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. :)
Really love Leslie’s post and it couldn’t come at a better time. I’m going on vacation next week and while I need some new summer clothes for my trip, I have been DREADING the shopping experience. This really lifted my spirits and I’m going to print it to bring with me when I’m in the dressing room and starting to feel upset.
I have been so dismayed that you are located in Canada – because your bakery items look soooo good!!
It is interesting reading about dress during the summer, and how confidence can make all the difference. I have ALWAYS had a muscular build (thanks to my dad), and that includes not having stick skinny legs, which I have always had a hard time not viewing as the ultimate body part. It always feels like skinny legs are a big attraction with men, and they are glamorized by models and magazines. Summer is hard because summer = shorts and skirts and bathing suits that show the entire leg! I have tried to embrace the body I have and feel confident wearing shorts, not embarrassed because I don’t have the tiniest thighs or calves. I try to think now of what my legs have allowed me to do – running, biking, swimming, walking, racing…and not wish away the figure I was born with.
I would LOVE to win this, like everyone else! I just ate a Kashi bar, and i’m sure it’s got nothing on your Glo Bars!
I love how Leslie talked about honoring the rights that feminists fought for. Bare those legs and shoulders!
What a great post! I’ve always hated wearing shorts in the summer (I’m short and self conscious about my legs). However since I started running more this past year I have notice a lot more definition in my legs. So this summer I am wearing shorts a lot more and showing off my hard work!
I think that shoes and a good hair-do can really brighten up any summer outfit, no matter how you feel in it!
LOVE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN LADIES!
Love the post and I think we all need to stop worrying about clothing sizes. If it fits well and makes you feel good, who cares what size it is?
I LoVe what she said about being narcissistic! It’s true, our bodies do so much for us, we should show off their hard work.
a few months ago i was at my heaviest, and travelling in vietnam where it was super hot. it was physically uncomfortable putting on a skirt because i wasn’t used to the way it felt when my thighs touched. instead of telling myself “you’re so fat, this sucks” i bought myself a flattering pair of shorts and made sure to enjoy myself. whatever size i am, and wherever i may be, it’s important to be comfortable and remind yourself to be present.
I think that being confidant is all about inner beauty the way that you feel about yourself demonstrates how truly beautiful you are!!
I hope I WIN..
I agree with Chelsea – I’m not sure our great-grandmothers think short shorts and tank tops are a result of her fighting for a right to vote.
The thing I love best about summer clothes – COLOR!
It’s so exciting you’ll be shipping to the US soon! I used to hate hate wearing shorts because I thought my thighs looked too big in them (silly). But they are so much more comfortable in the summer than dresses and skirts for me. So this summer I just started wearing them anyway. And I feel GREAT. I’ve even gotten compliments on them.
I love summer hippie sundresses. They are so comfortable and in this Baltimore humidity that is what I am most concerned about.
i think focusing on yourself and your health will allow you to bring the confidence necessary for summer clothes. knowing you went on a run or started your day off with a healthy green monster makes you FEEL good inside in ways clothes cant ever show. summer clothes are undoubtedly skimpier and sexier but with confidence in yourself, they are definitely nothing to fear!
I am slowly learning not to obsess over clothing choices. Confidence is key in any outfit…pick something that you feel good in (and is appropriate for the situation).
heck, i never know what the latest fashion style is. when i go out and shop, i get what feels good on, what fun colors are, what i truly believe in, and whatever im “feeling” it in, it’s like i instantly know. i also wont support company’s that continually turn woman into sex object and have look books such as abercrombie, etc….why give money to companies that are continuing to endorse negative body image.
WOw! This is almost too good to be true.
Leslie did such a wonderful job on this post. I agree completely on being entirely comfortable in your summer clothes. I hate when women say, “I wear tight clothing when I go out to eat so that I won’t overeat.” Seriouly, if you have to make yourself uncomfortable to enjoy a meal, then you aren’t really enjoying it, are you?
Thanks so much for this Angela!
Yay!! I would love to get the chance to try your yummy looking bars! I think Leslie hit everything that a woman should follow right on. It is so true- no one should feel ashamed and cover up in the summer with sweatshirts. It takes the joy out of the summer air and mood. I absolutely love how you always feature such great topics on your blog. Thanks for this amazing chance and always providing reassurance! :)
Yeeeeaaaaah for a US contest! I completely agree with #1, throw out the rulebook! Fashion rules are really the whim of designers and the industry anyway! I used to look through magazines and decide which outfits I wanted to recreate without even thinking about my body shape. Gah! Now I go into a store and look (really LOOK, with my eyes) to find things I LIKE and things that look good on ME, not things that the magazines say I should be wearing. Sometimes it’s tough, sometimes there are only skinny jeans and those ugly jeans with the tiger stripes on them. That is when I leave and find a store with awesome bootcut jeans with a touch of stretch!
I work hard for my body damnit! Leslie was inspirational though and was dead on with everything :) All of us should be confident !! Always play up what your momma gave you, right ladies?!