Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes: Victoria

When I was younger trying to be fashionable and express myself was hard. The only place I could really find clothes was the plus size section at Farmers, and no-one wants to dress the same as their Mum or look 20 years older than they are.

My huge turning point, confidence boost and start of something new was when I was out shopping with my best friends. Standing in Portmans, I saw a little black dress in a size XL. Surely that had been marked wrong! I tried it on, it fit perfectly, and never have I felt more gorgeous. I whispered to my friend we need to go The Warehouse so I could find some black bike shorts or gym pants to wear as leggings. She laughed at me. “Don’t be silly! We’ll go to Glassons!” “No way! I’d never fit them from there!” She assured me I would, and bet me a drink. Sure enough, she was right. I was always too embarrassed to try shopping at those places, but it was the first piece in my now ever-growing wardrobe, and opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I’m a firm believer in ‘look good, feel good.’ For me, swiping on my favourite red lipstick makes me feel like I can conquer the world. I’ve had abuse thrown at me even when I’m looking my best, so feeling gorgeous helps me strut on by. What does “Whoa Carls Jr!” even meant to mean!? I’m hot, you’re a bastard, who’s really laughing?

I don’t think I have a specific style, sometimes I’m feminine, sometimes I’m a vamp, but I love a bold bright lip and showing off my cleavage… some might say too much! My lovely Nanna once said to me “I wish I had these when I was your age, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!”

When I first heard about the Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes project, I knew I needed to be a part of it. Even as a fat girl, I have been guilty of that comment. “Who thought these horizontal stripes were a good idea for a plus size dress?” I’d say. The dress was cute, but I wouldn’t even try it on. I was living within the so called ‘beauty standards’.

After reading Meagan’s first few posts, I re-evaluated myself. Why don’t I wear stripes? Tight skirts? Togs? These things are available to me, but I avoided them because it’s what I had been taught and had preached to me. I recently bought a striped t-shirt, and it’s so cute! I wear it almost every weekend and I love it teamed with my signature red lips. Why was I depriving myself of these cute clothes!?

I want to say a huge thank you to you Meagan, I had a lot of confidence before, but now with even more fashion choices, body acceptance and finding new places to shop, I’m going to be unstoppable!

My next step is losing the shapewear… Can I do it!?

xo Victoria

Victoria wears:
Dress from City Chic
Cardigan from Glassons
80 Denier Black Opaque Tights from City Chic
Shoes from Hannahs