something that revealed parts of me I'd prefer to keep covered just to make a point. I don't have stretch marks, but have some very crepey skin from weight loss, which I don't particularly like looking at myself, as it's objectively ugly; so I make sure my swim wear covers that. It's only for me though and my own desire to like what I see. I'm aware that no one else would care.

I would wear the bikini, stretch marks are really nothing to be ashamed of.

Wear the bikini if you want to wear the bikini. But it's okay too if you think you'd feel less self-conscious if your stretch marks were covered up. After a few days you might have relaxed into beach life and not give a toss. But if you still don't want to wear the bikinis then don't!

It's amazing how people say on here it's ok because people look worse than you. So rude. How about it's totally fine as stretch marks are a normal part of life and as some have pointed out others that have a secure sense of self esteem without media perfect bodies go to the beach. You can notice that rather than notice to be obsessed with yourself. Says myself who went to the beach as a 125kg, 42 , nearly 6 ft, 8 months pregnant with a disability aid in a bright red plunging swimsuit. I wasn't there to make people feel better about themselves over a few stretch marks I was having fun.

I would. But whatever makes you happy is whats important. Maybe take them with you and see how you feel.

This is lovely. What a brilliant holiday that must have been.

I have a large, ropey scar, which runs about half the length of my spine, which I’m quite self conscious of. I’ve heard people speculating on where/how I got it. Because of that, I don’t really wear a bikini, but I do have some lovely strapless swimsuits from Next. (I’m a size 18)

I’ve got stretch marks and I’m definitely bigger and wobblier than I would like but I wear bikinis. No one cares and my wobbly bits look better with a bit of colour!

I’ve had a revelation today. I’m at a spa. I’m about 20lbs over weight and I am very conscious of my thick thighs and cellulite. When I look in the mirror I hate it and just don’t know how my partner finds me so attractive when I look awful.

so I’m at the spa and I’m looking around at all the women and every single one has cellulite, even the slim women. The bigger women look great and curvy and the cellulite is just there and not at all bad to look at. So I am embracing mine now!

I have a post baby stomach that I personally wouldn’t show as I’m overweight but it’s not the stretch mark that bother me it’s the excess fat.

get the bikini on and embrace your awesome body!

I have loads of stretch marks from legs, belly and back and although I look slim I have a jelly belly- sort of scrunches and wrinkles when lying down and also has several rolls when lounging. Tanning brings the stretch marks out way worse. I still wear those bikinis even to the beach that we live beside. If anyone’s judging you, that reflects more on them. I found that wearing a lovely bikini with a nice tan actually boosted my confidence!

Please wear them and see how you feel, you will find most folk especially on holiday are absolutely not there to poke fun at anyone and may have their own demons in their head about how they look ❤️

Do it! If self conscious buy a kimono or beach cover up to go over bikini:)

It’s tough I know, after DD my belly didn’t really flatten out again so I prefer a tankini these days. My view is wear whatever you’re happy in, maybe take some of each type and maybe you’ll feel more comfortable as the trip goes on?
FWIW men have this issue too, DH takes time to warm up for shirt off at the pool or beach, he doesn’t like his chest.

No because I just don’t feel comfy in bikinis but if I did fuck everyone else who cares!!

I'm a 16-18 with stretch marks and I wear a bikini as I really don't care what people think 🙂

Yes I would. 50's style bikinis are great for this and also very flattering.

Honestly no-one cares (I mean that in a nice way!).

I bet you don’t sit on the beach thinking “oh look at her stretch marks”, so no-one is going to be thinking that about you either.

I went on my first hol post baby when DC was ten months. I wore a swimsuit as wasn’t feeling as confident with my weight gain buuuuut I saw lots of women of my size in the splash park with bikinis and you know what? It made me smile and think wow look at us all with our beautiful happy babies on their first holidays?

Those who are looking and judging (most people aren’t) have their own issues anyway, fuck them.

It’s what you feel comfortable in.
I’m slim, but after three children my stomach is a bit saggy and I look nicer in a swimsuit.