Hello lovelies! I have exciting news to
share! I have been chosen as a Society+ #FashionFreedom Ambassador along with
10 other amazing blogger babes! It is our collective goal to inspire women to
break so called “fashion rules” that we have been told to adhere to our entire
lives and to educate women on how to wear trends that fall outside of their
comfort zones. We will be showing tummy, proudly displaying our legs, wearing
bright colours, showing our arms, and wearing white in hopes of empowering
women of all body types to do the same. You can visit the rest of this amazing
blogger squad by going to societyplus.com!
Watch my #FashionFreedom Campaign video here!
I’m going to tackle and breakdown the
misconception that plus size women shouldn’t wear colour. We are constantly
bombarded by external voices telling us that bright colours are a no-no for
fuller figured women and are reserved only for those whose body allows them to
“pull it off”. We are told to hide our bodies - staying away from bright
colours because they draw too much attention to us. It is always disheartening
to walk through a straight size section and seeing the abundance of colours and
prints made readily available, then turning the corner to see a sea of greys,
blacks and neutrals in the plus size section. What if I want to draw attention
to my body? What if I want to wear bright hues because they make me feel good
in my own skin?
Chicest of Them All Vest in Mint - Society Plus
It is extremely detrimental when looking
good is associated with a certain size or body type because it takes away the
fun and creativity that comes with dressing your body. Women as a whole are
always under a magnifying glass, our value being tied to how we look and what
we wear. As a plus size woman, this magnifying glass becomes more pointed, with
mass media constantly portraying unrealistic body ideals and painting us as
less healthy and vibrant. Plus size women are forced to wear clothing that does
nothing to improve our confidence in order to make everyone around us more
comfortable with the bodies we were born with.
I have been fortunate enough to have
grown-up in a home where I was allowed to experiment with colour and fashion.
My parents would do nothing but embrace my creativity and give me the space I
needed to truly build my own personal style. I grew up across the globe,
immersed in a myriad of cultures that embraced colour and patterns. Moving to
North America, however, was a drastic reality check as I found myself
surrounded on all fronts by images of “the perfect body”. I went into grade 6
in a new school in a new country with the same Inemesit style that I had spent
the better part of my early years developing and I was instantly scrutinized
and shut out by my peers. I started veering away from my bold looks, losing
sight of who I truly was. I dressed in black, big t-shirts and ran away at the
sight of any pattern because that was what every magazine article taught me to
do. With the loss of my personal style came the loss of my smile and my light.
I shrunk myself in hopes of drawing attention away from a body I was shamed
into hating.
My mother was the one who helped me break
the notion that full figured women shouldn’t wear colour. We went shopping for
back to school clothes the summer before my grade 8 year. As usual, I went
directly to the blacks and greys, looking for pieces that would help me blend
into the background as much as humanly possible. I remember my mom staying
uncharacteristically quiet and holding on to the brown turtlenecks and grey
sweaters that I sent her way. I went into the change room, changed into a slate
grey cowl neck sweater and came out to show my mom. She didn’t say a thing
about my clothing choice but rather uttered words that were instrumental in my
journey to reclaiming my love for color – she simply said “you look unhappy”. I
was stunned to say the least and looked at myself in the mirror. I realized
that I had lost my spunk, my pizzazz, and the light in my eyes. I realized that
dressing to please others around me and adhering to the rules was only hurting
me. I no longer felt like myself, I hardly smiled anymore and I hadn’t worn
colour in so long.
Understanding my despair, my mom grabbed the closest
coloured garment she could find and made me try it on. In hindsight it was
hideous (I’m talking poofs and shoulder pads here) but that didn’t even matter!
It was a beautiful yellow hue that instantly made me feel 100 times more
confident. I stood taller and I instantly changed my outlook on life. I was
still very young, but that moment cemented in me the fact that I would start
dressing for me again. I thought to myself enough is enough! It is time to
reclaim my curves, honour my body and start dressing in pieces that expressed
who I truly was.
The fashion industry as a whole pigeonholes
plus size women, subjecting us to wearing all black to “slim our figures” and
imposing ridiculous fashion rules. When it comes to fashion, the reality is
that plus-size women are often shamed the most. I still get a momentary flash
of self-doubt when I am about to step out in a lime green skirt and yellow top
because of how I feel others will judge me; however, with the help of brands
like Society+, I am able to rise above those feelings of doubt. Colour is one
of the best ways to express your inner character and to show the world how
proud you are of your body. Say good-bye to muted tones and opt instead to
dress outside of your comfort zone. It took me a while to re-embrace my love of
colour but the journey has been so worth it. I am beyond blessed to have
partnered with Society+ to share my story in hopes that sharing would help
ensure a young girl or woman out there that they are not alone.
I encourage you to join the Fashion Freedom
movement and I challenge you to break the rules! Making small changes, like
rocking a colourful necklace or opting instead for a pink blouse for work, will
go leaps and bounds in helping you reclaim the love for your bodies. Crash
through all the barriers headfirst and wear what makes you feel spectacular!
Share your rule breaking looks on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags
#FashionFreedom and #iamsocietyplus. I look forward to seeing all your looks
and being a part of your journey to Fashion Freedom!
Images by Edem Junior Etokudo - @junior.fam