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. :)
What a great giveaway! Crossing my fingers that I’m a lucky winner. ;)
This is my favorite part of Leslie’s post: “If you feel beautiful in it, then you are.”
Thanks!
This was a great post. I wasn’t familiar with Leslie’s blog so thank you for featuring her! I have a very hard time with summer clothes b/c I am not confident in my body, but I’m working on becoming that way! What struck me from her post was “If I remain indoors with the air-conditioning, warmed by a baggy sweatshirt, I am allowing the season to slip away.” I am often guilty of letting beautiful days slip away, but I am going to think about this quote the next time I’m tempted to stay inside b/c I don’t want to be seen.
Best summer tip–don’t wear anything you have to fuss with–shorts that are too short, tank tops that show bra straps. Fit means the most when you’re exposing your skin in the summer!
Oh, I have been waiting for this day! Pick me!
Leslie, a thought:
“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.”
WHAT?! The women’s movement did NOT fight for the right of women to wear skimpy clothes. Conversely, the fight was for women to be taken seriously! I certainly hope that the “history of our gender” is not reflected in “exposed skin.” Yikes.
Great post!!…In the summer I make sure to wear fun colors and clothes that fit me!
Confidence is something that comes from within. It’s the knowledge that you are unique and valuable just as you are, regardless of what you look like, what size clothes you are wearing, or what other people may think of you.
Great post. Making sure to be comfortable is a plus for being confident and not having to worry about bothersome clothing.
I hope I win :)
Great points! I love skirts in the summer- breezier and cooler than shorts, plus, more flattering!
Great post, I agree with tossing the rule book. Go with what feels good to you! Also, coming from someone that used to think she didn’t have the legs for skirts – everyone can look good in a skirt – there are so many styles out there now! Now, most days between June & August, I am wearing a skirt, I love how feminine it makes me feel!
Great post!
One tip – POSTURE. Throw your shoulders back. I look more confident and feel a million times better when I stand up straight!
haha I tried to bid on your bars at LiLRunners but they were CA only… oh boy finally my chance!
I really did love her post, especially about just taking the time to remember all the things your body does for you every day!
lately everytime i have thought something negative about how i look, i’ve remembered how my grandma always used to tell me “you’re built cute”. i say it to myself all the time now. legs aren’t thin enough? who cares, i’m built cute. don’t look perfect? who cares, i’m built cute. haha now my husband says it to me too, which is just wonderful.
I really like Leslie’s message about being comfortable and confident wearing summer clothes. People can sometimes feel a sense of vulnerability when they aren’t covered up. For me, it took a long time to feel comfortable wearing shorts because I thought my thighs were just too big; I just wasn’t confident. I purchased my first pair of shorts in YEARS this summer. The reason? I finally realized that my thighs are STRONG, not “big.” They take me through 5Ks, they took me through my first half marathon this past March, and they will take me through my first marathon in November.
Thanks, Leslie for the words of encouragement, and thank you, Angela, for this fabulous guest post!
HELL YES to wearing what you feel good in. you usually KNOW when something looks awesome and flattering, and if you feel great, you call pull off nearly anything. I love this post. I know that regardless of my weight, if i’m dressed in a awy that makes me feel fabulous, everything gets better. honestly — get out of your own head!! it’s the way to go. LOVED this post.
(i really want glo bars)
Leslie’s tips were sooo wonderful and TRUE! Its refreshing to hear that! I totally agree we need to embrace our bodies YEAR round!
I’ve been drooling over your bars since you first started making them! They look so good!
I thought Leslie’s post was great! She’s absolutely right that we need to enjoy the summer season while it’s here. It’s easier said than done to feel confident in summer clothes but I’ve learned that whenever I’m feeling insecure about how I look in my clothes, I need to do something fun that day. That way my mind isn’t so focused on myself and I end up having a great time.
I never need an excuse to dress up. I love wearing flirty dresses and fun shoes to make myself feel good about myself and for no one else. Walk tall, shoulders back, and be proud! Love your bars..heaven sounds….well heavenly! Crossing my fingers!
Man I’ve been loving looking at your bars…
I agree with Leslie’s post. I live in So. Cal, where “summer” is many many months long. It’s been hard to figure out how to dress. At almost 40, I can easily pick out the clothing that is appropriate for teens-twenties, and easily pick out the clothes for my mom. For me, it’s tough.
So I pick what looks good on me. When short-shorts were in fashion, I didn’t shop. I happily wear my calf-length pants and knee-length shorts because they are flattering to me. Same with sleeveless shirts, but with a v-neck. And when it’s required, I wear a bathing suit. Ya know, I have a big butt but it’s very strong and muscular too. And thanks to my big hips, I had a pretty quick childbirth. :)
I’m so excited! I’ve been browsing your bakery and everything looks so good!
I think something very important for summer confidence is to really embrace your natural beauty. Summer is so laid back with clothes, makeup and even hair. I think the most important thing is to become comfortable with your natural looks and not try to hard.
Absolutely agree with Leslie. Confidence is so important. A confident person can carry off any dress. I am guilty of being conscious, feeling every eye is on me judging me by the extra fat I am carrying. I realize I need to love my body! If my dress is a little snug, I feel depressed and demotivated. I am learning to leave all that behind. Life is much more than that. I am a beautiful person and if I don’t realize that first no one will.
I wish I win the glo bars!