Sheer Nerve

As women, we are told that we should cover ourselves up. To dress a certain way. We are taught to hide ourselves, and our bodies. We are told that we are less worthy because of our gender. We are taught shame. There is a lot we learn, in this business of being a woman.

I’m fat, or curvy, or plus size, or whatever label you choose to pin on me. As a fat woman, over the years I’ve come to learn that I should hide as much of my fatness under loose flowing clothing as possible, as if that would somehow make me less fat. The word flattering is strongly part of our vernacular, when in reality it is interchangeable for thinner, smaller, skinnier … anything other than fat.

When a fat woman dares to wear something outside of the prescribed uniform that hides and skims and “flatters”, she is judged. She is shamed. She is reminded that she should be covered up, hidden away, invisible.

But I am not that woman. I dress in a manner that pleases me. I will not hide myself or my body. I embrace my worth and I am not ashamed. There is a lot we need to unlearn, in this business of being a woman.

When people see me wearing things that go against the things that society deems appropriate for me, I hear comments of “you’re so brave” and “I wish I had the courage to wear that”. Not just from fat women, but from women of all sizes. And that tells me that it’s not just plus sized people who are taught certain things about their bodies, about what is deemed acceptable. I know women of all sizes who are tentative about wearing a bikini, or shorts, or jeans … because something in their past has told them that it is not “acceptable” to wear those things unless you look a certain way.

I hope you’ll join me in shaking off the shackles of what people have told you that you shouldn’t wear, and wear whatever the heck you please. Wear things that make you feel amazing. Courageous. Proud. I’m embracing my love of this sheer bodysuit, it makes me feel fantastic – and if someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem, not mine!

Meagan wears:
Elomi Naoko Bra from Avokado (20J)
Sheer Mesh Bodysuit from Chubby Cartwheels (4X)
ASOS Curve Exclusive Skater Skirt in longer length from ASOS (26)
Supersoft by Diana Ferrari ‘Josiah’ Comfort Flats from Farmers (8)

Images by Doug Peters / Ambient Light Photography