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Showing posts with label Fashion Industry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion Industry. Show all posts
"We make a good team, my Adidas and me
We get around together, rhyme forever
And we won't be mad when worn in bad weather" ~ My Adidas, Run DMC
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| Photographer: Daryl Johnson |
And I am known for my love for Adidas.
To me, the sneaker world is so different than the plus size world. I'm a size 9, which in the shoe world, is considered a "normal" size. Much different than my experience in the plus size fashion world as a size 26/28.
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| Photographer: Sandra Negron - La Pecosa Preciosa / Dress: Modcloth |
Sneakers are that happy thing in my life where I don't feel excluded or unwanted as a customer. I walk into a sneaker store and I feel like I belong. No one judges me on my size and I can just shop like everyone else.
But it's not just that.
While it's great to feel "normal" for a change, sneakers are also a part of my DNA. They've allowed me to express myself even more.
Want to know a secret? I used to just wear sneakers in my everyday world and never really included them in my fashion "work" world. I was made to feel like they didn't belong in that world because I used to spend a ton of time comparing myself to other people and trying to fit into their world.
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| Photographer: Jessica Milagros / Custom camo jeans: 2B Continued Denim Boutique |
But then four years ago, I suffered a foot injury where the podiatrist dropped some major gems on me, when it came to foot care. One of those gems was how important it is to wear the right shoes. Sure, heels and flats are cute and stylish but in my case, they were making my feet worse. My arches had collapsed and I developed plantar fasciitis.
I had to wear a boot to bed every night for 2 months and I also had to wear a custom insole in my shoes. Doctor said sneakers are key and I needed to find those that fit well too.
I then decided to break all the fashion rules and incorporate sneakers into my fashion world. And guess what???? Years later, sneakers have now become fashionable where everyone now seems to be wearing them to fashion events too!
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| Photographer: Hal Harrison / Custom rosette dress: 2B Continued Denim Boutique |
Me letting go of comparing myself to others and being true to myself and my style made me feel stronger, more fearless and free. That's what sneakers represent for me. I can be myself and my feet thank me for that.
I like to be creative and think outside the box when it comes to choosing which sneakers to wear in the fashion world. And Adidas is one of those brands that allows me to experiment with different looks.
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| Photographer: Madeline Jones / Outfit: Fashion to Figure |
So I feel I have come full circle in my life. It's powerful when you realize you can be truly you and wear what you want, once you decide to be fearless enough to be you.
We already know it's a radical thing to exist in a fat body and be happy in a world that thinks we shouldn't be.
But to wear what you want and be true to your style no matter what anyone else is doing or wearing? Man, that's a feeling that will make you feel incredible and happy no matter what your size.
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| Photographer: Madeline Jones / Top: Feminine Funk, Jeans: Lane Bryant |
With that said, high-quality sneakers (and shoes!) are not cheap and are truly an investment piece. That's why every year, I wait for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the overall holiday shopping season to get my shop on for myself and the family.
Here's some of the sneakers I have my eye on this shopping season!
This will get me prepped for 2020 and I can't wait!!! Happy Shopping AND here's to being authentically you and wearing what you want. Life is short and I want to live to love another day, with my Adidas on.
FYI: This is not a sponsored post. I just love Adidas.
"I'm sorry that people are so jealous of me. But I can't help it that I'm popular." ~ Gretchen Wieners, Mean Girls
Last week was a real eye opener for me that made me reflect on my feelings about the fashion industry and my place in it.
I got invited to cover The Femmy Awards and Gala, taking place at Cipriani 42nd St. This event was sponsored by The Underfashion Club, a non-profit fashion industry group dedicated to "all facets of the intimate apparel industry: foundations, daywear, sleepwear, robes, and loungewear".
As someone who is considered media via my job at PLUS Model Magazine, I will admit I get some amazing opportunities to attend events like the Femmy Awards.
So I decided to put on a red dress (from Catherines) that had been sitting in my closet for the last 6 weeks. I was sick with bronchitis for about 5 weeks so my 2019 actually started on 1/25. Wearing red is always something that gives me some extra uumph, which was needed for this night.
See, this was not a plus size event. The theme of this year's awards and gala was body positivity and plus supermodel Emme was hosting (YES!), BUT this was an event where there would be media and some heavy hitters from the Intimate Apparel industry. Folks from Kohl's, Dillard's and other major brands were in attendance.
They were also having a design contest featuring six Fashion Institute of Technology students studying intimate apparel. For the first time, students’ designs were on exhibit via mannequins from size 7 to size 2X, in keeping with the theme of “Body Positivity.” The three top finalists won $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Paris.
I was basically walking into a huge event, not knowing a soul and possibly being the biggest girl in the room. Of course, in Fearlessly Just Me fashion, I did just that.
People stared and looked but not for the reasons I was used to. It was because I was wearing red in a sea of black and because people wondered who I was. I mean, I'm a gorgeous big girl wearing a body con red dress with short hair. And I'm walking up in there, like I own the place, lol.
The Intimates Apparel industry is a tight-knit community too, I learned later that evening. And they accepted me with open arms, actually intrigued by the plus size industry and how they can bridge that gap between mainstream/straight size and plus sizes.
Words cannot explain how included I felt and it had nothing to do with seeing someone else who looked like me. It had to do with being seen as more than a plus size woman. They saw me as someone who was their equal, someone in the media who came to the table confident, humble, professional and engaging.
My size was actually an asset in this situation as they now had access to someone who was visibly plus, looked fabulous and proved that plus size women can be stylish too and know their stuff. People came up to me, introduced themselves, asked where my dress was from and just wanted to know about ME.
I left that evening with a clutch full of business cards, including a few requests to be interviewed or featured on their website. As I walked out of Cipriani and to my waiting Uber, I skipped and danced a little, with a smile on my face.
I feel like we are now experiencing a shift in the industry where plus sizes are becoming mainstream. If you're a size 20 and under, you have become mainstream as almost all plus size brands and companies who expand on sizing, always offer up to a size 20. Those who offer above a size 24 are considered radical and really pushing boundaries in an industry where many brands think women above a size 20 don't shop or buy stylish clothing.
Why should my size speak for how I should dress? Why should there be an immediate asumption that separates how women view style and fashion according to their size?
As a size 26/28, I should not feel like I am outsized and not accepted by my own community and industry. But I do.
I just want to be around women who get me. But I also want to be around people who are looking past my size and seeing who I am as a person and what I bring to this industry as I have a seat at the table.
The use of the words "curvy" and "curve" have become the norm. And I feel like women like me have become lost in the shuffle.
I can't shop everywhere I want and while the fashion industry is changing, when I am vocal about my struggles with shopping, women smaller than me try to challenge that by saying they experience the same issue. NO.
I feel like I have to remind them that their situation is totally different than mine. If you're under a size 20, you can shop in mainstream stores like The Gap, NY & Company and countless others. I recognize that smaller women have their own fit issues but they have more options than I do when it comes to fashion.
Most plus size brands stop at a size 3X and 24. So while I get excited when a brand expands their sizing into plus sizes, I can't help but feel a little deflated when I see they are still not carrying my size.
As someone who is considered media via my job at PLUS Model Magazine, I will admit I get some amazing opportunities to attend events like the Femmy Awards.
So I decided to put on a red dress (from Catherines) that had been sitting in my closet for the last 6 weeks. I was sick with bronchitis for about 5 weeks so my 2019 actually started on 1/25. Wearing red is always something that gives me some extra uumph, which was needed for this night.
See, this was not a plus size event. The theme of this year's awards and gala was body positivity and plus supermodel Emme was hosting (YES!), BUT this was an event where there would be media and some heavy hitters from the Intimate Apparel industry. Folks from Kohl's, Dillard's and other major brands were in attendance.
They were also having a design contest featuring six Fashion Institute of Technology students studying intimate apparel. For the first time, students’ designs were on exhibit via mannequins from size 7 to size 2X, in keeping with the theme of “Body Positivity.” The three top finalists won $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Paris.
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| Me with the gorgeous Emme |
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| Emme hosting the Femmy Awards 2019 |
I was basically walking into a huge event, not knowing a soul and possibly being the biggest girl in the room. Of course, in Fearlessly Just Me fashion, I did just that.
People stared and looked but not for the reasons I was used to. It was because I was wearing red in a sea of black and because people wondered who I was. I mean, I'm a gorgeous big girl wearing a body con red dress with short hair. And I'm walking up in there, like I own the place, lol.
The Intimates Apparel industry is a tight-knit community too, I learned later that evening. And they accepted me with open arms, actually intrigued by the plus size industry and how they can bridge that gap between mainstream/straight size and plus sizes.
Words cannot explain how included I felt and it had nothing to do with seeing someone else who looked like me. It had to do with being seen as more than a plus size woman. They saw me as someone who was their equal, someone in the media who came to the table confident, humble, professional and engaging.
My size was actually an asset in this situation as they now had access to someone who was visibly plus, looked fabulous and proved that plus size women can be stylish too and know their stuff. People came up to me, introduced themselves, asked where my dress was from and just wanted to know about ME.
I left that evening with a clutch full of business cards, including a few requests to be interviewed or featured on their website. As I walked out of Cipriani and to my waiting Uber, I skipped and danced a little, with a smile on my face.
I feel like we are now experiencing a shift in the industry where plus sizes are becoming mainstream. If you're a size 20 and under, you have become mainstream as almost all plus size brands and companies who expand on sizing, always offer up to a size 20. Those who offer above a size 24 are considered radical and really pushing boundaries in an industry where many brands think women above a size 20 don't shop or buy stylish clothing.
Why should my size speak for how I should dress? Why should there be an immediate asumption that separates how women view style and fashion according to their size?
As a size 26/28, I should not feel like I am outsized and not accepted by my own community and industry. But I do.
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| TCF Style Expo 2018 - Size 24+ panel |
I just want to be around women who get me. But I also want to be around people who are looking past my size and seeing who I am as a person and what I bring to this industry as I have a seat at the table.
The use of the words "curvy" and "curve" have become the norm. And I feel like women like me have become lost in the shuffle.
I can't shop everywhere I want and while the fashion industry is changing, when I am vocal about my struggles with shopping, women smaller than me try to challenge that by saying they experience the same issue. NO.
I feel like I have to remind them that their situation is totally different than mine. If you're under a size 20, you can shop in mainstream stores like The Gap, NY & Company and countless others. I recognize that smaller women have their own fit issues but they have more options than I do when it comes to fashion.
Most plus size brands stop at a size 3X and 24. So while I get excited when a brand expands their sizing into plus sizes, I can't help but feel a little deflated when I see they are still not carrying my size.
Having empathy for other bodies is a part of being body positive. Admitting your own privilege instead of playing the victim is a sign of growth and truly being someone who believes that all bodies are beautiful.
The Femmy Awards taught me some valuable lessons. It showed me that you don't have to be around people who look like you, to fit in. At the end of the day, I am more than a plus size woman and have much more to offer as a human being.
It also showed me that there are people out there who want to be educated more on the state of plus size fashion and that as a visibly plus size woman who does not have access to all plus size fashion, I have a strong voice that can help with that.
While I may encounter the "You can't sit with us" mentality at times, I want to focus more on where I do sit and use that opportunity to educate, engage and network. Not being able to sit at every table doesn't limit my worth in this world or stop the work I am doing.
I'm more focused on inpiring the next generation of designers to embrace designing for ALL sizes and not just a range that excludes women who want to dress just like their thinner sisters.
As I chatted with the six design student finalists from F.I.T., I had hope for the fashion industry in becoming more inclusive. They all spoke so passionately about wanting to design for plus sizes with many of them even offering to create a dress for me! I never thought I'd feel or experience this in my lifetime but I am!
I'm excited to see what the generation of fashion holds for ALL women, especially those of us that are excluded at times from the plus size range AND the conversation.
You can find my Catherines red dress here and it's on sale for $40, up to size 5X including petites. (I'm wearing a size 3X petite)
You can follow those amazing F.I.T. fashion design students below on Instagram - hit them up if you need some custom lingerie or dresses:
Aura Alvarez: @aurahalvarez
Breanna Childers: @bre_childers
Laurel Yau: @yauleru
Dorshelle Guillaume: @dorshelleguillaume
Jessica Trusio: @jesstrusio
Sierra White: @intimatelysierra
Let's support and educate the next generation of fashion.
A Size 26/28 Girl's Journey on Shopping Brands That Stop at Size 24: City Chic
Monday, August 6, 2018
"Clothes aren't going to change the world. The women who wear them will." ~ Anne Klein
I had an amazing call today with an up-and-coming designer named Elle Dove who creates clothing for ALL sizes. Now when I say ALL, I truly mean all. She wants to dress everyone and her passion gives me hope that the fashion industry, including major brands, will see the importance of fashion for everyone. Here's an interview I did with her a few months ago for PLUS Model Magazine here. |
| Lorenza James by Elle Dove |
And that resonated with me so deeply because it is so true and the core of what an influencer should be.
I think the industry has lost its way a bit in that instance with major brands:
- Looking solely at numbers over engagement.
- Choosing only to offer up to a certain size or calling it "size inclusive" but stopping at a size 3X/24.
- Using influencers whose bodies fit a certain beauty ideal that is acceptable to society (hourglass and pear shapes under a size 24).
So as someone who is often outsized within my own fashion industry, I have learned over the years that shopping is not always fun and is honestly a sport. And I am a repeat gold medal winner. I constantly have "make it work" moments with Tim Gunn's voice in my ear.
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| Jacket: Premme // Dress: plus BKLYN // Booties: Avenue |
Sizing is so inconsistent across the board, even in straight sizes! I hate to try on clothes and would love to just buy off the rack but that is not just possible, especially when you're plus size. Once I accepted this and adapted, I have become savvy as knowing what fits me.
I admit, I used to bypass brands that only went up to a size 24. I naturally thought I could not fit into anything they sold. I was also programmed to always reach for the larger size and have learned to not do that anymore. Baggy clothes do not hide the plus body. For me, it made me look bigger. Sure, I was hiding my rolls and such. But I looked as if I was wearing a tent. Not cute.
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| During my days of hiding my body in larger clothing. |
Life is short so why should I wait to wear what I want? Why should I have to lose weight to look fabulous and show off my style? The time is NOW.
One of my favorite brands to shop that stops at a size 24 is City Chic. Nine times out of ten, I have been able to fit into their size XXL, which is a 24. For the record, I usually wear a size 26 on top and a 28 on bottom. My measurements are 55-53-68.
Their strapless dresses are everything! They have piping and an adhesive band around the top part (similar to what you see in strapless bras) so it stays in place. When I finally got the courage to let my wings be free and wear strapless dresses, City Chic was the first brand I wore.
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| Full Figured Fashion Week, June 2018 |
Here's some other City Chic styles I have worn and loved:
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| Hello Body and Curves! |
I think that we have been fed so much negative rules and criticisms for most of our lives that it takes time to reprogram our thoughts. But I still live by that mantra "Change your mindset, change your life." It didn't happen overnight but I started out with one body part: my arms. And then once I took that step, it got easier to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone and not be afraid to show my body in public and stop covering up.
City Chic has been one of those brands that has been a part of my self love journey. While I do think they should consider expanding their sizing to 32, I still celebrate them for what they do get right... the fit! They truly ensure that their clothing fits a curvy, plus body that has extra in some places. I also check the fabric and if I see spandex or elastane in it, that means it has some stretch. Yes!
The biggest shopping lesson I have learned over the years is to shop by fit and my measurements. Even if the size tag does not align with what size I am.
Here's what I have my eye on at the moment from City Chic:
Just an FYI, this is not a sponsored post and City Chic has no idea of my love for them. Sometimes we have to show our support for free because that's how we not only build relationships that can lead to a profitable future but also to spread the word. Our voices must be heard in order to make change and sometimes complaining is not enough.
If you love what I have to say regarding fashion, fit and style for the size 20+ woman and you're in or near the Atlanta area, come hear me speak this weekend at the TCF Style Expo! I'm on an amazing panel of incredible women talking to this very topic. The panel will be moderated by Alicia Young of AP Young Blog, who is over a size 24.
You can still get tickets to the TCF Style Expo here. Would love to see you!
"Who says I can't be free from all the things that I used to be? Rewrite my history, who says I can't be free."
I look at this picture often because it serves as a reminder of who I used to be and who I don't want to be anymore.
I didn't love myself fully and covered up my body with layers, shrugs and long tops. I wore baggy pants, including jeans! I wore two sizes larger than my true size so I was grabbing those 30/32's out of habit and not even caring how baggy my clothes were.
So the red floral top seen above is something I would wear now but I would get it in a smaller size and belt it. Perhaps wear a cami or bra underneath. My, how times have changed!
Ten years later, sometimes I am so shocked at my own transformation. When many talk of their transformation, it involves weight loss. However, I haven't lost any substantial weight aside from maybe 25 pounds or so. And that only came off because I stopped drinking soda and eating take-out on a daily basis because my health depended on those changes.
But for the most part, I'm still fat with large upper arms, lumpy thighs, 23" calves and 68" hips. And I'm happy...
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| Dress: SWAK Designs |
I know that it's hard for some to understand how I can be fat and happy but I am proof that it is possible. A lot of it has to do with how you feel about yourself and how you let what others say/think affect how you feel about yourself. It's not rocket science and some have made a lot of money speaking to people about this but I'm going to give you my perspective for free.
The diet industry makes millions off of making people feel bad about themselves and convincing them that happiness and weight loss go hand in hand. I'm not saying weight loss is bad. I'm saying dieting is bad. They are two different things. You can lose weight by changing your eating habits for the better because you want to be healthier. However, going on a diet and not a lifestyle change is entirely different. Also, your reasons for going down that path mean a lot as well.
If you're looking for happiness to come when you lose weight, it will... BUT it will be shortlived if you never worked on truly loving yourself unconditionally... unless you work on yourself and how you feel about yourself. You will never be satisfied and will be forever obsessed with keeping that weight off.
And you don't have to lose weight to work on yourself on the inside. You can start to heal and love yourself at any size and that healing is imperative to being the best person you can be, AT ANY SIZE.
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| Dress: City Chic via Gwynnie Bee |
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| Jacket and Jeans: Eloquii, Sneakers: PUMA |
It's your body and you do what you see fit with it and if it's weight loss, I am not judging you. I'm only speaking of the Why's and encouraging you to look within yourself and be honest with yourself.
Life is lived fully when you are present and enjoying the now. If you don't, you will miss out on time you can't get back. Missed opportunities can mean missed moments of happiness. This I learned the hard way.
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| Swimsuit and cover-up: Lane Bryant |
Is it tough for me to shop as a size 26/28? Hell yes! But will I lose weight to be a smaller size just so I can have more clothing available to me? Um, hell no!
Why should I lose weight to cater to an industry that makes money off of making us feel like we have to fit a certain ideal to look stylish or beautiful? I think everyone is worthy of accessible fashion because we all need clothes. Last time I checked, it's illegal to walk around naked on the streets of New York.
And why should I wait to dress fabulously and feel good about myself? I don't want to sit around waiting until I'm a certain weight to dress fly.
I have my workarounds and have done my research. There's great brands for me to shop like Universal Standard, Gwynnie Bee, Avenue, Lane Bryant, Premme, Eloquii, eShakti and indie designers like Christian Omeshun, Ashley Nell Tipton and 2 B Continued Denim. I'm also finding new brands every day like Curve Girl and Curvy Sense, that offer above a size 24. Hell, ASOS even offers up to a 28 now and Ashley Stewart offers up to a size 34/36 in some styles.
It's a challenge to shop but it is possible. It just means that while I can't shop at Forever 21, Boohoo, Missguided or NY & Company, I can access designer pieces and get customized clothing made for me. I shop on a budget so I usually treat myself to one core piece a season that will last me for years. I also want to learn how to sew. To me, those are more positive steps for me to take than stressing myself to diet to be able to shop in more stores. I'm trying to love myself more and more daily and not succumb to what others say I should be.
I am enough.
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| Dress: Sexy Plus Clothing, Shoes: Catherines |
Am I glorifying obesity? No. I am glorifying self love and self care. Who made the rule that you can't love yourself over a certain size? Who says beauty only comes in size THIN? I would love to know who came up with all these restrictions on who I should be and how I should feel. Self means ME. So I should be able to make my own decision on how I (ME) feel about MYSELF.
Actually, once I started dressing more stylish and wearing my actual size, I felt better about myself. And this led me to want to take better care of myself. This led me to stop drinking soda and walking more. This led me to traveling more and being more positive towards life. If anything, having access to clothing in my size is not keeping me fat... it's actually helping me heal and love myself more, which in turn is motivating me to be healthier and be the best person I can be.
And that is subjective according to who you are and where you are in life. We all can't be the same size or fit this cookie cutter version of who we should be at our height and age. That's impossible.
My transformation began with the first step of getting a pixie hair cut, which made me see a glimmer of beauty that made me yearn to see more. You can read more here. So I peeled the layers off, literally and figuratively. I don't wear shrugs anymore. I don't wear long tops anymore to cover my thighs. I actually wear my size now. These things took time but it was worth it.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is invest in YOU. Building any kind of relationship takes time and the one you have with yourself is the most important one. So wherever you're at in your journey, I hope you will reflect, be honest with yourself and truly work on you. Work on seeing your beauty and worth. Believe in yourself and know that you can do anything you set your mind to. Happiness lies within you -- you just have to allow yourself to feel it.
It amazes me at times how, for instance, I can wear sleeveless styles and while I used to think the world was staring, in reality, no one is. And that one person who does have something to say, is not worth me giving that person time and energy to affect me. I used to make that one person seem like a million and let it limit me from truly feeling free. And I refuse to go back to that place. So I keep rewriting history and living my life one day at a time.
Where are you at in your journey of loving yourself? Comment below and let me know. Or feel free to email me at marcyc19@gmail.com if you don't want to disclose it publicly.
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| Jacket: Drew via Gwynnie Bee, Dress: Addition Elle via Gwynnie Bee, Boots: Lane Bryant |
"The only thing worse than not knowing where she belonged... was knowing where she didn't." ~ Tessa Shaffer
For me, every piece of clothing I own has a story. Some stories are more interesting than others and some hold painful memories that run deep. But I always remind myself that within each story, there is a lesson to be learned so all the stories must be told.
Let me share my story on this black floral maxi dress...
During my recent trip to Los Angeles with Alysse of Ready to Stare, we visited the offices and showroom for Xehar Curvy, a new plus size fast fashion brand. The owner Hadari Oshri was nice and engaging. After chatting with her for a few hours, she wanted to gift us some items. However, I was skeptical about fit as the brand only goes up to a size 3X.
She kept reassuring me that she would find something that fit me and was so sure it would not be an issue. Boy, was she wrong! After trying on about 20 pieces, she handed me this dress to try on and it fit. The look on her face showed relief. The look on my face showed disappointment and sadness. Honestly, I wanted to cry.
At this point, my confidence had taken a hit and I was feeling like something was wrong with me. Meanwhile, she looked flustered from rushing around, trying to find styles for me to try on.
Alysse, on the other hand, didn't have as much of a struggle as I did but she did have to size up to a 3X in some items, when she regularly wears a 2X (18/20). She saw my disappointment and tried to console me.
Ironically, during our meeting with Hadari, I expressed to her the great need to expand on sizing, especially to a 5X. I told her of my own experiences of limited fashion and how women size 24+ felt excluded and forgotten, not just by straight size brands but plus size ones too!
At the time, I don't think she truly understood the struggle UNTIL... she saw firsthand how I couldn't fit into hardly anything she had in-stock.
Later on during our trip, we went to visit designer Melissa Masse at her West Hollywood store. Again, her brand stops at a 3X so I thought for sure, I would not fit into anything. I was wrong! I fit into everything I tried on and even fit into a 2X in this dress, which I quickly took home with me. I will talk more about Melissa and Jill Alexander (another great designer in Northern California) in a future blog post.
So the lesson to be learned? It is not my fault or any other woman's fault if something doesn't fit or our size doesn't fit us and we are forced to size up. The size tag is such a thing of vanity that many of us hold too much value in.
Sizing is inconsistent across the board because companies use different fit models, some an 8, some a 12 and some an 18. Also, it depends on fabric, cuts, etc. I find I have more luck in fitting into a 3X when it is with designers who actually take the time to make sure the fit is spot on and accommodates a plus body. Most fit models have flat tummies and are toned. Most plus size women (especially above a size 22) are not.
I'm to the point where I feel like if a brand comes to me and says they are truly invested in catering to plus women and truly care about building our confidence via fashion, I am going to ask them what sizes do they carry and I will personally try on every single thing in my size to see for myself. If they stop at a size 3x, I will kindly tell them that using the word ALL is very misleading and they are missing out on an entire demographic whose money is just as green as those under a size 3X.
You can't say you want to celebrate ALL bodies but stop at a size 3X/24. You also can't say the same while carrying sizes 4X and 5X that don't even fit someone who is a 1X. Let's get this fit right before we even try to talk to empowering women.
I think more women will feel validated and like they belong in this space if they can find clothing that actually fits them.
Like Hillary Clinton once said:
"Let's continue to stand up for those who are vulnerable to being left out or marginalized."
In regards to the dress I was given by Xehar Curvy, I decided to give this story a happy ending where I wore it during a recent photo shoot with my friend Bettye of Fashion Schlub, exuding my confidence and happiness. Because at the end of the day, I wear the dress, it doesn't wear me.
My shoes are from Lane Bryant and clutch is old but similar here.
Even though the dress was gifted, I was not paid to write this blog post. I was inspired to write it because I felt the story of this dress needed to be told.
I took my power back by wearing this dress in a positive way. I let go of those negative feelings I had when it came to this dress because at the end of a day, it's a dress I look fabulous in, regardless of the experience I had when getting it.
Despite feeling ignored, passed over and often forgotten in the fashion world, I am still here and I am not going anywhere. I shouldn't have to lose weight to get to a smaller size just to have more shopping options. Everyone is worthy of fashion. #fashionisforeveryone
For a long time, I asked the question: Where do I belong in the fashion world?
I now realize that while the fashion world is not perfect and some circles might not be accepting of me, I can create my own space where I belong. And stand strong while looking amazing.
What are some of your fashion stories? Please drop a comment below and let me know.
Photography by Bettye of Fashion Schlub and Bettye Rainwater Photography
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