Everything's Illegal

When I very first started out on my little self-love journey, it began as many journeys these days do- on Pinterest. I didn't know much about fashion, and even less about plus-size fashion. I wouldn't have been able to tell you what a personal style even was. One day after pinning about a ga-jillion recipes I was never going to make, I decided to do a search for plus size outfit ideas. That's all it took. I was addicted from that day on.

I began by simply trying to figure out what would and would not look good on my body type. Now, just figuring out what my body type was was enough to give me a headache. (I'm still not totally sure. Somewhere between apple and inverted triangle...maybe?) 

Once you've got that confusing mess figured out (hopefully) then you have the pleasant (NOT!) task of learning all the do's, and the many, many don'ts, for your body type. 

When I believed that this rule stuff was really important, I seriously wanted to pull my hair out sometimes. After reading article after article, I came to realize that there were very few things I could actually wear according to the rules.

No long skirts or dresses since I'm short. Nothing too short since I'm fat. Nothing too tight that will reveal my fat. Nothing too loose because that makes you look even bigger. Boot-cut jeans only. No long necklaces because that will draw attention to by huge boobs. No short necklaces because that will make my neck look even shorter. V-necklines are best.

Then it started to make no sense at all when it all started to get contradictory. Never wear belts because that draws attention to my "problem" areas. Belt everything (high up, of course) since it draws attention to the smallest part of my waist. Long, flowy tops with leggings are best because it hides my fat. Never wear flowy tops with leggings because it makes you look like an ice-cream cone. I seriously read all of these things for the same body shape. It felt like just about everything was "illegal" to wear.

Then, I discovered some amazing, wonderful plus-size bloggers who were just doing their own damn thing, and rocking it!

Beautiful, inspirational images from blogs like Gabifresh and Garnerstyle changed my world. The whole "Eff your beauty Standards" movement came into being and opened up my eyes!

I don't have to dress according to "rules" fabricated by other people to be stylish or beautiful. All, and I do mean all, that matters is whether or not I feel amazing in it, and if I like what I see when I look in the mirror. 

Hell, how many "rules" am I breaking wearing this pretty blue maxi dress? I have fair skin so I'm not supposed to wear bright colors. I'm super short, so no long dresses. My arms are fat, so I'm not supposed to be showing those. 

What-the-hell-ever. Rules are made for breaking.

Dress- Wal-Mart

Sandals- Payless

Gold cross-body clutch- honestly had so long I can't remember

                                          Thanks for reading!