'It felt very freeing': Caitlyn Jenner wears a swimsuit in public for first time... but rejects one picked out for her by Kim Kardashian as it bares too much cleavage

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Caitlyn Jenner donned a sexy white swimsuit and finally faced up to her body image fears as she joined gal pals for a swim in the latest episode of the E! series I Am Cait.

The 65-year-old, who'd been reluctant previously to go public in a bathing suit, took the plunge during a stay at a secluded luxury villa in Napa Valley. 

'It felt very freeing,' Caitlyn said of her decision to throw caution to the wind and embrace her new body. 'I did see my reflection in the glass and I looked pretty good.'

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Taking the plunge: Caitlyn Jenner was seen for the first time in a swimsuit in public during Sunday's episode of the E! reality series I Am Cait

Pleased: Caitlyn said she'd caught a glimpse of her reflection in the villa's glass doors and was happy with the way she looked in a swimsuit during a stay in Napa Valley

Just before taking a dip, she'd been seen choosing between two bathing suits and deciding against a black one picked out for her by Kim Kardashian.

‘I love my daughter Kimberly to death but this is one that she would wear,’ she joked. ‘It is probably a little bit more revealing in the cleavage department.' 

She settled instead on a white one-shoulder swimsuit.

‘Putting on a bathing suit represents a lot to me,' she explained. 'It is kind of scary because, you know, you are really exposing yourself. I am about as nervous as I can possibly be right now.' 

Big step: The former Olympian, who only transitioned to living as a woman in the last few months, stripped down poolside

Milestone: Caitlyn described the experience of wearing a swimsuit in public as 'freeing'

Here I come: The 65-year-old covered up at first as she walked out to join her friends already in the villa's swimming pool

Modesty forbids: The famous former athlete decided not to bare too much cleavage in her choice of swimwear, joking she'd leave that to Kim, pictured in 2013

Then she took a deep breath and walked out to join her friends in the pool. 

‘OK. Are you ready?’ she asked as, with a flourish, she removed her diaphanous covering and showed herself off to positive cheers.

In Sunday's episode, Caitlyn continued her road trip to San Francisco with pals actress Candis Cayne, Jenny Boylan, a writer and co-chair of GLAAD, activist Chandi Moore and best friend and stylist Ronda Kamihara.

They stopped off at the Human Rights Campaign in the city by the bay where the former Olympian met and listened to some trans women tell their stories.

Exuberant: It was one more dream come true for Caitlyn as she overcame her nerves and embraced her new body

Splish splash: The secluded pool at the luxury villa in wine country was the perfect place for her swimsuit debut

It was an eye-opening experience for the celebrity who has vowed to work to bring positive change through her high profile gender transition.

She heard from others how difficult their lives have been and how often trans women end up as sex workers because they are unable to get or to keep jobs because of prejudice. 

Chandi Moore observed: 'Caitlyn has been able to achieve in a few months some things they'll never achieve in their whole lives.'

Caitlyn acknowledged the visit had had a sobering effect: 'I've lived a great life and I've realized in this transition I've had that privileged status.'

Supportive: She got a big hug from one of her girlfriends as her pals cheered her on 

At ease: Caitlyn enjoyed some relaxation with the group of trans women who accompanied her on her San Francisco road trip

She continued: 'I'm a white guy. I've worked hard. I've managed to put a few dollars away. And what I am learning.....unbelievable! It's shocking to me to see the struggles out there.'

The former Bruce Jenner was particularly moved by the story of Blossom Brown, a senior public health major from Mississippi whose dream is to work as a nurse and who said she couldn't get into nursing school because she is transgender. 

'I make straight As. I work hard,' she said. 'Stop looking on the outside and start on the inside and see that we just want to be normal people.’

Cailtyn decided to help Blossom by getting her a place at nursing school and paying for it too. 

Big decision: Caitlyn had brought two pieces of swimwear with her, a black one picked out by Kim Kardashian and a white one-strap one-piece swimsuit

Playing it safe: The reality star decided that Kim's choice was a little too risque for her public swimsuit debut and opted for the less revealing white bathing suit

Listening to others: On Sunday's episode, Caitlyn and her friends visited the Human rights campaign office in San Francisco where they met with some trans women activists and heard their personal stories

Prejudice: Blossom Brown revealed how she couldn't get a place at nursing school because she is transgender even though she's a straight A student

Moved: The former Olympian was shocked to hear how tough it is for many transgender people to find or keep a job and that for some, sex work becomes the only way they can make a living

Privileged: She was moved to tears by the realization she's lived a privileged life and that the ease with which she has accessed support and services isn't the normal experience

She also said she'd try to arrange for her to meet her idol Ellen DeGeneres and appear on her TV show where she could also share her story.

The parent of Kendall and Kylie Jenner bemoaned the lack of privacy she has in Los Angeles and said she welcomed the peace and quiet of Napa Valley.

In fact, she was reluctant to return home to Malibu.

Over dinner at the luxury villa, the girls chatted about relationships and whether they were attracted to men or women.

Tranquility: Caitlyn enjoyed the peace and quiet of Napa Valley so much she said she didn't want to go home

Celebration: She uncorked a bottle of the local vintage as she enjoyed a leisurely lunch

Embraced: As she reflected on her journey to date, her friends gathered around and gave her a big hug

The three-times married star again stressed she has only been involved romantically with women.

But that she's not sure now whether or not that might change and isn't counting out anything as far as the future goes.

'For me, if that was the case, as far as a male, female relationship, I would want to have the right parts,' she said.

Asked if she meant the ‘parts you feel comfortable with’, Caitlyn replied: ‘And he feels comfortable with.’

Sex talk: Over dinner on the final night of the trip, Caitlyn and her pals talked about dating and if they were most attracted to men or women

Open: Caitlyn said she's only dated women but if she was going to pursue a relationship with a man, she'd want to have 'the right parts' first

During the episode, the girls went rollerskating at a local rink and at Caitlyn's urging, also tried their hand at riding motorbikes.

However, Caitlyn's exuberance and happiness was casting a pall over her friendship with Ronda who has felt increasingly pushed to the fringes of Jenner's new circle of friends.

Ronda, who's supported Jenner throughout the transition, had a heart to heart with Jenny about her unhappiness.

'I miss my friendship with her and everybody else is trumping me,' she said. 'I miss what we had before.'

Challenge: The 65-year-old motorbike enthusiast, seen here closest to the camera, took his friends out for some motocross fun during their trip

Left out: Ronda Kamihara, who's supported Jenner through the whole transition process and is a close confidante, told Jenny Boylan she's feels she's losing Caitlyn's friendship

At the end of the episode,Ronda mustered up the courage to confront her with how she felt.

The reality star defended herself by saying it was a hectic and crazy time for her but she didn't mean to be hurtful.

'I have always appreciated your friendship. You were there for my surgeries. You drove me. If I seem a little cold and insensitive then I apologize,’ she said.

Still, it's clear that Caitlyn's friendship with Candis is growing stronger.

The two left the others to fly back to LA together on a private jet and were seen exchanging warm glances and touches as they traveled back home in style.

Just the two of us: Caitlyn and actress Candis Cayne left the others and flew back to LA together on a private jet

Close: The two have been spending a lot of time together

Heading home: Caitlyn prepared herself for the hustle and bustle of LA again after the relaxing break