I've never worn a bikini

[mrsmaidamess]

....should I start?

Yes. Regardless of your size, shape or age.

I'm in the Netherlands and pretty much all women wear them on the beach, IMHO it's a Good Thing.

Why not?

Absolutely. I am very self-conscious of my body generally - left with loose crepey skin on my tummy after DCs (see recent photos of Julia Roberts for almost an exact replica of my tummy) and a fair amount of stretch marks on my kontje ( at norktasticninja). But I figure that there is always someone with a better or worse figure than you on the beach. I could not stand to do a two week beach holiday with a one-piece. Having said that, when I take the DCs swimming at our gym, I do wear a one-piece......unless immediately post-holiday with a mega tan

I have had some people stare at my tummy but generally think "f*ck 'em", basically!

Nor have I. And I have no intention of starting.
Ditto shorts.

Why Not?

Because I am deathly pale, my stomach has NEVER seen the sun (and I have to say the skin is enviably unblemished)

Because I can't be arsed to whip away bikini line fuzz unless absolutely necessary

Cellulite, check, varicose veins, check. But I think its the death pallour that stops me really. An dplease don't suggest fake tan, I will do my legs but whole body fake tanning is a no no.

In fact showing off flesh is not something I am prone to do in public (in private, different story!)

Pale? Meh, you'll tan if that's what you want to do, if not then pale and interesting can be stunning with the right colour bikini.

No need to go for a full on Brazilian, just trim any bits poking out.

Why should you care what other people think? If you want to wear a bikini then go ahead and do it. As to whether you should or not that's up to you and whether you feel comfortable. You should do what feels right to you but if the question is "I'm over 18, don't have a perfect body and have children, can I still wear a bikini?" the answer is of course you can! Do what you want - don't worry about what anyone else might be thinking.

I used to think like that when i was younger and had a fairly perfect body!Now years on with ds and many ops I am far from perfect and happily wear one.I can't imagine a one piece now esp on holiday

I've never worn bikini either. I too am very pale, with red hair and freckles. People with my colouring don't tan, we just burn. I had to wear a t-shirt over my swimsuit even in the North Sea, so all I would have been doing was to wear something different under my t-shirt.

Plus I don't really like showing off my flesh. I'm not bothered by other people showing off their bodies but I've never been one for sharing my cleavage, legs or tummy with the world.

If you want to wear one then do it. It breaks my heart to look back on my younger self, lying on a hot beach in a one-piece, because I had no idea then how to wear a bikini.

I have now bought myself two wonderful Freya bikinis - proper bra sized, bra styled bikini tops with proper bum-covering bottoms - and they have changed my life. I'll never wear a one-piece again.

Don't buy the silly ones from cheap shops (unless you are v slim and small boobed, in which case grr, I'm jealous), spend a bit and go to the lingerie section of a decent department store.

Buy bigger bottoms than you think you need (they'll look terrifyingly huge on the hanger, but flattering on your hips) and try on a range of top sizes to get the right fit and support.

I can honestly say my Freya bikini top gives me a better bust than my best bras do! Money well spent.

nor have i. and the rest of the world is gratefull!

I am very pale too but always have a fake tan before I go away together with a bikini wax, eyebrow wax and pedicure.

Having these things makes me feel a whole lot better about my body. I am 40 and have 3dc's.

The real mrs john simm - I agree with you about the swimsuit thing. They make me feel really frumpy, I can't describe the feeling its just horrid.

In fact, I bought 2 bikinis in Primark today (a fiver for 2!) and one of those strapless towelling dresses that you can throw on over them.

Go on all you bikini virgins give it a go!