This pic is from my Great CrossFit Experiment a few years ago and… I almost didn’t post it at the time because I was embarrassed by my “big quads”. Now I’m just embarrassed that there’s no weight on the bar and my wrists are so bent! (In my defense, we were using un-weighted bars to practice good form first – practice I clearly needed.)
I did something really daring the other day: I went to the gym in some really crazy workout pants. Oh, wait, I do that all the time. No the daring part was that these particular Nike leggings, while super cute, are also ridiculously unflattering. They were a gift and I love the gift-giver so I have kept them but they are a swirly dark pattern with two patches of bright white over each thigh. They’re basically a neon arrow pointing straight to my much-obsessed-over and daily-derided trouble spot, the one I’m most intent on camouflaging. It’s not my friend’s fault – she has long, thin Gisele-esque legs that would look good in pants literally made up of neon arrows but she and I, well, we both may put our pants on one leg at a time but our legs sure don’t look the same in said pants! So why on earth would I wear something so unflattering out in public?
A thought: What if “flattering” doesn’t necessarily mean “thin”?
Another thought: What if wearing “flattering” clothing meant wearing items that showcased our strengths rather than hiding our “flaws”?
A life-changing thought: What if I acted like I loved my thighs? Like, was really, truly, deeply proud of them? What would that look like exactly? And would it change how I really felt about them?
Like many things, my thoughts started with someone else’s thoughts. I was reading a post by a blogger* who took exception to the idea that “flattering” = “makes you look skinny”. As an advocate of the fat acceptance movement she gets irritated that so many plus-size clothing options offer slimming panels or illusion color blocking or three quarter sleeves, among other skinny-fying tools and automatically assume that she wants to hide her tummy and arms. Which, it turns out, she doesn’t. Not at all.
I’m going to be honest. Up until the second I read her blog entry it never once occurred to me that flattering could mean anything other than “makes you look thinner”. To me the two phrases are interchangeable. Sure, sometimes I meant “flattering” as “You look gorgeous overall” but implied in there was that part of the gorgeousness included looking more svelte than one’s usual. But the more I thought about it, the more I think she has a point. Flattering should mean “anything that makes you look beautiful” and beauty is a concept much larger than a simple construct like body size.
I’ve whined a lot on here about my legs. And the truth is that every time I do, I have a little twinge. At first I thought I was twinging (that’s a thing, right?) because I’m supposed to be above all that body snarking nonsense and I was letting you guys down by indulging in it. And while that is true, I realized that I’m really twinging because – you ready for this? – I don’t actually want to hate my thighs. They may not be the perfect socially sanctioned shape and size but they’ve done all right by me. Better than all right. My legs are crazy strong. And I’ve worked hard to make them that way. They’ve carried me up mountains and downtown. They’ve helped me hoist everything from 200-pound desks (side note: I’m giving away a really big desk. Anyone want it??) to sleeping toddlers. They’ve ran me through long races and propelled me off vaults and helped me birth babies and walked me down the aisle and danced me until dawn. I can walk miles and miles and miles without tiring. We’ve had a lot of good times together my legs and I! I have every reason to love my strong quads. So what’s stopping me? Why is it that my first concern in buying any kind of pants is if they “flatter” my legs (i.e. make them look skinny)? Why can’t I just be proud of them?
So I put on the neon-arrow-to-my-upper-thigh-fat pants. And then I resisted the urge to cover them with a skirt or tunic top and just added one of my regular workout t-shirts. I’ll admit I was nervous going in the gym. (And this from a girl who has worn a full Katy Perry get-up to workout in!) But at the check-in desk, the girl’s eyes widened as she squealed, “Oooh I love those tights!!! And you are working them!” I don’t think this particular girl has ever said more than hi to me in her entire tenure there.
During class I couldn’t stop looking at my legs in the mirror. At first I was horrified: they were huge! From every angle! Even my butt, which I’ve been working really hard to build since I’ve never had much of one, suddenly looked like it had grown three sizes. My thighs, always best friends, never leave each other’s side and now I could see just how much they touched. There was no “flattering” light or stripes or color or even a long sweatshirt to hide me.
But as the class went on, I found my perception changing. My legs were strong! From every angle! It was kind of liberating actually. Knowing the pants already magnified everything, I didn’t worry about tugging them up or standing with my legs crossed or whatever silliness I’ve done in the past to “hide” the things attached to my lower body that everyone can totally see anyhow (or else they’re totally cool with me being a floating torso). It got even better when I hit the weight floor. In the past I’ve gotten some looks there. And I can hardly blame them for thinking I’m not serious. Take, for instance, the day I lifted in a huge fluffy pink ballerina tutu and zebra top? (It was hard holding the dumbbells out far enough from my body to not squish my tutu!) But this day I felt like a real lifter. I felt like I looked like a lady who lifted strong things and was proud of it. And this confidence helped me work even harder.
I was deep into a squat (also known as the least “flattering” position ever) when another friend walked by and chuckled. “I never have a hard time finding you in the gym! Those are some pants.”
On my way out, an elderly woman laughed, “I wish I could pull off pants like that! You look great, honey.”
Then when I got home I got a text from a friend saying, “You rock printed leggings!”
Honestly four compliments in one day! For wearing an item of clothing that highlighted (both literally and figuratively) the biggest and fattest (using that term clinically, not derogatorily) part of my body. Whoa.
I’m still trying to process what this means for me. Every woman who’s ever stepped out of a dressing room to rotate like a turkey on a spit in front of the unforgiving Triple Mirror of Doom, knows the fragile feeling of asking whether or not they look “good.” As if goodness or badness could be measured by an article of clothing. I’m not saying that I necessarily think I should dress in a way that points out every thing I’m insecure about. But what I think I’m saying is that I should stop trying to pretend that 15 (or whatever) pounds of me doesn’t exist, when it so obviously does. And not only has this “extra padding” not harmed me, I can think of many examples where it’s served me very well, including lowering my risk of heart disease, increasing my longevity and giving me smarter babies. (Gluteofemoral fat for the win!) I should not be ashamed of it.
The flattering-ness of our clothing should be about highlighting our beauty, not camouflaging what we’re afraid of. Flattering shouldn’t be about comparing ourselves to others or to an artificial and unattainable standard of beauty but rather about showing our love for ourselves and appreciation for our bodies.
I know, all that from a pair of gym pants.
This realization didn’t come a moment too soon. In case you’ve missed all the breathless headlines of late, we’re officially entering the Panic Before Bikini Season. And while I’ll never wear a bikini (religious and aesthetic reasons), I do have to don a swimsuit on occasion, mostly thanks to my kids and their penchant for anything messy. So when I got to try out one of Albion swim’s suits, I put it on with some trepidation. As is the case for many women, swimsuits and I have a long, rocky history. If there’s one thing in which you cannot hide your thighs at all, it is a swimsuit. Tummies, shoulders, backs and bums can all be covered to an extent but unless you want to wear a swim dress, you have no help for your legs. It’s one of the reasons I hate swimming, honestly. But my little pants experiment helped me find some confidence to wear one. The suit I chose, The Showstopper, was perfect.
In case it’s not obvious, this is NOT me. Getting the confidence to wear a swimsuit is one thing. Being photographed in it is entirely another. Issues: I has them.
First, it has an awesome retro vibe that I love. Second, it showcases my strong legs and, thanks to the red sash, also highlights my relatively smaller waist. Basically it makes me feel curvy and pretty. So even though I hate swimming, at least now I don’t have to hate my suit too. Albion would love to give one of you a $100 gift card to try out some of their women’s fitness and swimwear (yep, they make workout clothes too! I actually reviewed their skirt a few years ago). Plus, if you see something you like they gave me a code for GFE readers to save $15 on any purchase of $50 or more; the code to use at checkout is fitnessexperiment15 and it expires 4/23/2013!
To enter the Albion giveaway, either like their Facebook page or pin one of their items to Pinterest and then leave me a comment telling me which one you did. If you do both things, leave me an additional comment for a bonus entry. Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts about what makes something “flattering”!
What does “flattering” mean to you? Do you have a body part you routinely try to hide? Have you worn anything with the express purpose of making a part of you look bigger (other than your boobs)??
*So I’m dying to link to the original post so you can read it and be inspired by it too but this particular blogger has made a really big deal about how she doesn’t want people linking to her, interviewing her, quoting her or in any other way making her the poster child for fat acceptance. She says she’s just living her life the way she likes and isn’t trying to invite commentary on it. Which I will respect.
FTC Disclosure: I received one swimsuit for free to try out (LOVED it!). I was not otherwise compensated for this review.
I liked them on Facebook, then wen to their website to pin the Jaw Dropper suit. I’ll get green so we’re not too matchy-matchy.
I liked their page on Facebook and pinned the bath suit you liked to Pinterest!
You made a really great point. It’s not about being “thin”, the new beautiful is being fit and being confident in your body.
awesome giveaway btw
I ‘liked’ Albion on Facebook! Awesome giveaway!
Liked them on FB and pinned in Pinterest. Love their stuff! Having baby #4 in nine days and need all the help I can get! 🙂
Liked their FB page and love their Signature hoodie in heather gray!
Liked and pinned… Love their stuff!
I liked them on facebook! and I have been loving their suits for a while now. So classy looking!
A-your thighs look great in the top photo Charlotte, and I think those aren’t the pants in question… But they look very toned, not fat.
B-to me, flattering means showing something in its best light. I love my bubble butt, so flattering pants are ones that show my butt in its most flattering shape (instead of trying to squish it down in weird ways).
I liked their FB page. I always thought of flattering as skinny too. Though lately I’ve been building more muscle and been looking for clothes to show them off. I can’t wait to rock a halter top and show off my back muscles this summer…something I’ve never wanted to do before. I’ve always been afraid a halter top would make my arms look too fat. Not anymore!
Ooh that bathing suit is super cute. I love the black/white/red combo. Liked the FB page.
Flattering to me can mean slimming, but also boosting, as in the bust area. I’m rather small on top, and while I love my tiny boobs, creating the illusion of more can make outfits look more balanced. I get your point though. Who hasn’t spent a frustrating morning trying on what seems like everything you own, just to find something that is sufficiently “flattering?”
To be honest, I am in your camp – I had previously (stupidly) though flattering meant more thin! But you have a seriously good point. It’s funny that I should read this right now as I sit in my workout clothes that I wore to the gym. In said workout clothes, just two hours ago, I was staring in the mirror during bulgarian split squats and goblet squats thinking “woa. Those are some big thighs. Maybe I should lay off the heavy squats? But I like them….” I came to the temporary conclusion that I like these thighs because they are so damn strong, and this post solidifies that thought. Thanks, Charlotte!
Liked on Facebook!!! Their clothes look awesome!!
Liked them on FB.
There you go making assumptions again; I try to make my chest look SMALLER! I always feel like Dolly Parton when I try to squeeze my 34 double-Ds into a swimsuit. The vast majority of swimsuits are NOT made for women with substantial chests.
I liked them on facebook! Like most other women, I think I’ve generally thought flattering and slimming were pretty equal. After some thinking about it though, I do think that clothing can be flattering without necessarily being slimming.. Like what Alli said above, sometimes it can be flattering to boost a certain area, rather than make it appear smaller. I think most flattering clothing fits properly and is a good style for ones body.
This is ahttp://www.flyshoescentre.com/ much more down to earth outlook – I don’t want to be skinny – but look good and healthy!
I pinned the Gown bathing suit in navy on Pinterest. I have somewhat broad shoulders and a small waist, which accentuates the shoulders. I used to hate it, and wouldn’t wear anything strapless that showed off my shoulders. When I started getting into lifting weights, I thought “hey, this makes me look strong!” and am no longer worried about accentuating the shape of my upper body. It makes it a lot easier to shop for dresses!
I already “like” them on Facebook!
I absolutely agree with being self conscious about thighs. Mine have always been my “trouble spot” and no matter what, I just have thick legs. Now that I have been doing Crossfit, they are no longer my thick thighs, but my awesome quads. Thighs are ugly. Quads are sexy. 😉 There is one blogger, (http://www.petiteathleat.com/) that has made love my quads even more; she often posts pictures of her #quadzilla legs, which I find extremely attractive and can only hope mine continue to grow into such beautiful, strong legs.
I liked Albion on Facebook, love their suits!!
I pinned some of their workout gear on Pinterest, so cute!!!
I feel 100% the same about my thighs, always slimming them, always hiding them. Maybe one day I will feel as confident as you.
I pinned the “Show Stopper, black and white” and also liked their page…. I am seriously getting this for myself for this summer!
I liked their page!
Flattering… I have to admit I fall into a spectrum of “skinny-making” for flattering. But I think, mostly, it’s just that I don’t wear/buy clothes than specifically make me look worse than I normally do. I long ago came to the conclusion that there is absolutely no realistic way to hide yourself and your shape just by wearing a certain style of clothing… but you can get colors that look good with your skin, cuts that show off your favorite body parts (or at least don’t point out the parts about which you feel uncomfortable), clothes that fit well without creating or emphasizing bulges or panty-lines or let your untamed belly hang out inappropriately or whatnot. Flattering is whatever makes me feel good and look good. For me, like you, that often means taking emphasis away from my thighs. However, I have so much trouble finding clothes that actually fits my rather bottom-heavy shape that simply finding something that fits, in general, is a flattering miracle. Shopping for clothes for me is as difficult as shopping for shoes when your feet are two sizes different from one another; NOTHING fits appropriately. Often, also, my impression of “Hey I actually look cute!” helped out by those magical mirrors some stores have that somehow make you look 10 pounds thinner… I can get home and find out that the clothes I just raved about in the store actually does little for me.
Great post. Being thin is not always flattering. I also have these jeans that give my un-curvy body a nice ass, so they’re definitely flattering, but don’t necessarily make me thin. Even still, I only find myself wearing them when I’m having a “good body” day.
PS liked Albion Fit on Facebook.
I pinned this suit: http://pinterest.com/pin/109001253453726166/
I’m right there with you – I don’t have skinny legs but I know they are strong and I love that!!
I liked Albion on Facebook.
I also pinned Albion Fit’s Draw Cord Top. I try to hide my not-so-flat tummy, but I think my shoulders are starting to show a little definition so I like to accentuate them.
I “like” Albion on facebook! And I love their stamina shorts. I’d love to try something other than my normal running shorts (especially since I don’t run anymore).
Your thighs = my tummy. I love my big strong legs and arms, but you don’t really get to have a big strong tummy in that same way. 🙂
And, I think your thighs look great – and the rest of you too. You are strong, fit, and awesome.
Great swimsuit! If I were on Facebook, I would like them.
I liked their Facebook page!
Pinned it!
I liked Albion on Facebook and pinned their sunny yellow swimsuit to my “What to Wear” board…because I would totally wear that.
Facebook and Pinned! Just found your page today I will be reading from now on! Love fresh perspectives. So flattering….I’d have to agree it’s how you feel. I’m not big on all the back and forth about Lena Dunham’s body and whatnot in the realm of Girls, but I did read a quote from her saying that she loves her thighs and she wants to show them everyday—that’s a feeling I can get behind. Self-professed thigh hater I am, I’ve been wearing skin tight pants in an effort to embrace my thighs. I will get there, I like my body a little more each day, and I think that makes most everything flattering because I feel good….
also you look great…as a whole we all think people think a lot more about us than they actually do. Maybe if we’d all remember that we could really feel good wearing those crazy prints without needing the re-assurance….although compliments are always nice.
Love that you are so honest about this stuff! And how cool that you were brave enough to try the “unflattering” experiment and challenge your own perspective.
I often find that my own favorite women’s body type leans more towards the muscular and not so much the “skinny” look favored by magazines and movie stars. I keep wanting to feed those poor actresses and models cheeseburgers and hand them a couple of dumbells. But to each her own!
Charlotte, you are gorgeous, there is nothing wrong with any part of your body. I repeat, nothing wrong!
As women, genetics dictate that chances are we are going to have bigger hips and thighs. So even if the media shows us one king of beautiful only, like Gisele, tall and skinny, it doesn’t mean that other body shape are not beautiful and just has perfect.
To me flattering means: smooth silhouette, highlights the feminine aspects of my figure, shows cleavage or legs, no panty line, not squished fat, stylish, shows my waist…
For the longest time I thought it meant “makes me look thin”. Now I want it to highlight my body.
Great giveaway! I pinned a couple of suites 🙂
In the pic you posted your thighs don’t look “fat” at all, they look strong, and you look very good. I wish I had strong thighs like that.
I’ve thought of flattering to mean thinner..in part..but also color. I think color makes a huge difference. There are some colors I just won’t wear ever, like beige, ugh. Really nothing is going to make me look *thin*. So I try to look like a big girl with a shape rather than sack. The right clothes show that I have a waist, etc, the wrong ones can look shapeless and blob like or cut off in funny places (ie capris make me look stumpy)
I pinned! http://pinterest.com/pin/31947478579248799/
I liked their facebook page. Thanks for the giveaway!
I pinned the blousy suit top. So cute.
http://pinterest.com/pin/27514247696043055/
I liked them on facebook! They have some gorgeous 1 pieces! That showstopper looks amazing!
I pinned the Albion “Fit” swimsuit. The bow and the tiny buttons are so cute. 🙂 I love all the ruffled ones, but I do NOT want to make any body parts look bigger.
I pinned the show stopper on pinterest too. Such a cool suit! I love the bow and the retro feel! And I like the red bow with the black and white stripes.
Also- I am REALLY curious about the pants. Do you have just a picture of them? (Without you in them).
Liked them on facebook – love the signature hoodie – it looks so comfy!
I liked them on Facebook! Thanks!!
I pinned the JAW DROPPER, BLACK AND EMERALD GREEN swim suit. Loved it! Honestly I looked at your photo and thought what a beast, that is the body i’m going for! Honestly I want to put your photo on my workout bag!
I pinned them to my Pinterest ‘Hello my Loves’ board 🙂
I liked their Facebook page. Their swimsuits are adorable!
Pinned to pintrest.
Liked the showstopper on facebook!
Thanks!
I liked them on facebook and I believe his suit is this years blogger choice, I have seen it everywhere!
Liked and pinned! Such great stuff! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve liked them on facebook for awhile! Such cute stuff!
I love wearing something that it out of my comfort zone only to find that not only does it “flatter” me, but changes the way I think about what I’m able to wear. I don’t do it very often because it takes a lot of courage, but I think the only thing holding us back from some things are our own perceptions of our bodies, not reality. So way to rock the print leggins!
I love the idea of focusing on a broader concept of beauty instead of just thin-ness. One exercise I’ve read about is coming up with new words to describe different parts of our body; so maybe my hips are “curvy” instead of “fat.” I think acknowledging the wonderful things our body does for us is huge too. This isn’t about being in denial or ignoring health, but about redefining ourselves and taking a broader stance toward beauty. And, lo and behold, everyone around you seemed to agree in this case!? We never fail to be our own worst critic anyway. Maybe we should just ask how other people would describe our bodies! Go figure!
Similar leggings story – ordered some online I thought looked cute, got them, put them on, realized why they were on sale (lavender background with crazy navy-blue, swirling, semi-flower design did not “make” me look as slender as I would like). HOWEVER, these babies exceeded my “don’t spend more than 20 dollars on anything” rule and I couldn’t return them (a sale thing as I recall). So, I forced myself to wear them (had to get my money’s worth), cringing the whole time. And YET, so many compliments and requests to know where I bought them. Ended up wearing them for years until the elastic in the waistband gave out…
I say flattering often to mean slimming, but also just proportionate, highlighting curves in the desired places, or just beautiful in general. Even at my runway model thinnest, my thighs are proportionately large for my body, or so every size chart and pair of pants I’ve ever encountered has led me to believe. It really *isn’t* flattering to have the seams be begging for mercy around my thighs, but then have a handful of extra material up around my waist. So flattering for me usually just means it fits nicely without calling attention to those proportions.
I liked Albion Fit on facebook. And I like your blog. 🙂 It is the first one I read each day. Are you still doing fitness experiments? I have also always been self-conscious about my thighs. It is strange because looking at your picture I think you look great, and I can honestly say we pretty much have about the exact same body size/shape, so why is it harder to say that about myself? So, being self-conscious about my thighs, I have been afraid to try the colored skinny jeans trend even though I love color and I think they are really cute. I did it anyway, and I get a lot of compliments. Also, if I ever complain to my husband about my thighs (he is the only one who hears about my woes), he tells me he loves them and has no idea what I am talking about.
I wish you would have posted a picture of you in the pants – own it, girl! Personally, I LOVE printed pants and have so many pairs of crazy workout pants that I could wear one pair a day for a couple of weeks. They are fun. They make me happy. I am sure that I would look better in plain black workout pants but where is the fun in that? I have a couple that aren’t the most flattering but I love them anyway. They are just plain fun.
BTW- would love to “like” Albion but, alas, I do not facebook. Can I enter another way?
Never mind! I just pinned an outfit that I would love to have from there on my pinterest account. Thanks!
There is definitely too much emphasis on being skinny and thin especially with younger girls. It is rare to hear someone say I want to be strong as opposed to I want to be skinny. I too was guilty of this years ago, but as I got older I understood it is much more important to be strong and healthy.
I liked their facebook page…and I think you look amazing in that pic!
I recently wore a branded hoorag bandanna to hold back my hair, a dark red vest, and HOT PINK SHINY PATTERNED arm warmers on a run with Mr. Science. They were not flattering in ANY sense and mostly I was just really impressed with the fact that Mr. Science still went running with me even though I looked completely ridiculous (seriously, I’ll have to take a picture of the outfit sometime. Actually had several people on the street walk past us and then turn around and keep looking at me because of the silly-ness. It was pretty entertaining).
ANYWHO. Until reading this I always unconsciously made the “flattering = thin” association too. But I like this concept. Especially since it made me also realize that I don’t think I’ve ever been really “ashamed” or anything by my monster thighs, mostly because I grew up with my mum always talking about how awesome it was to have super strong runner legs and I think that kind of stuck with me (didn’t carry over to my calves, stomach, arms etc. though ;)).
Thinking it over now, I think anytime I FEEL good wearing something, it’s flattering in my mind. Confidence is a big factor in that.
I’ve been creeping on your blog for almost a year now and am finally commenting! I’m a dancer/personal trainer with monstrous thighs, and they are literally the favorite part of my body. I used to be very small (no disorder, just naturally small), fluctuated in weight in college, and have now found a healthy, muscular, maintainable weight for me. As someone who didn’t used to have thighs or a butt, I feel so womanly and beautiful now! I have no desire to look like a teenage boy with no curves. I am still small, but I feel like the womanly parts of my body are highlighted and I LOVE it and show it off whenever I can. Part of what I love about my job is empowering women with the knowledge that lifting doesn’t make you “big” but can actually highlight your femininity. Oh, and men love it! Not that that is the best motivation, and I have no desire to perpetuate the idea that women’s bodies exist solely for men to look at, but I have never before been complimented or viewed as a WOMAN like I am now. I appreciate a manly physique, and it’s nice for a man to appreciate a woman’s body for all the things we try to hide, and to show us that it’s really not necessary.
Flattering means something that highlights the best parts of you. Looking like you know how to dress for your body shape (and coloring, age, energy, etc) is not to be underrated. Every woman knows how hard it is to find clothes in her size. Whatever size that is. They’re all different, and knowing what’s right for you is a skill. Even if it means not shoving yourself into trendy skinny jeans, or wearing strapless tops, or whatever else seems to look great on everyone else.
First of all, I like them on Facebook.
Second, I pinned that amazing suit that you got that I am incredibly jealous of right now.
Okay, now that the business is out of the way, on to the good stuff.
When I was just out of college, at my biggest (yet strangely least self-conscious), I went backpacking with a friend for a weekend. On the last day, we hiked 10 miles across flat, wide open lava mere feet from the Pacific Ocean the whole way. It was HOT and BEAUTIFUL and HARD. When we got to the end of the trail, my friend threw down her backpack and pointed at her legs and literally screamed, “MY LEGS ARE SO AWESOME!!!”
That was 10 years ago, and I still remember it vividly. I don’t remember what her legs looked like, or mine for that matter, but they really are awesome.
I liked Albion on facebook!
I pinned an Albion pin to my boards!
http://www.albionfit.com/tops/love-racer-orange Pinned this! Pretty! I tend to look for things that flatter me vs. not BUT I do like that they show my hard work at weights vs. hide it & make me look skinnier… WNTW TV show – cable – works to flatter all body types with clothes rather than hide those parts you want to hide so I always loved watching it!
I also LIKED their FB page! Cute clothes!
Your thighs look AMAZING! Strong, not at all “too big,” and certainly not fat!
Once puberty hit I did everything in my power to hide my boobs. I was VERY uncomfortable. I’d gone from an ironing board to a C-cup, almost overnight. I was 15 and getting a lot of attention from older men. Yergh!
Currently I try to camouflage my tummy. There’s no mistaking it for anything other than what it is: Chub. 🙂
I hear ya’! I had bigger boobs than all my friends (and I was in good shape, too) and the attention that I would get from guys (boys, really) could get really annoying. There was this one kid who was always asking if I wanted a hug. Yeah, he never got one…
BTW, I think of “flattering” as something that makes us look good, not necessarily thinner.
I wear a Tshirt that’s flattering on me. I think it shows off my shoulders well. Makes me realize that a fit body deserves the right clothing to show it off.
Great post! I think it would be great if women stopped associating flattering with ‘thin’ and started associating it with beauty and strengths.Focusing on what you DO have and not what you DON’T have. Its so sad that our society makes it hard for women to embrace their bodies and not be fighting them.
liked on facebook – Steph Couponsx
and pinned – http://pinterest.com/pin/85638830386707360/
I love their coral 26.2 jacket!!
I love the swimsuit you picked! That’s why I pinned that one to my pinterest! I also really like the ballerina swim suits and the red ruffle one.
I also liked the page on facebook!
“Liked” Albion on Facebook! Great giveaway!
Repinned the “Balance Bermudas” on Pinterest. They are the perfect length!
I liked them on facebook but I may not be able to wait to see if I win the giveaway. Very nice stuff.
Plus, I really liked your post today and it speaks to me at great depths. I have been having this sort of conversation with myself trying to find the things I like about myself. I have big thighs but I love to run and dance. And more than disliking what they look like, I love that my legs are key in doing the two things I love to do. Thank you, legs.
I liked them on Facebook. For me something is flattering if it shows off the shape you have. I love wearing pencil skirts that show off my curvy hips!
Although I have enjoyed almost all of your posts previously, this is one of my favourites. What an obvious idea to see flattering as ‘highlighting’ rather than ‘hiding’.
Although I do appreciate the strength of my thighs, I have found myself resenting them lately as I have been training for another marathon. I know that the extra running builds a lot of quad strength and I know I have been increasing the weights on my squats, deadlifts, legpress etc (not because of the running but just because I am always trying to be stronger) and yet I find myself looking in the mirror every day and hating my body. Whether it is my legs or my stomach or whatever. Anyways, I am going to try this new approach: highlight the good! Really thanks for the post!
I thought you might appreciate this too: years ago I cut out an ad by Nike that I have posted on a bulletin board:
“I have thunder thighs, and that is a compliment because they are strong and toned and muscular. Though unwelcome in the petite section, they are cheered on in marathons. 50 years from now I will bounce my grand child on my thunder thighs and then go out for a run.”
I liked their facebook page. I struggle with liking almost all of my body, so usually I don’t show off anything at all!
I liked their facebook page. Love everything.
Flattering, to me, means pulled together with nice lines and proportions. If a dress is flattering it is because is lays nicely on the body and gives a nice shape to the body (or the other way around?). Pick a skinny 20 yr. old in a dress made for a 6 yr. old. She would look silly, even though she is still skinny. Picture Marilyn Monroe in almost any of her starlet dresses. Dang! Now that’s flattering!
You have great legs. Keep focused on all the great things they can do as well. All those things you mentioned. At the end of the day it’s all about how “one drives their bus”. Slumped shoulders, slouchy, foot shuffling skinny chick vs. a well postured confident woman, of any size. Awhile back I posted about my own struggles with making peace with my gamshttp://misserindancefit.blogspot.com/2013/03/who-is-that-in-mirror.html.
Oh, and I liked the FB page.
I think agree with Erin D–if it’s a color I like, a shape I’m comfortable with, that outfit is always going to be more flattering than any pants or dresses with Spanx-like properties.
I liked their page on facebook.
I like Albion Fit’s facebook page!
As for my definition of “flattering”, I think things are flattering if their colors look good on me or make my eyes appear even more blue. Also, something is “flattering” if it conceals areas that concern me (like my small chest) and highlights areas that I am proud of (like my calves).
I pinned the Criss Cross suit to interest! http://pinterest.com/pin/40884309089644781/
This is an interesting post. I’ve been thinking about this a lot today. We have two woman where I work who are both very curvaceous. One wears bright, tight clothing that she feels great in. I think most fashion experts would tell her to wear different clothes, but she loves them, and that really comes through with her confidence and attitude. So they are flattering to her, they suit her personality.
The other also wears tight clothing, but she obviously doesn’t feel great in them. She hunches over and tries to hide. I can relate, I really can. I’m not judging (glass houses and all that).
So I’m now thinking that my definition of flattering is clothes that make you feel great 🙂
You always have such great, thought provoking posts – Thanks !
YES! Great day- I bet you rocked those leggings 😉 I love how that thought- what if flattering meant highlighting your strengths. It’s good to move away from the skinny obsession whenever we can, too easily do we fall into it without even realising it!
Great post. Ps. Where’s your pic in a swimsuit- cmon now Charlotte 😉
Very nice post. Flattering does not have to mean skinny in my opinion. Beauty standards are constantly evolving and skinny=pretty is merely a result of our current media, social conditioning etc. Its much more important and sustainable imho to feel and be confident and healthy – that way your beauty really comes from inside out and not based on some arbitrary standard.
p.s. you thighs really do look good and fit 🙂
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I like Albion Fit on facebook
I pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/232639136973843259/
Flattering is something that looks on your body type and you feel confident wearing it.
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I’m probably too late, but I pinned the suit you got! OMG. It’s super cute. I’m considering buying it later 🙂 Too bad the coupon code is expired now!
Anyways, what do the leggings look like? 😡 Now I want to see these amazing muscle highlighting pants!
It’s all about being fit and healthy for sure…just went to their facebook and pinned that one on pinterest. Liked the pic too 🙂
A few months late, but this is when the internet lead me here ;p. When I look for flattering clothes I want ones that fit my shape. I have a long torso so that means dresses where the hip widening doesn’t start 3 inches above my waist. I agree with everyone that what is really flattering on a woman is to feel self confident/not self conscious. To that end, I really wanted to comment to make sure women were aware of another option for swimming–board shorts! I had never felt super comfortable walking around in a bathing suit but really started wanting to cover my thighs after I had my first kid and gained stretch marks from an inch below my belly button to 3 inches down my thighs. The stretch marks have faded as the years have gone by but now I love board short for how effortless they are. I don’t need to worry about if I’ve shaved or making sure that material isn’t bunching or how my lower body looks and I don’t have to take them off when I swim like a coverup. I do wear 2 piece swimsuits which I hope helps get away from the fuddy-duddy image of ‘mom swim shorts’, but really I spend the vast majority of my time in a swim suit chasing after 3 little boys so if I come across as matronly so be it.