The dreaded Bikini Season...

Now I think this may be more of a self esteem issue, but....

When do you think its alright to begin wearing two-piece suits?  I am 5'6", very athletic, have a bf% of about 23%, a bmi of 25.3 or something, and weigh about 157.  I really want to wear a two-piece, especially when I swim in the afternoons, so that I can get a good tan and not have to worry about that stupid circle that gets on my back!  My question... yay or nay to a two piece?  haha, I almost wish I could send you some pictures... everyone I train with are a lot longer than I am (I'm 19, they range from 14-18) and most of the ones who wear two piece suits are uber-skinny.

What's a bmi/weight/bf% that you would wear a two-piece at?  I'm thinking 150 is good... but I'm impatient.  I want to wear it now, but I feel too fat to do so.

I think ANYBODY regardless of size should wear a two-piece suit if they want to. You just have to feel comfortable with yourself. There are girls that are 120 that won't wear a bikini because they're too self-conscious. So, this has to be up to YOU. :) And I'll spare you my skin cancer lecture ... :P

Isn't 23% a good range?   I say wear one.  Personally, I think one-piece suits are ugly and unflattering on nearly everyone.  Why not try something like a tankini?   Although based on your stats, I'm sure you'd look just fine in a bikini.

23% is on the upper end of good, you are correct.  I was told that for ideal athletic performance, I should be around 17% though.

I refuse to wear a bikini, even if I was really skinny, just because, like alayney said above, I'm WAY too self concious, I'm also really uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit, two peice or not.

I think you should wear a bikini if you really want to, you shouldn't let other peoples opinions stop you from wearing one.

hey tyrdrop.  I have a body fat % of about 26 right now and weight 155 give or take a lbs.  I think I am starting to look pretty darn good in one.  I say go for it.  You may feel uncomfortable at first but just concentrate on the fun activites your doing and you will soon forget about it....or at least not give a crap

go for it!

I think it's hard to tell a specific number to start wearing a 2-piece.  It's all about felling comfortable showing your stomach.  Go try on some suits :)  I think a higher cut bikini bottom (not grandma high) is pretty flattering because it helps hold in the stomach, if you have any insecurities.  Once you start to get a little tan, you'll feel a lot more comfortable in one.

You could also try a tankini and roll up the body if you're lounging around by the pool.

I agree with everyone. A good bmi/weight to wear a 2-piece is whatever you damn well please. I'm tired of the concept of only certain people being "allowed" to wear certain types of clothing. What BS!

Rock that body, girl!!

Agh :-(.  I just couldn't get myself to do it... not today anyway.  I will keep trying to build up enough confidence to do so though!

Yep, I think it all depends on your self-image.  Personally, I have such low self-esteem that I refused to wear a bikini until I got 10 lbs or so underweight.  I'm gaining that weight back now, and working on boosting my confidence, so I can still wear a bikini when I get back to a normal weight.

Really, I admire any woman who can wear a bikini and feel good about herself, regardless of her weight.  It's so difficult for some (including me) -- we're so judgemental of ourselves and worried about how we look to others that we don't even realize that others are probably not even looking at us or judging us as much as we think.