I saw this post on Instagram today and fell even more in love with Robyn Lawley, the Aussie model becoming famous for her curves, who posted it. Robyn was the first ‘plus size’ model to grace the cover of Vogue, and I say that gritting my teeth – as I HATE the term ‘plus size’ model for someone who is a size 12-14. What I am LOVING though, is that she is now getting booked for ‘regular model’ jobs too – she is a beautiful woman, it shouldn’t matter what size she is. Go Robyn!
I love the url attached – stylehasnosize.com, it’s the home of fashion stylist and blogger Edith Dohmen – a size 16 woman who has some of the coolest clothes I have ever seen! And she ROCKS them on her blog.
It totally go me thinking about the bigger topic here. Accepting that we are all different, and THAT’S OK!
Over the last 10 years, I reckon I’ve seen over 1000 different women in various states of undress….wait, that came out wrong haha! What I mean is that over the years of working for fashion designers, on shop floors and now as a style coach, I have helped hundreds and hundreds of women in and out of clothes and I have news for you…..
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IS DIFFERENT – AND THAT’S OK!
How boring would life be if we all looked the same? There would be no way to show people who you are by what you wear, we would all look like clones….
Remember these ladies from Robert Palmer’s ‘Simply Irresistible’ film clip? Snore…..
There has been much debate lately about women wanting to obtain the ‘thigh gap’… that little V-shaped gap at the top of your thighs. It’s the new body part (or lack of) we need to strive to show off. But why do we all have to be skinny? Or 6ft tall? Or have a stupid thigh gap? Can’t we all just learn to deal with what are bodies are and embrace that?
I have girlfriends who HAVE the thigh gap – and that’s ok too – they are naturally skinny, it’s part of their genetic make-up, and I hate that they get ‘skinny-bashed’ for being naturally who they are. One friend in particular, struggled for years to feel feminine because she was so slim – she pined for the curves that other women had, she thought that curves would make her more feminine. She didn’t post pictures of herself online for fear of being reprimanded for being skinny and ‘showing off’ when all she really wanted to do was show off her kick-ass outfit that day! That, to me is sad.
Why I focus on body shapes
As a style coach, I talk to women about how to dress best for their body shape – but WHY do we do this?
I think it’s important for every women to realise what their BEST PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES are – and by starting with their overall body shape, it makes it easier for women to identify their best bits.
As women, we are SO good at pointing out our bad bits……
Self-depreciation is an accepted part of our society, but that doesn’t make it useful, or OK. By asking my personal styling clients to think about their own body shape (not compare it to anyone else’s, or get ME to tell them) and tell me their THREE BEST PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES, it’s starts them on a path of thinking more positively about themselves.
Now you try at home….. here are the four body shapes to get you started….. think about your body and how it relates to these shapes – ie. if you have a narrow waist, and big boobs – you are probably an Hourglass…. if you have long, lean limbs, and not much boob, chances are you’re a Column (for more help read THIS BLOG POST FIRST)
OK, now that you have worked out which shape you are, use that shape to work out your best bits. If you are a Pear, it might be your tiny waist, if you are an Apple, rock those legs! But is also might not be as obvious as that – it might be your hair, the colour of your skin, you feet or even your fingernails…..
Right! Now that you’ve worked out your favourite three body parts – DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THEM! (that is basically my stylists secret in a nutshell, so don’t you go stealing my job ok?!?!).
By drawing attention to your good bits – people will notice, they will compliment, and you will feel confident because you are not scared of any body looking at your bad bits – they are too busy looking at your good bits – get it?!!?
Why the change rooms are not your friend
Size ain’t nothing but a number right? So why do we get so caught up on what size we are wearing?? Did you know that there are NO SIZING STANDARDS for clothing manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand?!!?
That means that anyone can pretty much put any size on their clothing – which means, there is NO POINT getting upset if you have to go up a size. Wouldn’t you rather something fit you well? No one can see the size anyway.
The other thing to think about is that different labels and designers use what called a different BLOCK, or body shape, when they design their garments. So labels are quite straight (ie. not much variation between the bust, waist and hip) whereas some other are more generous in the bust or the hip area.
For instance, I know that on MY body shape, Max and Country Road are generally too straight in the hip for me, but on more column-shaped people, the cut is amazing!
On the other hand, Portmans and Aussie label Sacha Drake, are both cut for curves, so I know that their dresses will generally fit me really well (whereas on someone with a smaller bust, some of their garments might be a little roomy up top)
When something doesn’t fit you quite right in the change rooms, you must remember …
IT’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE CLOTHES
Be yourself – everyone else is taken
Style is such a great way to show off who YOU are, and part of that personal style is identifying and showing off the bits of your body that YOU feel good about. If we all looked the same, then no one would have any reason to dress differently.
And to prove that point, here are a few of my gorgeous friends, plus some of my favourite fashion bloggers who are working it in the style stakes! And they are all different!
My girlfriend and blogger Dani, from Dani Just Is rocking it at Fashion Week. Dani has legs that start under her armpits and she always knows just what to wear to show off her frame
Kelly from www.kiwiwomensstyle.blogspot.co.uk is the queen of looking stylish on a budget!
Edith Dohmen from www.stylehasnosize.com – this chick has THE coolest style! She looks amazing in everything she wears – and has such body confidence (plus she’s 37! Looks great huh!)
I LOVE this blog – www.kendieveryday.com. She always looks amazing, and you wouldn’t guess it, but she is almost 6ft tall – go the tall chicks
My gorgeous friend and AMAZING blogger extraordinaire Nikki Parkinson from www.stylingyou.com.au working it like only a Queenslander can
How amazing do all these chicks look? They are all completely different shapes and sizes but nothing is stopping them from looking amazing and confident.
Remember, the most appealing thing about a woman is her confidence! So stop judging yourself on others and embrace who you are, no matter what your size and shape – you’re awesome, ok?
Love and style always
Cait xo
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