My Life In Prints...A Big Girl's Perspective

L to R: Dress by Beth Ditto for Evans UK; Bird Print Dress From eShakti;
Lace Dress from Dots, Bow Belt from Torrid & Leopard Print leggings from Simply Be

I’m a big girl and I love prints.

Let the gasps, screams and heart attacks begin.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way…

Me wearing my animal print dress (gasps!)
from Addition Elle at FFF Week 2012

I don’t know who wrote this mythical rule book of what a big girl can’t wear but I’d like to find that person, buy them a cup of coffee and explain to them how their rules are the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. That's why I call it mythical... all those rules are MYTHS. And as I school this person on fashion, I would be sitting there, rocking the most FABULOUS polka dot dress with shoes to match.

We live in a society that continues to restrict us and police us on what we should and shouldn’t wear. And this has made the world a very critical place. So I know it takes a lot of courage to remain true to your style and walk out into a world where you will surely be stared at, talked about and criticized. Believe me, I know this all too well. You learn to develop an armor against these things because you have to ask yourself, what’s more important, your happiness or theirs? Shoot, I like being happy so I’m going to wear all sorts of prints until the day I die. To me, being true to yourself is the epitome of what being fearless is all about. And this includes expressing yourself through fashion and individual style.

Me at 6 yrs old, showing my fierceness

My print fascination began as a child. I was born in the 70’s so I blame and thank my mother for my print obsession. I grew up during a time where bell bottoms were in style and no color or print was off limits. As you can see, I rocked with what I was given and that, my friends, is the beginning of me as a fashionista owning my own style with attitude and confidence.

As I got older, my love for prints and bold colors grew, despite being told that I had to wear black to look thinner and that prints made me look fatter. That confused me as I thought I looked fabulous.

Over the years, my love for prints remained. Even when a friend told me I looked like a whale (she is no longer a friend) or recently, when a close friend told me that I made a mistake wearing that polka dot dress because it made me look pregnant. Some people mean well but I honestly think if they heard themselves in a playback, they would be mortified. See, this is the critical world we live in. Everyone has an opinion and will give it at a moment’s notice. But it is our choice to listen and let it affect our style. We always have a choice, people. I choose to continue to rock my prints with a wide smile on my face and head up high. I believe I am fabulous and know it. Once you believe in your fabulousness, no one else’s words can break through that armor.

Here's that dress I supposedly look pregnant
in (from Simply Be)... NOT. Side note: I love that
we are all wearing prints!

So, to that person who wrote that rule book, let me tell you something. When it comes to fashion, rules are made to be broken. Because fashion is subjective. Fashion is who you are and what you love to wear. Fashion is not something that can be defined with rules and kept in a box. Fashion is you. What we should be talking about is how to choose items that emphasize your style and make you feel good. You know when you put something on, if it's right or not.

I know that many of us don't wear certain things out of fear. But once you conquer that fear by choosing to take small steps and introducing each item at a time into your wardrobe, you will build that confidence that will inspire you to continue on your fashion journey.

Just because you're rocking a big body does not mean you can't love aspects of it to the point of wanting to show it off. I love that I have an hourglass figure. I love my waist, my hips, my booty, all of that. I will admit that I am not a fan of my upper arms but I am working through that by wearing shorter sleeves and going shorter with baby steps.

From L to R: Leopard dress from Torrid, Sweater from Lane Bryant; Floral dress from Old Navy; Eyelash print top from ASOS; Bird Print dress from Simply Be

What counts is that you try. No one will adore and love your body more than you will. And that is the key to unleashing that inner fashionista and being true to your style. Whether it's prints, bold colors or even MC Hammer pants, do you. If it feels right and you love it, go for it!

Ahead of The Curve is a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same topic monthly. This month, we each have written a post responding to often heard fashion rule that "Big Girls Can't Wear Prints". Check out each perspective on this "rule" below:

Affatshionista:  SWAK Red Cherry Dress Size 5X Review
Fatshion Peepshow:  Push The Little Daisies... Fat Girl Flower Power
The Valerie Gallery:  Perfect Prints, Right?
Color me Fatt:  Fat Girls Can
The Fat Girl:  Black, White and Red All Over
It’s Melicious:  Falltivest
Plump Up the Frock:  Prints? Absolutely.
Lis Finds Bliss:  Prints En Kimono
Harper Valley Vlog:  Big Gals Can Wear Prints

Banner: Elizabeth Tamny