Last year I walked into a Lane Bryant store to do some shopping, and for the first time, I noticed a poster of a woman shapely and curvy like me wearing a variety of outfits the store carried. I later learned this is a plus model. (Pictured left is professional plus size model, Mia Amber Davis. she’s one of the gals I interviewed as an expert for my book, “Lovin’ the Skin You’re In: The Juicy Woman’s Guide to Making Peace with Food and Friends with Your Body.”)
Being newly inspired by seeing the photo of the model, that day I broke out of my rut and bought a bunch of beautiful clothes because I was able to see a variety of different cuts, jewelry, colors and style combinations and visualize them on someone who actually looked like me.
The truth is it can be really tough to fit our curvy bodies and shopping in the wrong stores can be a harrowing experience. If you’ve ever tried to squeeze into a pair of pants two size smaller, you know what I mean. Most national stores carry plus sizes but let’s be honest, they’re ugly as all holy hell. For the most part, plus size clothing has been sadly ignored for years, despite the fact that we make up 65% of the entire market.
As Anthony Robbins says, “Success leaves clues.” Why reinvent the wheel?”
Fascinated by the impact that simple poster had on me, I began digging deeper and wanting to learn more about plus size models. No I don’t want to be one. As Robbins suggests, I want to learn from them. I want to share with you the ocean of resources that they use to be beautiful and confident and feel great lovin’ the skin they’re in – Because when you look great. You feel great. And I don’t know about you, but I’m in no rush to get thinner. I’m happy with the new relationship I have with food and my body and more interested in maintaining my health than dropping in size.