Can You Wear Shapewear and Be Body Positve? Hell Yes You CAN.

Over the past few years the phrase “Body positivity “ has taken over the internet. It gave people the nudge they needed to say “Yes I have a fupa, so the fuck what!” or take whatever body insecurity they have and realize that they were not alone and we are here to love on you and support you as we deal with our own shit too.

For the first time in years, more and more women…. and men were letting it all hang out. Beautiful stretch marks and bat wings and jelly rolls were filling the internet as people finally started excepting their right now bodies. You know what the right now body is right? It’s your body in its current state before we start promising to lose weight or dieting or whatever it is that we say to ourselves whenever we don’t feel adequate. Now we all know anytime overweight people start loving on themselves here come the damn health trolls inserting their 2 cents with their Google medical degrees and Web MD stats. Like really where the hell did you come from and please sit down and STFU!

There seemed to be forward momentum and solidarity in the plus-size community, Until that is it was stated that you can’t say that you represent body positivity if you wear shapewear?1?!

Wayment, what!

So you mean to tell me that because I wear my shapewear I’m not body positive. You say I’m hiding or ashamed of my body. Well, I say y’all crazy as hell. How about I was raised by my grandma and a lady didn’t dare put on a dress or skirt without a slip or girdle because you didn’t want all your business to be showing, I mean and let’s be honest it makes the garment fit better. If some of us didn’t put on a bra our breasts would be hanging mighty low. We put on that bra because what? We want them to sit up and look a certain way, Right? Well, I pulled these damn Spanx up because I want one stomach in my dress, not two wtf.

There were multiple articles posted and loads of influencers saying that pushing shapewear is equivalent to body shaming. I say pump the brakes. If shapewear isn’t your thing then, by all means, carry on. But wearing doesn’t mean that you hate your body without nor does it mean you have to wear it all the time. Its an accessory just like a scarf, a pair of earrings or a belt. It may not be necessary to add to every outfit but its good to know you have one in the drawer. Now I would never give my unsolicited advice to anyone but when asked my professional opinion I’m gonna give an honest one. As a stylist, my job is to make sure that every client I come in contact with look and feel their personal best. And the first lesson I teach to my clients is a well fitted and pulled together look starts with a great foundation (bra, panties, shapewear or hosiery)

So say what you will, I love me, all of me, every roll, piece of back fat, side titty and the dimples in my thighs cause I look good! But there are times where they need to be tucked neatly in place so I can handle my business. Listen I want everyone to feel comfortable in their skin and whatever you need to help you feel that way, I’m all for that as well.

Now lets just all get along and continue to slay these streets!

image taken by photographer Substantia Jones