WHEN an influencer posted her favorite hack to make a bikini look more flattering on a flat chest, trolls were quick to flood her comments with criticism.
But some other commenters fought back, pointing out they were wilfully misunderstanding the clever trick.
Lisa Banks, a body positivity advocate, shared her favorite way to wear a bikiniTikTok / lisa_banks_
To style the bikini, Banks put it on backward, then gave it a literal twistTikTok / lisa_banks_
Body positivity advocate Lisa Banks understands how challenging it can be to love your body when it looks different from the so-called “ideal.”
She posts empowering, encouraging content to her almost 200k TikTok followers, including styling tips for her fellow flat-chested fashionistas.
In one video, Banks shared her favorite way of styling a bikini top, and said it’s especially effective for “itty bitty t***y girls.”
“I’m going to show you a trick to make this bikini a lot more flattering,” Banks said.
First, she put her bikini top on as usual.
“Tie it as you would normally,” she instructed, knotting the strings at the neck and leaving the closure at the back loose.
“Make sure it’s balanced on each side,” Banks continued. “Then, take it off, flip it, and reverse it.”
Moments later, Banks was still wearing the bikini top around her neck, but the chest pieces were facing backward.
Then, making sure the strings didn’t get tangled, Banks crossed the two triangle-shaped cups over each other.
The straps formed a halter-style tie at her neck, and the cups fit more snugly against her chest in a literal “twist” on the normal style.
The final twist was flattering, but some didn’t understand what Banks was doingTikTok / lisa_banks_
But despite her triumphant “Ta-da!” at the end of the video, Banks faced several comments from viewers who insisted she did something wrong.
“You’re cute, but it didn’t work,” said one man, seemingly confused by the video.
“I don’t see any difference,” said another who snubbed the tutorial.
Other commenters missed the point, but tried to compliment Banks anyway – but they came off as lecherous.
“Regardless of size, tons of guys would still tap that,” wrote one man. “Save yourself the stress. No need to try and fake it.”
Others were pointedly cruel and body-shamed her.
“Was this an ironing board ad?” asked one man. Another said the thing that would really improve Banks’ bikini was “a bicycle pump.”
Luckily, flat-chested women immediately understood what Banks was saying, and they were grateful.
“That’s how I wear my bikini!” said another flat-chested viewer.
Women with larger cup sizes were envious of Banks and other women who could sport the adorable style hack.
“Me and my 34DDD’s watching this cause the grass is always greener,” one woman wrote.
Another laughed at how lost the male commenters seemed, writing, “Guys on here are clueless.”
“It’s not supposed to make it bigger, it’s supposed to make it more flattering,” a patient woman explained.
“Haha thank you,” Banks responded. She wasn’t sure why people seemed so confused by her styling tip.
“I don’t know what everyone expected,” Banks admitted. ” This is not a magic bikini.”