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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you wear a bikini if you have stretch marks?

73 replies

flawless29 · 14/04/2023 08:59

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?

OP posts:

PotterLottery · 14/04/2023 11:55

I'm a size 16-18 with a very wobbly tummy nd always wear full swimsuits but this year I decided to go for it. I bought one from simply be (the make is Jo browns) and it's so flattering, its very high waisted so won't show many stretch marks or tummy's. I agree swim dresses are really unflattering l.

TeamTitania · 14/04/2023 11:58

You really do just need to wear what you feel happy in. I wouldn't let stretch marks stop me wearing a bikini, but my skin burning in minutes does stop me. I'd rather have the skin coverage of a swimsuit and a cover up of some sort when not actually swimming. If I was going somewhere really hot I'd probably do rash vest and high waisted bikini bottoms. Easier to get off when you need a wee!

ArmchairAnarchist2 · 14/04/2023 12:00

I'm a size 4/6 and after three DC not a single stretch mark but and it's a very big but I have a 30cm zip like scar right down my front and a permanent line in my side. I also have several other scars where I've had two central lines and drains placed. I wear a bikini even at aged 50. I'm proud of having survived why should I hide?

Aphrathestorm · 14/04/2023 12:01

Have done loads of times.

No issue at all.

BuHao · 14/04/2023 12:10

I’ve had my tiger stripes down my sides since being a teenager. I’m 43 and fairly slim now but still have a little loose skin on my stomach from pregnancies. I wouldn’t worry a single bit about that. I’d feel self-conscious if I was chunkier than normal, but wouldn’t give visible stretch marks a moment’s thought.

notforonesecond · 14/04/2023 12:19

I generally assume people who wear swim dresses hate their bodies tbh.

Which is weird, because I wouldn’t even notice any other type of normal swim wear unless it was a particularly nice pattern/colour or whatever.

Actually, that’s a lie. If you had a thong on I’d think you were a dickhead, even if you had the most amazing body in the world.

Lcb123 · 14/04/2023 12:20

Definitely would, I do prefer a one piece personally as I’m prone to burning so less skin to sun cream!

Kvetching · 14/04/2023 12:31

Wear a bikini if you want to. No-one but you will care about your stretch marks. My teenager’s back is covered in horizontal stretch marks because he grew so quickly. It wouldn’t occur to him to wear some sort of body suit to conceal them. Only women do this ashamed of stretch marks thing.

Don’t wear a swim dress - they are awful things that are supposed to flatter but do the absolute opposite.

MyMachineAndMe · 14/04/2023 12:38

I like to think that I'd wear a bikini on holiday but no, in reality I wouldn't. I'm fat and that means that not only do I have stretch marks, my overhang from the caesarean is more like a skirt now. I also have scars from other abdominal surgery and it looks a bit of a mess.

Wear what you're comfortable in. A day at the beach is meant to be fun so if you'd feel too open in a bikini then don't force yourself to; wear a one piece instead. Remember though that most people won't even look at you, let alone judge you.

StarlightLady · 14/04/2023 13:10

Wear a bikini with stretch marks? I often wear hals a bikini (topless in other words) with stretch marks.

I'v also seen a woman topless on a beach who had a mastectomy, I take my sun hat off to her.

Never worry about a few stretch marks.

Oblomov23 · 14/04/2023 13:14

I've always worn a bikini. If you want to, do, irrespective of size. Why is this even a question?

Oblomov23 · 14/04/2023 13:16

When you are by the pool, or on the beach, people come in a variety of sizes. And? Who even cares? Some people are enormous. So?

Killingmytime · 14/04/2023 13:18

Yes, wear what you want. I spent my teenage years wearing swim dresses, tankini etc, now I’ve I’ve got lovely suits.
I don’t give a shit.

AlwaysGinPlease · 14/04/2023 13:22

I have been on lots of holiday, beach and other types . I do not remember anyone at all. Or what they wore. Go for it, you'll never see them again and they won't remember you.

SingingSands · 14/04/2023 13:22

It took me years to wear a bikini again after having kids. And then I did and berated myself for not doing it earlier!

I've got stretch marks that go up above my belly button and skin is all crinkly and a bit like corduroy but what the hell, I get one week a year where I can relax in the sun and am surrounded by strangers so I'm going for it!

eatdrinkandbemerry · 14/04/2023 13:37

Wear it with pride 👍🏻
It's natural to have stretch marks and nobody cares as much as you think what you look like honestly x

jackstini · 14/04/2023 14:00

I do - am 50 with stretch marks

My 17 yo Dd has stretch marks too and wears much smaller bikinis than me!

KnittedCardi · 14/04/2023 14:02

I've never worn anything other than a bikini, and I am now 58. Wobbly bits galore. I am blessed to have spent a lot of time on Italian beaches, with multi generations, all letting it hang out. It's a great leveller. Go for it.

BogRollBOGOF · 14/04/2023 14:56

A huge bump and EMCS left my abdomen a saggy, lumpy mess but I decided that I was only 30 and wasn't going to hide it for the rest of my life. I favour high waisted bikinis because they're supportive for comfort; too low and it would wobble its way out. My body's done some bloody amazing things and while it's never going to get a modelling contract (oh what a shame) it deserves respect and to be cared about.

I wear a variety of swimwear depending on what I'm doing and the conditions, shortie wetsuits/ rash vests/ one-pieces/ bikinis. The dress style doesn't appeal at all though because it's bulky and awkward for swimming, and they tend to be a symptom of lack of confidence rather than chosen for a practical reason.

Youcunnyfunt · 14/04/2023 17:06

I've had stretch marks since I was about 9! They're on my thighs, which I can't really cover in swimwear. So I just wear whatever suits or bikinis I like. Neither will cover the marks anyway. I used to think it was hideous and I was unfortunate and I still don't like my legs, but I just care less. I have cellulite too.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 14/04/2023 19:19

I don't know any woman who doesn't have stretch marks or cellulite. I think swim dresses draw so much more attention than a bikini with stretchmarks. in the nicest possible way no one else gives a shit what you look like. I might thing that's a nice colour bikini someone is wearing or last year I was so impressed to see a girl wearing a colostomy bag with her bikini and thought go girl etc but I'm not going to judge wobbles or stretchmarks when I have my own on display.

Merangutan · 14/04/2023 19:21

Wear it! And shove a sarong on if need be. Life’s too short to care about whether other people can see your stretch marks. Do as you please! I had terrible self confidence for years and now I don’t give two hoots. It’s liberating!

OCDmama · 14/04/2023 20:01

Wear the bikini.

I've got stretch marks from teenage years and pregnancies. I'm currently 8 weeks postpartum, wore a bikini taking my eldest swimming today. I got back in the bikini and swimming pool with her the second the postbirth bleeding stopped at 5 weeks. I've obviously not lost my preggo weight and have a saggy jiggling belly but IDGAF. I was more excited about going swimming with my little girl.

I'm more concerned that I haven't had my usual Brazilian wax, and I'm a right hairy bird.

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