I’ve been fat for my entire life. Every single time I’ve ever gotten dressed, I’ve been dressing a fat Body. For a long time, I thought that because of my body size, my job was to be as invisible as possible. In my mind, my body wasn’t worthy of beautiful garments that made me feel opulent and pretty. Fat Bodies, to me, were second-class and undesirable. Our clothes were a service to the world. They covered our bodies so nobody else would have to be subjected to them.
I have since realized what a total load of BS that dismal mindset was. I am on a constant journey to fully love my body, and I don’t pretend to have arrived. But I am at peace with my body, no matter what size it is. And now that I love living in my body, I have embraced my absolute right to dress it however the hell I want.
I wear what I want, when I want, where I want, and I make no apologies.
Unsurprisingly, my personal confidence hasn’t managed to change society’s general consensus. A fat person can’t turn around without seeing suggestions of ways to “flatter” our bodies. That’s a nicer way of saying, “Look as thin as possible.”
Screw that. Looking thin isn’t possible for me or many, many other fat people no matter what we wear. If we take away that goal, it opens up a whole world of fashion possibilities to us.
Wait…you mean we can wear whatever we want!? Hell yes we can!
Want proof? Here are some gorgeous peeps in larger bodies wearing just a few of the things conventional fashion wisdom says people can’t wear well unless they’re thin.
Fat people are notoriously shy about swimwear because society tells us our bodies don’t look good in swimsuits.
Well, someone forgot to tell this delicious mermaid that bikinis are only for thin bodies. Ariel who? This looks amazing.
View this post on InstagramA Ariel tá diferente… . #mermaid #ariel #littlemermaid #fatkini #corpodeverão #meucorpaodeverao #effyourbeautystandards #redhead #redhair #redcurls #tattoo #tattoogirl #plussize #plussizemodel #plussizebrasil
Everyone knows that fat bodies should remain fully dressed at all times.
It’s just a fact that plus-size bodies aren’t sexy in lingerie, like at all. Oh…wait…
View this post on InstagramStill counting down. Today’s fact is that the thing I was thinking about the very moment this photo was taken, was sweet potato pie. @cheyennegilstudios #effyourbeautystandards #honormycurves #allbodiesaregoodbodies #blackgirlmagic #blacklesbians #sagittariusseason
Current plus-size fashion gives us tons of opportunities to show a little skin.
We are totally allowed to take them. I mean, we could hide our beautiful skin, but like, why, though? Who will ever miss the back of their dress if they can wear this instead?
View this post on InstagramI’ve always loved open back dresses and I really don’t care if you see my rolls. This dress makes me feel sexy and that’s how it should be. There shouldn’t be any shame in expressing myself or in not changing my style because of my size.⠀ What is your style?⠀ ∙⠀ ∙⠀ ∙⠀ #beautifullyaverage #mpmmodels #bodypositivemovement #bodypositivepower #bodypositivebabe #winterformal #curvyformal #novacurvebabe #plussizeopenbackdress #pearldress #plusfashionlover #bodyacceptance #bodyacceptancemovement #bodyaccepted #thisisme #backrolls #plussizestyle #ownyourstyle #celebratemycurves #stylishplussize #fashionnovaplus #badgleymischkashoes #squishybody ⠀ ⠀ @mpmmodels @fashionnovacurve @badgleymischka
Fat bodies belong in athletic clothes.
We work out, and we deserve proper attire. Also, we run to Target to drink milkshakes disguised as coffee drinks while we shop in the dollar section with zero intention of hitting a gym like everybody else. Everyone knows leggings and yoga pants are the uniform for that activity no matter what size you wear.
View this post on InstagramAccidentally showed up to my kids boxing class an hour early so we had an impromptu photo shoot with the new @fabletics x @kellyrowland collection . . . . . . . You can hit the link in my bio to check it out & get 2 leggings for $24 when you sign up to become a VIP member. #myfabletics #fableticsambassador
Did someone say stripes for every body size?
Every fashion magazine our moms read in the ’80s warned us not to put horizontal stripes on anything we are trying to minimize. Guess that means horizontal stripes are perfect for maximizing our curves exactly as they are. Here. For. This.
View this post on InstagramSomewhere over the rainbow…. blue birds fly. #feelthefit #effyourbeautystandards #whatfatgirlsactuallywear #psfashion #plussize #plussizefashion #psootd #torridfashion #beachvibes #sf #bayarea #visiblyplus #rainbow
Loud prints don’t flatter a large body?
Tell that to this total babe who is rocking leopard print better than an actual freaking leopard.
View this post on InstagramLepoard + layers from @torrid is how I master my winter fashion game! #sponsored Winter in NYC doesn’t mean this California girl takes a day off from fashion! These fab leopard pants, cozy neutrals, staple heels, and fav jewels made a for a wildly fierce look in the concrete jungle! . . . . #ad #FeelTheFit #Torridinsider #Torridfashion #Torrid #plussizeootd #plussizefashion #plussizestyle #plussizemodel #amorproprio #feelingoodashell #nyc #effyourbeautystandards #reina #curvyfashionista #plusfashion #winterfashion #winteroutfits #curlygirl #curlyhair #curlygirlsrock
Curvy bodies don’t have to be feminine.
Androgynous fashion is for bodies of all shapes and sizes.
View this post on InstagramHere in San Diego the weather has been all over the place. One day it’s hot and the next day it’s freezing! Our henleys and denim button-ups are great for layering on days like this! . . Where are you from?! Comment below! . . #Dapperboi #Androgynous #GenderNeutral #IAmADapperBoi #Andro #Boi #LGBT #Tomboy
See through clothing is just for thin women, right? WRONG.
See through clothing is for Fat Bodies, thin bodies, male bodies, non-binary bodies…all the bodies can wear fabric that shows what we’re working with underneath our clothes.
