Is it okay to wear a bikini when you have stretch marks?

Okay, here's the dilema, I have seen other people at the swimming pools that wear a bikini and they have stretch marks and they seem confident enough to do so, well I was having a coversation with some acquaintances and they say that's disrespectful and that you shouldn't show what you don't have, which would be a "great body". I have stretch marks in my belly from my beautiful daughters, but I'm slim enough to get away with a bikini, I just don't want to disrespect other people if I do so. So, what do you mom's think about the issue?

I say if you've got the body, then wear the bikini!!! Show it off while you can!! I'm not sure how it's disrespectful, to me, it's a badge of honor. Do what feels right to you, I think later in life, when you don't have the figure for it, you will regret not wearing that bikini!!

Girl ... wear that bikini ... there are plenty of people who wear things that they clearly should not ... so if you have the figure .. but are bearing a few 'badges of honor' I think that's fine. :-) If you're comfortable enough to not mind those marks showing .. then do not worry about what others think.

I certainly don't think it's 'disrespectful' .. which who is that 'disrespecting', anyway? Be glad that after children you can even wear a bikini ... many are not as fortunate (myself included - lol).

Sandra :-D

I say that if you are comfortable with the bikini, wear it! I was never that comfortable in a bikini before childbirth (even though I was told I was slim enough to wear one). But I applaud every woman who has the confidence and the attendant freedom to wear one!

I can't imagine how it would be disrespectful to show off your stretch marks! While I didn't get stretch marks, I did pick up some "lumps" and "bumps" that I didn't have before... If I choose to don a bikini and show off my new lumpy figure, then I can't imagine who I would be disrespecting.

Becoming a mother changes many things in our lives, not the least of which is our bodies! I sure wouldn't trade my sweet angel for the trim thighs I once had (although I wish I could still fit into my favorite jeans... but that's a different topic). I just don't think that one of the things it would change is something like wearing a bikini... if the swimsuit fits, wear it!

Hey, wear that bikini!!! How can dat ever be disrespectful? Do what you think is good, and don't listen to others.

Happy summer!

inge

Definitely wear the bikini! If stretch marks affends anyone, they're obviously just a very immature person.
Don't think twice about putting that bikini on!

My first instinct would be to hand your acquaintances a dictionary and ask them to look up "disrespect". They maybe they should reconsider who is disrespecting who in this situation.

If you got it flaunt it! Stretchmarks from childbirth is a proud thing to show off anyway. I have three girls and wear a bikini!

Happy Summer!

Clarine

I say, wear it!! The people that told you it is disrespectful have some body images issues themselves, or other issues. If you are skinny enough for one, GO FOR IT! I have lost most of my baby weight, and don't have strech marks.. BUT my belly seems to not want to go back where it was, as well as my butt. So, I still wear a one piece. If I were small enough, no type of strech marks, etc. nothing would stop me from wearing a 2 piece. Wear them now, because you will regret it when you are a lot older and look at pics of yourself now, and say.. "Man, I was hot" ha ha. I was looking at pics of me from before I had kids when I thought I was "SO FAT" in a size 6 toned body. We women are too hard on ourselves!

Have a great summer!!

Oh girl...if you have had children and still can fit in a bikini then I say go for it! I look at my stretch marks as badges of honor for being a mom. I don't think it is disrespectful at all!!! You wear that bikini and don't let anyone tell you differently!

I think the 'disrespectful' issue is more about these acquaintances and their issues than the ladies in the bikini or disrespect.

It's not disrespectful. But gossiping and judging others certainly is. People sure are fascinating.

In 50 years, is it going to matter if you wore a bikini and had some stretch marks show? Wear it! I have stretch marks along my hips, and a few on my lower belly that all but the teeniest bikini will hide. The ones on my hops show even with a one piece (I had no hips at all before my son was born) -- what would these acquaintances have me do -- never put on a bathing suit because of the marks?

There will always, always, always, be a whole gaggle of people out there to tell you what to do, and why you're wrong -- no matter what you do. As long as you are following your own conscience, don't let them get you down.

I'm not saying anything different than anyone else -- BUT GEEZ! Who the heck are they to tell you that!

It's not disrespectful and anyone who thinks it is can just get over themselves, lol.

Their type of attitude is disrespectful - that everyone should conform to "their" idea of beauty! That's disrespectful! That's the kind of attitude that makes each generation of our daughters more and more self concious and more and more susectible to eating disorders and unneccessary cosmetic surgeries!

That's such bull. Stretch marks are a part of life. As long as you are comfortable, don't you worry about anyone else.

All I am going to say to you is WEAR THAT BIKINI AND WEAR IT PROUDLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disrespectful!? No way! If you are confident enough to wear your bikini, wear it with pride! Stretch marks are the badge of motherhood, they should also be worn with pride! After all, we worked hard for those marks!

I would say, if you can wear a bikini and look great in it, go for it! I think as long as it isn't inappropriate to wear around kids, you shouldn't have any worries!! Just realize you may get either jealous looks from other moms!( wishing they could wear one too!) I am getting one of those two piece suits from Land's End this year! I have a four year old that loves going to the water parks and a bikini just won' cut it especially if I have to go down the slides with him!LOL! I think you will also see other moms with cute two pieces on too! Have fun and don't worry! Blessings, Julie

I say wear it with pride!!! Your stretch marks are your Motherhood War Wounds. You know I look at my body like this...A: I ain't 20 years old anymore, B: I have had three children, C: I have a big butt, I hate my legs, and my six pack stomach is long gone, and most importantly D: WHO CARES! My husband loves me and thinks I still look sexy.

Go and enjoy your babies!
Dene'

Okay, I guess I am going to be the Oddball of all the comments. Since I am not with wearing the bikini.

Sorry, but it isnt because you have stretchmarks, lord knows. It doesnt matter and who should care. My reason being, I dont think mothers should wear bikinis. Or even anyone for that matter. They are degrading to women and only worn for the site of a man and for a woman to feel sexy in or be sexy in and basically they sterotype of what women are good for. Sex objects. You will be around alot of little kids plus your own, it is enough that the media and the magazines keep forcing less dress to our girls and want them to idolize being someone whose worth is on their appearance or how less of or how tight of clothing they have on.
This is just my opinion. But I have 2little girls and the way some women wear suits and thongs etc showing too much for my eyes and thiers is why we do not or cannot go to the pools.
It should be mandatory that in public around families and children everyone should have to cover their tales.
at home and around your own family if thats what you choose then go for it but be descret around others. Thanks and take care. God bless.

Hi Camila.

I say wear what you are most comfortable in, weather that be a bikini or one-piece. If you are confident enough to wear a two-piece, then go for it. Once you learn to not care about other's superficial opinions of you, you'll have more fun in life. I think the only disrespect you would be creating is disrespect of yourself IF the bikini was too skimpy. However, there are a ton of tasteful bikinis out there. Good luck!

Missy

Camila,

All those moms telling you to "WEAR THAT BIKINI!!", will be the same ones talking behind your back for looking like a grown woman and mom trying to look like a teenager. Cover your stretchmarks PLEASE!!! No one wants to see that. Moms should be more discreet and set an example for our daughters....less they end up on an episode of "Girls Gone Wild". JMO