Are you as tired as me of stupid rules about what we are allowed to wear or not? We all have come across rules or even lists of what we apparently should and should not wear. These rules can present themselves in so many different ways:
- “Passed Down Wisdom”: that has been passed down from woman to woman like I have been told so many times, that I should not wear stripes or patterns or that I should avoid short skirts, bodycon dresses or generally tight tops.
- School’s Dres Codes: Weird rules imposed by schools about what girls (and also boys) are allowed to wear, most of the time claiming the girls would be too much of a distraction to the boys in their leggings or skirts revealing irresistible kneecaps. This goes to so crazy lengths that girls have been sent home from school for wearing leggings. (1, 2, 3)
- Social media comments: Maybe you came across the beautiful picture of “What Laura Loves” in a stunning jumpsuit on the Simply Be Facebook Page which was taken apart by mean commenters claiming she should not wear a jumpsuit as it was unflattering
- The Press: one of the most recent examples was the Oprah magazine stating that you should only wear a crop top if(AND ONLY IF as they repeat) you have a flat stomach… I already had my rant about this specific article here
Simply be has recently put together an eye-opening list of all the confusing rules they came across…
Completely Arbitrary Or Even Plain False
These rules are completely arbitrary and even the assumptions they are based on are sometimes even plain false. The myth for example that horizontal stripes make you bigger has been debunked in multiple studies. A 2008 study even found that horizontal stripes make you appear 6% thinner than in vertical stripes. Who decided what is flattering?
What Is So Wrong With Clothes That Don’t Slim Us Down?
Even if horizontal stripes would make you look fatter, what is so inherently wrong with that? Why are we so obsessed with “flattering”? Are we plus-size ladies and body-positivity lovers still so deeply convinced that being big is such an awful thing that it needs to be concealed, hidden?
If we want to move plus size fashion to the next level we have to learn to step away from our obsession with “flattering” and “slimming”. I personally believe that one thing we have to learn is, that flattering is not a synonym to slimming.
Dress Codes – Often Demeaning For Both Genders
It is obvious that for school or the workplace we should all follow some common sense dress codes. Ultimately you just should not wear you clubbing clothes to your school or workplace.
However, a dress code that go so far as to ban leggings, the visibility of bra straps (tank tops/strappy tops) or similar are demeaning for both genders. These rules assume that boys would be unable of controlling themselves in the view of some ankles or a bra strap shame the girls for completely innocent clothes choices
What Can We Do?
When thinking about what we can do about those stupid rules and misconceptions there is one simple answer. Break the rules, break them at every occasion you get, and be visible doing it. That way we can break down the expectations of us trying to stay invisible and to hide our rolls and extra pounds at all costs. Show your glorious body in whatever you like to wear!
Simply Be Project – Break The Rules
So when Simply Be shared with me their asked me if I wanted to participate in their recent project aiming to break those rules down following their recent blog post about those rules, I was immediately in. They were so nice to supply me with some pieces from their line to go and break some rules. A project right after my liking.
Breaking the rules!
So here is a selection of outfits breaking all the rules I could think of featuring past outfits and the lovely dresses that i was supplied by Simply Be
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Maxi Dresses
Lace Trim Jersey Maxi Dress – Simply Be*
FatPhRocks – Dress Eddie Dress In Purple*
Belt: Accessorize – Old Season
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Short Dresses!
Club L Plus Size Lace Panel Peplum Dress – Asos Curve
Shoes – Deichmann
Original Post
Dress – Missguided
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Tight Clothing
Nadia Blue Front Zip Dress – Boohoo*
Plus Nadia Embossed Sleeeve Hoodie – Boohoo
Mid Heel Pumps Electric Blue – Ebay
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Bikinis/Expose Their Stomachs
Elomi Swim Bra – Simply Be
Mary Of Sweden High Waisted Bikini Brief – JD Williams
Magisculpt Tropical Bikini – Simply Be
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Busy Patterns
Anna Scholz Print Peplum Dress – Simply Be
Gold Pumps – Deichmann
Original Post
Dress – Simply Be*
Leggings – Simply Be
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Skinny Jeans
Extreme Dip Back Top – Boohoo
Body – Boohoo
Skinny Jeans – very old season George at Asda
Stiletto Plateau Heels – Deichmann
Grey Clubmaster Glasses* – Specspost
Original Post
Kimono: Fringed Multi Tropical Print Sheer Kimono – Yours Clothing
Top: Black Ribbed Cotton Vest – Yours Clothing
Denim Leggings: Simply Be sale item
Shoes: Deichmann sale item
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Jumpsuits
Jumpsuit With Cold Shoulder – Asos Curve
Original Post
Jumpsuit: New Look Inspire – Asos £16 (was £22.99)
Shoes: Missguided £24.99
Belt: Accessorize (Old Season)
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Expose Their Upper Arms
Vintage Dress – Lady Vintage
Original Post
Vintage Dress – Lady Vintage
Original Post
Fat Girls Should Not Wear Crop Tops
Scuba Crop Top – Asos Curve
Skater Skirt –Missguided (similar)
High Heels –Missguided
WatchMoto 360 – Motorola (Amazon)
Glasses – Specspost
Original Post
Final Words
What Do You Think?
Which “rule” is your personal pet hate? Do you have a favourite rule-breaking outfit? I would love to see it! Why do you think we are so obsessed with “flattering”? I would love to hear from you!
Lots of love
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