When I was growing up, films told me that black clothing was mysterious, elegant, sultry… There’s a certain seductive quality about a woman dressed in head to toe black – it reminds us of on screen sirens, tales of temptresses and all things spooky.
As a fat woman, I’ve always been told that I should wear black because it’s slimming, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret… no matter what colour I wear, I’m still fat. I don’t judge anyone who does choose it for this reason, I’m just saying that it’s really not a priority for me.
When I get dressed in the morning, my first thought is not “how can I make myself look less fat than I am”. When I shop for clothes, I don’t worry that something will show the shape of my belly. I spent a long time fighting my body, hiding my body, and letting others shame me about my body – but I’m getting better at not doing that. I’m working on treating myself well, on wearing things because I want to wear them, and being kind to myself regardless of what size or shape I am.
Treating your body with respect is something that I talk about a lot with friends, but I feel like it’s something that I haven’t talked about much on my website. But don’t you worry, I’m going to. For a long time I’ve wanted to share more body positivity on my blog other than my fabulous outfits. I want to help others feel great about themselves like I do.
This summer, I’ll be bringing back my Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes shoots (make sure you’ve subscribed to my mailing list to get the details of those). I’ll be blogging about self image, confidence and the importance of treating yourself well. I’ll be sharing more of my own journey and I hope you’ll share yours with me too. And of course, I’ll be sharing more great clothes from some of my favourite designers. Yes, some of them will be in black…
So why do I wear black, if not for it’s slimming qualities? It makes me feel fabulous. It makes my copper hair pop against my pale skin. It allows me to tell my fashion story with different fabrics rather than colours. I can channel badass babery and sophisticated siren.
What’s your favourite colour and how do you feel when you wear it?
xo Meagan
Meagan wears:
Ellaments Pearl Slip c/- Lucabella (worn as top)
Sara Pull On Jeggings from EziBuy
Sweet Freedom Fringed Kimono c/- Harlow
Jade Plimsoles from Rubi Shoes
Felt hat is vintage
Ooo tassels. Not usually my kind of thing, but you look fantastic hun! Coming from Welly I’m a huge fan of black on black too 😉 Nailed it this week!
love the message in this post and love your hair contrasting with the black. looove that hat though! hehe
Oh, I really love this kimono type thing and I have to say, black is kinda my go-to colour too. ROCKING that hat! <3
Meagan you look SO FABULOUS! As you always do! But I especially adore your Wednesday Addams reference, and the fact that you hit the nail on the head about black being the fat girl go-to. I used to always hide in black, and now that I don’t despise myself I recognise that I don’t have to. Which is awesome! BUT I do want to be able to wear it without people thinking that when I do i’m trying to appear “slimmer” and more “flattering”. Ugh. Nope, I just like wearing black sometimes! Haha xx
PS. I hope you can come over for CCR, and I would super LOVE to be a part of your Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes project!! x
Feisty!
This is such a winning look, that hat and fabulous fringe detail is heavenly!
It’s difficult, because I’ve loved it forever, but I’m actually trying to move away from black and embrace colour!
Ooft, that hair against black! Lovely. xx
I wear a lot of black leggings, but other than that I don’t wear much black.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing more body confidence type articles, especially your fat girls shouldn’t wear stripes posts. I’ve got to admit, I spent time reading through your old swimsuit posts before going shopping for togs this week.
For me, color doesn’t matter as long as you like what you’re wearing.
I wear quite a lot of black! I think I got in the habit in the early 90s where the meagre plus-size offerings that were actually wearable were usually black, and it coincided nicely with my grunge phase. Well, everyone’s grunge phase, really! I love that you’ve mixed different textures and patterns of black here, especially the fringing.
You’re such a fabulous woman Meagan – thanks for the inspiration, I love your words on body confidence. I love the Harlow kimono on you:)
I love wearing black head to toe – and it’s not to hide my fat – I just like it. Sometimes I break it up by wearing a coloured scarf or bright handbag, or coloured shoes. I do have some coloured clothing but it’s 90% black including my wedding dress!
I’m with you – colour is a great accessory but my clothes are mostly black. Or navy – I’m partial to a bit of navy. And I love that you had a black wedding dress! I honestly can’t imagine what colour I’d get married in, not sure I’m in to the traditional white… black could be a goer!
Please please please say you’re coming to the waikato so I can be part of your fat girls shouldn’t wear stripes photo project! I’ve ordered the most awesome high waisted bikini for this summer. I’m a little bit nervous about it, but mostly excited.
Good on you for getting a bikini, I’m excited for you! I will definitely be coming back to the Waikato at some point soon – make sure you’re subscribed to the newsletter, because I’ll announce it there first 😉
I totally will because I stalk you in every way possible 😀
All Meagan, all the time 😉