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. :)
I have favorite outfits that I wear when I am feeling ichy. THey can alwasy boost my spirts.
Oh please oh please oh please let me win!!! My tip for looking good in summer clothes is to buy clothes that fit your body properly. A good fit will flatter your body more than any trend or style.
I also like Leslie’s tip about dressing with your heart, not your head. I once bought a really cute red and white bikini from Target and was too chicken to wear it. But I didn’t have any other bathing suits either — I didn’t usually wear b-suits and only bought this one on an impulse as I walked by.
Two days before my husband and I got married (the day when family was coming in to town and they all had little questions about things they wanted to do for the wedding) my husband and I sneaked away to a water slide park. I loved this place as a kid, but as I started getting older and developing, I would NOT go. But I went with my husband because we love all amusement parks. I wore my bikini and had an awesome time. The funny thing was, there were women there with figure issues of their own and NO ONE CARED. No one was looking! Lesson learned: Life is too damn short to let vanity get in the way of a good time!
When you really think about it, most people are thinking more about themselves than about you. What you see, most people don’t–they are too busy worrying about their own imperfections. So, don’t fret because really no one notices. Instead, focus on the company and friendship or nature–something other than the physical self.
wearing heels always makes me more confident!
oops! Almost missed this one….that would have been terrible. Your Glo Bars look so scrumptious! All of Leslie’s tips were fantastic but I agree with her about missing out on the wonderful season it you are couped up in the air conditioning all day. Summer is wonderful for warming your body as well as your soul. Letting the sunshine wash away stress and bring light…there is nothing better!
I really appreciated what Leslie had to say. I especially valued her advice to stop worrying about covering up and to get outside with bared legs and arms and enjoy the season. She’s right — summer isn’t around forever, so we should embrace and enjoy it while it lasts! Thanks for the article, and for the giveaway!
Love who you are and be proud of it!!!!! One thing that I ALWAYS make a point to do is be comfortable – if I wear things that are not comfortable then my body just does not want to rock it!!
Hi Angela,
I have been reading your website for months now and I love it! It’s so inspiring and I’ve gotten so many wonderful ideas from you. I loved Leslie’s post. As a Mom of 3 young children, I embarked on a quest to get in shape so that I would feel good about myself. I have worked hard over the years with exercise and nutrition and am now in what I feel the best shape I have ever been. There is always room for improvement though and I am always looking for new ideas regarding exercise and nutrition and I have learned so much from the wonderful blogs out there, especially yours! I so love to exercise now and look forward to it each morning and I’ve always had a passion for healthful cooking.
Your bars and other items look fabulous. I would be so honored to win your giveaway. I’m sure my whole family would enjoy these healthful treats and I would feel good about giving them to them.
Thank you!
Jonna
Love this post especially #4! Whenever I get self conscious about my thighs, I think of my older brother who has Muscular Dystrophy & can no longer walk. He would give anything to be able to take a step whereas I can run marathons, run up flights of stairs, walk on the beach, etc. It’s very humbling and makes me appreciate every step I can take & the strength I have.
So always be confident & proud in what you have & what you are :) Thanks for the giveaway!!
Ah thank you Angela, for this generous giveaway :D
I agree so much that its all about wearing what makes you feel good AND is comfortable for your body type. I also think its good to keep in mind that no one else notices us/what we wear as much as we think they do.
One of the main things i have learned about confidence is that the days i get the most compliments on my appearance is when i feel good about myself and have a big smile on my face…. Glowing, I suppose :D
i absolutely loved reading this post! it came at a perfect time too! this weekend i am going away with some friends, and we will be at the beach a lot. i was very nervous about being in a bathing suit all weekend, but this post made me realize i’ve gotta flaunt what i’ve got :) i will be re-reading this many, many times before the trip to boost my confidence!
I just recently discovered your blog and have been wanting to try the Glo bars, so would love to win your giveaway! As for feeling confident in what I wear or how I look, it is a struggle every day, but I will be printing off Leslie’s advice and taking it to heart! Thanks…
Great post by Leslie! I think its important to throw outthe rule book on fashion trends many times! Lots of clothes that are trendy right now are NOT flattering to my body type…so why would I wear them just because they are the latest fad. I have become comfortable dressing for waht makes sense for me personally and I don’t really care that I miss out on what “everyone else” is wearing! And when I do this, I glow :)
That whole post was amazing! There need to be more sites and media like this blog! :)
I call in my friends/roommates when I get too upset about how I look, and they’re wonderful body-positive people, so they back me up, or just suggest another great season/occasion appropriate outfit when one really isn’t good. Also, I put a sign on my girlfriend’s mirror that was a picture of me shaking my fist with a speech bubble that said “Stop making that face!” (She would frown in the mirror a lot) “I can see you! You’re gorgeous!” and that helped sometimes.
tips on summer confidence? stop worrying about what other people think. if YOU think you look good, your confidence will show, and others will agree with you!
thanks for the great giveaway! :)
My husband picks out most of my clothes because I am style challenged and he has great style. When I put on an outfit he picked out I feel good because I know that he has chosen it to highlight parts of my body that he loves and I feel more confident. He is my biggest fan, so on those days when I’m feeling critical of my body, this little bit of clothing praise helps me to change my outlook.
my tips on summer confidence are to wear clothes that fit well (regardless of size, since no one but you sees the label)and have bright colors!
Hmm, isn’t it crazy how body-confidence can fluctuate so much in the course of a day (or an hour!). Something that helps me if I’m feeling good leaving my house but feel too bare a little bit later is having a scarf or cardigan along. That way, I can bust out my arms when I feel like it, and keep feelin’ good by covering up when I want to.
PS: Mmmm I really want to try those bars :)
I didnt used to like wearing shorts…I mean even when it was SUPER hot outside all the planets needed to be aligned for me to put on anything showing my legs. Then I realized that NO ONE cares if my legs have a little stubble or if they are not model tan…no one but me, I need to love myself and be confident that I am enough no matter if I haven’t shaved in a few day!!
Hope I’m not too late I’ve been dying to try your bars for far too long! Honestly it’s too hot to cover up lol I am pretty self conscious, but then I think this body is carrying me through a marathon SO show it of ;)