U CAN LOOK BUT U CAN'T TOUCH.
Ever since I can remember, choosing what to wear was one of the most important decisions for a young Celine to make. The articles placed on my body each morning determined the kind of day I was about to have. If I felt good in what I was wearing, I felt like I could accomplish anything. To this day, going through my wardrobe as I search for the perfect outfit is a moment I truly cherish.
Honestly, what I love most about fashion is the ability to use clothing as a way to control what's on display. That kind of narrative goes a little something like this:
" Yes, I wore this on purpose. PLEASE STARE."
Certain articles show off more parts of the body than others, while some pieces are geared towards bringing the attention elsewhere. In other words, our approach to clothing can go a couple of ways -
"OUF. YES. SHOW. IT. OFF!"
or
"O.M.G. PLS DON'T LOOK AT MY THIGHS!"
Personally, I've found that throwing on some cool shit that I like can help turn that negative response into the positive one. Fortunately, my closet is filled with funky tops & fantastic footwear so I try my best to turn to pieces that make me happy when I need a little ego boost. But as much as I'd like to pretend, I'm not a robot, therefore must deal with the bullshit that comes with creating limiting beliefs about myself & my body's exterior. Like any other breathing, emotional, living human being, I have my fair share of insecurities.
Here they are...
& here are some ways that clothing has helped me learn to appreciate them.
MY LEGS.
I've been insecure about my legs for a significant part of my adolescence. My thighs are large, muscular but not toned, very fucking pale, & starting to get veiny. This insecurity rarely stopped me from wearing mini skirts in high school (I've always been a fan of showing a lot of leg), but man did it ever take up space in my mind & alter my perception of myself. It's crazy how one limb can hold so much power, power that I've placed there out of harsh criticism & unrealistic comparison.
I AM A DANCER. MY LEGS ARE STRONG. MY THIGHS SUPPORT ME.
When I show off MY LEGS,
I see for myself all of the strength they hold & all that they've allowed me to do.
I love their length, I love how they look decorated in funky stockings,
I love how they stretch, but most of all I love how they move
when I'm tearing up the dance floor with my girls.
I love to put them on display by wearing classic miniskirts, bold bodysuits,
& a good pair of heels.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR MY BIG THIGHS, LONG LEGS & TIGHT QUADS.
MY BUTT.
I never considered myself as someone with a "nice butt"...whatever that actually means.
Not that full, plump or curvy - just a little white girl ass. This particular part of my body was never thought of as an asset to me. I never really tried to change anything about it either - it's just a butt after all.
FISHNETS ON. CHEEKS OUT.
When I show off MY BUTT,
I like to go big.
On the rare - but not that rare - occasion that I do show off my tush,
I tend to pull out my favourite slim fit bellbottom pants, a body hugging dress
or even a whole lotta nothing paired with fishnets & stunning shoes.
I love my cute little butt.
I love when it's bumping to my favourite song, I love it tucked away in my mom's hand-me-down jeans, but I love it most of all parked on my couch watching Netflix on a cloudy day.
HERE'S TO PUTTING SOME GLUTES ON DISPLAY & SHAKING WHATEVER YOUR MAMA GAVE YA!
MY BROKEN COLLARBONE.
I broke my collarbone when I was about seven years old. Despite the hassle of only wearing the one button up shirt I owned for a couple of months & their slight misalignment, my collarbones are one of my favourite features. I find it strange how the only broken bone in my body is actually my favourite one.
EXPOSING MY COLLARBONES MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A QUEEN.
When I show off MY BROKEN COLLARBONE,
I show off my shoulders, the top of my back, my neck, my chest,
parts of my body that feel quite vulnerable.
I love exposing these parts of my body, allowing the light to hit my chest,
creating the smallest of shadows along each bone.
I love the feeling of delicate grace that comes when I wear off-the-shoulder tops & dresses, as if I was some type of royal.
EXPOSE YOURSELF. BE VULNERABLE. SHOW OFF YOUR SHOULDERS!
MY TUMMY.
Being a bellydancer, my stomach is out in the open on many occasions.
You'd think after twelve years of performing one would be pretty comfortable having their belly on display, but you'd be surprised.
I still have this silly love/hate relationship with my little tummy.
As grateful as I am for its abilities, I can't seem to shake the harsh expectation
to have rock hard abs & a toned flat stomach.
But that's a load of BS & so not realistic for my body type.
LET UR BELLY BE TIGHTLY ON DISPLAY! SO WHAT!
WEAR THAT BODYCON DRESS!
When I show off MY TUMMY,
I take a look down at the curve of my well fed belly,
blow it a sweet kiss,
& appreciate all that it does for me.
I decorate it in the softest of fabrics, in all of the brightest of colours.
I allow myself to feel good - sexy even - in a fitted dress,
lying on the beach in my favourite bikini,
or better yet in a pair of low rise jeans with some midriff showing.
MY BODY IS BEAUTIFUL. YOURS IS TOO!
Now...
let's take a moment to appreciate the skin we're in
& celebrate our body through fashion,
instead of hiding within the seams of our own clothes.
So how will you get dressed tomorrow?
What part of you will you choose to put on display?
Dressing up is a party - try to have some fun.
XX C
PHOTOGRAPHY : BETSY-MAY SMITH @betsymaysmith
OUTFIT ANTHEM : 24/7 - BECKY G. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pxl7upp0Wo
OUTFIT DETAILS :
BLUE BALLERINA
LEATHER BOMBER - EVA B VINTAGE
LACE BODYSUIT - EVA B VINTAGE
EARRINGS - LITTLE INDIA (VANCOUVER)
ICY BLUE COWBOY BOOTS - L'INTERVALLE
TIED UP TURTLE
MUSTARD YELLOW TURTLENECK - AMERICAN APPAREL
VINTAGE 80's SWIMSUIT - COUNCIL OF GIANTS
BLACK FISHNETS - TOPSHOP
LIME GREEN SEQUIN BOOTS - L'INTERVALLE
BUNNY'S BUNNS
WHITE TURTLENECK - EVA B VINTAGE
RED FISHNETS - ARDENE
FAUX FENTI BOOTS - EVA B VINTAGE
BUBBLEGUM BABY
OFF-THE-SHOULDER MINI DRESS - EVA B VINTAGE
PINK EARMUFFS - EVA B VINTAGE
SUNNIES - BETSYYY
GALAXY SOCKS - STRATHCONA STOCKINGS
FUZY SLIDES - STEVE MADDEN
FEMME FREAK OUT
DRESS - EVA B VINTAGE
TNA SWIM SUIT - ARITZIA
EARRINGS - THRIFTED
PINK LEOPARD HEELS - EVA B VINTAGE
Comentarios