I was hesitant to upload the photos of myself earlier today wearing that blue polka dotted dress, because I just felt like I looked (there's no nice way to put this) so trampy in it. Having curves can be a great thing.. sometimes. But honestly, as far as attire goes, sexy lingerie is just about the only thing I can think of where curves help you out. In most other categories, it's an epic fail.
Take for example, the trapeze dress. If you're not curvy, you look like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby, pre-devil child. If you're curvy, you look like you're 9 months into carrying Satan's spawn.
How about cute girly dresses -- particularly ones with cute little collars, frilly sleeves or gingham. On someone who isn't blessed with hips the size of Mt. Everest, this style comes off as sweet and adorable. On me, I look like I'm sending submission photos for plus-sized playmate of the month.
What about pencil skirts? On the non-curvy girl, this is a very suitable choice of clothing for the office. You'd look sophisticated and professional. On Miss 40-28-40, you look more like Joan from Mad Men, and I think you know what I mean. We can't pull off the pencil skirt without looking like we not-so-secretly want to bed our boss.
And then there's the spaghetti-strap, my offense that sparked this post. It's a delightful, dainty detail that looks summery & peachy keen on a girl who isn't curvy. But add a set of DD's and it looks like those little dainty straps are doing everything they can to keep you from bursting out of your dress.
All in all, this makes getting dressed each day kind of hard, at least for me. If I don't look like a late night call girl, then I look like I'm with-child. I want to join in the fight against sloppiness, pj's at the grocery store and track suits at the bank ... but when your figure doesn't seem to look presentable or respectable in normal clothing, sweatpants start to look very appealing.
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UPDATE -- I just want to clarify a few things -- I'm very happy with my body, and my self-image -- this isn't about me wanting to be skinny or thinking I'm fat. This is merely about wanting to be able to wear certain fashions that wouldn't look flattering on my shape. I *know* that there are clothes that flatter curvy bodies, I'm just saying that sometimes I'm watching Rosemary's Baby and I'd do anything to be able to wear her wardrobe without looking like I have a basketball for a stomach. It's almost like how I can crave meat even though I'm a vegetarian. I know that I can't eat it, but I desire to sometimes. I still eat my fake chicken and tofu, but look on enviously at the turkey platter on the table. Sometimes you just want what you can't have, and for me that is trapeze dresses and cute girly outfits.
Being curvy is a great thing -- and if you are curvy, you should be proud! I did not mean to say otherwise. Everyone should be happy with their bodies! My only point was that certain fashions just aren't made for hourglass girls, and when I love said fashions, that makes me sad.
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22 comments:
I've learned over the years not to be ashamed of my body. I don't clothe it in burlap sacks but I know what works now. I had two reductions, and sometimes think of my third. Then I realized I'm only doing it to fit the status of others, or because i would make other people more comfortable.
I used to believe it was a curse but as you get older, it's more of a blessing. How many women can wear and old lady cardigan and make it look sexy without even trying?
honestly, TRUTH.
the drawings are totally true.
being curvy (and also chubby)... many outfits are cut to look really nice, really nice on people on slimmer, then you try them on and you're like YIKES.
<3
curvy girls rule though.
honestly.
Diana - I really thought I knew what worked, too (I've been going with dresses that are fitted on top, then have an voluminous skirt) but then the dress I had on today threw me for a bit of a loop.. I just thought I looked like I was trying on my baby sister's clothing or something :p I agree, though, we are lucky when it comes to looking sexy, just about anything works! :D
Carly - I'm always fooled by the way things look on mannequins online. They look so beautiful and then I get them in the mail and wonder what happened..
Your drawings are adorable.
This is all so true! The drawings you did reveal the truth of curvy/chubby fashionistas. I know what works on my body, but even so still struggle to find the right clothes.
It's at the point now, where I want to learn to properly sew so I can make my own pretty frocks that fit a DDD girl.
I like having curves, always have, and always will. But when the curves are hard to fit the fashions ... well, it gets to be a bit of a downer.
Thank you for this post! :)
Curvy Caren
The only thing I agree with is the trapeze dress which are just so horrid, anyway, IMHO. This actually makes me really sad =[ I don't want to make you feel awful or whatever for posting this - I just meant it makes me sad that so many girls feel this way. =[ And I personally think you look gorgeous and not at all trampy in that dress! I like dresses like that better on curvy girls. In fact, I like most clothes better on curvy girls (and then feel bad that I might be excluding girls who are naturally skinny but I can't help my own aesthetic tastes...)
I hope this comment doesn't upset in any way (if it does, please feel free to remove it or give me a kick in the pants)! I can't properly articulate what I mean, right now.
-Andi x
I watched What Not To Wear (British version) and learned the important lesson that you should dress to complement your body type not for fashion. You create your own fashion that way. You'll just be miserable trying to wear clothes that were made for flat anorexic sticks.
I absolutely love this post and couldn't agree more.
First off, I love Rosemary's Baby and Mia Farrow's wardrobe in it. I try ANY of those options and look like a snowman. I am a curvy 5'1" and I find myself in jeans and hoodies more often than not. This is partly why I love your blog because you wear the things that I wish I could!!
Try to stay positive about your figure, I think you look adorable!
I know how you feel. I'm a 32E. O.o There are very few things that don't make me look like trampy. I hate clothes shopping so instead I just wear oversized sweaters & pretend like the curves don't exist. :(
This might be a grass is greener thing, but I think you look marvelous in those dresses!! I'm tallish and naturally skinny and I couldn't wear a spaghetti strap dress to save my life. All it does is show how thin I am and make me look thinner, not cute at all, and then I get nasty comments from strangers telling me to eat more. Curvy women tend to fill out clothes properly and I envy them. I can't even find pants anymore that actually fit me because they don't make clothes for thin people with a figure.
You just have to own your curves!
Though I'm laughing my ASS off at the drawing of the curvy woman in the little girl dress. I know exactly what you mean! I used to constantly get in trouble for what I was wearing at work simply because of my body! Everything looked SEXY on me! Even if it wasn't meant to be!
The really overweight woman in the cube next to me in skin tight black stretch pants- no one said a word to her! If I'd worn black stretch pants I'd have been sent home for being inappropriate!
I think pencil skirts are awesome on curvy girls, sexy but not trampy just like Joan. You show your curves in 50s style clothes but your boobs aren't hanging out, nothing is showing. Just the shape itself is sexy
xoxo
Ah, that's fair enough. I can understand that - it's like how I love '20s style but, generally, it'll look awful on me. Although, I still think pencil skirts look better on curvy girls. ;] But that could also be my love of '50s bombshells coming through...
i love the way you write, it's funny, poignant and an honest share. i think you look lovely in your pretty dress below and that awesometastic pink wig!
shapes and sizes are a funny thing; they sometimes live inside each of our own tender spots making us utter an inner "owy" every once in a while. for me, it's my quarterback shoulders and rounded tummy that gives me this feeling.
one time i was shopping for a dress, tried it on and the sales girl actually said "that shapes not working for you at all, why didn't you try something larger!" (sarcastic voice included) i was horrified and walked out...feelings totally crushed. on the flip side though, my boyf is amazing with the "do i look good in this?" question. if he's not so into the look he'll reply with "babe, i just think that outfit isn't doing you justice". love that, gets the point across without being too harsh or hurtful.
obvs your post has touched me and i'm on a bit of a comment-spurt but i wanted to also say i'm stoked to find your darling blog and will be following. ♥
Genuinely don't want to sound crass... but have to say: I think curves suit all imaginable fashions. And I'm not alone.
Oh goodness. I stumbled upon this on Amber Rose's blog, and I couldn't help but giggle at how true these things are, especially for me. I'm actually quite petite with very little curves but I happen to have boobs that apparently look even bigger on my small body. Which is why I laughed at the spaghetti strap example. Curse those lack of sleeves.
But anyways, I love this body. It's a good thing fashion isn't limited to only one style because seriously, anyone can look good in anything. As long as they know what looks good on them.
forte-espressivo.blogspot.com
Oh I can totally relate to this! I saw it on Amber's and felt the necessity to visit your site, I understand what this feels like, I have wide hips and it can be challenging, you have a lovely blog keep it up!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
Wow this is such an excellent post, I feel EXACTLY the same way as the girl in the drawings haha. I have to rule out 90% of styles because they look ridiculous when you have big boobs and/or hips. I also have to be careful because my favourite kind of clothes - super girly - can look so silly on someone who is very 'developed'. I guess we just have to learn to make the most of what suits us, and there are clothes curvy girls can totally rock that other shapes would give ANYTHING to be able to wear. So I think it all evens out :) xxx
AGREE! That was basically my first thought upon seeing this picture. Some clothes just suck to wear when your body isn't super-thin.
This is my life X1000. :)
Adrienne
http://lolarocksclothing.blogspot.com/
man you got this so right.... I know this all to well. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands up in the air cause nothing seems to fit right. I really do admire curvy girls who can look great and be fashionable.
Lmao I love the cartoon! It pinpoints my exact emotions on those particular styles. I never really shared those feeling with anybody else its nice to know I'm not the only that feels that way. This is one if the main reasons I really enjoy your blog, you discuss a lot of topics I can relate too and appreciate. Thanks for posting such an excellent blog!
Curvy girls are sexy!
I have boobs and an hourglass figure but am still skinny as people tell me. I do not see it...I wish I did...one day I will be comfortable with myself and stop struggling and dress to flatter my figure and I will not be ashamed!
- s
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