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. :)
Count me in for the give-away! I have been drooling over your bars here in the US.
I love, love, love Leslie’s advice of supporting our body for supporting us! That is such a great way to think of body confidence.
I struggle with summer clothes, but not because I think I’m fat. I know that I’m still underweight and always think people look at me and think I’m still sick (even though I’ve come a long way).
So, I just decided that if I want to wear shorts or a tank-top, I’m going to wear it. No matter what weight you are, you deserve to enjoy the comfort of summer! If someone has an issue, then that’s their problem. I know myself and I know I’m strong, even if it doesn’t always look that way.
And YUM on the Glo Bars!
I’ve certainly embraced my body this summer – I’m wearing shorts, capris, tank tops, and anything else that is comfortable. Why should I care about what other people think of my body when it does so many wonderful things for me? It just ran 3 miles a few minutes ago! (I’m glad this is a US giveaway! I’ve been hoping that us stateside would be able to get some glo bars!)
Leslie’s article was so true and I love #5. I focus on this a lot!
www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
OOH! I would love to win! Your bars always look so delicious.
I loved that paragraph where she talks about clothing reflects the history of our gender—that was cool. I think in summer we should feel free to wear tons of skirts and dresses and sleeveless tops, just be sure that whatever you wear makes you feel good and comfortable. It doesn’t matter if you look fabulous in that tube top if you are going to spend the whole time pulling it up or feeling uncomfortable!
At the same time, be a little brave every once in a while, and try new things. You won’t know if you feel comfortable in a tube top unless you try it out…
(tube tops on my mind I suppose…it is just really hot here–most of the time I feel like the less clothes the better!)
I am new reader to your blog, but have been dying to try your bars. When I found your blog and started reading, I was ready to order some of your bars…only to find out that you could only ship to Canada. Talk about disappointment. I am so happy you will soon be shipping to the US and would love to receive a test package.
I love her first point!
For me, it’s all about CONFIDENCE. Who cares if this dress is from last season or anything like that? If I feel good in what I’m wearing, that’s what’s most important.
I agree what others have mentioned about posture. Carrying yourself with posture makes all the difference! I also love being able to wear tank tops to the gym. I used to be self conscious of my arms, but now I love them and like to show off my hard earned muscles!
I also like the way a cute pair of heels or strappy sandals make my legs look – and being able to wear shorts and skirts in the summer to see them.
This is my first time entering into a contest! Woo-hoo! I think for summer clothes it’s important to feel good. I refuse to buy a piece of clothing that I am not sure whether to buy it or not. If I’m the least bit uncertain, most likely I’m not going to feel confident.
Great post Leslie. Your posture says a lot as well as I don’t follow fads I wear what I feel comfortable and confident in. Nor do I compare myself to others. We are all unique, and that is what makes each and everyone of us special.
Would really like to win those bars. I can taste them already.:)
Leslie’s post is great! It’s so important to be comfortable- I live in swampy Florida, and if you’re outside for any amount of time, you cannot be covered up. It’s just not safe! I remember being so sad for a girl in college who would walk around in jeans when the temps were in the 90s and humidity was 80%! I so hope that wherever she is she’s developed confidence enough to dress more comfortably.
Thank you for having a US contest! I’ve been going absolutely crazy, wanting to get my hands on some of your glo bars :)
My favorite tips are 3 and 4. Covering up will just indicate that you’re trying to hide something when it’s so hot outside! I’m trying to embrace summer clothes without being critical of my body. When I look at my legs in the mirror and wish they fit into a smaller size, I tell myself, my legs are my legs and they can run and are strong. :) Feeling good about my body is better than my body looking “perfect”, both for my own self, and how others perceive me.
I laughed when I read Sarah Jayne’s comment, because I try to do that too! When I look in the mirror I give myself a smile. I always look better when I do. One time, a friend caught me doing that and exclaimed that she does the same thing! Seeing the happy version of yourself in the mirror helps you carry that image in your mind.
Being confident in whatever you feel like putting on is definitely so important! I love how she pointed out that we need to embrace our ourselves and letting our own SELF shine through.
Personally I feel the most confident and comfortable in bermuda shorts and t-shirts, but by golly if I feel like walking around in a swimsuit, I hope I would have the confidence to pull that off!
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Keri
OMG, I want to win SO BAD!!!! I have been absolutely dying to try glo bakery items! i was even thinking if having my parents drive up to your house and get them for me (they live just across the border in Youngstown, NY)!!!
anyways, great post Leslie! I think that feeling great in your summer clothes is all about CONFIDENCE! You are beautiful just the way you are (a la operation beautiful), and if you exude confidence, you will be beautiful no matter what.
I think the best thing that a woman can do for herself is to feel good in what she is wearing because if you feel good then you look good. I love #5. ” Quiet the negative thoughts and allow your clothes to reflect the person you are.” so true!
Leslie’s post rocked! I love how she talked about everything our bodies can do so why not show them off! Yay for a US Giveaway!
everything leslie said is perfect. i love how she talked about dressing ourselves with our hearts instead of our heads. women think way too hard about things sometimes, when in reality, they already KNOW what they truly want in their hearts. one of my tips is similar to this, it’s to think about YOURSELF more. it sounds a little bit selfish, but it’s not. we should wear things, buy things, watch things, read things that WE want to, and not always think about what other people consider cool or what other people want us to do. if we listen to ourselves, we’re bound to be more content with our lives and have more confidence. :)
LOVE skirts and heels in the summer. feminine, powerful, and great for warm weather conditions!
i would LOVE to try some GLO BARS!
I really enjoyed Leslie’s post. So true! I think it is so important to be comfortable in your clothes. If you’re too worried about a top falling down or shorts riding up your confidence won’t shine. And confidence is sexy.
Thanks for the US giveaway Angela. I am so excited to try your GLO goodies!
Great guest post! Fashion rules often just make me feel bad rather than better. If you look great in something and love it… wear it with confidence!