What Happens When Body Positive Bloggers Pose Like Sports Illustrated Models?
We have finally hit that time of year where we proudly preen ourselves in beach-ready attire as we flock to the nearest body of water to cool off during the sweltering heat. It’s prime time to show off what your mama gave you, colloquially speaking. Of course, given the way society frames bodies on the beach, these messages of positivity are mainly geared toward the slimmer crowd and only further justified by the likes of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue.
But where does that leave the girls who have a bit more to love? Why are our bodies so vilified to the point where we are left in the dust when it comes to our fashion choices? The only message being sent to women and girls above size six is this: your bodies are disgusting and are meant to be covered up at all times in order to protect the masses. To enforce that idea, most women’s magazines feature at least one story on the cover about shedding “unwanted” pounds, as if to place the blame on plus-sized women for not meeting society’s strident body ideals.
This year, online swimsuit retailer SwimsuitsForAll decided enough is enough when it comes to this kind of toxic language. The site, which stocks swimsuits for sizes eight and above, teamed up with fashion blogger Gabi Gregg for their more inclusive and body-positive version of a summer swimsuit calendar. Called “Sexy at Every Curve,” the calendar highlights models Gregg, Robin Lawley, Jada Sezer and Shareefa J as they highlight some of the best pieces currently available for purchase. For an even more pronounced jab at mainstream body ideals, many of the poses, including the cover, put their own twist on the same ones used in this year’s Sports Illustrated shoot.
In the shoot’s behind-the-scenes footage, Gregg says, “I think it's sad that the representatives of women in mainstream culture are usually so small just because we have such a diversity of sizes in the real world.” Gregg goes on to emphasize the importance of campaigns such as Sexy at Every Curve: “What happens is, I think, so many women see those girls and think they have to look like them. And I know plus-size models and bloggers, like myself, are really helping change that."
With the explosion of plus-size fashion blogs such as Gabi’s -- and plenty of others found all over Tumblr, Blogger and Wordpress -- women are finally learning what it means to be “body positive”: to love one’s body for its curves, imperfections and stretch marks; to not listen to outside sources saying there is a wrong or a right way to have a body; to provide a foundation for that same love for one’s self onto others. Even though a swimsuit calendar shouldn’t have to be “revolutionary,” this one is. Truly, anything that stands up in the face of tearing negative forces down in order to promote the greater good can be revolutionary.
So no more hiding behind dark colors and season-inappropriate clothing. Summer’s the perfect time to put on your favorite swimsuit and show off your lovely curves.
