Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Let's Talk #DiversityInLingerie

Here on the bra blogosphere front, we've been discussing something that is lacking in the lingerie world: diversity. Diversity is a pretty loaded word, and it means a lot of different things to different people, especially in the context of lingerie. For me, it means that I cringe when a bra that is beige is labeled "nude", and I hold my head in my hands when a tiny model is kicked out of a runway show for having boobs that are too big. For me, it means that I wish that I could see full-bust bras being modeled by ladies more my size.

Here's what it means to June of Braless in Brasil, who started us all on this whole thing:

From now on, if you want to join me take a picture of yourself (can be with or without your face, in lingerie or clothes- whatever you feel comfortable with!) and somehow fit in the hashtag #DiversityInLingerie.  You’re welcome to either post it on twitter with the hashtag or email me and I’ll put it up in  a post on my blog. Starting today (August 21st) other bloggers will becoming out with their own posts and pictures so check back to this post for the links! I’ll post them as they come out. I’d encourage women of ALL walks of life and appearance to join in.  By participating you can show the lingerie industry that, yes, you’d buy lingerie from a diverse group of models, not just the ones currently shown.  I want to be clear that this is nothing against the body types currently shown and I don’t want to get into a “real women” debate. We’re all real women.  I just want a bigger pool of models so that ALL women can see someone like them and say “hey, she looks like me and that bra looks awesome on her, it could look awesome on me too!”. – See more at: http://www.bralessinbrasil.com/#sthash.kgApbqkM.dpuf

This is the picture I first decided to take for the world to see, to show my support.
Now, I don't expect models to make this face when modeling lingerie. That's my special photo face.
Then, after having pondered long and hard, I realized that I was hiding behind a lot of things that make me... well, me. My tattoos are covered, my lumps and bumps are covered, I'm wearing lip gloss... and that's fine. However, I wanted to be more honest with y'all about my body. I felt compelled. There's nothing wrong with covering up what makes you feel insecure, but to me, the #DiversityinLingerie campaign encourages body honesty. I believe body positivity and body honesty go hand in hand, and I stand for both. I decided to take some more photos again, to show you what I'm all about.

Much better.
I have rolls. I have fat. I have wide shoulders for my frame. I have keratosis pilaris, a skin condition that makes my arms have bumps all over them. I have a big tattoo on my shoulder blade. I have faded pimple scars all across my back. There's no Photoshop here, other than to add the text. I am proud of, and love, my body. I want to be able to see or get an idea of how products will fit said body. It's hard, though, when it seems that most full bust bra models are no bigger than a 30E, when I'm hauling around my 34HHs.

Would I buy lingerie from a model who had similar proportions to me? Heck yes I would. Also, I wouldn't care what color her skin tone is, I wouldn't care if she had stretchmarks, pimples, or cellulite, and I certainly wouldn't care if she had a disability or was an older model. I buy most of my lingerie online; it'd be nice to have an inkling of what something will look like when I buy it.

Want to read some of the other amazing #DiversityinLingerie posts today? Here are some. I'll add more as they get posted!

Braless in Brasil
Braless in Brasil, Part II
Braless in Brasil, Part III
Les Gros Bonnets
Wide Curves
By Baby's Rules
Kurvendiskussionen
The Full Figured Chest
Curvy Wordy
Under the Unders
Muscular Hourglass
Bras and Body Image
The Absurd Curvy Nerd
Fussy Busty
The Lingerie Addict
Anytime Yoga
Busty & Thrifty
Pretty Big Bras
Diamonds and Steel
The Breast Life
The Curves Have It
KathTea Katastrophy
Scarlet's Letter
The Chocolate Plushie
Two Cakes on a Plate
Huffington Post
Butterfly Collection
Quest for the Perfect Bra
That Bra Does Not Fit Her
Sevenlies
A Sophisticated Pair
Undiegamer
Angela Friedman
More Sand In My Hourglass
Les seins du Sphinx
Wide Curves for The Full Figured Chest
Barbarian Librarian
Voluptuously Thin, for Weirdly Shaped and Well Photographed
SugarShape
Invest In Your Chest
Nothing Ever Fits and Nobody Sympathizes
Warning: Curves Ahead
Guest Post for Voluptuously Thin
Bra Queen
Faustine's Foundations
Wellfitting
Balkonetka
Curvature Boutique
Becky's Boudoir

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For readers' reference, I'm wearing a Kiss Me Deadly Elle robe in the first photo, and in both photos I am wearing a Knickerocker romper.

12 comments:

  1. That romper is AMAZING. You look great!

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    1. Thank you so much! It's amazingly comfortable -- I wear it to bed most nights, when it's not in the wash. :)

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  2. Thank you for posting this--it's so refreshing because I can totally relate to your body. I also love your special photo face.

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    1. I've been making that face for photos since my freshman year of college. I don't know why I started doing it, but I can't stop! I'm glad you enjoyed the post!

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  3. Thanks for your post! Embracing and showing our real selves is empowering to all women.

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    1. You're quite welcome! I can only hope that my photos help someone. :)

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  4. Thanks for showing off the tattoo! I love when there's a chance of seeing a tattooed model, but most companies tend to photoshop the skin. I really enjoyed the post and love your diversity pic!

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    1. It's so often hidden by shirts, I figured this one needed the spotlight. :) I'm glad you liked the post!

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  5. love your body, and it will love you back! i believe lingerie companies should rethink getting models to wear their bra line! majority of us don't fall under that "thin" "modelsize" category for goddsake! :O

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    1. I absolutely agree! I think companies could benefit more by showing how their products fit a wide range of women. Sure, there are customers who are thin and tall like models; however, there are a lot more women who are differently shaped, because there are so many more body types than just thin and tall.

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  6. Hey..!! This tattoo is looking very stylish there on your back. I am loving it. Almost I have also a same body shape and I think I should do something like you to become a stylish women. Great to see you and thanks for this motivation.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! Do whatever makes you happy and makes you feel comfortable. For me personally, expressing myself with style makes me happy. Go for it!

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