Women often feel their bodies aren't truly their own, constantly scrutinized with everyone from strangers to friends and family regulating how they should look.
For plus-size women, it's especially difficult, as mass media tells them they aren't as beautiful, healthy or vibrant as women with smaller statures. These assertions have very real implications on how this demographic feels about their own self-worth.
When it comes to fashion, plus-size women are often shamed the most.
The industry is intent on telling plus-size women what they should and should not wear. Many retailers subject these women to wear all black, or don't carry plus-size clothes at all -- as if saying the latest trends are not for them.
As a result, there's an unspoken plus-size fashion rulebook that women have had to adhere to, minimizing their beautiful, full figures.
More than the obvious hate this perpetuates, notions that voluptuous women are anything less than sexy is just plain wrong.
We've compiled nine fashion rules plus-size women should completely break this summer. Practice body-positive activism through fashion -- you can pull off these trends, too.
1. Wear shorts, no matter your thigh size.
Fucking beauty standards in my tiny shorts today#tessholliday #effyourbeautystandards #tikibabe #vegas A photo posted by +Size Model || Feminist (@tessholliday) on Apr 4, 2015 at 3:28pm PDT
Shorts are classic summer attire that fuller women are told to avoid. But you shouldn't suffocate your legs in denim skinny jeans all summer long.
Bare your legs in a pretty pair of shorts, but do so with caution. "Chub rub," or the unpleasant chafing caused by rubbing thighs, is a real problem for many women. Remedy this with some tips here.
2. Exercise your right to bare arms.
New blog post wearing @additionelle! Link in bio for more pics and links to buy A photo posted by @gabifresh on May 22, 2015 at 12:39pm PDT
Bare arms help make the sweltering summer somewhat bearable, but plus-size women are constantly told to keep their arms hidden to conceal any hint of fat.
Forget that rule and let your arms enjoy a bit of a breeze. In the heat of the summer, you definitely need it.
3. Don’t sweat your summer away in all-black everything.
The kitty is out of the bag! New new on le blog. Happy Sunday! #MusingsofaCurvyLady #eloquii #XOQ #DAREtoWEAR #PLUSmodelmag #celebratemysize #PlusSizeFashion #FashionBlogger #KittyEars #JAXBloggers #igersjax A photo posted by Thamarr Guerrier (@ladyfigure) on May 31, 2015 at 11:56am PDT
The absence of color is supposed to have all plus-size girls captivated by its slimming properties. But dressing in all-black everything in the middle of August will have you keeling over with heatstroke if you aren't careful.
Summer is all about bright colors that mimic the vibrancy of the season. You can give your wardrobe that extra pop, even if you are over a size 12.
4. The latest trends aren’t just for skinny ladies.
Today on my #blog: All White Everything! Shirt: #hmplus Jeans: @studio_untold Clutch: #newlook A photo posted by Claudia (@curvy_claudia) on Apr 14, 2015 at 12:05pm PDT
A bogus plus-size fashion rule is to always stick to the basics. Some people apparently believe your body is only safe with tried-and-true styles, meaning you should steer clear of any passing trends.
But trends aren't only for runway models and the women who share their measurements. You can look flawless in sheer styles, gingham and even in all white this season.
5. Crop tops aren't only made for thin women.
Our FATTITUDE crops & tees are finally available for pre-order! They'll be here by 4/15! Soft tee, soft & flexible 5 color print, hand pressed and sewn in the midwest! $34 available in sizes XL-5x! Link in profile! #fattitude #igotitatredress #plussize #croptop #plussizecroptop #psblogger #fatshion #retroplus #alternativecurves #plussizepinup #fat #fatfashion #effyourbeautystandards A photo posted by Re/Dress (@redressluvsu) on Mar 20, 2015 at 5:52pm PDT
Having a flat stomach like Britney Spears circa her "I'm A Slave 4 U" days isn't a requirement for wearing a crop top -- you can show your belly, too. Ignore the summer fashion rule that says crop tops are off-limits.
6. Get loud with your prints.
Blog Update: Ruling the world www.garnerstyle.blogspot.com A photo posted by Chastity Garner-Valentine (@garnerstyle) on May 13, 2015 at 7:13pm PDT
Plus-size women are told to avoid patterns in order to appear slimmer, but banning patterns can make your wardrobe terribly bland. What's summer (or any season) without a good pattern thrown in?
7. Don't let clingy fabrics scare you.
WE ARE NOT WATERING ANYTHING DOWN HERE, LADIES!!!!! You want the kick ass prints, patterns, and designs that are available to skinny women, and WE HEAR YOU!!! Just look at this BOSS ASS pineapple body con dress. Look at it! It’s fabulous. Lots of stores say they know what plus size women want – boxy cuts that hide everything, hideous prints, bedazzling, basically frumpy crap. But we know better! You are young (or young at heart), full of life, full of style, and full of body. We see that – and Your Big Sister wants you to have clothes to match!!! Your ass, too, can be on fleek. Come see us and we’ll make it happen. A photo posted by Your Big Sister's Closet (@bigsiscloset) on Jun 5, 2015 at 9:23am PDT
Apparently, plus-size women should only wear ill-fitting black mumus 365 days a year.
If that sounds unappealing -- and it probably should -- don't feel like you need to buy into this rule. If you're into that form-fitting jersey dress, you should feel no shame in wearing it.
8. Forget shapewear forever.
Fatbabe status feeling so pro-chub after Plus Sized Wars tonight! #psootd #plussize #psblogger #psfashion #psbloggers #plusfashion #plus_isamust #PLUSModelMag #psinspiration #plussizeblogger #plussizefashion ##psootd #plussize #psblogger #psfashion #psbloggers #plusfashion #plus_isamust #PLUSModelMag #psinspiration #plussizeblogger #plussizefashion #plussizeperfection #fat #fatspo #fashion #fatbabe #fatshion #fbloggers #fashionblog #fashionblogger #fatspiration #effyourbeautystandards #curvy #chubby #curvygirls #CelebrateMySize #ootd #psootd #plusmodel #plussizemodel #psmodel A photo posted by Nancy Whittington (@misswhittington) on Apr 21, 2015 at 2:18pm PDT
Full-figured women are taught to suck in their stomachs to mimic thinness. When holding your breath fails, nylon shapewear is supposed to smooth rolls and dimples to make plus-size forms more "aesthetically pleasing."
But shapewear won't do much more than inhibit your breathing and your self-esteem. Skip the heat-holding body-shapers this summer. You don’t deserve to feel like a sausage.
9. Rock that bikini on your ready-made beach bod.
New blog post with more photos of me in my new SwimSexy bikini collection up on gabifresh.com (link in profile)! There are notes on fit so please read before purchasing. The suits will be available in 1 hour at 12pm EST on swimsuitsforall.com! Can't wait to see you guys wearing them!!!! Love you guys! #gabifreshxswimsexy @swimsuitsforall EDIT: My website is going in and out so try refreshing. If it doesn't work, check my Facebook fan page soon for notes on fit (Facebook.com/gabifresh) A photo posted by @gabifresh on Jan 9, 2015 at 7:59am PST
Grab that bikini -- or #fatkini, if hashtag activism is more your speed.
Bikinis have always been reserved for those with flat stomachs and high confidence. But there's no reason a confident plus-size woman can't slay in the sand while wearing a two-piece. Fashion rules were meant to be broken, and beach fashion is no exception.
TL;DR: Wear whatever you want, no matter your size.
