When do you become too old to wear a bikini?

[MissMiss1]

At what age do you become too old to wear a bikini n start wearing a full swimming costume.

I'm in my early 40s n have been looking for some new swimwear. Everywhere I go everything seems either tiny, too brightly coloured, not the right shape and far too young looking.

Is it time to admit defeat on the bikini front and start looking at swimming costumes?

My solution to all this is to buy a one piece that doesn't give me wedgies, and then proceed to lie next to the largest person on the beach.
Avoid Italy and the South of France at all costs - Northern Europe is much better for sunbathing, as there is always going to be someone less attractive nearby, meaning you will look more gorgeous in contrast without making any effort whatsoever.
Simples.
Practical problems, practical solutions.

pink I agree that people do look and do care.

But much less than in every day life. Because beaches are places of fun and relaxation. And very few of us look our very best in swim wear .

Though we went to Brazil on holiday and wow...some of those chicks...just wow...

But ultimately, if you're on holiday, you owe it to yourself to do whatever makes you happy. If you want to rock a string bikini at size 22, then go for it. If you feel happier in a one piece then that's what you should wear.

I think all people are saying, is that if you're choosing a one piece, not because you love them, but because you're self conscious, then they might have the opposite effect in some places, because they're unusual (in Brazil for example, you might as well wear jeans and a jumper).

This is nice.

www.lipsy.co.uk/store/pour-moi-swimwear/pour-moi-azure-padded-top/product-is-EB02000_021

Could look lush on someone with olive skin!

And for those that don't want padding, Missoni is lovely.

If you look on the Outnet, you can sometimes pick them up for a fraction of their usual (silly) prices.

Setting oneself very high standards could also just be about being really insecure and overly preoccupied with the opinion of others?

I think people who look and care disproportionately do so in order to get a comparison for how they look. My mother used to be like that 'do I look bigger than her? That swimsuit looks too small for her, do I bulge at the back like that's""etc'
I think it's all part of how we feel about her selves rather than judging for the sake of it.

I have spent time on beaches worrying how I look when, 10 minute later, I couldn't have picked anyone on the beach out of a lineup.

I give zero fucks about what any strangers at a foreign beach think of me in my bikini. I did care in my 20s but these days I choose the people who's opinions I value and don't give a thought to anyone else. You are not helping anyone, pink.

I agree with louloubelle2 and pinkfrocks

I think you should wear what you feel comfortable in and what gives you more self confidence, but the fact is that in most parts of the Med most women tend to favour bikinis over one piece swimsuits.

well bully for you Bombinate. If you don't care that's fine. I do. I'm not insecure in fact I'm a trim size 8-10 and look good. But I do care what people think and I also look at other people. I' m not here to 'help' anyone- just giving an honest opinion which I am as entitled to as you are.

Pink I agree to a point - yes people definitely look. But about the caring - really? Do you really give a fig either way about the flabby stranger opposite you at the beach? Aside from a fleeting 3 second judgement?

I would absolutely care what others thought, if I thought they were discussing my appearance or laughing. But I don't think they do. I wouldn't.

People honestly don't find 99% others that unusual or important IMO.

I am self conscious about the way I look, but I care less than I used to. You do see all shapes and sizes on holiday and that has helped my self confidence a lot. It makes you realise that having a perfect figure is not the norm and has helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin.

When I'm on holiday and have spent a lot of money to enjoy myself I really don't give a damn what someone thinks of me. It's my time and I am going to enjoy every second of it before I return to the grind of real life.

Never!

I'm in my 40s and I have decently structured bikini tops that hold my boobs properly, and somewhat wider bottoms.

Have you tried online?

BTW, I wear padded all the way, because my nipples often resemble Madonna's pointy bras, particularly if I'm cold

I don't give a damn either. And I don't judge others for what they wear on the beach. The most interest I show is "that's a lovely bikini, I wonder where she got it" or "I wonder if that couple are married, they seem very loved up!" (followed by "god, I wish they're doing tongues and I wish he'd stop massaging her arse quite like that!") or "how on earth can that person lie out in this heat without moving for 3 hours?"

I probably look ridiculous in my bikini, don't know don't care, I want to enjoy myself and I'm just glad to be there

(followed by "God, they're doing tongues and I wish etc etc) Can't type.

pinkfrocks

Of course we all look at each other on the beach, but if you come south only old women and the rare younger woman (my sister) wear one piece suits.

But the thing is that as we all look at each other, we see that nobody is perfect and our body issues don't seem as bad.

My stomach is hardly the same as it was at 20, but I have less cellulite than many 20 year olds. Ah.
My boobs may be saggier than at 20 and need an underwire top, but they are bigger.

FGS, men walk about displaying all their prominent bellies, man-boobs, hairy backs, skinny legs.

I judged the people on my last beach holiday who spent two weeks endlessly doing selfies. It was very funny.
Selfie dude went snorkelling off a boat with DH and Dd and concussed himself falling out whilst trying to do a selfie in his snorkelling gear.

They were hilarious. I sort of loved them.

Honestly most people are wrapped up in their holiday, partner, kids, tan, selfies, drink with a brolly in to give others more than a cursory glance.

My dh once gave me some sage advice, if you shuffle away from the beach bar people will register you are worried and 'fill the gaps' (too pasty, big, small, wobbly, scarred...?) whereas if you stroll away with a pint and a big grin people just register you as someone who got a nice cool drink and no more. Bit of arm chair psychology but I've found it works.
I pretended not to think everyone was watching one day, and I don't know if no one looked because of that or if no one looked anyway ... but I've applied it to everything ever since.

This does mean I'm back in my rock/goth/retro wear again, too.

Lweji the Southern Comfort beach advert guy should advertise body accepting! The one who strolls along the beach not giving a single fuck about the body beautifuls around him.
They should do a female version.

Oh really, TheWordFactory . People flock to Paris from all over the world to shop for clothes. The streets are heaving with shoppers and shopping bags, as well you know!

No pagwatch, I'm not 10. And I'm not sinking into depression because I look fat in a bikini. There are lots of other reasons. So fuck off.

Maybe all of that came over more than it was meant to. I care about me and how I look. I set myself a certain 'standard' - there are bits of my body that I don't think are great, though they are certainly passable, but I'd rather not flaunt them- more for my own eyes than anyone else's.
I don't have 'issues' around this, but day to day I show off my best bits and cover up the not so good bits. Like most people who care how they look- for them. It's not so much about what others think really, but everyone does care to an extent- look at the other thread about upper arms for example and sleeveless dresses.

loulou - I'm in a hotter country, and I see one-pieces. I see surf t-shirts. Besides, the temperature differential is not so great that you're going to be sweltering in a one piece, and only getting relief in a bikini! If anything, the hotter it is, the more protective you need it.

People look at others, they make observations. No-one's denying that.

But nobody is going to be mocked for their swimwear choice, it's just not going to happen. Nobody actually cares.

I'm sorry owlonabike. I'm sorry I offended you.

The thread shouldn't be affecting what people chose to wear.mi wish women would stop telling each other that their choices are bad and stop worrying so much.

I posted in frustration but I shouldn't have. I apologise.

For those who say they are feeling bad for taking a one piece you can see all sorts on a beach. From more covered to topless women (yes, there's the occasional one where I go). Small bikinis, tankinis, swimming suits.

Just wear what you feel comfortable with.

The point about "everyone wears bikinis" is that you are not expected to wear one piece ones or to cover up because you have wobbly bits because there are lots of wobbly bits on show on most continental beaches.

If you only have one piece, then wear it and forget about anyone else, as you would if you take a bikini and show off your saggy tummy.

I find that people who look at themselves with a critical eye can't stop themselves from applying that to others. Wear what you want, think what you want, keep your mouths shut and your gaze polite.

Lots of women feel sensitive about their bodies, whether there is 'cause' or not. It's a cop-out to say that we all judge because there's a world of difference in passing a glance and actively benchmarking what you yourself think you look like against the person. There seems to be some posters on the thread who do that.