STYLE SWAP TUESDAYS- CELEBRATING MY BODY

Wishing you all a very Happy July 4th. While America celebrates it’s independence, I want to celebrate the joy of being alive, being human and being ME.

I always get asked by my readers: ” how do you do it all ?”, “how can you look good in whatever you wear ?“, “how can you look composed all the time ? “, all this and sort. Honestly, I have struggled with my body all my life. My body-perception for self is as worse as what any mom feels about her body post-pregnancy. I am my biggest body-shamer. My body has been a serious mystery: sometimes good but most of the times quirky. In my elementary school levels I was healthy, in high school I was plump, in college I was skinny, around the time I got married I was again plump, then I got skinny and now six years after having my daughter ……: I have stopped doing any body assessment. I am finding solace in what I am and how I am today. I am not the size zero figure, I am the real woman. My size 6 is no less and I have now learn’t to embrace it and dress it beautifully.

I have my own problem areas and finding ways to address them hasn’t been an easy journey. It took me several meltdowns, days of self-criticism and lots of shopping and return trips to finally find the sartorial ways to work around my problem areas, which I thought might be worth bringing up, as a lot of you might associate with them.

MY BODY SHAPE – I sometimes think I have an inverted triangle body shape, meaning my shoulders are broader than my lower body, but when I look up close, I feel I am more straight body type coz I do have a slight nip at the waist. This confusion has never been pleasant sartorially, but the way I combat this issue is by buying dresses that cinch at the waist and flare out from waist down. I usually avoid shoulder pads that would just add more to my already broad shoulders.

happy july 4th, happy independence day, fashion, gingham one piece swim costume, blue star print cape, target costume , myriad musings, ootd, atlantic city vacation, beach photo shoot

MY FLABBY ARMS– my arms have always been a deal-breaker for me, especially my upper arms. I have never loved my arms and the constant switching between doing weights at the gym and months of zero workout, has left my arms looking more self-repulsive. Now how do I address this problem ??? Well, ruffle sleeves and puffy shoulder pads are a big no-no for me. I don’t wear too thin shoulder straps and three-fourth sleeve lengths are my best friend.

MY FLAT BUTT– pardon me for being vocal, but this is my nightmare. Thanks to my maternal genes, flat butt runs in her family. I have done all sort of exercises, squats and massages under the sun, but all in vain. Not even pregnancy could bring any goodness there. I have tried padded underwear too, but gosh, it didn’t work either. At this point I think only a butt implant can save my ass. But in the meantime, I have made peace with pants and bottoms that have back pocket and button details. Having a back pocket gives the illusion of a plumper butt, which is still better than having nothing. Pleated skirts, for the same reason, have also been a favorite in my close.

MY PAUNCH– undeniably this is the most common problem for women post-pregnancy. You can loose a lot of your pregnancy fat, but a little fat that sticks around your tummy is the hardest to shed. It has been six years since I gave birth, but as you can tell: some of that weight decided to become my lifelong friend. I like to wear broad-waist bottoms, which help keep that weight camouflaged. High-waisted bottoms, loose-fitting dresses and tops are not good choices for me. I might sometime depend on the tummy-control pantyhose and tights to give the illusion of a slender tummy, but most of the times broad-waists have been my sartorial savior.

MY SHORT TORSO– I am short-waisted, meaning my torso is shorter in proportion to my leg height. Owing to which I sometimes have to shop at the petites section. It is not fun, coz I get stopped by the sales associates, who think I should be shopping in the regular section and not in the petite section. Anyways, I am always on the look out for longer tops and low-waist dresses that kind of make my torso look long and lean. Longer skirt and jeans that sit low on my waist are always a big help. As much as I love wearing a belt, thick wide corset belts are a big no no for me.

MY SUPER SKINNY LEGS– it’s every girl’s dream to have long skinny model like gams. I have em undeniably, but I always wished I had more fat around my thighs. Well, had my shoulders been in proportion to my skinny legs, this wouldn’t have been any issue, but now that the truth is different, I want more. Super skinny jeans make my thighs look skinnier and wide leg pants just hang on my thighs, so I always avoid them, Straight jeans, that are just fitted thigh to ankle work best on me. I can also get around with wearing an A-line mini or a midi skirt too.

I AM WEARING

swim costume – Target, buy same ( love this and this one )

cape- from India ( similar )

silver cuff- from India

sailor hat- American eagle outfitters

SHOP MY LOOK

Congratulations to Alma of The Style Cheapskate, she is the featured blogger of the week.

Now it is your turn to share your favorite looks….

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