Dress your weight

This one goes out to the big girls. We need to have a talk, one big girl to another.

Forget about the yoga-obsessed, hummus-eating twigs around you and take a seat because I’m going to address what can be a pretty sensitive subject for those our size — the clothes we wear.

It’s hard to be big and fashionable these days. With trends favoring halter-tops and cut-off mom jeans assaulting our eyes, we can’t find a foothold.

And for some, the difficulty means they should give in.

They give in to the fleeting fashion trends and embrace halter-tops and wedgie-giving mom jeans, leggings paired with T-shirts and rompers.

Sorry ladies, but we don’t look good in those clothes.

We have bodies — real bodies with curves and valleys and mountains. We have big boobs, big butts, thighs and bellies. Squeezing them into tiny articles of clothing doesn’t hide them, accentuate them or make them go away.

I’m tired of seeing big girls wearing leggings as pants. Your thighs and butt are not happy and, frankly, you look desperate for an image that isn’t yours.

And if I see one more plus-size lady letting her stomach hang out of a too-tight pair of low rise pants I’m going to step in front of a bus. Muffin tops are meant to be covered because then they become cupcakes.

That’s right ladies — there are ways to decorate your curves. And the best way to find out how is the Internet.

There are loads of fashion blogs to find and explore and worship. Thirty minutes on Pinterest can get you an entire new wardrobe.

Watch videos on YouTube. You will learn the secrets to making that beautiful body of yours shine.

Adapt the current fashion trends to your shape. You’ll develop your own style and curvy swagger.

When you know your body, you get comfortable. And when you’re comfortable in your body, you are confident.

There is no need for conformity and feeling unsure of yourself. Be different and be proud. Accept yourself first.

Of course, with that said, I kind of shoot myself in the foot. Even as I tell you to ignore the petite-run fashion world, feel free to ignore me.

Maybe you truly like that style. Perhaps you feel comfortable in the clothes I’m picking on, and I’m just ticking you off.

My email is just centimeters away. Shoot me something nasty and go on dressing how you want. Your opinion is all that matters. I will continue cringing in silence.

There’s also always the option of changing yourself. If you want to dress smaller, then get smaller. Work it off, burn it off, chop it off and suck it out. Do what you must to achieve your dream closet.

Dressing for your curves doesn’t mean you’re ashamed of yourself. It means you can accept yourself as you are, rather than chasing the skinny girl’s image. You can love yourself and look good in the process.

­— lnbanks@indiana.edu
Follow columnist Lexia Banks on Twitter
@LexiaBanks.