Good morning!
Today we have a very special treat for the Summer Glow Boot Camp! Leslie will be talking about a VERY important topic that I think many of us struggle with- feeling confident in summer clothes! I know I always feel a bit self-conscious when I whip out the summer wardrobe. Society places so many expectations on women to not only be thin, but perfectly tanned, smooth, and cellulite free. It can make the most sane of us feel a bit crazy at times. Leslie is here to offer her awesome tips on how to get past those summer wardrobe fears and to embrace your awesome GLOWING self!
Hello Oh She Glows readers! My name is Leslie, and I blog over at the whole plate.
When Angela put out her “casting call” for the SGBC, I jumped at the chance. I’ve been an OSG fan for quite some time now, and I adore the positive message that Angela spreads.
On my blog, I often write about balance and self-acceptance. Last year, I found myself working in the high fashion industry, and as you might imagine, the atmosphere made both of those things difficult to attain. Nonetheless, I still harness a deep love for fashion, and like many, I used to dread the skimpy clothing that peppered garment racks as summer approached. The sudden exposure our bodies receive in summer attire can be intimidating, but over the years, I’ve employed a few strategies to relish in showing some skin.
1) Throw out the rule book. Fashion magazines often entice readers with promises of “seventy tops for your figure,” but I’m not here to tell you how to flatter your frame. Only you can do that. In my opinion, there is nothing more fashionable than a woman who pulls off her outfit with pride. Maybe your favorite dress isn’t the one fashion editors recommend for you. It doesn’t matter. If you feel beautiful in it, then you are.
2) Embrace your rights as a woman. I know, it’s easier to say the words, “I am beautiful” than to actually believe them. Summer arrives, and retailers suddenly ask us to reveal more than we do the other nine months of the year. Instead of complaining, I’ve finally begun to respond with enthusiasm. As women, our ancestors fought long and hard for the equality we have today. It is our right and privilege to bare our arms and legs. Put on that halter top, zip up those shorts, and feel your place in the feminine community. Your exposed skin reflects the history of our gender and the freedom we should be proud to enjoy.
3) Treasure the atmosphere. Summer is my favorite time of year. The long days, the heat, the opportunities to be outside – these are available to us for just a short period each year, and personally, I savor them. If I remain indoors with the air-conditioning, warmed by a baggy sweatshirt, I am allowing the season to slip away. Chances are, long sleeves won’t feel comfortable in the sun and hot air, and wearing them will cause you to fixate on your body, rather than the ambiance surrounding you. So shed those layers, and cherish the beautiful sensation of the summer heat embracing your bare arm.
4) Be a bit narcissistic. Your legs carry you up flights of stairs, on countless errands, perhaps on miles of runs. Your arms support every item held in your hands, help you reach high and low, propel you off the floor in a morning push-up. Your stomach digests the food that keeps you strong, and its core strength keeps you balanced. With all that your body can do, why wouldn’t you want to show it off? Take pride in the support it provides you, and wear clothes that let the world see its strength.
5) Dress yourself with your heart, not your head. You’ve been working hard, strengthening your body through the SGBC. Maybe your head is still arguing that you aren’t ready for a swimsuit or a skirt. Don’t listen. We women tend to spend hours overthinking our clothing choices – is this flattering, what is the size, can I pull this off. Fashion is a means of literally wearing our hearts on our sleeves. Quiet the negative thoughts and allow your clothes to reflect the person you are.
The next time you peek into your closet, I hope I’ve inspired you to toss away the layers and take a fashion risk. And if you have a free moment, I’d love to see you at the whole plate!
Thanks Leslie! I absolutely loved this post so much. I think this is such a great topic and I will admit one that I have not really addressed on OSG yet! When Leslie approached me with the idea I was just thrilled. I especially loved this part, “So shed those layers, and cherish the beautiful sensation of the summer heat embracing your bare arm.” Wow, what an amazing visual that gave me..a warm summer day…nice breeze..and feeling the warm sun on my skin. Who wants to constantly be all covered up and self-conscious all the time. Embrace it! :) I couldn’t agree more with ‘If you feel beautiful in it, then you are’…nothing is more attractive on a woman than confidence!!
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I have been a busy bee in the kitchen this morning as you could probably guess from my late post!
Today I was baking up some donated orders. The first one was for the Glo Bars I donated to Natalie’s bake sale for cancer. The second was for the SGBC Sidebar challenge, and the 3rd one I will be announcing below!
Classic and Revive…two lovely choices.
My new packing table! lol
A taste of heaven…
ATTENTION US READERS!
I know you have had it a bit difficult lately seeing all of these Glo Bars and not being able to order any yet! You’ve also had to deal with two Neal Brothers contests that were only open to Canadians. Well, today I want to say a little ‘thanks’ to you all for your dedicated support with Oh She Glows and your enthusiasm with Glo Bakery.
So today I am holding a US-ONLY contest on OSG! I will be sending another test package to the states and YOU could be the lucky recipient! You have a chance of winning one of these variety packs above (Heaven, Class, and Revive bars)!
How to enter:
- Leave a comment below about Leslie’s post on being confident in summer clothes. If you have any tips on being confident tell us what they are!
- Contest is open until TOMORROW, Friday at NOON EST.
- Open to US residents only please.
- GOODLUCK!
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I am off to pack and ship some stuff! Then it is back to calculating Nutrition Facts.
See you later for the winner of The Amazing Grass Contest! You have 1 more hour to get your entries in!!!
Also, just a quick note about emails- I am experiencing a large volume of emails lately for OSG, GMM, and Glo Bakery. Please rest assured that I am receiving all of them and I will get to them as soon as possible! Thanks so much for your patience. :)








YAY for Glo Bars!!
I use to try to stay away from shorts b/c of my runner thighs but I have grown to love my runners thighs they have gotten me through a marathon!!
I loved the article. Definitely could have used some of these tips a few years ago. Confidence is key; if your confidence is high, they won’t even notice your clothes.
Those bars look sooo good. Shipping them to Southern California would be the real test! Pick me! Pick me!
When you go shopping, ONLY try on and pick out clothes that you KNOW will work with what you got!
I used to pick out spaghetti dress tops and dresses knowing that them straps were not gonna hold up the bubbies! I would then talk myself down because I couldn’t wear the cute tops! BUT now I keep in mind that there are cute and sexy tops and dresses that will work with my large chest and actually flatter my body!
So know and learn what works to make you feel good, relaxed, and confident in!
P.S. Nebraska WANTS the GLO BARS!!!
Great post! And man oh man those bars look delicious.
I agree with everything Leslie said, and I’ll add – wear a bright color to match your mood, or portray the mood you want to have! It totally changes my day. I’ll wake up feeling “black”, but I’ll put on a bright yellow or coral, and it perks me up, somehow.
What a great post, Leslie! Thank you for keeping it real!
Angela, I would kill to try your GLO bars!! yum yum!!! I loved Leslies post. I think that once i realized that life was about FEELING good, not LOOKING good, it all just kind of falls into place. =)
wooooooo!!!! only US-resident!!! You’re soooo nice Angela! I wish I can win and taste all these great treats that you made.
About how to dress during summer, I think it’s really important to keep authenticity and be yourself. There’s nothing more ugly than trying to follow other’s fashion if it’s not suitable for you. I never follow trends per se… just wear what suits and make me feel the best! :)
I think attitude makes a huge difference in how people perceive you. If I know I look good, others will think so too!
Its important to wear something you feel good in! When I wear something I don’t feel good in, I spend ALL DAY fretting about and forgot to enjoy my self! What a waste!
I too especially loved the point about enjoying the warmth of the sun on your skin! I have been taking a quick 15 minutes out in my back yard each day playing with my dog and reveling in the sunshine. SO GREAT!! :)
I like to wear fun sun dresses and skirts on the weekends and parade around town doing my errands. I think it’s fun to dress up a little to do mundane tasks. It makes me feel like I’m celebrating being a woman! It definitely boosts my self-confidence. :)
I hope I win!!!
I hope I win – I think I will be your first official U.S. customer :)
I feel best in the summer when I am wearing clothes that fit me (who cares about the size!!) doing things that make me feel good. I try not to wear clothes I will be constantly tugging on, or pulling up – because it only makes me more self-conscious about my body.
Leslie I love the part about treasuring the moment! I don’t do this ENOUGH!
My #1 tip is ALWAYS smile. It makes it any outfit look DARN GOOD :)
Thanks for giving USA a chance at the GOODIES Angie!
OMG! I’m so excited about this giveaway! I’ve been dyin’ to try some of your stuff!
I keep in mind the best parts of my body, and I don’t let myself get swayed by fashions that are “in” but make me look bad. So I wear shorts in a length that’s flattering, and only wear tops that look nice — rather than just whatever is popular!
Oooooooh my gawd, I need those bars!!
I think feeling confident in summer clothes has a lot to do with being active. It’s not so much about the physical results of an active lifestyle (though those never hurt the ego!)–but rather the amazing energized and accomplished feeling you get from exercise or even leisurely physical activity. Endorphins work wonders for the mind and body!
I think the key is wear what fits, be comfortable and show a little skin :) Summer only come once a year!! Hoping for some Glo Bars, lol :) They look yummy!!
I think the key for getting dressed in the summer is comfort! Wear what feels good – who cares what anyone else thinks?!
Great post on summer clothes! I’ve learned to live with my freckles!
Would love the bars in New Hampshire!
Lynn
I think summer confidence for me is being active outdoors! Being active gives me a confidence that spills over into other parts of my life :)
Confidence in wearing summer clothes is the key. If you have confidence then you look good in everything.
Yummy-looking Glo Bars!!