At What Age and Conditon Is a Bikini Just Not Hot Anymore?

Well.....I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. I see nothing wrong with wearing a bikini. I am 29 have had 3 kids and I look dang good in a bikini and I'm proud of it!!!! I watch what I eat, and work out. I am 5'3 and weigh 110 pounds. Don't get me wrong I don't walk around in a thong or anything but I think that if you look good and feel comfortable wearing one then more power to you!!!! Did you every think that some people also like to get a nice tan tummy in the summer? My hubby loves when I'm all tan in the summer and so do I. I love my tan tummy. Nothing wrong with that at all.

I don't think a women of any age looks good, to be honest. Needing of attention...perhaps. Personally, I feel fine about my body. I'm 30, in good shape, don't have any lumps, sagging, or flab. I just really have no desire to have all the goods on display for the world. I think I can be a hot mama in a tankini and board shorts, sweats, dresses, jeans, etc. It's a frame of mind. I don't need to be almost naked publicly, to feel good about myself. It's not even about my kid, really. *I* don't want anyone gawking at me.

ETA: To be clear, I was talking about how I view this for MY life. I suppose I should have said WOMAN, not women. If I went out in a bikini, it wouldn't be for myself. (Hence, the needing of attention. Which, I don't want.) I don't care what other people do or don't wear. Unless, their private parts are literally coming out of their suit in front of my child. In those cases, I do wish the women would shove things back in, when toddlers are around. Other then that, who cares!!

I think if you don't like it, don't look :) lol - I also think anyone should wear what they feel comfortable wearing.

You're right.

At 25, everyone should go topless.

Be Freeeeeee! Free I say, free!

there is a degree of hypocrisy about myself that i must acknowledge. when i was a young woman, i too would engage somewhat in this nasty ogling of other women for the purpose of deriding them. i don't like that i did it, and the fact that i did doesn't mean i have to sit still for it now.
i think 'hot' is a stupid, mean-spirited, bitchy, horrid yardstick for women to use as to judge each other. i hate that 'modesty' is the excuse so many women use to degrade and hate on other women. if you don't want your kids to gawk at women's 'lady bits' YOU teach them that it's unseemly and rude. if YOU are uncomfortable in a bikini, don't wear one. if YOU are grossed out by another woman's pooch or back fat, who has a gun to your head forcing you to look? avert your freakin' eyes.
i think women should wear bikinis for as long as they are comfortable in them and want the sun on that much skin. period.
so for all of you who are ever so offended by what other women wear, how about if YOU be a mom and quit worrying about how other women view themselves.
khairete
S.

I wore a bikini well after 24. I never thought I "rocked the beach" in it. I was more comfortable because I'm long waisted and couldn't find a 1 piece that didn't creep up and constantly need to be pulled out of my crack. I think there's a difference between a 2 piece and a string bikini that let's the whole world see your stuff.

One of my favorite pregnancy pictures is of me in a bikini at 8 1/2 months pregnant. That was probably offensive to some and other thought it was beautiful. I didn't really give a rat's a$$.

aww... I love this post.

Is there a particular age? no. Is there a particular condition? no. I think the test is, on a day when you feel good about yourself already, just looking in the mirror and asking yourself, "how do I feel about myself in this garment?" And then, "would I want my picture taken in this outfit and placed on a billboard?" ha ha.....

(Or perhaps these are the wrong questions. Perhaps I should ask myself "How will I look to ignorant and immature people I don't care about? Will *they* think I'm HOT, and therefore, a good person?" Oops, sorry, my snark got out...)

I wear a tankini and I don't rock it, but I do jiggle it a bit! I don't really need to show off (I am big beyond DD, it's pretty obvious), but I do want support. The Ladies have had quite a life and after three years of nursing, they've been out and about long enough.

I am 41 I just bought a new bikini. I have about 15-20 lbs to loose. I don't look horrible but I sure don't look like I did in my 20s either. I don't particularly care. It's what's comfortable for me. I like to get into the water and I can't stand wearing more than a bikini. I hate the fabric of tankinis clinging to me and constantly dripping down my legs once wet. I hate the way they ride up in the water. I have tried one pieces and because of my longer torso I can't find one that is comfortable, plus I want my stomach to be tan.

Soooo nope I don't think there is an age or cut off. I do think all your parts should be covered regardless of where you are and what you are doing. If you can't cover your ladybits with a bikini then you may want to rethink the cut of it.

LOL... i guess its time for us old folks..over 24 to just get some cats and sit in a rocking chair yelling at the neighbor kids to get off our lawn..lol..

i dont wear a bikini because i dont wanna scare or frighten small children, but if i thought i could rock one i would!!

LOL... What is UP with all these questions today?? Summer clothing anxiety much!? Are people seriously judging me in my two piece and saying to themselves, "She's way over 24; she should be wearing shorts and a baggy t-shirt," - is that happening and I just don't know it???? I hardly have a moment to take my eye off my 4 year old long enough to sneeze while we're at the beach or the pool... I'm not taking the time to check out women in their two-pieces. I honestly don't care what they wear as long as they're covering their lady bits!

Side note: My mom wore a bikini into her early 40's and looked AWESOME. She still would have looked awesome past that, but she felt uncomfortable.

I wear my bikini because I have a good healthy body and I rock it. I'm 5'5" size 2 at 115#. I really don't care what other people think.

When you pay my mortgage, I might listen to you. Until then, I'll continue to do what is most comfortable for me and live my life my way.... I don't live my life to please others or worry about pleasing others.

What someone else does in their life is up to them, not you or anyone else to lay down your rules.

If you want to be modest, go be modest. If I want to run around naked and I feel comfortable with that.. I will.

I've seen some women who are grossly overweight and wearing a bikini but I admire them for being confident enough to wear that bikini and feel good about themselves.

I have seen plenty of women that are well over 24 and look great in a bikini and I see some that look terrible, but it is their choice not mine.

Living here in the most popular vacation area for Europeans and South Americans I see all kinds of people wearing what they are comfortable in. I just don’t care what kind of suit they are wearing as long as they are not running around the neighborhood naked.

I can’t stand most of the bikinis they make now, they are just tiny pieces of material that only cover the nipples and another tiny piece to cover the bottom. I prefer a one piece suit so that I don’t have to worry about it coming off while I am having fun in the water with my daughter.

I think speedos should be banned forever. I don’t need or want to see any man’s junk even if he is a hottie.

I have come to the conclusion, at the ripe age of 35, that *1* am not the "appropriate" police.

I'm 47, 5'2" tall, 115 lbs, and I wear a string bikini. I like the way I look in it, and quite frankly, don't care if anyone else thinks I look good. Anyone who doesn't like the way I look has 359 other directions they can point their eyes.

I wear a bikini because I have a very long torso and finding a one piece that is comfortable is too much stress. I take care of myself but even if I didn't...Im going to wear what I feel good in.

Personally, I couldn't care less what other women wear. I live on the B. so we get all kinds here. I don't spend my time critiquing other people's fashion choices.

I think skimpy bikinis are trashy on everybody, not just older people, or people with kids. I don't want to see ANYONE'S lady bits, honestly. If it's a more athletic style/practical bikini, then I think it's okay.

When I see a woman with 3 kids and a tiny bikini, I think it's probably embarrassing for the kids, and a sad,desperate ploy for attention, personally. We get it, you've birthed several kids, and you're in good shape, you don't have to portray yourself as a stripper to prove it. Even if I could wear a teeny bikini, I wouldn't because I'm a modest person & don't need to be ogled when I'm with my kid.

Are you friends with the woman that thinks we should all be hot mommas? 24? Are you kidding? I'm 44 and look great in a bikini! These poor self image questions are killing me!

I am 34 with 2 children and wear either a tankini or bikini.
Several of my aunt in laws are well into their 40's...still wearing a bikini.
And none of us look like beached whales...even with a little tummy flub from babies. I'm not trying to be a Hot Mama...It's just comfortable.

I wear bikini's. I'm 31. I have about 15 pounds to loose which I'm working on. But I don't look awful in it. I'm not a super model, but I can still wear a bikini. I do not think there should be a cut off age. I wear a bikini for comfort. I have tried a tankini and I think they are the most uncomfortable things ever! I hate how the fabric clings when it's wet. I also hate wearing a one piece. I was in swim team all growing up and I hated the bathing suits.
I do not ever wear them to get looked at or noticed. I have 2 kids. My 7 year old daughter also wears a 2 piece. She picked it out. I'm not going to tell her she can't wear it because I am wearing one. I grew up wearing a bikini and so she can too if she wants.
I'm not wearing it to be a "hot mama". I wear it for comfort, and I am a great mom!

Wow, talk about a "hot" topic! I am 39 and am finally back into a bikini and proud of it. I haven't worn once since 2005, the summer before we were pregnant with our first. I switched to tankini's, but like others, hate that they float up in the water AND are hot under a tank while getting to your destination. I still have a few pounds to lose but don't care. I feel good about my body finally (lost 55 lbs) and have been toning my tummy. I feel I look as good and better than some. I still see people of ALL ages wearing bikinis that are very over weight and really should not be wearing one because they are hanging out all over the place...

On a side note, what is up with skinny jeans in plus size? Those should only be made up to a certain size...small...just sayin...lol

I've seen some older women and curvy women in bikinis and thought "good for you" because they obviously felt good enough about themselves to wear them. I have never worn one because I have never had that kind of confidence, but I can certainly admire someone who does. I don't care too much about modesty. A body is a body, get over it. We all have the same parts, and we all know what they are, so what's the point of hiding them. Why worry about whether or not some stranger deems you hot enough or young enough to wear a bikini.

Heidi Klum looks pretty damn good in her bikini. I, however, am not Hiedi Klum. I wear a swim dress circa 1935. :)

My aunt who was in her 40's in the 1960's rocked a bikini!!!! But she was not able to have children of her own , adopted 3. And our standards were very different then. Look at the swimsuit shots of Marilyn Monroe, she was a size 14-16 and is still considered a sexy woman.

However I do agree that if the belly is bigger than the bikini, find a different suit. I also think a tankini is a great look that covers more but is still a sexy look. However if you are toting around a toddler and a beach bag and other assorted stuff and probably chasing around an older child a one piece is a better option.

Another however, if a woman just fought and won the battle of the buldge and lost her baby weight, she may not be rocking the bikini but damn proud to be able to wear one.

I don't think it's a matter of age. Admittedly, it would be a little odd to see a gray haired woman in a bikini, but I know that my mother still looks awesome in a bkini even after two kids. She's nearing 50.

I'm also not sold on it being a matter of condition entirely. I'm only 110 lbs, but by your definition of needing to lose the bikini if you have a pooch, then I guess I shouldn't wear one. Sorry, but I have an 8 month old and haven't fully recovered my 6 pack yet.

To me, it's more a matter of generally appropriate.

24? ARE you SERIOUS??? To be honest I think there are more women OVER 24 who look good in a bikini than UNDER! The people who I feel for are the teenage and pre-teenage girls who are just bursting out of their suits from either being overweight or trying to show it all. They are the oneswho should not be in a bikini.

Also I will venture to guess that you are extremely insecure about your own body-thus your extreme judgment on others bodies. You are taking your fear of showing off your not -so -perfect body and projecting it onto how others should feel. When I see an out of shape woman in a bikini all that I think is 'good for her'! I wish that I could have that kind of body confidence.

Well, I do live in Florida and we see some real doozeys here too.

I don't think bikinis look good on most grown women, even ones in good shape. I subscribe to my grandma's theory about leaving something to the imagination.

If you ever want to have alot of fun with this go to one of the Orlando water parks. Oh boy . . . not for the faint of heart.

My biggest pet peeve is old men in speedos.

Age 24? Are you serious? There is no age limit for a bikini! I have seen fat blobs who are teenagers and beautiful women in their 40's. I am 35 and would wear a bikini except when I sit down I would be self concious about my belly (not an issue when standing up). And yes, I have seen women who are over 24 look great. Maybe you could work on your own physique and self esteem?

I am 36 weeks pg right now, my bikini is the onkly suit that fits, I'm happy to wear it-my tummy is adorable(if not rather large:)). However when I am swimming with my kids I do cover up more-not because I am ashamed but because they don't need to see mommy hanging out-my 5 year old wanted to know why all the ladies at the pool had thier undies on in public lol. I gotta tell you I am 27 and if I put the bikini away when it is just my hubby and me he would be seriously disappointed-he would probably cease swimming:) I am totally wearing it for him!

I asked the other question you are referring too, so obviously yes, I wear a bikini. I'm 5'1, 99lbs and in the best shape of my life...hell yes I wear a string bikini!

Demi Moore looks pretty hot in a bikini and she is 47.

Hi lillym-

Even when I was younger (and perhaps more firm?) I always felt that something that revealed 'less' was always more alluring...

I 'was' a 'hot' mama (by skinniness standards I suppose) after the birth of my preemie twins. Probably what kept me 'skinny' were myriad trips to the NICU...and racing home to take care of the other kiddos.

NOT A DIET I RECOMMEND!!

I am now post menopausal...and I ROCK my 'mama' bathing suits!

Not only do they suit my over 50 body...they are functional for things that a bathing suit is for!! (swimming...diving...body surfing)

I do not wear a bikini...BUT

I ASSURE you...I am...and have always been...

ONE "HOT" MAMA!

To each their own...

Best!
michele/cat

why do you think bikinis are not appropriate for women over 24? just curious? to answer your question, i am 37, with an ok/average body. gave birth to twins, weight 110 5'4''. i am not athletic by any means, and i don't wear a bikini because i want to be looked at. i wear it because i am comfortable with who i am. i don't want to be one of those people spending my life trying to achieve the perfect body. i want to enjoy life, and do the things that i want to do, and look the way i want to look for myself. the confidence i have now is not something i had during my teenage years, which i regret. i spent my teenage years hiding my skinny body, dreaming i would gain weight and look 'appropriate.' it didn't happen. now i look at ye pictures from those years and realize i was wearing pants and jeans no matter what the weather. really? for what? so, i wish more women embraced themselves and the way they look. granted, love handles spilling all over does not call for a bikini, but anything in between is ok in my book. you should spend less time worrying about what others wear, and spend more time getting comfortable in your skin. that will be the greatest lesson you could teach your kids.

Have you seen Halle Berry lately?

It's all about figure and modesty to me.

Regardless of age, there are very few people on the planet who look good in a bikini. Ironically, I think curvy (T&A pinup types not the medically obese) people look the worst. They tend to spill out too much on both ends and it's just literally too much. They certainly can't expect to swim in a bikini if they're built like that, and not have a clothing incident at some point. I can't stand watching all of the people with ill-fitting bikinis who actually attempt to swim in them at the pool and beach. They all wind up adjusting, tucking, pulling, and rearranging body parts and fabric after getting out of the water and sometimes while swimmning. All I can say is gross and tacky and what's the point of wearing them?! It seems the less you have to put in a bikini, the better they look, stay on, and fit the person. Most important, I think it's best not to swim in them at all. They're really best for wet t-shirt contests, pageants, and laying on a beach or the deck of a cruiseline to catch the attention of some lusty losers. JMO.

If one must wear swimming wear, most people regardless of age or body type look good in a simple design, perhaps Olympic racer back style swim suit. Ruffles, strange cuts and designs are all trouble. But a simple one piecer holds things in, covers most important parts up well, and if you spend the money, you can find them with adjustable straps if you need to make them fit your long torso.

On the question of modesty: If you are modesty concious there is no bikini on the planet that's appropriate. The whole point of bikinis is to flaunt your stuff. The problem is, there are not many people with bods good enough to flaunt...but for some reason think they do, or they don't have a problem embarrassing themselves and show off anyway. Though they should NOT be flaunting. Just keep in mind, if others are staring it may not be because you're hot stuff. You might just be the fashion-don't headline in the Enquirer magazine cover in their head. Just sayin.

If it's about looking "hot" and "rocking" it, then I pretty much agree with you. If the suits are meant to be utilitarian, then I don't feel such harsh criticism for them.

I always tell myself that people are built differently and have different thresholds for feeling good and confident. I wonder, though, if some people are just waaaayyy too confident. I mean, so what if you have lost 90 pounds? If you need to lose 90 more, then hold off on showing your skin.

I also think in terms of modesty, but, again, I can't be in charge of this for people. I think that women of a certain again should not walk around in midriff tops or shorts above their knees, no matter how hot they are, but I don't look down my nose at them.

To me, it seems you are being just as judgmental as the other poster, judging people for their fashion choices and wondering a lot about why they made choices you do not approve of. And Adansmama actually said I was a bad mom! How judgmental can you be? I swam and played with my children, I was not popping out of my suit! I wore a 2 piece bathing suit until I hit mid 40's. As I aged I wore more and more modest two pieces but I liked the feeling of fresh air on my midrift when it was hot outside, I like getting a tan on my belly. and I never had any belly or back fat. Now I wear tankinis and I feel a little LESS modest as they are low cut, (but I am a petite B cup) Not sure what you mean about reactions, my husband was the only one who commented on how I look in my bathing suit. I never felt people were gawking, anyone who feels gawked at might have an anxiety problem- or a super fantastic body? Around here and visiting other places I see many, many Teens and twentiesomethings who wear bikinis despite having a good bit of belly fat, I worry that they are gaining weight at such a young age,not healthy! but I like that they are secure enough about their bodies -not anorexic!!
I do often see woman at the beach or pool and wonder why they dont take the time to find a suit they look great in, I think there are suits for every figure.

My sister is 32, has 2 kids, and is gorgeous and in great shape. She wears a bikini and it just as beautiful in it as anyone I've seen in a magazine. Her bikinis aren't as skimpy as they once were, and she'll probably make the transition to a tankini in the next few years, but for now, she looks just as good as ladies in their 20s who have no kids yet.

I don't think there is a specific age for this really. Either a person is comfortable in that or not. Whether it's appropriate for the setting or not, I'm sure it can be personally assessed on a case by case basis. And if you go to Walmart very often you will see people wear whatever they want lol. I am thin but have never been comfortable in a bikini. That being said I think if a person doesn't mind showing off a little skin then they should go for it. I don't think it's for morbidly obese people but I have to be honest, usually I just see heavier people in large t-shirts and either a swim skirt or shorts. Some people just shouldn't wear what they pick at all and that's when it becomes difficult not to judge a person by their clothing.

I think there are bikini's that look fine way older than 24 and full pieces that are trashy at any age. The bikini's in the 50's were plenty modest I think and some still are. I know some moms who are wearing full pieces and falling out of the top bc they're so low cut and that I think is worse if you're at a family pool. And as someone who got married way over age 24, no way is that the cutoff! I generally agree with you but to me 24 is still a kid!

I had my first 3 kids young, prime bikini time, gained weight that took years to shed. Finally lost it all and at like 27 bought me a cute little bikini, did I look ok in it, I like to think so and size wise I probably did. I wore it once and never again, it made me really uncomfortable when I was swimming with the kids. Now had I been on vacation or something with just the hubby, it might have been ok, but in mom mode I just need more of my body covered. 2 more kids and a few years later, and I don't even have any intention of getting back in a swim suit anytime soon, lol.

I couldn't wear a biking if I wanted. My boobs are just to big. For that matter no bathing suit fits because of my boobs. I end up with bikini bottoms and a tank top, the ones in lingerie cause they are a tighter fit and stretch less...all so I can wear a bra.

To answer your question...it's not about age, and if you feel good in it who am I to say you are wrong. However, once we were at a water a park and there was a lady who was well over 300 pounds...it was gross. When the fat hangs over to the point it looks like you are wearing nothing...maybe it's not the right suit.