To bikini or not to bikini, that is the question...

[DunderMifflin]

To cut to the chase, I have a big bum and hips (size 14-16) but quite a small waist (comparatively ) and wondered if I can still wear a bikini without embarrassing myself!

My tummy's relatively flat (but I'm definitely not a gym bunny - its squishy but not too droopy!) and I don't really have any noticeable stretch marks. My skin is fair and I have dark hair (not a good combo when it comes to bikini lines...)

I always feel better in a bikini because I think a swimsuit makes me look a bit 'blocky' but I'll be 33 when we go on hols at the end of May and perhaps after two kids I need to be realistic.

Anyone have any thoughts, or could suggest a cossie that would hold me in and push me out in all the right places I'd appreciate it!

My bust is 36D to finish off the full-body overview...

Sorry this has turned into an inch by inch appraisal of me!

IMO you should wear what you want to and what you feel comfortable in...
Last year I was around a size 18 when we went on hols BUT (you know how it when overweight...) felt a size 12..
I ummed and ahhed about a bikini and it was dh who made the decision, telling me he loved my body how it was and it was as it was for a reason..a reason that everyone would see..I had had 2 gorgeous kids..

So I wore the bikini..day 1 of the hols I felt v self conscious..eyt day 2 onwards I didn't care. Was to busy with my babies to worry .

I have since lost 3 stone...so if we go away this year I will wear my biniki with pride . My body is not perfect, its wobbly, resembles the underground map with stretch marks..but Im proud of it. It helped me grow my babies.

Good luck with your decision.
Be proud of your shape. A smile does a lot. x

it's irritating - I put the words bigger bikini into google and all the models are size 10 or below.

I agree with Shhh, smile a lot, be confident. 14-16 ain't that big.

btw, look at fig leaves...some lovely bikinis and costumes on that...

BUT, ime just one from M&S or next etc with a lovely dress or sarong..?

any good?

Thank you! I'm generally quite a confident person and like to think of myself as 'curvy' - in my mind I'm Joan Holloway from Mad Men..!

I just thought I'd gauge public opinion on a bikini for a wobbly, 30+ year old, mother of two (I've chosen my audience carefully!).

So, if bikini it is, does anyone have any recommendations?

NICE - thanks Beanie!

After Beanie's suggestion, I've just looked at the Bravissimo site and they have some lovely stuff.

I like this bikini top but the bottoms would be so wrong on me!

The bottoms would be wrong on me!!

you could mix and match perhaps?

lol I just went to link that one off the fig leaves website..!

Freya seems to do lovely swimwear and for the curvier figure..That one is lovely..BUT I wouldn't even wear those bottoms pre kids .!

My bum would have been lost somewhere on route to the pool .

You need bigger ones (no offence meant..)
Ones with wider sides..

these..?

No offence taken!

Its this kind of honest feedback I'm after, otherwise I'll look at a pretty pattern and buy it without thinking of the practicalities!

We're going on a very special holiday so I think the pics will be around for a long time - I don't want to look back and cringe too much!

as bb said, get the bigger bottoms and get a bikini top and a tankin top maybe...then decide on hols which you feel confident in or even wear both on seperate days to vary iykiwm...?

Nice Shhhh but a bit low cut on the leg - I've found these matching bottoms - any good?!

Niiiice!

Yeah those are more like it .

Order them and see how you get on...

do you think the ones I kinked to are low cut..? I think they are a lovely cut...nice to hold in the tummy area as well...(thats if you have the apron like moi..)

that one is luurrvvly dm, if only in pink (Im a pink princess lol!)

Thanks for being so interested Shhhh!

I think if bikini bottoms are too low cut on the leg it only emphasises my big bum and hips, and not in a good way..!

However, I'm certainly not a fan of the Brigit Nielsen really high cut ones either!!

Think I got confussed with high/low cut...too much booze sorry...
Yes, I agree...

Lots rant on about the "short" style bottoms being flattering BUT I find they made me look wide and massshhooossive...

No probs with the interest, I know how it can be.

BTW,whats the occasion..?

DunderMifflin they are NICE!

Make sure you have a look at La Senza online too - they do some fab bikinis for bigger birds up top! I think you should go for it - be proud of those curves! www.modernmama.co.uk and www.lasenza.co.uk

Thanks Shhhh and BB - glad I'm on the right track!

I agree that 'short' style bottoms don't suit my (our?!) shape - my sister wears them but I feel too self-concious in them when normally I don't give two hoots about my bee-hind!

• we're going to Jamaica where my DH's parents are from! DH's dad lives there are DH hasn't seen him since he was five...

But, that's a different show - back to my more important bikini conundrum!!

Oooh - thanks MM!

But, I don't think any of there bikini bottoms would do me any favours..!

Ohhhh how lovely dm, so I guess you want to look your best...

Go for the Freya ones, I have never treated myself to anything from their range BUT soooo lust after stuff I see from them (sell in debenhams..) and will treat myself soon esp after seeing that bikini .

Let us know how yo get on x

I think a tan makes a huge difference. it seems to transform white wobbly bits into smooth curvy bits. get yourself a really good fake tan before you go and wear a bikini. (might have to take my own advice as I;m a complete wuss about bikinis.)

I think a fake tan might be a good idea but I'm always really wary of them, especially as I sit in the shade and so will come home paler than I when I arrived!

My family joke that I'm Elizabethan because of my aversion to sitting in the sun!!