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Never mind the DON'Ts of fashion
Too thin or too big? Check. Wearing prints not suitable for your frame? Check. Body too natural? Check. Self-esteem properly lowered? Check.
You know what? Let us un-check all of those!
Why should we allow our worth to be defined by standards that we don`t necessarily subscribe too? The pain that comes from trying to change oneself and one's body to fit an external norm is considerable. We are all on a voyage of self-acceptance in life, whatever our shape, size and age. For me part of that voyage is about accepting myself as 'plus-sized' and loving and celebrating my curves. For others it might be dealing with comments about how "real" women have curves, disqualifying slender women from that category. Most people have body issues, and while fashion might be considered merely a superficial part of life, I maintain that it is not only that. Our personal fashion can be a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Our personal fashion can become a measure of our worth. When fashion becomes all about the don`ts, it is anything but superficial.
Let me tell you; I am done adhering to the don`ts of fashion. Instead I am subscribing to the do`s:
Do wear anything you want to. Do embrace your self. Do ignore fashion advice that makes you feel bad. Do make up your own rules. Do feel free!
I have experimented with the do`s of fashion for a while now, and this is what I am happy to report back:
Horizontal stripes on my curvy body? Check! White frills on bottom and black on top? Check! Loud patterns in bold mixes? Check! Working knock-offs? Check! Body all natural? Check! Feeling good about myself? Check! Done hiding? Check! Dressing with a sense of humor about myself? Check! Defining my worth for myself and owning it? CHECK!
Fashion is about being creative, expressing our selves and loving ourselves. If the clothes don`t fit, then they will have to change, not me. Can I get an Amen?
Let`s love our selves and celebrate our selves, whatever our shape and age.
Let`s DO it!
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Comments (33)
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Report Wed Oct 31, 2012 - 1:03 pmThanks for sharing. i really appreciate it that you shared with us such informative postReply
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Report Tue Mar 29, 2011 - 6:18 amBrava, Anika! You're beautiful and so is your spirit and so are your do's of fashion. The energy with which you devote yourself to your own originality is quite infectious. How cool is fashion when you truly embrace it and disregard all the "rules"? A big amen from me, as ever!Reply
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Thu Mar 24, 2011 - 7:14 pm
Amen! I too thought of the wonderful poem about being an old woman and wearing purple, as it is one of the few things that I'm looking forward to with age!! A great big ' sod off' to everyone - I am what I am, etc. I'm not quite at that stage yet, but I will, I will.....Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Gigi_E on Thu Mar 24, 2011 at 7:18 pm
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Report Wed Mar 23, 2011 - 5:08 amAnika you are so fabulous and inspiring. I love your message and YOU!Reply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:42 pm
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Report Wed Mar 23, 2011 - 2:12 amThis is my new credo, directly quote from Anika: "Do wear anything you want to. Do embrace your self. Do ignore fashion advice that makes you feel bad. Do make up your own rules. Do feel free!" I so often have to repeat something in this order to myself. Not because of the hostility around me (believe me having my weight and body shape isn't always embraced), but because of my own boundaries. On good days, it's so easy. On the bad days, wow, it can be so hard. But once I've crossed that line of loving me, there's no way I'm going back. So let's unite and DO it!! Proud to be 34 full figured fashionista :)Reply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:41 pm
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Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 8:32 pm
Amen! I've been known at as "fashion menace" in my household. I dress the way I feel!Reply -
5 replies, Last reply by Anika on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:40 pm
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Report Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 11:50 pmI adore Anika, and what she stands for. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXReply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:02 am
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Report Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 12:40 pmWell said Anika! You got me all pepped out now and it's wonderful that you're spreading the message of self worth and throwing away the "rules" that other people have set. Love the postReply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:57 pm
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Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 6:14 pm
Oh god, I think I must be conformist to the core. I'm a bit of a sucker for advice that tells me that wearing vertical stripes will make me look slimmer and that wide-legged trousers will make my waist look TINY! Not sure I can join your club just yet, but I enjoyed the piece!Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:56 pm
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Report Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 6:44 pmAMEN!! Go girl! I love the way you feel free to dress however pleases you! You ROCK!!! www.fashnlvr.blogspot.comReply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:55 pm
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Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 7:13 pm
You get an almighty "Amen" with bells on from me! Great article!Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:54 pm
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Report Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 7:29 pmGet inspired by Anika? CHECK! This is such an amazing article. I love your no holds barred attitude about fashion, and the fact that you throw the rules out the window and look beautiful while doing it. You are an inspiration in so many ways, thank you doll!Reply
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1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:53 pm
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Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 7:54 pm
Amen indeed. How you dress is all about your attitude.... accept and like yourself and dress accordingly, not to cover up or disguise. Reject the negatives and dress to suit yourself. That's my take on it anyway, which is possibly why I spend most days looking like Aunt Sally, but with a smile on my face :)Reply -
1 reply, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:52 pm
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Report Tue Mar 22, 2011 - 5:27 pmI love this article, Anika! Great job! And I'm with you on defining your own self-worth and fashion rules (or casting them off). I, for one, believe very strongly in this, especially as a woman, age 38 married twice, who is childless by choice. Like with body shape and fashion, society frowns upon women who choose not to have a child. They think we hate children, which is not the case. They call us selfish, but how is knowing it's too much of a commitment being selfish? I say it's quite the opposite—what about all the women who have kids and relegate them to nannies so their own lives won't be interrupted? Anyway, I love your mantra, and you know I love you. Let's DO IT! ••V•• www.gritandglamour.com @gritandglamourReply
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3 replies, Last reply by Anika on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:51 pm
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