Is It Okay to Wear a Bikini When You Have Stretch Marks?

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

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

Happy summer!

I.

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.

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.

C.,

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

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.

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, J.

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'

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!

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 say not only wear that bikini...but make sure these acquaintances get a good long look at those stretch marks! Wear them proud!

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

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.

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.

Hi C..

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!

M.

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!!!

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!

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).

S. :-D

I'll admit that I hate my stretch marks. I live in Hawaii, so the beach is a way of life and so are bikinis. I tried everything while I was pregnant to prevent my stretch marks, but alas, my genetics won this round and I ended up with stretch marks from the top of my belly button all the way to my thighs. Surprisingly, dermalmd stretch mark serum was able to diminish 50% of my stretch marks in just a few weeks and that's a big difference for the amount I have. I'm very happy with the product and will continue to use it. I love that it has no abrasive smell or texture. It's now a part of my nightly routine.

If you feel comfortable wearing a bikini, go for it!!!

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.

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!

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.

Be proud of your body and go for it if you feel confident!

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!

C.

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!!!

um...if you're hugely pregnant why are you wearing a bikini is what I would ask...and stretch marks?!...ok, for one, especially for the single moms-to-be who are wearing bikinis and have stretch marks...ONLY WEIRDOS THINK THAT ITS HOTT!...personally, that's just crossing the line there. During pregnancy we're meant to be glowing and cute...not trampy and sexy in THAT manner, ugh, sorry, but I find THAT repulsive...i guess it's ok in your own backyard pool, but out at a public pool, COME ON! we know they're pregnant, they don't need to BROADCAST IT...if you're not pregnant and you're wearing a bikini that's fine...i intend to tan my stretch marks away and get into a bikini again next summer, cause before i got pregnant I was bikini worthy :P, and I'm only 19 so I have every right to be a hot mama still :P. I don't want to LOOK like a mom, just act like one to an extent that I can still enjoy my youth and have my happy little family :). My husband is workout nut, i was before i got pregnant, and you can't help but have stretchmarks, so ya know, they're scars, they're proud war-wounds to an extent. if you have the body, flaunt it girl

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!!

Hey C.! 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!

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!

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. :)

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.

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...

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 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!

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!!

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!

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.

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?

if you feel ok in a two peice wear it!!! if you are a little embarased by streach marks get massages it can help witht he apperance of streach marks. all it is is scare tissiue and massaging can break the dead tissue down and lessen the apperence. if you have the body dont let streach marks effect how you feel. like a battle wound people ask what happen people tell the whole story. people ask about streach marks well tell them the whole story. have fun!!!!

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

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 it's incredibly sad that your acquaintances have bought into the idea that the only body worthy of sporting a bikini is some idealized, perfect version shown in magazines. I guarantee you that those models we see in magazines are airbrushed to look nothing like what they really do.

If you're comfortable wearing your bikini , don't let people who have bought into the "perfection myth" discourage you.