A fashion publicist Sara Larson also runs a successful PR agency. She is also the mother to two young children. She was prepping to return to her pre-pregnancy body.
Larson, like many people around the globe, was homebound in March last year. She worked full-time while trying to homeschool her children and parent them. Along with the body-image preoccupation that accompanied it, working out was the first thing to do. You go into survival mode, trying to manage everything, kids, career, everything!
Along with many women, Larson reshuffled her priorities during the pandemic, making a conscious decision to at least attempt to silence the constant negativity around her own body image and finding that mentality reflected in her clothing choices. Galvan was one of her brands and she placed an order for a body-conscious gown from their new power knits collection. “I ordered the dress during COVID-19, and I was like, “Oh my God, this is really not going to fit me.” It fit perfectly and I felt amazing. I shared the photo with everyone and they were all so kind.
The idea that this was so shocking points to the deeply ingrained patterns of self-criticism we all possess in varying levels. Even those in stable relationships with their self-image were affected by the pandemic. Your “post-pandemic body,” as it was called, was a mirror of the mental and physical battle women experience after having children. It also reflected the negative energy of a New Years resolution. A study by David Frederick from Chapman University found that 48 percent of female respondents felt the pandemic had contributed to their negative feelings about weight.
Then, amidst all the negativity, something changed this summer–at least for some. The movement to free ourselves from the insecure chains emerged through fashion. Guy Trebay called it “bare season” (controversially). Trends include wearing less clothing and celebrating the female form rather than trying to alter it with padding, darting, or boning.
“Fewer layers not only means more exposure for your body, it can be a really tough time for people struggling with body image.” “I found myself drawn to these iconic images of sex, glamour, and total femininity in the midst of the pandemic. None of them were this small, tiny form.” I began to look at what makes a woman confident, empowered, and happy. It’s how you support and carry yourself. It’s what you feel about yourself.
In fashion, there’s often a double standard with the idea of dressing sexy. The societal standards can be different depending on your body type. Those with more feminine or slimmer bodies are often allowed to wear less. Author, who has distanced herself from fashion industry for many reasons. The only reason being that she refuses to conform to realistic depictions of women’s bodies. She has shared her journey with body images on social media, as she tries to find a healthy weight and sustain it. ” It was difficult for me to decide what I should wear for work.”
Reflecting on fashion’s most recent haute couture fashion week, Prescod acknowledges that its dominance on social media still begrudgingly promoted this dated, even distasteful physical idealism. These examples show that it is difficult to reverse the mental and sartorial trend of image. “Fewer layers does not only mean more exposure for your body but also more exposure to you body. This can make it really difficult for people who struggle with body image,” says body positivity advocate, who popularized this hashtag via Instagram. It’s the perfect time to reflect on our relationship with our bodies and embrace it.
“It’s your body,” Oz states matter-of-factly. “This is your body right now.” This relationship is further redefined by motherhood. Being pregnant is a complete outing. Larson says that your belly is growing a person and you want to display it. She is now embracing silhouettes that emphasize the feminine form. “I feel sexier than I did before having children. It’s about accepting that I have two beautiful children.
“I think that’s really what I’m seeing in terms of why I feel better in my skin now than I ever have before, is that I’ve shown up for myself,” reiterates Oz. I’ve made an investment in myself that gives me confidence. It shows in my fashion sense.”
“I really started leaning heavily into what it is about a woman that makes her look confident, makes her look empowered, makes her look like she feels good about herself. It’s how you support and carry yourself. It’s what you feel about yourself.”
The fashion component simply served as the outward depiction of an internal shift. Carolyn Mair, fashion psychologist, says that if someone is confident in who they are and what they have to offer, then the importance of what they wear becomes less.
Like so many aspects of modern society, saying these things out loud sounds almost foolish. Although you can wear whatever size you like, it’s not always easy. Larson says, “You don’t want to admit that it feels so superficially to be concerned about your body,” but Larson adds, “But the only comforting thing I know is that I’m not the only one.”
“It’s almost like faking it until you make it in your body,” she continues. It’s like “OK, cool, I’m going embrace my body and be proud of that and it will inspire others to do the same.” Confidence is the best thing to wear.
