It’s Okay To Take Up Space
A body like mine isn’t supposed to be visible. A body like mine makes people uncomfortable. And being happy with a body like mine confuses people at best and enrages them to the point of harassment and violence at worst. I’ve said it many times but I’ll say it again, it’s exhausting to be a visibly fat person. This has been illustrated to me in a few different ways lately.
You Don’t Have to Wear a Fatkini to Be Fab
Shopping for swimwear is something we are told to dread at every size. Commercials prep us for months about our “summer bodies†so we don’t go into a dressing room and burst into tears. I remember that feeling of dread. I remember buying into the hype that my body wasn’t made for swimwear because I wasn’t supposed to be seen at all. I remember feeling like I had to just find whatever suit would fit my frame fat and disguise the fact that I had rolls and cellulite.
I Don’t Feel Fat; I Am Fat
When I wake up everyday and look in the mirror, I am fat. When I have a bad body day, I am fat. When I have a great day, I am still fat. Fat is a descriptor of my body. It’s not a temporary state and it’s not inherently a bad thing. Saying that I am fat doesn’t mean I am ugly but society still conflates the words fat and ugly. This is where a recent statement from model Ashley Graham really has me troubled.
Know Thy Fashion Self
I would hate to think I’m predictable. I pride myself on trying new things and taking risks in fashion but what if I am unconsciously taking the same risks. Does that make them less risky? And more importantly, does that make me a fashion fraud?
Living My Best Life Through Travel
I’ve always dreamed of a life where I could combine my passion for fashion and travel. I didn’t know how I would make it happen but I find myself living a life I never dreamed I could. I made it my goal last year to try and travel somewhere every few months, but by July of 2016, I found myself traveling every month.
Plus Size Bike Shorts: Function Meets Fashion
Over the years, one of my go-to solutions to combat summer thigh chaffing or chub rub has been a sturdy pair of cotton bike shorts. I’ve always opted for black bike shorts and while I’m not throwing away my plus size black bike shorts for good, I’ve added a new color option to my chub rub prevention arsenal: white plus size bike shorts from On The Plus Side.
Finding Your Fashion Armor
It seems like every time I post a picture of myself online, I see someone comment something like “I wish I could wear that.†I know that the common response from a lot of folks when it comes to being more confident about something is “fake it ‘til you make it†but that just really doesn’t sit well with me.
Spring Fashion Ready
For the majority of my life, I’ve lived through terrible Midwest winters. Both in Chicago and Cleveland, I’ve embraced winter coats and even learned to knit so I could make my own scarves. But even as I have found ways to make winter more bearable, I am still elated every time spring rolls around.
Happiness & My Mental Health
Last week brought me some of the best moments of my professional life. I was featured for the first time as a blogger in a print publication, FabUPlus AND actress Gabourey Sidibe wore my designs on the cover of NYLON magazine. I’ve been designing for over five years and blogging for nearly three and two of my biggest professional goals happened in the same week.
Embracing My Style Evolution
Growing up, I went through a hippie phase. I owned more tie-dye skirts and shirts than I would normally care to admit. And I even did one of my senior pictures sitting atop my car (which was covered in feminist bumper stickers) wearing flare jeans and no shoes.
Five Ways To Be Your Own Valentine
Growing up, I loved Valentine’s Day until my classmates stopped being obligated to bring Valentine’s Day cards for everyone in the class. My middle school Valentine’s Days were particularly painful. I didn’t feel like anyone’s first, second or third choice. I mostly felt pretty invisible and un-loveable every day during Middle School so a day that’s designed to celebrate love can make those feelings extra amplified.
Self-Care Tips To Get You Through
I will be the first to admit that self-care used to be a foreign concept to me. I dealt with stress and fatigue by working more. I tricked myself into believing that if I could just keeping running eventually I would get to where I needed to be. But over time, I realized that constantly running with no breaks only left me running on empty.