Okay, in your opinion, how skinny/fit do you need to be to wear a bikini? I have always been of the mindset that I needed to be on the low end of my goal weight before I could wear a bikini again. I *personally* don't feel comfortable when I feel like my belly is still pretty jiggly and does that oh so sexy roll when I sit.
However, I am seeing lots of pics on FB from my nephews, cousins, etc. and these are younger girls totally sporting bikinis and they aren't very skinny. I have no problem with that - I am not saying it in a negative way towards them. But it made me wonder if I am just being too hard on myself and if I could sport a bikini this summer even if I'm not where I want to be without people wondering why in the heck I did.
So, what are your thoughts? And yes I know this is a totally vain and stupid question, lol.
if you are going to feel uncomfortable in it the entire time, it isn't worth it.
but if you feel good about yourself you should wear one!
i tend to go for a tankini style more myself b/c i hate feeling like i constantly need to check to make sure everything is staying covered up like you do with a triangle type bikini.
Ita with the others. For me it isn't a weight thing, or a pudge thing, it's more about how I'd feel. The day I feel sexy in one, whether I'm 115 or 220 is the day you'll see me strutting with one in a serious swagger. I'm not holding my breath at all for that day though, lmao.
ITA with everyone else. It is all about how you feel in it! (and btw, I think you look great in a bikini, so I would totally rock that if I were you!!!)
I will never be in a bikini again, but if I felt good in one, i would wear it, regardless of my weight/tone.
So, while I do agree...I wonder when you see others, what do you think? Honestly. Like, at what point do you say "whoa, that's a bit big for a bikini but more power to her" type of thing.
Because, if we're being honest, I have totally seen some women (be it super old, very large, even way too tiny) that I've thought shouldn't be in a bikini even though they don't seem to care.
Well, I can say that *I* should not be in a bikini. Ever. I think for me, if the belly area hangs over the bikini bottom, maybe that is not the right look for you.
Agewise-IDK. I mean, I have seen people my mother's age who are looking great in bikinis, but if your skin is old and really sagging, that is not so attractive. I rarely ever see people like that in bikinis though.
What I think is WAY worse is when people emerge in their bathing suits and have not shaved all winter long-and don't bother to-and the bikini line is...well...bushy and sticking out the bottom of the suit. Gross. I do NOT need to see that. That is worse than any size woman in a bikini, IMO!!!!! Is it THAT hard to find a razor before heading out to the beach??
You know, I think a lot of it is a regional thing, and what the "purpose" is for the swimsuit.
Before I moved to Texas -- even in my much fitter days -- when I was sunbathing, I was never big on bikinis... because in my head, you needed a *perfect* body to wear one.
And in the midwest, where I lived, this was reinforced by the fact that pretty much only girls with perfect bodies wore bikinis.
Texas is an entirely different story. It is so freaking hot here that if you're going to be outside, you generally want as little clothing on as possible. And as such, people laying out in a one piece honestly look a little odd.
Like you know when you'll see someone on the bigger side swimming in a t-shirt over their swimsuit, presumably because they think it will hide the fact that they're bigger?
That's kinda what people laying out in one pieces here look like. And like the person in the t-shirt... it never really works. It just makes them look insecure... which never makes anyone look more attractive, KWIM?
While I know that I'm not getting into a bikini any time soon, this particular topic has always bugged me a bit. If you peel back the onion, what it's really saying is that "we will excuse your less than perfect body provided you agree to be self-loathing" (given that, as I mentioned, from the practical aspect, it's not like that one piece really helps much), and I'm just not on board with that. In fact, the irony is that you'll never find a more self-loathing person than a fat person, and I hate contributing to that vicious cycle.
(Pardon me as my damn inner yogi starts spewing again... LOL)
At any rate, YOU should definitely wear a bikini if you want to... and not think twice about it. :)
I have to second Tex's comment about wearing as little as possible during the summers in Texas. Gosh its hot as hell already!!!!
Back to the original question though, I personally feel ok wearing a bikini and I am not in any way, shape or form the picture of a perfect bikini body. But for me its comfortable and as long as I don't have rolls hanging over the top of my suit bottoms, I think its great. SO I guess more or less it comes down to getting the suit in the right size so it looks good when you wear it. I had a hard time coming to terms with that once I had my babies, I was so stuck on the size and not how it looked when I put it on. K, just sayin. : )
I have to agree with what Michelle said about feeding the self loathing thing. I admit that there have been times that I have seen someone wearing a bikini and was a little surprised. But in all honesty, that is MY problem. At that point I have to remind myself that I am going for a ride on the bullsh!t train. I don't want to buy into that and certainly don't want my daughter to either.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying you should or shouldn't feel comfortable wearing something. That is totally a personal decision. Along with that I just feel like it is not really for me to judge those decisions. The exception to that is if it is inappropriate bathing suit attire (like someone wearing a too little thong and tiny top where there is nothing that can't be seen at a family beach).
Bottom line, do what you like. Buy one and take it for spin someone where you feel comfortable.
As I have lost weight, one of the things I have found most liberating is not worrying whether my pants fit, cover everything, whether my rolls are making my shirts pooch, etc. So for me, before I wear a bikini, its more than wanting to lose weight and get smaller, I want to feel confident in one -whatever the weight. But the truth is, I haven't felt that way EVER, even when I was in HS and a size 6 or so. (I have never worn a bikini in public - ever). I see big girls that I find sexy and attractive because they look so sure of themselves rocking a bikini. i want to be that person.
(I bought a bikini and I am trying to get up the nerve to wear it to the pool with the kids. My body leaves a lot to be desired, but I agree with Tex, that sometimes its more conspicuous not to wear one. Ha! try convincing my self esteem of that.
P.S. I have seen your MSBL pics. You for sho can pull off a bikini!!
-- Edited by Erin on Wednesday 2nd of June 2010 12:07:29 AM
As I have lost weight, one of the things I have found most liberating is not worrying whether my pants fit, cover everything, whether my rolls are making my shirts pooch, etc. So for me, before I wear a bikini, its more than wanting to lose weight and get smaller, I want to feel confident in one -whatever the weight. But the truth is, I haven't felt that way EVER, even when I was in HS and a size 6 or so. (I have never worn a bikini in public - ever). I see big girls that I find sexy and attractive because they look so sure of themselves rocking a bikini. i want to be that person.
(I bought a bikini and I am trying to get up the nerve to wear it to the pool with the kids. My body leaves a lot to be desired, but I agree with Tex, that sometimes its more conspicuous not to wear one. Ha! try convincing my self esteem of that.
P.S. I have seen your MSBL pics. You for sho can pull off a bikini!!
-- Edited by Erin on Wednesday 2nd of June 2010 12:07:29 AM
Thanks!
ITU - I have bought bikinis to motivate me but never feel like I lose enough weight to actually wear them. I honestly didn't even think it was a confidence issue, but I am thinking I might need to reassess that after reading these responses. :)
I only wear rashguards and boardshorts. I get starred at all the time since that isn't common around here(how do people get sunscreen on their backs?). Anyway I do think I need to be a certain way before I wear a bikini. I don't wear shirts if they are too tight and show my muffin so I'm not going to wear a bikini.
So, while I do agree...I wonder when you see others, what do you think? Honestly. Like, at what point do you say "whoa, that's a bit big for a bikini but more power to her" type of thing.
Because, if we're being honest, I have totally seen some women (be it super old, very large, even way too tiny) that I've thought shouldn't be in a bikini even though they don't seem to care.
this is one thing i really LOVE about europe. i just don't feel like i'm getting "those" looks like you get in the US. people walk around half naked (or naked, hehe) and they don't suck their guts in. they are comfortable in the skin they are in. skinny, chubby, young, old saggy boobs, whatever.
