I say not only wear that bikini...but make sure these acquaintances get a good long look at those stretch marks! Wear them proud!
Personally, I would say you should do what you want to do and feel good about yourself. You have a husband that you are happily married to and two great daughters, my guess you have their complete respect and love - is there anyone else that you are supposed to impress. I don't think so. I think your acquantances are being disrespectful to you by not being supportive of who you are.
I did not even read your other responses, but here are my thoughts. If the stretch marks a re the clear kind, go for it. If they are red and ugly, shoot for a tankini. I am small enough for a bikini as well but I choose a tankini b/c of the stretch marks.
I agree with all the women who stated, "go for it" the ones who disagreed made me laugh. Especially the one who stated something like how wearing a bikini is a horrible example for their daughters! I just purchased my first bikini since having my two children and I am so excited!! It's been a long time and hard work trying to get my body back in shape and I've finally done it. Now mind you, I didn't go out and get a skimpy bikini with my boobs bulging out and half my butt exposed. Mine is very classy and the bottoms come just under my belly button. It a very classy and attractive bikini! I also bought an adorable coverup (a matching terry cloth skirt) to go with it. I have stretch marks but fortunatly mine are light and pretty low on the belly. If I saw someone with stretch marks and wearning a bikini I'd give them a high five! in my oppinion those mothers who have given up on themselves and feel that just because they are mothers they no longer matter are the ones that I laugh at! I had a mother like that and she was often an embarrasment to me growing up. I didn't want to be like her. I wanted to wear stylish clothing and learn how to apply makeup and all the other girly things. I obviously wouldn't go to my mom for that, I felt she was a horrible example! The funny thing is that after we all moved out and I had my first daughter that she decided to change when she saw me becoming like she had been. Just because you're a mother and a wife doesn't mean that you are dead. I just got on my husband's case recently because I felt like he was giving up on himself. I LOVE it when women or men take pride in what they wear, it is a sign on confidence. In my oppinion, Those people who state that showing your stretch marks in public is "disrespectful" they are just as ignorant as those who say that you cannot breastfeed your child in public!
Wear what you want to wear! Who cares what anyone else thinks? If you're comfortable enough with yourself to wear a bikini, have at it! I wish I could.... Most women have stretch marks - if they don't like you wearing a bikini w/ stretch marks, then they don't have to look!!!
Wow, who knew the controversy you'd create asking a simple question about a bikini. Ha! I'm a two time mom with very very faint stretch marks from my last nearly 10 pound bundle of joy. I have, however, worked out, toned up and have a great body that I will proudly wear a bikini in.
You should wear whatever YOU feel comfortable in...
You will NEVER make everyone happy.... so who gives a flip about what anyone else thinks... WHATEVER you wear, someone is bound to talk about you. So wear what YOU want... what looks good and is flattering on YOU and tell everyone else to go butt a stump. :)
The only thing disrespectful is telling you that you don't look good enough to wear what you want to wear.
EVERY woman is beautiful no matter what her body looks like... it is shallow people who don't think enough of themselves that have told us we have to look a certain way in order to be beautiful. Everyone of us is different and beautiful in our uniqueness. If you are comfortable in a bikini... wear it proud!! You are a Mother Goddess and don't every let anyone tell you otherwise! Let them gossip and giggle if they want... just remind yourself that they do it out of their own insecurities and have compassion for their them, but don't let them discourage you.
Hey Camila! My personal opinion is this. As long as you're setting a good example for your daughter(s) and you dont look hidious, go for it!
As long as you are comfortable you can wear a bikini. My guess is the women that gave you that advice were either young or not very attractive, so they would hate for a mom to look better than them.
Disrespectful to who????? It's your body and if you are comfortable in it (like you should be!:)) than everybody else's opinion doesn't matter! What is disrespectful are women with these so called "great bodies" who show so much skin that there is nothing left to the imagination!! And what exactly is a "great body" anyways? In my eyes it is one belonging to a women who is in great health on the inside......and one who is able to have beautiful, healthy children. Just because you have some stretch marks should not stop you from wearing a bikini and I think whoever these people are that tell you not to do it need to reconsider what truly matters! I am also thin.....with stretch marks on my hips.....do they think I should wear shorts over my bathing suit because of these so called ugly imperfections??? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!! My "imperfections" are a permanent reminder of the beautiful gift God has given to me and what my "great body" is capable of doing - creating, carrying and giving birth to a child. Wear what you want and forget what other people think!!!
Disrespectful? I think these (probably very well-meaning) acquaintances should probably stay at home in their own back yards. You wear what makes you happy. I would like to make the point that wearing a g-string at a public swimming pool for children is probably not the best idea, but we both know that's not what you are talking about.
Please don't buy into the "You have to look like a runway model to be beautiful" stuff. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman, a mother, with confidence in herself. What a wonderful lesson to show your children that you are happy with yourself just the way you are.
:) Good luck.
i say go ahead. who cares what anyone else thinks. i myself have tons of stretch marks from having six boys. i going to wear a tankini just becasue i am uncomfortable with my body. but have to get in the pool with my boys
If you feel comfortable wearing a bikini, go for it!!!
Personally I think that your acquaintances are being rude. I have massive stretch marks and I'm only 125 lbs. I wear them proudly!! I have 3 kids and those are my battle scars. I earned those, I worked hard for those. I don't go around showing everyone that I meet but I'm not going to hide them.
i agree with all the other ladies and let me go ahead and applaud you for doing something some of us don't have the courage to do! i don't think it's a bad example for our daughters, if anything it will help teach them to be proud of their bodys and help with self esteem issues later on. all i have to say is You Go Girl! You work that bikini for all of us and who cares what anyone else says, your opinion is the only one that matters. Good luck and let us know what happens!
I do not understand why a few body imperfections would be considered disrespectful. It is an interesting word choice I think. What you wear to the pool doesn't matter to me nor should it matter to others around you as long as it is not inappropriate or too revealing for children and as long as you are comfortable. What your acquaintances say makes no sense to me and seems a little superficial. If it were me, I would choose to wear a bikini if I wanted to but maybe not the smallest bikini in the world but one that flatters my body. I am getting ready to have my first child and I plan to exercise and to try to stay reasonably slim and I hope to wear a bikini afterwards too with or without stretch marks!! Be proud of your body! I consider them love scars!
Be proud of your body and go for it if you feel confident!
If you are comfortable in a bikini, and are not embarrassed
about your stretch marks, then wear your bikini. What
matters is how you feel about yourself and setting
the example of a mom who feels good about herself.
Disrespectful to wear a bikini? to who? the gossip mongerers?
If a bikini is disrespectful, why is it still in fashion
to sell and wear?
Wow. To say that it's disrespectful to wear a bikini because you don't look like a model is exactly what we don't want our children to learn. We aren't acceptable unless we're "perfect". I think if you don't mind seeing other people wearing bikinis, then you shouldn't feel self conscious. I personally don't think anyone should, but that's a personal choice.
It sounds to me that these "acquaintances " should stay just that.. acquaintances and NOT friends...How dare they say something like that..Who made them judge & jury of the bikini wearers of the world..I would have told them to go to hell and that they are the ones who are disrespectful of you and all the wonderful women out there that are proud of who & what they are despite people like them...That thinking is exactly what's wrong with our society today and why so many of our daughters are becoming anorexic and/or bulimic...Because they are shown & told that if your not stick thin then your not beautiful...What a shame and how very sad it is...