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. :)
Great post by Leslie. I think #4 really puts things into perspective. Sometimes we really need to think about things like this.
U.S. reader here that would love some Glo Bars!
I’m so excited you may soon be able to send packages to the US – here’s hoping!
Summer clothes are difficult – especially when you live in Tucson, AZ and it’s regularly 100+ degrees. For years I thought I had flabby arms and untoned legs so I couldn’t wear cute, sleeveless tops or shorts and skirts. I finally decided to just embrace who I am and love it. No, I’m not perfect but event the super thin have cellulite (just look at them). If you walk with confidence and a smile on your face no one will be paying attention to your imperfections.
LOVE this post! I’m totally going to order some bars regardless of winning or not, I am constantly drooling over your Glo Bakery site… mmmm…
I love the “treasure your atmosphere” tip from Leslie. It seems so simple, but it is so easy to get caught up in things like the way you look (or other things in life), and you end up missing out on good company and beautiful weather. Live it up!
My tip would be not to let your lack of body confidence keep you from going out and enjoying your summer. Just because some girls will be out in teeny shorts and bathing suits doesn’t mean you have to feel insecure! You can be comfortable AND sexy without being a size 00. Show some shoulder/neck/decollete with a sleeveless top/dress– those areas are always beautiful (and probably the last place to gain weight!). and adding a smile doesnt hurt :)
Such a great post, Leslie! Thank you!!!
I completely agree with you! When I was pregnant with my children I had the pleasure of being in my third trimester during those hot summer months. So what did I do? I embraced the beautiful pregnant body and hit the beach in a bikini. Mamas, show off that belly!
I have a 5K race tonight, and I can think of no better celebration of my training then to be a winner with your OSG bars!
Loved Leslie’s advice on being narcissistic about yourself. I have 2 young girls who help me feel beautiful in every summer piece of clothing I wear, “Mommy you look beautiful” NEVER gets old.
Man I have been waiting for you to open the doors to the US for a long time, lol.
I think that the most important thing about fashion–above all–is confidence. If you feel hot, you are hot. So it’s important to wear what makes you feel good!
wow, what an awesome giveaway, angela! my tip is to wear what you love and feel good in. it seems like women get TOLD something would look good on them and feel pressured to wear those things, whether that’s from a fashion magazine or their girlfriends in the dressing room. but if you aren’t 100% confident wearing it, it will show.
OMMMMMGGGGGGGGG! I want this so bad. If I am feeling down about myself, I will go to the gym and get all sweaty and gross, and yet I feel hot, because I have a body thet is strong and does amazing things and if anyone says otherwise, I’m like so what, I just biked 15 miles, can you?
Yay I’d love to win!!
My tip is to wear what makes you happy. If you truly feel confident in what you are wearing it will show. Also wear clothes that fit YOU, not the stick thin model you think you should look like. Just love and accept your body for what it is and what it can do for you, because if you don’t love yourself first, how can anyone else?!
OH MY GOSH ITS MY DREAM COME TRUE! Ange, you know I’ve been waiting for this moment for forever. Thank you for offering it!
I really loved this post, because I tend to not relish the season either. I wear capris and pants all summer long since I was a kid. I just don’t want to wear shorts! This summer I bought a few pairs and I haven’t worn them yet – I wanted to get into better shape. But I have been wearing my running shorts occasionally in public. Despite my pale legs. Despite that they are not perfect.
I think Leslie speaks truth in the fact that we worked for this moment- to show our skin and be proud of our powerful bodies that can even bear life! Why cover up with pants? I need to try and live in the season more than I do.
Thanks for this post Leslie!
-Muffy
Ooo…I would love to win those bars! I liked how positive and cheery Leslie is about summer fashion. I have always enjoyed summer clothes – but I think it is because of what they mean – sun, long days, swimming…all the fun stuff that the warm months bring. I also think that buying bright colors that you love makes you feel more comfortable and happy in your clothes adding to your confidence level.
Fabulous Post!
Number 1: wear a smile :) sounds silly but it’s so true, when you are smiling you are happier!
Number 2: wear clothing that you love and you feel good in!!! This one is crucial.
Number 3: get rid of all clothing that doesn’t fit. You should not have “fat” clothes in case you gain weight. You also shouldn’t have “skinny” clothes that you are trying to fit into. Love yourself as is!
Oh I am so glad that you are almost able to sell your products in the US. I love following your blog and you are truely an inspiration.
Loved the post from Leslie. I tend to wear a lot of black because it is slimming. LOL I work out 6 days a week and I am just learning to love and embrace the body that I have been given. We are all individuals and not of us fit into the same round hole. I am learning to love the strength of my running legs. I love to wear shorts and dresses to show off how toned they are. I work hard for the body that I have been blessed with and when I feel confident about my self it shows in the clothes that I wear. It is kind of fun to embrace yourself and be proud of who you are.
Thanks for the wonderful blog and I hope that I am the lucky one chosen for the US test run.
Renee Boutwell
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG.
I WANT THOSE BARS! ;0;
I have to agree with leslie.
One great way to boost your confidence in summer clothes?
Recognize how awesome it is to be unique! Embrace the inner punk in you and stop giving a crap if your tan lines look like the ones of your bestie. Or if your arms are toned as Ms. Obama’s arms. If you’re taking care of yourself mentally and physically, you naturally put off a “Dude. I’m awesome. Don’t deny it” aura about you, and it doesn’t matter if you’re wearing crocs with a bikini. You’ll convince everyone around you “Hey, she’s awesome. I can’t deny it.”
Not only that, but attractiveness doesn’t revolve around one or two parts of the body. Got a flabby tummy? Doesn’t matter. Someone probably can look at you and think “Maann. Nice booty. And those arms! -swoon-” I don’t know about you, but when I see someone walking down the street, I don’t give a crap if they have arms that look like they’ve never done a push-up before. I can see a sexy smile paired with a confident stride and a body that he or she is obviously taking care of by being outside and showing it off. It’s rare to see someone who’s not taking care of themselves mentally and/or physically out in a tank top with confidence written all over their face and body language.
Too long didn’t read: punk it up and stop comparing yourself, recognize that people look at the big picture not the small petty things about your body, and a good attitude goes a long way.
That’s what I do, and man, the sun on my shoulders has never felt better. Though.. make sure you wear your sunscreen. Thank the heavens for the sunscreen. +___+
I loved this post! This is something I have had so much trouble with – like a few others, I have to just remind myself that no one is as harsh a critic of me as I am. And that life is too short to suffer in long pants/sleeves when it’s 80 degrees out!
Being active and healthy makes you feel better about how you look in all of you clothes. I would love to win this contest!!
Leslie’s sentence about overthinking clothing choices for hours rings true with me. I think about what I am going to wear way too much. My goal for the week is to not do that anymore. Think of all the stress I will save myself!
I think my best advice for looking good in your clothes (winter or summer) is to STAND TALL! No matter what her height or weight, a woman who holds her head high and her shoulders back always looks so much more lean than the same woman with a slump in her posture.
I would love to get some Glo Bars delivered to my house in Dallas!
My favorite confidence booster is SMILING at my reflection in the mirror! If you can look at yourself smiling back, nothing else really matters!
Thanks SO much for the opportunity!
Leslie’s post really hit home with me because I often get down on myself when wearing tighter fitting clothes or tanktops in the hotter months. This year has been a lot better, however, due to reading all of the wonderful blogs out there.