IT’S SWEATER SEASON!
Hello there and happy Tuesday! I hope this week finds you pulling on your cutest Fall sweater and heading to your favourite cafe. I'm drinking Green Jasmine Tea this morning and thinking about wearing what makes me feel good.
Last weekend I dug some very cute jeans out of my closet and immediately wondered how I'd forgotten about them. They were so soft and had a decent amount of stretch, so I popped them on to run errands. An hour later with the jeans sliding down my ass and my shirt riding up over my belly, I completely remembered why I had shoved the jeans to the back of the closet. They didn't fit. Or at least, they weren't great when I was trying to do something insane like...move around or walk across the room!
I was so uncomfortable and all I could think was "I'm not walking around like this all day" And then it dawned on me. This is how I used to walk around all the time! I'd wear clothes that were ill fitting and uncomfortable because I had a hard time finding anything else. And honestly, I didn't think I deserved better. Shopping was a painful reminder that my body was a failure and I was obsessed with the number on the label. I'd rather go a size smaller and be uncomfortable than go up to the size that would actually look and feel better on me.
It was an interesting moment of reflection and it made me feel grateful to be in a place where I don't let my size dictate what I can or cannot wear. Shopping for clothing beyond a size 12 is a pain for sure and I do most of my shopping online. But I have had great joy in thinking about the outfits I used to imagine myself in when I'd lost the weight, and finding and wearing them in my size now. It's another way of reminding myself that I am worthy of feeling good. If you want some amazing inspo for this, check out Katie Sturino and her #supersizethelook campaign!
After the jeans debacle, I decided to go through my closet and I realized I had a bunch of clothes in there that I don't wear. I was especially shocked to find a few things that are too small, but I've been hanging onto them anyway. Something I used to do all the time. But honestly, styles will come and go and my body will change, so I'd rather make literal and figurative space for that.
So I'm clearing out my closet and putting together a bag for the lovely folks over at the YVR Fat Clothing Swap. I love that we have a fat clothing swap in Vancouver and I'm honestly excited that other fat babes will get joy out of the clothes that have been sitting in the back of my closet. Even those damn jeans! They will fit someone like a glove and make them feel amazing! If you're in Vancouver, the swap is happening on October 15th and they are taking donations in advance.
At the end of the day, if you notice you are wearing something that doesn't make you feel good, ditch it! Style is a beautiful form of creative expression, so imagine your dream outfit and then supersize the look! Clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around. So dig into your closet, keep what makes you feel incredible and let go of the rest. You deserve to feel good this and every season!
As always, I'd love to hear about it! What is your relationship with clothes? What makes you feel amazing and how do you express yourself through fashion? What are you going to immediately donate in the name of setting yourself free? Let me know in the comments below!
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
